COOPER AND FRY: FIRST LOOK AT NEW CHANNEL 5 DETECTIVE DRAMA STARRING ROBERT JAMES-COLLIER AND MANDIP GILL

5 are adapting detective mystery Cooper and Fry (4x120’) from the best-selling novels by Stephen Booth.

Set in the mystery-shrouded Peak District, the series follows two mismatched young detectives: affable local Ben Cooper, played by Robert James-Collier (The Inheritance, Downton Abbey), and guarded newcomer Diane Fry, played by Mandip Gill (Doctor Who, Suspicion).

Thrown together to investigate a string of mysterious deaths they must learn to work together to get results. As their personal lives begin to intertwine, a unique friendship begins to form... But it won't always be easy. The series will adapt four of Booth’s early novels including Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind To the Bones and Dancing with the Virgins.

The series is produced by Clapperboard in association with and distributed by STUDIO TF1, and was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5.

In the first episode, after a body is unearthed on a Derbyshire farm during renovations, DC Ben Cooper is tasked to investigate and partnered up with DC Diane Fry, newly transferred from Leeds but under somewhat mysterious circumstances.

As Fry gets used to policing in the countryside, local Cooper isn’t too keen to have to show a new person the ropes. But the two detectives must get past their initial awkwardness and differing approaches in a search for the truth.

Deputy Chief Content Officer and Head of Scripted, Paramount UK, Sebastian Cardwell said: “We’re incredibly proud to unveil this new slate of scripted commissions, which showcases the breadth and ambition of 5’s storytelling. From brand new thrillers and character-driven mysteries to the much-anticipated return of audience favourites, we’re continuing to build a rich and distinctive drama offering."

More details will be announced in due course.