“Shetland Has Some Competition”: The BBC’s New Crime Drama The Last Detectives Is Already Being Praised as a Brilliant Successor

Fans of Shetland may have a new detective drama to add to their watchlist. The BBC’s upcoming series The Last Detectives is heading to the Welsh seaside town of Tenby, where two longtime friends must tackle a string of baffling murder cases while trying to rebuild their own lives. With a strong cast, intriguing mysteries and a relationship at the heart of the story, the six-part series has all the ingredients to become a standout crime drama.

Starring Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri, the show follows two experienced detectives whose personal struggles have left them facing an uncertain chapter in their lives. Their work, however, offers them a renewed sense of purpose, bringing friendship, humour and unexpected hope into a series built around complex investigations.

The result could appeal to viewers who enjoy the atmospheric mysteries of Shetland and other British detective dramas, particularly those that give as much attention to their characters as they do to solving crimes.

What Is The Last Detectives About?

Set in Tenby, West Wales, The Last Detectives centres on DI Glyn Walsh, played by Mark Lewis Jones, and DS Sion Dearden, played by Steffan Rhodri. The two men are old friends as well as professional partners, and both have endured personal hardships that have taken their toll.

Their lives take a new direction when Glyn returns unexpectedly early from bereavement leave. Before long, he and Sion are investigating the murder of a celebrated university professor, a case that proves far more complicated than it initially appears.

Their search for the killer takes them into the less familiar and more troubling side of the local university, where the detectives must piece together the truth behind the professor’s death.

Solving that first case offers little opportunity to catch their breath. More disturbing mysteries soon follow, each bringing a different set of questions and unexpected complications.

According to the BBC’s official synopsis, one investigation involves a local head teacher who is poisoned before inexplicably drowning while wild swimming. Another centres on a bewildering case of mistaken identity during a triathlon.

Each murder investigation unfolds across two episodes, giving the stories room to develop while allowing the detectives to explore the details behind each case.

As the mysteries deepen, Glyn and Sion must also navigate an unusual personal arrangement: working together while living under the same roof. Their instinctive understanding of one another becomes a crucial advantage as they confront unexpected twists, complicated cases and secrets hidden beneath Tenby’s picturesque surroundings.

The pair will not be working alone. DC Remy Jones, played by Bethan Mary-James, DC Neil Miller, played by Jordan Davies, and forensic biologist Pamela Thomas, played by Julie Graham, will also help with the investigations.

A Crime Drama With Friendship at Its Heart

While the murder cases provide the central mystery, The Last Detectives is also a story about finding meaning and companionship later in life.

Glyn and Sion are not detectives at the beginning of their careers. They are longtime colleagues who have already experienced considerable personal difficulties, leaving them searching for a renewed sense of direction.

Their partnership gives the series another dimension beyond the usual police procedural. As they work through each case, their friendship offers a source of support, while their shared history adds depth to the relationship between them.

The series has been created, written and executive produced by Welsh-born Matthew Barry, whose previous work includes The Guest. He is returning to work with Quay Street Productions and the BBC for the new drama.

Speaking to the BBC, Barry said: “I’m beyond excited to be re-teaming with Quay Street and the BBC to bring The Last Detectives to the screen.”

He described the project as a story about finding friendship and meaning in later life, told through the lens of a thrilling police procedural. Barry also expressed his hope that audiences would fall in love with Sion, Glyn and the striking setting of Tenby.

That combination of character-driven storytelling and inventive crime cases is also central to the production team’s enthusiasm for the project.

Davina Earl and Nicola Shindler of Quay Street Productions praised Barry’s writing for its relatable characters, distinctive wit and warmth, alongside crime stories designed to draw viewers in.

They also highlighted the casting of Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri, describing the pair as the ideal choices to bring Glyn and Sion’s distinctive relationship to life.

Who Is in the Cast of The Last Detectives?

The BBC drama brings together familiar faces from British television, with a cast led by two actors whose characters will drive the central investigations.

The confirmed cast includes:

• Mark Lewis Jones as DI Glyn Walsh, known for The Crown.
• Steffan Rhodri as DS Sion Dearden, known for Keeping Faith.
• James Bamford as DC Neil Miller, known for Masters of the Air.
• Catherine Ayers as Chief Superintendent Melanie Morris, known for The Guest.
• Bethan Mary-James as DC Remy Jones, known for Death Valley.
• Julie Graham as forensic biologist Pamela Thomas, known for This City Is Ours and Time.

Graham’s character will bring forensic expertise to the investigations, while the detectives and their colleagues work together to unravel the cases confronting them.

With Glyn and Sion’s long-standing friendship at the centre of the story, their performances will be particularly important to the series’ balance of crime, humour and personal drama.

When Will The Last Detectives Be Released?

There is currently no confirmed release date for The Last Detectives, according to the original report.

Filming has taken place in Tenby, Cardiff and along the South Wales coastline, giving the production a distinctly Welsh setting.

Tenby’s seaside surroundings are an important part of the series, providing a picturesque backdrop for the murders and hidden secrets that disrupt the town’s apparent tranquillity.

The BBC has yet to announce when viewers will be able to watch the six-part drama. A confirmed release date will provide a clearer picture of when the series is expected to arrive on screen.

What Other Crime Dramas Should You Watch While You Wait?

For viewers looking for another mystery to get into before The Last Detectives arrives, there are already several options worth considering.

The Island

Fans of Shetland or The Loch may enjoy The Island, a BBC drama featuring Sorcha Groundsell as Kat Crichton, a Family Liaison Officer caught up in a harrowing murder investigation.

The series offers another opportunity to explore a crime story in which the investigation and its human consequences take centre stage. The Island is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Murder in a Small Town

Another option is Murder in a Small Town, which follows Karl Alberg, played by Rossif Sutherland.

A big-city detective, Karl relocates to an idyllic harbour town hoping to find some peace. Instead, he discovers that the quiet surroundings offer little escape from crime.

The contrast between the town’s peaceful appearance and the investigations that unfold there makes the series a natural choice for viewers who enjoy mysteries set in seemingly tranquil communities.

Murder in a Small Town is available to stream on Netflix.

With its mix of intricate murder cases, experienced detectives and a friendship tested by life’s challenges, The Last Detectives is shaping up to be an intriguing addition to the BBC’s crime drama line-up. Whether it ultimately earns comparisons with Shetland remains to be seen, but its Welsh setting and character-led approach give viewers plenty of reasons to keep an eye out for its arrival.