If you love unravelling crimes in close-knit communities, where the residents have extremely messy personal lives, we’ve found your next watch. The exceptionally good Hope Street takes us to the fictional town of Port Devine on the Northern Irish coastline. While it’s light and cosy, the stunning coastal settings and detectives with baggage make it a must-watch for fans of Broadchurch.
The crime drama, which first aired in 2021, follows the town’s police officers as they tackle mysterious cases alongside their own personal dramas. Across five series and a new feature-length special, there’s a whole wealth of stories to dive into. And the best news is, you can watch it tonight.
Ready to become an honorary citizen of Port Devine? Here’s everything you need to know about the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Hope Street about?
The BBC drama centres on the fictional town of Port Devine on the Northern Irish coast. The local police station is surprisingly busy, and the drama follows the officers as they tackle a new case in each episode. We also get to know them outside the workplace, as storylines follow their friendships, families and love lives.
The first series begins with the arrival of Detective Leila Hussain (Amara Karan). She’s an out-of-towner, and to say she’s an outsider would be an understatement. She’s English and the only Muslim in the community, and her sudden arrival attracts suspicion. Her mysterious transfer sets tongues wagging as people grow suspicious. But will she manage to gain their trust so she can do her job properly?
What to read next
The second series picks up a year later after a dramatic cliffhanger, in which detective Finn O’Hare (Ciarán McMenamin) is involved in a serious car crash. DC Al Quinn (Stephen Hagan) joins the team, but he’s carrying out an undercover operation in the town. The third series introduces Jo Lipton (Karen Hassan), who has a secret agenda, and PC Ryan Power (Finnian Garbutt), a rookie officer. In series four, a tragedy shakes the town, and series 5 was the most dramatic chapter yet – with an explosion at the town’s half marathon and a shock shooting.
The drama has been such a success that the franchise has even spawned a feature-length spin-off. A violent crime against a popular local kicks off the action, with the investigation bringing bad news for the esteemed and stubborn Detective Sergeant Marlene Pettigrew (Kerri Quinn). It also pays a touching tribute to the late Finnian Garbutt, who played PC Ryan Power, with the special including scenes he filmed before his death earlier this year.
Who’s in the cast of Hope Street?
The cast of Hope Street includes:
- Ciarán McMenamin (Made in Belfast) as Inspector Finn O’Hare
- Tara Lynne O’Neill (Derry Girls) as Inspector Eve Dunlop
- Kerri Quinn (Fishbowl) as Sergeant Marlene Pettigrew
- Niall Wright (James) as PC Callum McCarthy
- Finnian Garbutt (Housejackers) as PC Ryan Power
- Cameron Cuffe (Krypton) as PC Donal Gallagher
- Amara Karan (Bancroft) as DC Leila Hussain
- Des McAleer (Death And Nightingales) as Barry Pettigrew
- Aaron McCusker (Shameless) as Clint Dunwoody
- Niamh McGrady (The Fall) as Nicole Devine
- Rachel Tucker (John & Jen) as Siobhan O’Hare
- Ellie Lavery (Ballywalter) as Niamh O’Hare
- Louis McCartney (Silent Roar) as Shay O’Hare
- Sade Malone (Twig) as Taylor Quinn
Is Hope Street any good?
Yes, if you’ve been missing Broadchurch, this is the perfect replacement. While it’s certainly a lot lighter than its predecessor, it has similarities. For example, it’s set in a close-knit coastal community, the detectives have baggage and the characters have interesting family lives and backgrounds. Across five series, the characters are well fleshed out, and you become every bit as invested in their personal lives as the police investigations. It’s light, enjoyable and the perfect cosy crime drama.
Is there a trailer for Hope Street?
You can watch the trailer for Hope Street below.
How can I watch Hope Street?
You can watch Hope Street now on BBC iPlayer.
What other crime dramas can I watch now?
For some more small-town sleuthing, we’d suggest Ellis. Tenacious DCI Ellis (Sharon D. Clarke) is parachuted into failing investigations across northern England. She must solve baffling murders and disappearances while dealing with hostility from the local police force. Ellis is available to watch now on Channel 5. Fancy something set further afield? Try Jack Irish. The Australian drama centres around a rugged private investigator who takes on a slew of gruesome murders and strange conspiracies. Jack Irish is available to watch now on Channel 4.
