Blue Lights creators confirmed for “surprising” new BBC political thriller set in world of investigative journalism

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With viewers eagerly anticipating the next season of the police drama Blue Lights, the BBC has ordered a new series from the show’s creators, Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn.

The six-part series, D-Notice, will be filmed in both Belfast and London. It follows Patterson and Lawn as they revisit their experiences working as investigative journalists.

This drama is a compelling look at the relationship between truth and power. It explores the D-notice system, a government practice of advising journalists on matters of national security.

D-Notice is the debut project from Hot Sauce Pictures, the new production company founded by Patterson and Lawn. It marks their third collaboration with the BBC, following their previous successes, The Salisbury Poisonings and Blue Lights.

Lindsay Salt, the head of drama at the BBC, recently told Deadline that the new series will feel similar to thrillers like “State of Play.”

I recently spoke with the team at the BBC, because frankly, they have some incredibly talented writers. We were brainstorming new projects and realized it had been a while since we’d tackled a really gripping, twisty conspiracy thriller. They pitched me ‘D-Notice,’ and it immediately felt like exactly what we were looking for.

It’s currently unknown if the show Blue Lights will conclude after its fourth season, or if its creators, Lawn and Patterson, will be juggling work on both D-Notice and additional seasons of the police drama simultaneously.

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Richard Dormer will be back as Gerry Cliff in the fourth season of Blue Lights. This is surprising, as his character, a police sergeant, was killed off in the show’s first season.

The upcoming season will bring back Hannah McClean and Jonathan Harden. Their episode is planned to resolve lingering mysteries, particularly surrounding the circumstances of Gerry’s death.

D-Notice will air on BBC One and iPlayer.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and later at Fremantle, an international television production company. He holds a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-02-23 15:41