Detective series with Death Valley stars tipped as BBC's 'next breakout crime drama' gets first look

The BBC has unveiled some first-look photos of The Last Detectives, a brand-new detective series set in Wales. Featuring stars from Death Valley and Shetland, this could be a breakout crime drama for the broadcaster.

The series, which previously had the working title of Old Town Murders, follows a group of detectives who operate in the coastal town of Tenby as a slew of murders grip the small community.

At the centre is DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, a pair of investigative partners whose "instinctive understanding of one another proves invaluable as they navigate complex cases".

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Set against the backdrop of the Pembrokeshire coastline, the series will depict "themes of new beginnings and second chances", with the team facing "fresh challenges, personal crossroads and truths that refuse to stay buried".

Billed as a "crime series brimming with wit, humour and grounded in character", the six-part series will present three cases, with each investigation being told over the course of two parts.

Written by Matthew Barry, the six-part drama sees Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri playing Glyn and Sion respectively, with the supporting stars including Bethan Mary-James, Jordan Davies, Catherine Ayers and Julie Graham.

"I'm beyond excited to be re-teaming with Quay Street and the BBC to bring The Last Detectives to the screen," said Barry, who also serves as an executive producer on the eagerly-awaited series.

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"It's a story about finding friendship and meaning in later life, through the lens of a thrilling police procedural. I can't wait for audiences to fall in love with Sion, Glyn and the stunning backdrop of Tenby."

The writer previously collaborated with Jones and Rhodri on television film Men Up in 2023, and said that he had written the characters of Glyn and Sion with the acting duo specifically in mind.

The Last Detectives will air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.