Channel 5 Launches ‘Cooper & Fry’: A New Detective Drama

Channel 5 has unveiled its latest detective drama series, Cooper & Fry, which premiered on November 21, 2023. The show adapts the bestselling novels of Stephen Booth, featuring a talented cast that includes Mandip Gill, known for her roles in Doctor Who and Hollyoaks, and Robert James-Collier, famed for his performance in Downton Abbey.

Set in the picturesque Peak District, the series follows Detective Constable (DC) Diane Fry, who is transferred from Leeds to a rural area, where she partners with local officer DC Ben Cooper. The duo faces not only the challenges of solving unusual cases but also the complexities of their contrasting personalities. The series will adapt four of Booth’s early novels: Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind to the Bones, and Dancing with the Virgins.

Character Dynamics and Changes

The co-creators of Cooper & Fry, Ben Court and Caroline Ip, emphasized their commitment to remaining faithful to the essence of Booth’s work while making necessary adaptations for the screen. In an interview with TV Guide, they acknowledged that the characters’ dynamic underwent significant changes during production.

Ip noted, “In the original version of the script, Cooper and Fry were much more combative. But when we saw the interaction between actor Rob James-Collier and Mandip Gill, there was so much warmth between the pair.” This warmth transformed the perceived tension on the page into a relationship that resembles “squabbling siblings,” which both creators found pleasing.

The creators also clarified that there would be no romantic undertones between the two leads, preserving the integrity of their partnership. They recognized the importance of character development in the context of plot pacing. “There’s always a battle between how much of a character’s story you can tell in an episode versus how much plot,” said Court.

Supporting Cast and Future Episodes

The series features a diverse supporting cast, including Charlotte Bradley as Isobel, Ben’s mother, and Lorcan Cranitch as DI Paul Hitchen, the detectives’ superior. Other notable actors include Barry O’Conor as DS Todd Eland and Niamh McCann as Tracey Garnett.

Cooper & Fry will consist of four feature-length episodes, each approximately two hours in duration. The second episode is set to air on November 25, 2023, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly on Tuesdays.

As the series unfolds, viewers can anticipate intriguing mysteries and the evolving relationship between Cooper and Fry, all while appreciating the scenic backdrop of Derbyshire’s countryside. This fresh adaptation promises to engage both long-time fans of Booth’s novels and new audiences alike.