Richard Dormer will return as Gerry Cliff in Blue Lights series four
His character died in the first series
Last updated 28th Jan 2026
Following the dramatic finale of Blue Lights series three on Monday 3rd November 2025, fans of the Belfast-based crime drama will be thrilled to know the show has already been commissioned for a fourth instalment.
As if that wasn't enough excitement, it has now been confirmed a major character will return for the upcoming fourth series...
Actor Richard Dormer, who played the role of Gerry Cliff in series one, will be returning to the show, despite his character dying. Series four will also see the return of Hannah McClean as solicitor Jen Robinson, and Jonathan Harden as disgraced former Inspector, Jonty, in an special episode that will answer important questions from the past.
Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, co-creators and co-writers said: “We’re very excited to bring this series of Blue Lights to audiences. It reveals a lot of dark secrets, examines what justice looks like in Belfast today, and ties together the past, present, and futures of Grace, Annie and Tommy in an action-packed story. We can’t wait to start filming it!”
Stephen Wright, Two Cities Television and Louise Gallagher, Gallagher Films added: “We are delighted to get the cast and crew back together for series four and welcome some new faces to the Blue Lights team. The appreciation for the show means so much to everyone involved and illustrates the power of fantastic teamwork.”
Nick Lambon, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, UK & Northern Ireland, then said: “Blue Lights has gripped and entertained millions of viewers across three series and Declan and Adam’s scripts will once again have us all on the edge of our seats. Gerry Cliff was such an integral part of series one so to have Richard Dormer back alongside our talented cast is a dream come true. We are over the moon to be back filming in Belfast, and with so many twists and turns in store, fans of Blue Lights have plenty to look forward to.”
Will there be a fourth series?
Yes, yes, yes! Way back in February 2024, before series two had even aired, BBC bosses announced Blue Lights had been renewed for a third and fourth series.
When is it out?
There's no word on when series four will be released just yet, but the cast started their script readthrough on 21st January 2026.
We suspect series four of Blue Lights could land later this year.
When is filming?
Filming for Blue Lights series four will begin in the coming weeks.
What will series four be about?
BBC say of the plot: 'Three years into their jobs as response officers, Constables Grace Ellis, Tommy Foster, and Annie Conlon are operating at their limit, facing a new threat on the streets that the police can barely control.
'Meanwhile the murder trial of Gerry Cliff exposes a dangerous and long-buried secret that leads to chaos both inside the police, and across the criminal underworld. As they grapple with big decisions about their future, Grace, Tommy and Annie must find the courage to face the greatest threat they have ever encountered: the truth'.
Who is in the cast?
The usual faces from the first three series will all return, as well Richard Dormer, Hannah McClean and Jonathan Harden also returning to the cast. Cathy Tyson, Michael Smiley and Andrea Irvine will also appear in series four.
Check out the season four cast below:
Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis
Martin McCann as Stevie Neil
Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon
Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster
Joanne Crawford as Inspector Helen McNally
Andi Osho as Sergeant Sandra Cliff
Frank Blake as Shane Bradley
Abigail McGibbon as Tina
Dearbháile McKinney as Aisling Byrne
Andrea Irvine as Nicole
Cathy Tyson as Dana Morgan
Michael Smiley as C3 intelligence officer Paul ‘Colly’ Collins
Is there a trailer?
At this early stage, no trailers have been released.
Where will it be filmed?
Although no exact filming locations have been revealed, it's understood the show will once again be filmed in and around Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Check out all of the Blue Lights filming locations below:
The Peace Wall, Cupar Way (Series 1)
The Dirty Duck Alehouse (Series 1)
Commercial Court (Series 1)
York Road Police Station (Series 1)
Stormont Parliament Building (Series 1)
Hawthorne Motors (Series 1)
Waterfront Plaza (Series 1)
Craigantlet (Series 1)
Rathgael House, Bangor (Series 1)
The Arc Apartments (Series 1)
Garnerville - Northern Ireland Police College (Series 1)
Netherleigh House (Series 2)
'Blue Lights' police station, Blackthorn, has a new home for series two - Netherleigh House - the city's Old Department for the Economy Building.
The Cock & Hens Bar (Series 2)
An important location is series two, The Cock & Hen pub in East Belfast was transformed into The Loyal pub.
Titanic Museum (Series 2)
Episode two of the second series sees a secret rendezvous at the Titanic Museum –hiding in plain sight!
Gilford Mill (Series 2)
Series two's gripping opening sequence sees the team take on a dramatic riot training exercise. This was filmed at Gilford Mill in Craigavon.
Commercial Court (Series 2)
Without giving too much a way, love is in the air in series two, with many a shift finishing up a pub in the Cathedral Quarter.
Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre (Series 3)
The cast and crew were spotted filming series three at Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre in mid-April.
Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre (Series 3)
The cast and crew were spotted filming series three at Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre in mid-April.
Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre (Series 3)
The cast and crew were spotted filming series three at Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre in mid-April.
Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre (Series 3)
The cast and crew were spotted filming series three at Amelia Hall in Belfast City Centre in mid-April.
How can I watch Blue Lights?
Whilst we await the fourth series, you can watch all three series of Blue Lights on the BBC iPlayer now. That's 18 episodes!
Now read:
How to watch Blue Lights series 3
Blue Lights: Filming locations across Northern Ireland
Everything you need to know about series 2 of Blue Lights