The BBC has released official first-look photos and plot details for its upcoming six-part crime drama The Last Detectives. Previously developed under the working title Old Town Murders, the series is set against the picturesque backdrop of Tenby, West Wales, and is being positioned by the broadcaster as a major new crime entry Good Housekeeping. Created, written, and executive produced by Welsh-born writer Matthew Barry, the drama is produced by Quay Street Productions, backed by ITV Studios, and has received regional funding support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales Deadline.
First-Look Images and Production Background
Filming for the six-part series took place across Tenby, Cardiff, and the wider South Wales Coastline Deadline. The production brings together key creative personnel who previously collaborated on the BBC television film Men Up Digital Spy. Executive producers include Nicola Shindler and Davina Earl for Quay Street Productions, alongside Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC, with Nick Andrews co-commissioning for BBC Wales Deadline.
Plot Structure and Character Dynamics
The narrative centres on two older investigative partners: Detective Inspector Glyn Walsh, played by Mark Lewis-Jones, and Detective Sergeant Sion Dearden, played by Steffan Rhodri Digital Spy. According to official synopses, DI Glyn Walsh returns unexpectedly early from bereavement leave to find himself and DS Sion Dearden facing a sequence of complex murder investigations Good Housekeeping. The partners rely on an instinctive mutual understanding as they navigate personal hardships and find new professional purpose in later life Digital Spy.
The six-part series is structured around three distinct investigations, with each case spanning two episodes Digital Spy. The first storyline follows the murder of a celebrated university professor, drawing the detectives into the underbelly of a local institution Good Housekeeping. Subsequent cases involve the suspicious drowning and poisoning of a local head teacher during a wild swimming outing, followed by a mystifying case of mistaken identity tied to a local triathlon event Good Housekeeping.
Cast and Creative Team
Alongside the two leads, the ensemble cast features Bethan Mary-James as DC Remy Jones, Jordan Davies as DC Neil Miller, and Julie Graham as forensic biologist Pamela Thomas Good Housekeeping. Catherine Ayers stars as Chief Superintendent Melanie Morris Good Housekeeping.
Behind the camera, Hannah Daniel wrote episode four, while Andy Newbery directed episodes one through four and serves as an executive producer Deadline. Rhys Carter directed the final two episodes, and Guy Hescott serves as series producer Deadline. While the BBC has confirmed that the series will broadcast on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer, an official transmission date has not yet been announced Digital Spy.