A beloved detective duo is returning to British television screens with a brand new look. The BBC's reboot of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, now titled simply 'Lynley', premieres on Monday, 5 January at 8:30pm on BBC One. The series revives the iconic pairing from Elizabeth George's best-selling novels, Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, with a fresh ensemble cast taking on the roles.
Introducing the New Detective Duo
Stepping into the shoes originally filled by Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small a quarter of a century ago are Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay. Suter, known for his role as Harald Sigurdsson in Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla, portrays the aristocratic DI Thomas Lynley. Barclay, recognised from Ted Lasso and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, plays the tenacious and street-smart DS Barbara Havers.
The core dynamic of the show hinges on the pair's starkly different backgrounds. Lynley is the son of an Earl, turning his back on a life of privilege for police work. Havers is a blunt, outspoken officer who has fought for every promotion. The series will chart how they overcome their differences in class and personality to form a formidable investigative team.
Meet the Supporting Cast and Characters
They are joined by a strong supporting cast. Daniel Mays (Line of Duty, Des) plays Chief Inspector Brian Nies, Lynley's superior and an old nemesis from his Metropolitan Police days. Nies is a politically astute officer whose insecurities fuel an aversion to Lynley.
Niamh Walsh (Holby City, The Sandman) takes the role of Helen Clyde, a perceptive woman from Lynley's own social circle who rekindles a relationship with him during a case. Michael Workeye (This Is Going To Hurt) plays DC Tony Bekele, a tech-specialist detective whom Havers mentors. Joshua Sher (Game of Thrones) appears as Simon St James, Lynley's wheelchair-using forensic scientist friend from university.
Plot and Setting of the New Series
The revamped series sees Lynley assigned to the Three Counties Major Investigation Team, covering Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire. The narrative will focus on his complex partnership with Havers and his fraught history with DCI Nies. The central promise is a classic 'odd couple' detective story, where their contrasting methods of seeking justice both clash and complement each other.
Speaking about his character, Leo Suter said he felt a deep respect for Lynley's choice to pursue a complicated life in the police force. Sofia Barclay noted that Havers initially sees Lynley as someone who has never had to fight for anything, which immediately triggers her defences.
With its foundation in enduringly popular source material and a talented new cast, the Lynley reboot aims to captivate both original fans and a new generation of viewers when it launches on 5 January.
