Where was Cooper & Fry filmed?

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The new detective drama, Cooper & Fry, features Robert James-Collier and Mandip Gill as the central detectives. Cooper is a friendly, well-known officer, while Fry is more reserved and recently moved from Leeds, with questions surrounding the reasons for her transfer.

This series is adapted from the popular novels by Stephen Booth. It follows the development of an unusual friendship between characters whose lives become increasingly connected, offering them a chance to overcome past traumas and find healing.

Besides the interesting characters and weekly cases, the show is sure to captivate viewers with its stunning scenery and beautiful countryside settings.

Ever wondered where the show Cooper & Fry takes place and is filmed? Here’s a guide to all the locations used in the series.

Where is Cooper & Fry set?

The TV series Cooper & Fry takes place in the Peak District of Derbyshire, in the made-up town of Edendale.

I’m really captivated by this series, especially by the dynamic between Ben Cooper and his new partner, Diane Fry. He’s a familiar face as a local officer, but she brings this incredible experience from being a top detective in Leeds. It’s fascinating to watch her adjust to the challenges of policing in the countryside – it’s a big change for her, and the show really explores that.

Stephen Booth, who writes the Cooper & Fry novels, explained to Shots Magazine that he’s always been fascinated by using location as a key part of crime stories. He said reading Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles when he was young had a big impact on him, particularly how the dark story was set in a wild and isolated place.

Holmes once remarked to Watson that even the most picturesque countryside can hide as much wrongdoing as the worst parts of London. Given that, it felt natural for me to set the Cooper and Fry mysteries in a rural location, and the Peak District proved to be ideal.

I first imagined Edendale, the town where my novels are set, while looking out over the beautiful Hope Valley in Derbyshire from a spot called Surprise View, near Hathersage. That stunning view stayed with me as I started writing Black Dog, the first book in the Ben Cooper and Diane Fry detective series.

That location also sits on the line between the Dark Peak and the White Peak – two very different geological areas within the Peak District. This contrast perfectly suits a crime novel, mirroring themes of darkness and light, and good versus evil.

I’m always struck by how those jagged, dark rock formations just appear in otherwise beautiful scenery. They feel like a constant reminder that something unsettling hides just below the calm surface of things, and it really gets to me.

James-Collier described the show’s location, the Peak District, as both beautiful and unsettling. He explained that the dark and mysterious woods reflect Diane’s own difficult emotional state, amplifying her feelings and making them feel even more intense. The landscape essentially mirrors her inner turmoil.

The scenery can also be quite frightening, particularly when you’re by yourself and understand how easily a slip or a sudden change in the weather could be fatal.

Director Ryan Tohill, who directed the first two episodes, explained that he was captivated by the stories’ dark themes. He was particularly drawn to the eerie, isolated setting of Edendale in ‘Black Dog’ and felt it could be used to create a unique and unsettling detective series. His goal was to make the show as disturbing as possible.

Where was Cooper & Fry filmed?

Although the TV series Cooper & Fry is set in the Peak District, most of it was actually filmed in Dublin.

I learned from the production details that they filmed the series in Dublin and the beautiful coastal town of Wicklow during the summer of 2025.

Director Jesse Quinones, who directed episodes 3 and 4, shared the exciting news on Instagram when the series was announced. He revealed that Cooper and Fry will soon be appearing on Channel 5. Quinones also said filming the show in Dublin was a special experience, as it was his first time working in his mother’s hometown.

Huge thanks to @clapperboard_st, @failsafefilms, and @channel5_tv, plus the incredible cast and crew! We also want to thank Stephen Booth, the author of the Cooper and Fry novels.

Huge thanks to my incredible team! That includes Dave Alexander at Gersh Agency, A.H. Mills at Revolution Talent, and my managers at Industry Entertainment!

There are reports of extra filming happening in the Peak District, but the specific locations haven’t been officially revealed.

Cooper & Fry begins on Tuesday 18th November at 8pm on 5.

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2025-11-18 11:35