"LYNLEY" A NEW IMAGINING OF HIT INSPECTOR LYNLEY CRIME NOVELS, BEGINS FILMING FOR BRITBOX

First Look Image Reveals Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay as The Beloved Detective Duo from Elizabeth George's Internationally Best-Selling Novels in the Upcoming Series Produced by Playground

Additional Cast Includes Daniel Mays, Niamh Walsh, Michael Workeye, and Joshua Sher

· Today, BritBox shared a first look image from the new adaptation of Elizabeth George's New York Times best-selling Inspector Lynley crime novels, announcing the start of production on the four-part series, Lynley, from Colin Callender's award-winning production company, Playground (Wolf Hall, All Creatures Great and Small).

· Leo Suter (Vikings: Valhalla) as "DI Tommy Lynley" and Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) as "DS Barbara Havers" star as the unconventional detective duo in the thrilling, sophisticated crime drama currently shooting in Ireland. The series will explore timely themes of gender, class and ethics, all while under the pressure of seeking justice.

· Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force - simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing. He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done. His brain and her spirit - his knowledge and her instincts. It is only through working side by side do they both find where they truly belong.

· Daniel Mays (Magpie Murders) plays DCI Brian Nies, the astute, suspicious Senior Detective at Three Counties Major Incident Team, whose aversion to Lynley is partly born of his own insecurities about class and partly because he knows he's no longer the smartest person in the room.

· Rounding out the cast are Niamh Walsh (The English Game) as Helen Clyde, an estate agent and Lynley's former Oxford classmate whose romance with Lynley is sparked when their paths fatefully cross on a case; Michael Workeye (My Lady Jane) as tech specialist Tony Bekele; and Joshua Sher (Vera) as forensic scientist, Simon St. James.

· Lynley is powered by a stellar creative team. Created, written and executive produced by Steve Thompson (Vienna Blood, Sherlock), Ed Bazalgette (Marie Antoinette S2, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die) serves as lead director with Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders, Love/Hate) as Series Producer. David Stern and Colin Callender are executive producers for Playground with Robert Schildhouse, Stephen Nye, Jon Farrar and Jess O' Riordan executive producers for BritBox, Kate Woods executive producer for BBC Studios and Sue Deeks as executive producer for the BBC.

· QUOTES

○ Robert Schildhouse, President North America and GM BritBox International said, "Fueled by best-selling IP and the creative genius of Steve Thompson, Colin Callender and the team at Playground, Lynleyis sure to be a hit with BritBox viewers. We look forward to bringing this polished, sharp take on an iconic series to the screen for devoted and soon-to-be fans."

○ Executive Producer and Joint Managing Director of Playground, David Stern said, "Elizabeth George created an iconic, timeless detective duo who serve not only as a thrilling and often humorous mismatched team, but the perfect way into a television series that explores important topics such as class, gender and the nature of good police work. Steve Thompson's adaptation boldly embraces Elizabeth's books while bringing new twists and turns and an incredible amount of heart to both the mysteries and characters. We're grateful to our partners at BritBox, BBC Studios and BBC for their enthusiasm and can't wait for audiences to embrace and fall in love with Lynley."

○ Writer and Executive Producer Steve Thompson said, "It's a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George's iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious."

○ Author Elizabeth George said, "I'm thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and BritBox and the production expertise of Playground. Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration."

· Elizabeth George, the NYT-bestselling author of the original source material, serves as an executive producer on the series. The Inspector Lynley books have been translated into over 30 languages and adapted into a BBC series, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, which ran from 2001-2007 and is currently available on BritBox.

· Lynley will premiere on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada and on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. The drama will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.

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About BritBox

BritBox is the leading streaming destination for the best of British television, offering an unmatched collection of expertly curated entertainment. From critically acclaimed dramas and mysteries to comedies, documentaries, and lifestyle programming, BritBox invites audiences to step out of their everyday and into a world of exceptional British storytelling. Launched in 2017 and now owned by BBC Studios, BritBox is available in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Nordics. For more, visit britbox.com, or find the BritBox app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

About Playground

Playground is the dynamic and innovative production company founded by award-winning producer Sir Colin Callender. With deep talent relations on both sides of the Atlantic and a reputation for creative rigor, the company crafts television, film and theatre that challenges the status quo. Playground operates from New York and London and is known for consistently producing distinctive high-end scripted drama that is smart and entertaining, including HOWARDS END, WOLF HALL, THE DRESSER, and currently ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, THE HARDACRES, LYNLEY, MAIGRET, the upcoming WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT, starring Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis, and SMALL TOWN, BIG STORY, created and directed by Chris O'Dowd.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios is the main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd and generated revenues of £1.8 billion in the last year and profits of over £200 million for a third consecutive year. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes TV and audio globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including UKTV, bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide range of UK and global broadcasters and platforms. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |