BBC backs North East with new drama and multi-million pound commitment
The Northumbria Mysteries - starring Robson Green - leads the charge for fresh investment, productions and skills development across the region
A new BBC crime drama set against the wild sweep of the Northumberland coastline is set to put the North East firmly back in the small screen spotlight - and it arrives as part of a major new wave of investment and ambition for the region’s screen industries.
Robson Green will lead the cast for The Northumbria Mysteries, which marks a significant return of BBC scripted production to the North East, with filming due to begin imminently.
Produced by Byker-based Lonesome Pine Productions (The Feud, The Inheritance), the eight-part daytime series centres on an unlikely crime-solving duo navigating a string of cases across coastal towns and rural communities.
Robson will star as Joe Ruby, a flawed, jack-of-all-trades drawn into solving crimes alongside the cerebral DI Rose O’Connell (casting to be confirmed).
Executive producer Lesley Douglas, said: “We could not be happier to have Robson Green lead the cast and bring Joe Ruby to life, within the magnificent backdrop of Northumberland. Working with the BBC to realise these characters has been a labour of love”.
News of the drama forms the centrepiece of a much broader push by the BBC to grow the North East as one of its key Creative Clusters.
The corporation has doubled down on its regional ambitions with a raft of new commissions, talent initiatives and a multi-million-pound investment package.
A newly extended memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the BBC and regional leaders translates to at least £40 million of network TV commissioning spend directed into the North East by the end of 2027, aligning with the BBC’s latest Charter period
This is made up of the £25m target for investment pledged when the original MOU was signed in 2021 (which has already been met) and an additional £15 million announced as part of the extended agreement.
Since 2021, the BBC has delivered commissions including the award-winning comedy Smoggie Queens, which returns for a second series this spring; Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, Joanna Page’s Wild Life, The Big Idea Works and The Dumping Ground, which recently aired its 14th series.
The new deal, struck with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen through the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) is part of the BBC’s wider “Across the UK” strategy to rebalance production and decision-making away from London and will see the North East Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority add a further £5.8m to the NESIP funding pot, which has distributed £12.9m to date, to support the screen sector up to the end of 2027.
As part of its recent Green Paper response, the BBC has also confirmed the North East as a priority creative cluster for the next Charter period, subject to future funding.
BBC head of north of England Heidi Dawson said: “We’re incredibly proud to extend our commitment to the North East, one of the BBC’s priority creative clusters, with the North East Screen Industries Partnership.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen exceptional talent, creativity and ambition flourish across the North East, and this additional commitment will ensure even more homegrown storytelling from across the region.
“From new scripted series to returning favourites, the North East is a vital part of the BBC’s Across the UK strategy, and we’re excited to build on this momentum through to 2027.”
Alongside The Northumbria Mysteries, another major production is already rooting itself in the region. A new adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ is basing itself at The Northern Studios in Hartlepool, as well as on location across Hartlepool and Sunderland. Adapted by David Nicholls (One Day) and produced by BigTalk Productions, the 10-part series adds further weight to the region’s growing production credentials.
But beyond headline drama, the BBC’s latest move also focuses on strengthening the wider creative ecosystem - from grassroots talent to digital innovation.
Two North East-based production companies will each produce three films for The One Show, offering a tangible route for smaller companies to gain network exposure and develop their skills.
Meanwhile, the Corporation has also confirmed the four companies selected for its North East Digital Accelerator, a partnership with North East Screen designed to support the next generation of digital-first creators.
Adventure Alliance Films (County Durham), Film Nova (Gateshead), Northern Child (Newcastle upon Tyne) and Wander Films (Middlesbrough) will receive investment, mentoring and business support to create content aimed at younger audiences across platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Twitch.
First announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival last summer (2025), the initiative reflects a broader shift in how - and where - content is being made, with the North East positioned as a testbed for new ideas and formats.
Alison Gwynn, North East Screen chief executive said: “This renewed commitment recognises our region’s strength and positions us as a key player in the UK’s future screen landscape.
“This extension shows the BBC believes in the North East, as a welcoming home to major productions thanks to our stunning world-class locations, crew and facilities.
“The region has always been full of creativity, resilience and brilliant storytelling. Having the BBC behind us means more jobs, more training pathways, and more chances for people from every corner of our region to be part of a thriving screen industry.”
The wider partnership also commits to bringing major BBC events to the region, including BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, which will take place in Sunderland in May 2026 and is expected to attract more than 100,000 music fans.
Kim McGuinness said: “I’ve always been clear I want our creative talents to have the success they deserve in the region, without needing to head off to the capital. That’s why I’m putting creative jobs at the heart of my plans for growth.
“We’re already seeing production ramp up in the North East, and last week we announced record funding to boost creative skills and build the region’s first film studio to sustain that growth.
“I want to see more North East stories being told by North East creatives and this new partnership is a step closer to making that happen. The BBC clearly recognises what we have to offer with new shows being filmed in Sunderland and Northumberland and I can’t wait to see what more is still to come.”
Ben Houchen added: “This partnership with the BBC has played a hugely important role in supporting our ambition to establish our region as a growing centre for the creative and digital industries.
“This extension will develop even more opportunities to showcase our incredible locations and outstanding local talent, while building on our reputation as a leading destination for TV and film-making.
“On top of our investment in first-class facilities at Hartlepool’s Northern Studios, it will also further support the development of local skills, inspire greater ambition, and help local people see that they can build a successful career in TV and film right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”
Helen Munson, BBC Commissioner for Daytime and Early Peak, who is based in the region, said: “What an exciting time for the North East!
“I am delighted to be working with such brilliant companies across the whole region - from fantastic new drama The Northumbria Mysteries with Lonesome Pine to the development opportunities across digital and The One Show, the BBC is committed to working with the world class talent this region has to offer. And there’s more to come, so watch this space!”
The BBC’s renewed commitment also lands at a pivotal moment for the region’s wider screen ambitions, following the North East Combined Authority’s decision to invest more than £38 million into the first phase of Crown Works Studios on the banks of the River Wear.
Construction is expected to begin this summer, with the initial phase opening by the end of 2027 - a significant step forward for a project that had faced uncertainty after financial backer Cain International withdrew in 2025.