After the surprise cancellation of PI drama Private Eyes, star Jason Priestley and executive producer Lloyd Segan tell DQ about reuniting for sequel Private Eyes West Coast and the changing relationship at the heart of the series.
All posts by Michael Pickard
Eyes to the West
Escape plan
Norwegian drama Flukten fra Bolivia (Escaping Bolivia) tells the story of three friends caught up in drug-smuggling charges in the South American country. Creator Emilie Beck and producer Marte Hansen detail how the series was inspired by true events and discuss the production’s real-world impact.
Hit squad
Writer Howard Overman and director David Caffrey tell DQ how they drew on influences including Out of Sight, Starsky & Hutch and Jackie Brown to create Hit Point, an “ambitious” crime drama about two detectives battling an increasing attraction to each other.
New BBC drama is Mint
FIRST LOOK: The BBC has released a clip of its forthcoming drama Mint, a series written and directed by Charlotte Regan (Scrapper) that is described as an unconventional blend of romcom and crime drama.
Mint follows Shannon (Emma Laird), the daughter of her area’s dominant crime family, who is desperately searching for romance in the shadow of her father, Dylan.
When she falls hard for Arran (Ben Coyle-Larner), a member of a rival crime family who has newly arrived in town, their love story presents an undeniable connection that changes both of their lives for good, but not everyone in their lives sees it the same way.
While Shannon and Arran are navigating their forbidden romance, elsewhere things are imploding for Shannon’s family. When Dylan decides to step down as the head of the family for mysterious reasons, Sam, Dylan’s second in command, steps up to take over, though his diverging tactics start to raise alarm across our series.
The clip shows sparks flying, literally, during the first meeting between Shannon and Arran, the protagonists of this eight-part drama about soaring romance, crushing heartbreak and what love might feel like when everyone outside of your family is terrified of you.
Made by Fearless Minds and House Productions, Mint was filmed in and around Glasgow last year. It also stars Sam Riley, Laura Fraser, Lewis Gribben and Lindsay Duncan.
It is produced by Angus Lamont and executive produced by Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell and Theo Barrowclough for House Productions, Jolyon Symonds for Fearless Minds and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. BBC Studios is handling global sales.
Mint will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival this Sunday, before airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this spring.
Read more about the making of Mint with DQ’s interview with Charlotte Regan here.
tagged in: BBC iPlayer, BBC One, BBC Studios, Fearless Minds, House Productions, Mint
Seed of the crime
Sogn Murders blends cosy crime with stunning scenery – and apple farming – to bring Norwegian literary detective Ole Vik to the screen. Writer Kathrine Valen Zeiner and producer Sigurd Mikal Karoliussen tell DQ how they did it.
Made in Italy
DQ visits Naples to get a close-up look at the detailed design behind Sky mafia drama Gomorra – Le Origini (Gomorrah – The Origins), and meets production designer Fabrizio D’Arpino and costume designer Olivia Bellini to learn the secrets of their work.
MGM+, Prime Video call on Spider-Noir
FIRST LOOK: Nicolas Cage takes on his first leading television role in Spider-Noir, a series that will be available to stream both in black and white and full colour when it debuts in the US on MGM+ and worldwide on Prime Video this spring.
Spanish lessons
Kimberley Tell and Joan Amargós, the stars of Spanish period drama Ena: La Reina Victoria Eugenia, discuss this biopic of the British princess who became Queen of Spain, her difficult relationship with her husband and why the series is a “really good history lesson.”
A little more Patience
British star Ella Maisy Purvis reflects on making two seasons of Channel 4 crime drama Patience, beating impostor syndrome and why the audience is rooting for the title character.
New threads
Danish drama Uniformen (The Uniform) explores the ethical and moral dilemmas facing police officers from the perspective of the students and staff at Copenhagen’s police academy. Writers Oscar Giese and Anders August join director Jonas Alexander Arnby to reveal more.
Disney+ faces new Rivals
TRAILER: Disney+ has released the first look at season two of Rivals, the adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s 1980s Rutshire-set novel that will return on May 15.
Introducing the glamorous world of polo and promising surprising new twists, heightened boardroom drama and deeper romantic entanglements, the battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase.
More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.
Amidst the hedonistic glamour of 80s excess, the personal lives of our Rutshire heroes spiral into chaos. Marriages fracture under the weight of ambition, illicit affairs threaten to shatter families, and long-buried secrets ignite with explosive consequences. As rivalries push everyone to the brink, loyalties are tested and hearts are broken in the pursuit of victory. But what is the true cost of war?
Reprising their roles are David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black, Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, Bella Maclean as Taggie O’Hara, Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, Victoria Smurfit as Maud O’Hara, Claire Rushbrook as Lady Monica Baddingham, Oliver Chris as James Vereker and Lisa McGrillis as Valerie Jones.
Emily Atack also returns as Sarah Stratton, with Rufus Jones as Paul Stratton, Luca Pasqualino as Basil ‘Bas’ Baddingham, Catriona Chandler as Caitlin O’Hara, Annabel Scholey as Beattie Johnson, Gary Lamont as Charles Fairburn, Hubert Burton as Gerald Middleton, Gabriel Tierney as Patrick O’Hara, Lara Peake as Daysee Butler and Bryony Hannah as Dierdre Kilpatrick.
New faces in S2 include Hayley Atwell as Helen Gordon, Rupert Campbell-Black’s ex-wife and mother of his two children, and Rupert Everett as her husband Malise Gordon, Campbell Black’s former show-jumping coach and mentor.
Maxim Ays, Holly Cattle, Oliver Dench, Amanda Lawrence, Bobby Lockwood, Eliot Salt and Jonny Weldon also star.
