Daytime viewers of BBC One – and indeed anytime viewers of BBC iPlayer – will get first sight of new crime drama series The Northumbria Mysteries this coming Friday (October 23).
Those fortunate enough to have joined cast and crew for a preview screening at the Tyneside Cinema this week will be aware that BBC top brass have been watching closely too.
Speaking from the stage, Dan McGolpin, director of BBC iPlayer and TV Channels, said he had been delighted when Helen Munson, commissioning editor for the North East, said she had a script she wanted to do.
Now that the script, under lead writer Ash Ditta, has become a series (eight episodes, four to be available on iPlayer soon after broadcast) he was “very excited” to see it put before its first audience.
There was also a supportive message (via screen from Salford) from Matt Brittin, BBC director-general – another indication that the weight of the Corporation is behind this new investment in North East TV production.
The series has everything going for it, including stunning North East locations and a Northumbrian phenomenon with proven TV appeal, namely Robson Green, thrilled to be filming on his doorstep.
His face, along with co-stars Liz White, Gurjeet Singh and Simon Callow, even appeared on the promotional popcorn cartons at the Tyneside Cinema.
Robson, with a following swelled by his BBC factual series, Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, plays Joe Ruby, an ex-con trying to go straight with the help of kindly Father David (Simon Callow) at a local (psst… it’s Brinkburn) priory.
White plays Detective Inspector Rose O’Connell and Singh her sidekick, Detective Sergeant Raj Singh, whose relationship with Ruby is… well, you’ll see.
The point made repeatedly on Thursday night was that this truly is a North East venture – local production company (Lonesome Pine) and a crew more than 80% North East-based.
Helen Munson is from Gateshead and Lesley Douglas, who runs Lonesome Pine, from Newcastle.
They, along with North East Screen, backed by the two mayoral authorities, are clearly batting for TV in the region and things are happening, with film crews becoming an increasingly common landscape feature.
If The Northumbria Mysteries spawns further series, popcorn will surely be followed by corks a-popping.
The first episode is to be broadcast on BBC One on Friday, October 23 at 2pm (and on iPlayer).
Look out for an interview with Robson and Gurjeet on Cultured. North East in the coming days.