The Northumbria Mysteries, Robson Green's new BBC drama set in the North East, debuts this Friday, October 23, and early reviews suggest it offers a lighter, more humorous take on the detective genre than its predecessor Vera.
Simon Duke, What's On Editor at ChronicleLive, attended a special screening of the first episode at Newcastle's Tyneside Cinema on Thursday, alongside the cast, crew and invited guests. He described the eight-part series, filmed in locations including Alnwick, Morpeth and Rothbury, as having "a lot to like."
A Stunning Showcase for Northumberland
Duke praised the cinematography, noting that sweeping aerial shots of landmarks like Dunstanburgh Castle capture the region's landscapes and seascapes beautifully. "The region looks absolutely stunning throughout," he wrote, with the splendour and rich history of Northumberland "really bursting through the screen."
While attendees agreed not to reveal plot details before the public broadcast, Duke clarified that the show is not a "BBC carbon copy of Vera." Unlike the ITV drama, which ended in early 2025 after 14 series, The Northumbria Mysteries incorporates plenty of humour "without it ever feeling forced."
Strong Performances and Character Dynamics
Green stars as Joe Ruby, a former criminal who "gives off a bad boy trying so hard to be good vibe." Duke noted that while the character is brand new, Green makes him instantly relatable—"someone you want to go for a pint or watch the footy with."
The "chalk and cheese dynamic" between Ruby and DI Rose O'Connell, played by Liz White, is a highlight, with Rose's initial disdain softening into real chemistry. Duke also praised performances from Gurjeet Singh and Simon Callow.
Daytime Slot and Pacing
The show airs at 2pm on Fridays, a departure from the 8pm slot Vera held for years. Duke acknowledged this seemed like "a bit of an odd choice" but argued the series works well earlier in the day because it appeals to viewers of any age, and its 45-minute episodes keep the action "coming thick and fast" without the pacing issues he felt plagued Vera's two-hour installments.
Describing it as "harmless rather than hard-hitting," Duke concluded that The Northumbria Mysteries is a "good watch" and predicted it will gain widespread appeal, possibly securing a second series.