Produced by Happy Prince, Rivals is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Alexander Lamb, Felicity Blunt, Elliot Hegarty, Laura Wade, Jilly Cooper and Jonny Richards. Eliza Mellor returns as series producer.
It is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Laura Wade, Sophie Goodhart, Sam Hoare, Mimi Hare, Clare Naylor, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh and Dare Aiyegbayo, and directed by Elliot Hegarty, Jamie J Johnson and Dee Koppang O’Leary.
Rivals S2 debuts on Hulu in the US and Disney+ internationally in two six-episode batches, the first arriving with a three-episode premiere on May 15. The second batch will air later in the year.
tagged in: Disney, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Happy Prince, Hulu, Rivals
Unnur Birna Backman leads Icelandic thriller Elma
FIRST LOOK: Unnur Birna Backman plays the title character in Elma, an upcoming Icelandic crime thriller based on the novels and characters created by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir.
Ms X marks the spot
South Pacific Pictures CEO Kelly Martin tells DQ about her hopes for upcoming crime dramedy Ms X, offers an education about improv comedy Educators and reveals some of the secrets behind the New Zealand producer’s long-running series The Brokenwood Mysteries.
Character traits
Elizabeth Berrington shares her love of being a “jobbing actor” as she discusses her career, her recent role in Frauds – the ITV heist drama starring Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker – and why she’s planning to “work until I drop.”
ITV springs for Gone
FIRST LOOK: ITV has revealed more images from Gone, its forthcoming psychological drama starring Eve Myles and David Morrissey that is due to debut this spring.
About Time
French producer Malika Abdellaoui takes DQ inside the making of France Télévisions thriller Il était deux fois (Twice Upon a Time), explaining how it was inspired by Franck Thilliez’s novel of the same name and why she believes it stands out as a “distinctive” drama.
Bracing for the storm
Sky drama Under Salt Marsh places a police investigation against the backdrop of a storm-lashed Welsh coast. Writer-director Claire Oakley tells DQ about setting the scene for this series and its “highly combustible” lead characters.
Netflix releases Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole teaser
TRAILER: Tobias Santelmann is Harry Hole in the first teaser for upcoming crime drama Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, coming to Netflix on March 26, 2026.
The first series based on Nesbo’s novels featuring the title character, Santelmann leads the cast alongside Joel Kinnaman as Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta as Rakel Fauke.
The series – which has the Norwegian title Jo Nesbøs Harry Hole – is a whodunnit serial killer mystery led by famed anti-hero Harry Hole, in a story about two police officers – and supposed colleagues – operating on opposite sides of the law as Harry goes head-to-head with his long-time adversary and corrupt detective Tom Waaler.
Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons. As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late.
Produced by Working Title, the nine-part series is directed by Øystein Karlsen and Anna Zackrisson. Nesbø is the creator and screenwriter and the producer is Tor Arne Øvrebø.
Executive producers are Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Amelia Granger, Katy Rozelle, Rene Ezra, Øystein Karlsen, Jo Nesbø and Niclas Salomonsson.
The original score is composed by acclaimed musicians and composers Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.
tagged in: Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole, Netflix
Making waves
From script competition winner to Netflix series creator, Michele Giannusa discusses the long and bumpy road to bringing her first original series, Ripple, to the screen and how it blends multiple stories of people in search of new connections.
BBC hails Lord of the Flies
TRAILER: The BBC has released the full trailer for Lord of the Flies, an adaptation of William Golding’s novel adapted by Jack Thorne (Adolescence, Help) that will debut on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Lord of the Flies is the story of schoolboys stranded on a tropical island with no adults, following a deadly plane crash. In an attempt to remain civil they organise themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But when Jack becomes more interested in hunting and vying for leadership, he soon begins to draw other boys away from the group and, ultimately, from hope to tragedy.
The ensemble cast is comprised of more than 30 boys, many making their professional acting debuts. It is led by Winston Sawyers as Ralph, Lox Pratt as Jack, David McKenna as Piggy and Ike Talbut as Simon. They are joined by fellow castaways including Thomas Connor as Roger, Noah and Cassius Flemming as twins Sam and Eric, Cornelius Brandreth as Maurice and Tom Page-Turner as Bill.
The first adaptation of Golding’s novel for television, Thorne’s take is described as faithful to the original novel – set in the early 1950s on an unnamed Pacific island and delving further into the book’s emotive themes of human nature, the loss of innocence and boyhood masculinity.
Each of the four episodes is titled after a character at the core of the story – Ralph, Piggy, Simon and Jack – offering a subtly different perspective on the boys’ collective plight and manner in which they cope with their predicament. The series has been made with the support of Lord of the Flies author William Golding’s family.
The four-part series is directed by Marc Munden (National Treasure, Help). It is an Eleven and One Shoe Films production for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and Stan. The producer is Callum Devrell-Cameron (Sex Education, Hanna). The executive producers are Joel Wilson and Jamie Campbell for Eleven, Jack Thorne for One Shoe Films, Marc Munden, Nawfal Faizullah for the BBC, and Cailah Scobie for Stan.
Original music for the series has been created by three of the biggest and most celebrated artists, with composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer (The White Lotus, Smile, National Treasure) providing the score and Hans Zimmer (Dune, Planet Earth, The Lion King) alongside Kara Talve (Tattooist of Auschwitz, Prehistoric Planet) of Bleeding Fingers Music creating the series’ main theme and additional music.
Stan will air the drama in Australia. Sony Pictures Television will distribute the series internationally.
tagged in: BBC iPlayer, BBC One, Jack Thorne, Lord of the Flies, Marc Munden, Stan