Coronation Street actor Chris Gascoyne is returning to television after three years away, joining actor, singer and comedian Robson Green in the new BBC drama The Northumbria Mysteries.
Gascoyne, 58, best known as Ken Barlow's troubled son Peter, left the ITV soap in 2023 after 20 years on and off the cobbles. He confirmed his comeback on Instagram on Saturday (August 1), sharing a behind-the-scenes snap with the caption: "I'm back − lots to catch up on..." but gave nothing away about when the show might air.
In the photo, the actor is seen on set with Green midway through filming, wearing tinted sunglasses, a large oversized black coat and a silver wrist chain. A second image shows him getting ready with an assistant before heading to the set.
A new role in The Northumbria Mysteries
The daytime drama follows Green's character Joe Ruby, an ex-prisoner and gambling addict trying to put his criminal history to good use. Still tied to his dark past, Joe works with police officer and Oxford graduate DI Rose O'Connell to close unsolved cases.
Green described the central pairing: "Set against this amazing backdrop, you have this really unusual, likeable and oddball pairing, who slowly realise they have a connection. They’re trying to work out what that connection is and then later on through the series, what to do with that connection."
Who else stars?
Rose is played by Call the Midwife favourite Liz White, while Four Weddings and a Funeral actor Simon Callow takes a minor role.
Filming in the North East
Filming is now officially underway, after locals spotted crews in the North East in recent days. The series will feature iconic landscapes including Whitley Bay and the nearby village of Earsden.
Earsden's pub landlord gave the location away by posting a photo of the crew enjoying a pint after a hard day's filming on Facebook.
