The Last Detectives: Everything We Know About the BBC’s New Crime Drama

Fans of Shetland and gripping British crime dramas have a new series to look forward to. The BBC is bringing The Last Detectives to screens, a six-part murder mystery set in the picturesque Welsh seaside town of Tenby, where two old friends find themselves tackling a string of baffling cases.

Starring Mark Lewis Jones as DI Glyn Walsh and Steffan Rhodri as DS Sion Dearden, the upcoming drama combines intriguing police investigations with a more personal story about friendship, resilience and finding a renewed sense of purpose later in life.

The series also features Julie Graham, best known for This City Is Ours and Time, as forensic biologist Pamela Thomas, who helps the detectives unravel the mysteries confronting them.

With its coastal setting, complex cases and a central partnership shaped by years of shared experience, The Last Detectives could be an appealing new addition to the BBC’s crime drama line-up.

Here’s everything you need to know about the series, from its storyline and cast to its expected release and where you can watch it.

What is The Last Detectives about?

Set in Tenby, West Wales, The Last Detectives follows DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, two experienced detectives whose lives have been shaped by personal difficulties. Despite the challenges they have faced, the longtime friends and colleagues discover a renewed sense of direction through their work together.

Their story begins when Glyn returns unexpectedly early from bereavement leave. Before long, he and Sion are assigned a challenging case involving the murder of a celebrated university professor.

What initially appears to be a difficult investigation soon becomes more complicated, taking the detectives into the less visible corners of the local university as they attempt to identify the killer.

But solving the first case is only the beginning. The pair soon find themselves dealing with a succession of unusual murders across the area, each presenting its own set of challenges.

According to the BBC’s official synopsis, the cases include the poisoning of a local head teacher who inexplicably drowns while wild swimming, as well as a perplexing case of mistaken identity during a triathlon.

As they work through the investigations, Glyn and Sion must also navigate the complications of living and working under the same roof.

Each case unfolds across two episodes, giving the detectives time to follow the evidence, confront unexpected twists and uncover secrets that have remained hidden beneath Tenby’s idyllic exterior.

Their longstanding friendship and instinctive understanding of one another are central to the story, providing a personal dimension alongside the murder investigations.

The pair are supported by DC Remy Jones, played by Bethan Mary-James, DC Neil Miller, played by Jordan Davies, and forensic biologist Pamela Thomas, portrayed by Julie Graham.

What has the team behind The Last Detectives said?

The series is written, created and executive produced by Welsh-born Matthew Barry, whose previous work includes The Guest.

Speaking to the BBC, Barry expressed his enthusiasm about working with Quay Street Productions and the broadcaster again to bring the new drama to life.

He described the series as a story about discovering friendship and meaning later in life, told through the framework of an engaging police procedural. He also shared his hope that viewers would grow fond of the two lead detectives and the striking setting of Tenby.

Producers Davina Earl and Nicola Shindler of Quay Street Productions have also praised the project, highlighting the qualities that define Barry’s writing.

They pointed to the relatable characters, warmth, humour and inventive crime stories that shape the series. They also expressed confidence in Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri as the right choices to bring DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden’s distinctive relationship to the screen.

With the detectives’ personal connection playing such an important role, the series looks set to balance its criminal investigations with the human stories unfolding behind them.

Who stars in The Last Detectives?

The BBC drama features a cast of familiar faces from British television, led by Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri.

Here are the main cast members and their characters:

• Mark Lewis Jones (The Crown) as DI Glyn Walsh
• Steffan Rhodri (Keeping Faith) as DS Sion Dearden
• James Bamford (Masters of the Air) as DC Neil Miller
• Catherine Ayers (The Guest) as Chief Superintendent Melanie Morris
• Bethan Mary-James (Death Valley) as DC Remy Jones
• Julie Graham (This City Is Ours, Time) as forensic biologist Pamela Thomas

Jones and Rhodri take centre stage as the two detectives whose long-standing friendship underpins the series. Their characters must contend with difficult investigations while dealing with the personal challenges that have shaped their lives.

Graham’s Pamela Thomas adds specialist forensic expertise to the team, while the wider cast brings additional characters into the investigations.

When will The Last Detectives be released?

The BBC has not yet announced an official release date for The Last Detectives.

Filming has taken place in Tenby, Cardiff and along the South Wales coastline, with the Welsh locations providing the backdrop for the six-part series.

The setting is an important part of the drama’s identity, placing intricate murder investigations against the scenery of a picturesque coastal community.

A confirmed premiere date has yet to be revealed. Further details about when viewers can watch the series are expected once the BBC announces its release plans.

What other detective dramas can you watch while you wait?

If The Last Detectives has caught your attention, there are several other crime dramas worth adding to your watchlist in the meantime.

The Island

Fans of Shetland and The Loch may want to check out The Island, a BBC drama centred on Family Liaison Officer Kat Crichton, played by Sorcha Groundsell.

Kat finds herself dealing with a harrowing murder investigation, making the series an option for viewers who enjoy tense mysteries and complicated criminal cases.

Murder in a Small Town

Another series to consider is Murder in a Small Town, which follows big-city detective Karl Alberg, played by Rossif Sutherland.

After relocating to an idyllic harbour town in the hope of finding a quieter life, Karl discovers that his new surroundings offer little respite from crime.

The contrast between the town’s peaceful appearance and the investigations unfolding there may appeal to viewers looking forward to the coastal setting and murder mysteries of The Last Detectives.

Until the BBC confirms when The Last Detectives will arrive, these two dramas offer something to watch for anyone in the mood for another compelling detective story.