{"id":2810,"date":"2026-05-20T07:36:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T07:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/excellent-police-drama-winning-over-fans-of-line-of-duty-and-happy-valley\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T07:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T07:36:16","slug":"excellent-police-drama-winning-over-fans-of-line-of-duty-and-happy-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/excellent-police-drama-winning-over-fans-of-line-of-duty-and-happy-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Excellent&#8217; police drama winning over fans of Line of Duty and Happy Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_85a9f6\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">BBC police drama has captivated viewers with its gritty Belfast setting, earning comparisons to hit series Line of Duty &#8211; and all three seasons are available to stream free on BBC iPlayer<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37175780\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Blue Lights \" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_533070TITLEBlue-Lights-Series-3.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The last season has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The last season has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes<cite aria-label=\"Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Two Cities Television\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Two Cities Television)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Three complete seasons of the police drama are now available for binge-watching, and viewers appear unanimous in their praise for this latest <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">BBC<\/a> triumph.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When the third series arrived, audiences were delighted to have fresh episodes to devour, and justifiably so, as they awarded it an impressive 100% perfect rating on review platform Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Blue Lights is a police drama centred on a fictional station called Blackthorn in Northern Ireland, unfolding against a backdrop of raw intensity and emotional turmoil.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The series chronicles the daily experiences of a Belfast police force as they interact with various community members.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Throughout the narrative we encounter hardened criminals and ordinary residents, and unlike similar programmes in the genre, it focuses on the internal dynamics of policing rather than the investigations themselves.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37175777\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37175777\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Blue Lights \" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_533005TITLEBlue-Lights-Series-3.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"A fourth season is expected \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">A fourth season is expected <cite aria-label=\"Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Two Cities Television\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Two Cities Television)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ensemble features Sian Brooke, Katherine Devlin, Nathan Braniff, Martin McCann and Richard Dormer, all of whom have garnered widespread acclaim for their authentic portrayal of the police force.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Discussing the cast, one viewer wrote: &#8220;Absolutely brilliant acting. One of the best series I&#8217;ve ever watched. Characters and plots are brilliant. Totally believable, and the tension at times is almost palpable. If you&#8217;ve not watched it yet, what are you waiting for?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Another reviewer said: &#8220;Just. WOW. Better than anything we&#8217;ve watched that I can remember. Great writing, good character development, and what a plot! I figured seasons 2 and 3 would probably be a let-down, but I see they get even higher tomato ratings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37175779\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37175779\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Blue Lights \" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_533041TITLEBlue-Lights-Series-3.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The BBC show has been compared to Line of Duty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The BBC show has been compared to Line of Duty<cite aria-label=\"Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Two Cities Television\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC\/Two Cities Television)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Spanning three seasons, Blue Lights portrays the immense pressures facing the force, particularly across the Belfast area, shining a spotlight on the widespread organised crime that permeates the region, including corruption at the very heart of the force itself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Each episode peels back the layers of intricate conspiracies that officers must unravel, navigating loyalist tensions while battling a formidable criminal dynasty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One critic said: &#8220;EXCELLENT show. Well-paced and well-written, believable characters and tense storylines set this show apart in the best way in the crowded field of policing dramas.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One devoted viewer hailed the third season as &#8220;outstandingly excellent on all counts!&#8221;, adding: &#8220;I love it when you feel the creators love their characters! Even most of the bad guys have a touching, loveable side. Line of Duty excellence + so much human warmth and authenticity = what else could I hope for?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Blue Lights has reportedly been given the green light for a fourth season, buoyed by the remarkable success of its predecessors, though an official launch date remains under wraps. Fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival sometime in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">All episodes of Blue Lights are currently available to stream for free on BBC <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/iplayer\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">iPlayer<\/a>, so settle in and get watching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/excellent-police-drama-winning-over-37175781\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BBC police drama has captivated viewers with its gritty Belfast setting, earning comparisons to hit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779262576_0_533070TITLEBlue-Lights-Series-3.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2810\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}