STV Group PLC Two Cities Television wins BBC drama commission

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STV Group PLC

31 March 2021

TWO CITIES TELEVISION WINS ORIGINAL POLICE DRAMA SERIES COMMISSION FROM BBC ONE - BLUE LIGHTS

Belfast-based independent production company, Two Cities Television, has been commissioned by BBC One to produce an original returnable police drama series created by the writers of The Salisbury Poisonings, Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn.

Blue Lights (6 x 60) is the story of rookie (probationary) police officers working in contemporary Belfast, a city in which being a frontline response cop comes with a unique set of pressures and dangers. As they learn the basics of their profession, our new officers have to come to terms with a constant threat. In this often-chaotic environment, our characters have just a few crucial months in which they'll make it as police officers.

Inspired by extensive research and interviews, and told with a caustic wit, Blue Lights is inspired by the experiences of serving police officers in Northern Ireland.

It's a fast-paced, frightening, and funny insight into what happens when the idealism of the police college classroom meets the reality of life, in a precinct that's as starkly divided as it is terrifyingly dangerous.

Blue Lights is Executive Produced by Tommy Bulfin for the BBC, Stephen Wright for Two Cities Television and Louise Gallagher for Gallagher Films, and by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson. Two Cities is part of the STV Studios group of production labels.

Two Cities Television is the indie behind the critically acclaimed series for Sky Atlantic, Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and is led by Michael Jackson (former Controller of BBC One and BBC Two, CEO of Channel 4) and Creative Director Stephen Wright (former head of drama for BBC Northern Ireland and executive producer of Line of Duty and The Fall).

Two Cities is part of the STV Studios group of production labels. STV acquired a minority stake in the business in January 2020 and Blue Lights is their first commission as part of the STV family.

Stephen Wright, Creative Director at Two Cities, said: "I am delighted to be making this show with Louise Gallagher, Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson in Belfast, a town with fantastic crews and actors who create outstanding TV drama."

Writers Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn said: "Belfast is our hometown, and to be able to write a show set in the city we know and love is one of the great privileges of our lives. It's a real joy to be bringing a major BBC drama back home."

David Mortimer, MD of STV Studios, said: "Everyone at STV Studios is so excited about this significant new commission for our colleagues at Two Cities. With the talent, experience and creativity sitting at the heart of this brilliant returnable new show, I'm sure audiences are going to love Blue Lights."

For more information:

Kirstin Stevenson, STV Studios and Two Cities Television

T: 07803 970106 E: [e-mail]

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March 31, 2021 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)