Production has officially commenced for the highly anticipated BBC crime drama Old Town Murders, as filming crews move into the picturesque coastal town of Tenby, West Wales. The series, which marks a significant new addition to the BBC’s slate of regional dramas, explores the complex partnership of two veteran detectives tasked with investigating a series of baffling crimes in their local community.
New Production Details and Plot Synopsis
The six-part series stars Mark Lewis Jones, known for his work in Baby Reindeer, and Steffan Rhodri of Keeping Faith. They portray DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, respectively. The narrative arc begins with DI Walsh returning early from bereavement leave to partner with DS Dearden on the high-profile murder of a University Professor. According to the BBC, the investigation serves as a catalyst for the duo’s professional and personal reinvention, moving beyond standard procedural tropes to focus on themes of friendship and resilience later in life.
Cast and Creative Leadership
The production is spearheaded by Welsh-born writer and executive producer Matthew Barry, who previously found success with The Guest. Barry has explicitly stated that the series was written with Jones and Rhodri in mind, aiming to leverage their established chemistry. The supporting cast features notable performances from James Bamford, Bethan Mary-James, Catherine Ayers, and Julie Graham, who plays forensic biologist Pamela Thomas. Quay Street Productions, led by Davina Earl and Nicola Shindler, is managing the project, ensuring the series maintains a balance of dark, inventive crime storytelling and the trademark wit associated with Barry’s previous work.
Production Scope and Distribution
While the BBC has not yet confirmed a specific premiere date, filming is currently underway across Tenby, Cardiff, and the broader South Wales coastline. The series is expected to provide a significant boost to the local production landscape. As the project progresses, viewers are being directed to the BBC’s official channels for updates on the release schedule, which will likely follow the standard BBC iPlayer rollout pattern for prestige dramas.
The commitment to filming on location in West Wales suggests that Old Town Murders is positioning itself as a successor to the regional grit of series like Keeping Faith, relying on the specific atmospheric tension of the Welsh coast to differentiate its procedural elements from standard urban crime dramas.