BBC announces new ‘witty, twisty’ Welsh crime drama starring Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri

The BBC has commissioned Old Town Murders, a brand-new, witty, twisty crime series starring Mark Lewis Jones and Steffan Rhodri and set in Tenby, which has commenced filming in locations across Wales.

The new series is written, created and executive produced by Matthew Barry (Men Up, The Guest) and produced by Quay Street Productions for BBC iPlayer and BBC One in a co-commission with BBC Cymru Wales.

Mark Lewis Jones (Baby Reindeer, The Crown) and Steffan Rhodri (Steeltown Murders, Men Up) lead the cast as DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, old friends and partners who should be on their last legs following their personal hardships, but find new purpose and hope as they work together to solve perplexing murders in the idyllic seaside town of Tenby.

Old Town Murders is a charming crime series brimming with humour and grounded in character, centering on two detectives finding a new beginning after they are thrust together by circumstance.

When DI Glyn Walsh returns unexpectedly early from bereavement leave, he and DS Sion Dearden work together to solve the perplexing murder of an esteemed University Professor.

The case takes the pair on a complex investigation into the underbelly of the local University to track down the killer.

Once the killer is found, there is no time to rest, as the pair are called to more murder mysteries across the area. From the poisoning of a local Head Teacher who inexplicably drowns whilst wild swimming, to a mystifying case of mistaken identity during a triathlon, the pair must navigate working and living under the same roof while solving a slew of baffling murder cases.

Set against the stunning backdrop of modern-day Tenby, West Wales, Old Town Murders explores finding meaning, purpose and hope later in life through friendship and solving crime.

Joining DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden on their investigations will be DC Neil Miller played by James Bamford (The Red King, Masters of the Air), Bethan Mary-James (The Guest, Death Valley) as DC Remy Jones and Catherine Ayers (The Guest, Missing You) playing Chief Superintendent Melanie Morris. Julie Graham (This City is Ours, Time) also joins the cast as forensic biologist Pamela Thomas.

Welsh writer and executive producer Matthew Barry shared: “I’m thrilled to be reuniting with Nicola, Davina, and the entire team at Quay Street Productions — alongside our friends and colleagues at the BBC — to bring another Welsh series to the screen.

“Old Town Murders is more than a crime drama; at its heart, it’s about friendship, reinvention and the courage to begin again later in life. After working together on Men Up, I wrote this series for Mark and Steffan, and I can’t wait for them, alongside the
rest of our incredible cast, to bring these characters to life.”

Quay Street Productions’ Davina Earl and Nicola Shindler said: “Old Town Murders has everything we have come to expect from Matt’s brilliant writing, deeply relatable characters, his trademark wit and warmth plus engaging and inventive crime stories that draw you right in.

“Mark and Steffan are the perfect choice for DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, and we can’t wait to see how they bring this singular relationship to life on screen.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “’We are delighted to team up with Quay Street Productions to bring Old Town Murders to the screen.

“Matthew Barry has created another brilliant original Welsh drama and whilst this time it focuses on solving murders, at its heart this is a show about friendship, with a lovable central duo for viewers to root for.”

Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, Nick Andrews shared: “Old Town Murders is where picture perfect Wales meets murder mystery in a thrilling, twisty tale.

“The incredibly talented Matt Barry and the brilliant team at Quay Street have a track record of delivering standout drama time and time again, and we’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with them on what’s set to be another showstopper series.”

Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said: “Old Town Murders is a brilliant example of what Welsh creative talent can achieve on a world stage.

“Through Creative Wales, the Welsh Government is proud to support productions like this that showcase the very best of Wales — its landscapes, its stories, and its people. This series will bring Tenby and West Wales to audiences everywhere, while creating real jobs and opportunities for our growing creative industries.”

Old Town Murders has received Welsh Government support via Creative Wales. Filming for the series has commenced in Tenby, Cardiff and along the south Wales Coastline.