Suspects returns to Channel 5 later this year

Suspects returns to Channel 5 later this year for a fifth series and introduces three new cast members. James Murray (Cucumber, New Tricks, Defiance), Lenora Crichlow (Being Human, Fast Girls, Sugar Rush, Black Mirror) and Perry Fitzpatrick (This is England) will join original cast members Damien Molony (Being Human, Ripper Street) and Clare-Hope Ashitey (Doctor Foster, Top Boy, The White King and I.T.) in the gripping and innovative crime drama series.

The brand new series will launch with the shocking discovery of D.I. Martha Bellamy’s body by her daughter Daisy (Alexa Davis).  It appears she’s been fatally shot in her own home, and with her father missing too, Daisy immediately calls D.S Jack Weston (Damien Molony).  Leading this traumatic investigation is D.C.I Drummond (James Murray) with his trusted team T.D.C Gary Roscoe (Perry Fitzpatrick) and D.S Alisha Brooks (Lenora Crichlow). Together with D.C Charlie Steele and D.S Jack Weston, they leave no stone unturned in the hunt to find the killer.

As the pressure to find the killer mounts, tensions within the new team inevitably creep in as they navigate their new working relationship.  DCI Drummond is a strong alpha male whose desire to control all elements of the investigation leads to clashes with the more gung-ho approach of D.S. Weston.  Weston also has private concerns about D.S. Alisha Brooks’ loyalty, believing she is just a spy for DCI Drummond, and her work in the Department of Professional Standards only adds to his suspicions.  Meanwhile, T.D.C Gary Roscoe appears to be a straight-forward copper who only wants to get results.

With the dialogue improvised by the actors – and filming techniques and a directorial approach more associated with factual programming and fly-on-the-wall documentaries – Suspects subverts and innovates the crime genre whilst delivering a face paced, gripping story.

The series has attracted universal acclaim; the Daily Telegraph called the programme “effective and smart”, The Times wrote that Suspects was “a triumph of accurately observed procedure” and the Daily Mail described the show as “powerful, original viewing.”

Greg Barnett, Channel 5 Commissioning Editor says: “Our critically acclaimed, home-grown drama continues to evolve. For this fifth series we’ve expanded our cast and introduced a running narrative – it’s a dramatic bombshell from the very first episode which will keep viewers gripped across the entire series.”

Paul Marquess, Managing Director, Newman Street says: “I’m incredibly excited about the new series of Suspects. We’ve kept all the elements our fans love; the authentic gritty feel combined with unpredictable and fast paced storylines, and for the first time, we’ve added in a narrative arc that will bind this series together and make it truly unmissable.”

Serious 5 of Suspects (6 x 60’) will air on Channel 5 later this year.