The BBC has commissioned ‘Old Town Murders’, a new six-part Welsh crime drama that looks set to blend murder mystery with humour, heart, and a strong central friendship. Created and written by Matthew Barry, the series comes from Quay Street Productions for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, in a co-commission with BBC Cymru Wales.
Set in Tenby, West Wales, the drama follows DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, two old friends and police partners who find themselves thrown back together at a difficult point in their lives. Glyn returns early from bereavement leave, and alongside Sion, the pair begin investigating a series of puzzling local murders, starting with the killing of a respected university professor. From there, the cases only get stranger, taking in everything from a poisoned head teacher to a baffling case of mistaken identity during a triathlon.
Leading the cast are Mark Lewis Jones (Baby Reindeer, The Crown) as DI Glyn Walsh and Steffan Rhodri (Steeltown Murders, Men Up) as DS Sion Dearden. Joining them are James Bamford (The Red King, Masters of the Air) as DC Neil Miller, Bethan Mary-James (The Guest, Death Valley) as DC Remy Jones, Catherine Ayers (The Guest, Missing You) as Chief Superintendent Melanie Morris, and Julie Graham (This City is Ours, Time) as forensic biologist Pamela Thomas.
The series is being described as a witty and character-driven crime drama, with the relationship between the two leads very much at the centre. Rather than just focusing on the cases, it also explores grief, reinvention, and finding purpose later in life, all against the seaside backdrop of modern-day Tenby.
Matthew Barry said: “I’m thrilled to be reuniting with Nicola, Davina, and the entire team at Quay Street Productions alongside our friends and colleagues at the BBC to bring another Welsh series to the screen. Old Town Murders is more than a crime drama; at its heart, it’s about friendship, reinvention and the courage to begin again later in life. After working together on Men Up, I wrote this series for Mark and Steffan, and I can’t wait for them, alongside the rest of our incredible cast, to bring these characters to life.”
Quay Street Productions’ Davina Earl and Nicola Shindler added: “Old Town Murders has everything we have come to expect from Matt’s brilliant writing, deeply relatable characters, his trademark wit and warmth plus engaging and inventive crime stories that draw you right in. Mark and Steffan are the perfect choice for DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, and we can’t wait to see how they bring this singular relationship to life on screen.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “We are delighted to team up with Quay Street Productions to bring Old Town Murders to the screen. Matthew Barry has created another brilliant original Welsh drama and whilst this time it focuses on solving murders, at its heart this is a show about friendship, with a lovable central duo for viewers to root for.”
Production is now underway in Tenby, Cardiff, and along the South Wales coastline, with the drama also receiving Welsh Government support through Creative Wales. Behind the camera, Andy Newbery directs episodes 1 to 4, with Rhys Carter directing episodes 5 and 6. Hannah Daniel writes episode 4, while Guy Hescott serves as series producer.
With its mix of coastal setting, oddball murders, and a detective pairing built around long-standing friendship, this feels like it could be another strong addition to the BBC’s growing slate of distinctive crime dramas, particularly for viewers who like their mysteries with a bit more warmth and personality.
‘Old Town Murders’ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
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