Cooper & Fry Season 2 Begins Filming as Channel 5 Crime Drama Returns With Eight New Episodes

Cooper & Fry is officially heading back to the Peak District, with filming now underway on a second season featuring another collection of dark murder mysteries.

Robert James-Collier, best known for Downton Abbey, and Doctor Who star Mandip Gill will reprise their roles as detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry. The new season will consist of eight episodes and is expected to air on 5 in 2027.

Based on Stephen Booth’s bestselling novels, the crime drama made its Channel 5 debut in November 2025. Its atmospheric Peak District setting provides the backdrop for a partnership between two detectives whose contrasting personalities and investigative methods frequently put them at odds.

What will happen in Cooper & Fry Season 2?

The second season will continue developing the unusual partnership between Ben and Diane while giving them a fresh collection of murders to investigate.

This time, the stories will draw from four of Booth’s novels: The Devil’s Edge, Fall Down Dead, One Last Breath and The Murder Road.

According to the official synopsis, the friendship established between the detectives during Season 1 will remain central to the story.

Ben and Diane will investigate crimes connected to the folklore and legends of the surrounding area while continuing to clash over their very different approaches to police work. Away from their investigations, both will also have to confront complications in their personal lives.

Robert James-Collier and Mandip Gill return

Robert James-Collier will once again lead the cast as Ben Cooper, with Mandip Gill returning as Diane Fry.

Lorcan Cranitch, known for Blue Lights, will reprise his role as DI Hitchens, while The Dry actress Charlotte Bradley returns as Isobel Cooper.

Several newcomers are also joining the cast.

The Walking Dead and Vikings: Valhalla star Pollyanna McIntosh-Goldthwait will play DI Kim Armstrong. Scott Graham, whose credits include Vikings and Redemption, joins as DC Gavin Murfin, while Small Town, Big Story and Deadly Cuts actress Kathy Rose O’Brien will portray Liz Petty.

Mandip Gill reacts to the show’s return

Gill said she was delighted to reunite with James-Collier following the response to the first season.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Cooper & Fry after the brilliant reaction to series one,” she said. “It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside Rob again and I’m excited for audiences to see where the story takes us this time.”

James-Collier also teased what lies ahead, promising viewers “lots more murders” as well as “all sorts of strange goings-on down in Edendale.”

Executive producer Jonathan Hall of Clapperboard Studios similarly promised another collection of compelling cases.

Hall said Stephen Booth’s novels contain memorable characters and atmospheric crimes that the production team is looking forward to bringing to television.

When will Cooper & Fry Season 2 premiere?

Filming on the eight new episodes is now officially underway.

An exact premiere date has not yet been announced, but Cooper & Fry Season 2 is confirmed to air on 5 sometime in 2027.

Until then, viewers can expect the show’s combination of atmospheric Peak District locations, unsettling crimes and the increasingly complicated partnership between Ben Cooper and Diane Fry to remain at the heart of the series.