Blue Lights Season Four Production Officially Begins
Filming for the highly anticipated fourth series of the BAFTA award-winning BBC police drama Blue Lights is now officially underway. The gritty television series, which first premiered in 2023, has been confirmed to be back in production, with actress Angela Griffin returning to direct the upcoming season.
Angela Griffin Embraces Directorial Role Amid Challenging Weather
Angela Griffin, renowned for her extensive acting career in shows like Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Casualty, and Lewis, recently shared an update on her Instagram account. She posted a photograph proudly holding her director's clapperboard, accompanied by a caption detailing her experiences during the first week of filming.
"Week one done. #BlueLights4 It's cold, it's windy, it’s cold, it's rainy and it's cold. But it’s brilliant. Firmly back in the saddle and loving it," Griffin wrote. She elaborated on her passion for the directing process, stating, "Directing has three parts, the prep, the shoot and the edit… each one allows you to craft the story… but my favourite will always be the shoot, regardless of the weather."
Griffin emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking, adding, "Being part of the crew, collaborating with cast and realising all the visuals we’ve discussed and planned for weeks is magical. It's always better than I’ve imagined. Roll on week 2. #directorslife."
Fan Enthusiasm and Critical Acclaim for the Series
The announcement of the new series has generated significant excitement among the show's dedicated fanbase. Reactions to Griffin's social media post were overwhelmingly positive, with one enthusiast commenting, "Love it!! It’s going to be another unbelievable series xx." Another admirer expressed, "We can’t wait for the next series of Blue Lights."
A third viewer noted, "Just finished the last series, very late to the party. It was BRILLIANT. Delighted you’re working on the next," while someone else simply stated, "Can’t wait to see the next series." The drama has consistently won over audiences across the United Kingdom with its intense narrative, unexpected plot twists, and focus on post-conflict Northern Ireland, alongside its heartwarming ensemble of central characters.
Angela Griffin's Transition from Actress to Director
Despite her three-decade-long acting career, Angela Griffin considers herself relatively new to the world of directing. In a recent interview with Radio Times, she described herself as a "proper baby" in the directing industry. "I've acted for over 30 years but I am so new to the [directing] industry. So there's nobody anywhere offering me anything. I've got to go through the process," Griffin explained.
She admitted to initial apprehensions about her directorial capabilities, saying, "I was really, really worried about what I had taken on and if I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But then, when the process started, it felt like the most natural thing I've ever done." Griffin's previous directing experience includes episodes of Waterloo Road, a series in which she also starred.
Regarding her involvement with Blue Lights, Griffin clarified that her role was secured through standard professional channels, not through personal connections. "There were no favours. There was no getting in round the back route of 'Oh, I know this person, or I know this person' – I didn't know anybody at all and I'd never worked in Belfast," she stated, highlighting the merit-based nature of her appointment.
The BAFTA-winning series Blue Lights remains available for viewing on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer platform, allowing both new and existing fans to catch up on previous seasons as production for the fourth installment progresses.
