Mandip Gill And Robert James-Collier Star In New British Detective Drama Cooper & Fry

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Fans of British crime dramas have a new duo to watch! Paramount and Channel 5 have revealed the first images of Cooper & Fry, a series starring Mandip Gill (known for Doctor Who) and Robert James-Collier (Downton Abbey). Gill and James-Collier play detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry in this adaptation of the popular mystery novels by Stephen Booth.

The detective drama Cooper & Fry unfolds in the stunning Peak District of northern England. It introduces an unlikely but effective duo: local detective Cooper is partnered with Fry, a big-city cop who arrives with a mystery surrounding his transfer. Together, they investigate a series of bizarre, ritualistic, and disturbing murders.

The new season will feature four full-length episodes, each adapted from a previous Stephen Booth novel: Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind to the Bones, and Dancing with the Virgins. Channel 5 has shared a sneak peek at the British crime drama, giving fans a first look at the dynamic between Cooper and Fry, as well as the show’s beautiful locations. You can find production photos below.

The official synopsis reads:

In the atmospheric Peak District, Detective Constable Ben Cooper, a friendly local, is partnered with the reserved Detective Constable Diane Fry to solve a series of puzzling deaths. As they work together, their personal lives become connected, and an unlikely friendship develops – though it won’t be without challenges. While investigating ancient rituals and local legends, Cooper and Fry must depend on each other to both find justice and stay alive.

I just got a sneak peek at the first episode, and it’s a strong start! We’re introduced to DCI Cooper and his new partner, Fry, as they investigate a body discovered during some home renovations in Derbyshire. Fry’s just transferred from Leeds, and let me tell you, the Peak District throws him for a loop – it’s a place with a really tight-knit community and a past all its own. The show’s keeping the rest of the cast under wraps for now, but this first case promises to be a compelling one.

The show is coming to Channel 5 in the UK, with a premiere expected in the near future. A distributor for the United States hasn’t been confirmed yet.

This detective series fits right in with popular British crime dramas that have become hits in the US, particularly those known for their memorable detective partnerships. Think of shows like Broadchurch, with detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller, or The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and its recent reboot, featuring detectives Tommy Lynley and Barbara Havers.

Mandip Gill is well-known for playing Yasmin Khan alongside Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who, and for her long-running role as Phoebe McQueen on the British soap Hollyoaks. Andrew James-Collier recently appeared with the cast of Downton Abbey in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, and has also been in popular shows like Ackley Bridge and Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga.

Surely, their characters in Cooper & Fry will become great investigative partners in no time.

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2025-11-02 17:48