New crime series The Northumbria Mysteries comes to the BBC later this month

Robson Green, Liz White and other cast give their insights into the show.

What is The Northumbria Mysteries about

The BBC press release tells us the show is set in the glorious Northumberland countryside. At its heart is an unlikely crime-solving duo, ex-con Joe Ruby (Robson Green) and Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell (Liz White). It goes on to say:

Rose is an intellectual with an ice-cool disposition, Joe meanwhile has been on the wrong side of the law for much of his life but is now trying to make amends and move to the right side.

Joe is a volunteer at a local priory, tending to the grounds, seeking forgiveness, and attempting to start a new life, all under the kind but watchful eye of Father David (Simon Callow). 

However, when the body of one of the monks is found hastily buried in a remote part of the priory grounds, super-smart DI Rose O’Connell and her ‘green’ second-in-command DS Raj Singh (Gurjeet Singh) are sent to investigate. The mysterious circumstances make it a tricky case to solve but when Joe comes up with some unusual insights from his own dodgy past, Rose senses that she might have a useful ally. 

There are interesting comments from the central cast, including:

Robson Green describing his character:

Joe Ruby is a guy seeking redemption. He’s a gambler and a risk taker and someone who has always been lured into temptation despite having a good heart and wanting to do the right thing. He’s a charmer, but he’s fallible and through the choices he has made along the way he has lost everything.

In contrast, Liz White (who also played a police office with a degree in Life on Mars) has this to say:

DI Rose O’Connell is an experienced detective who for reasons as yet unshared, has moved to Northumberland and taken a post in the force up there. She believes in an evidence-based approach and is less inclined to act on instant than her younger, less experienced colleague, DS Raj Singh (Gurjeet Singh). She lives alone and, as a way to meet new people in the area, she embarks on a series of unsuccessful dates. Rose is dedicated to her job and has an understated confidence in her ability to reach justice.

Hopefully we get a trailer soon. When we do, we’ll bring it to you.