Blue Lights season 4: Release date and latest news

When will we be seeing more from the PSNI team?

Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon in Blue Lights, wearing a police uniform, stood in a street and looking shocked.

BBC/Two Cities Television

Published: Friday, 18 September 2026 at 1:15 pm

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Acclaimed police drama Blue Lights will soon be returning for its fourth season, with the release date on BBC One and BBC iPlayer having now been confirmed.

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All of the central stars are returning, including Siân Brooke, Martin McCann, Katherine Devlin and Nathan Braniff, with the latter having said this new season will be "the best one yet".

While speaking with Radio Times at the National Television Awards, Braniff said: "It's much more the same of the things that everybody loves about Blue Lights. And my character Tommy, for example, he's working out his relationship, and it's all a bit chaotic."

Meanwhile, his co-star Neil Keery said he was going to keep his character's storyline "a secret", but teased that there's "quite a lot of action this year."

"That’s right," Braniff added. "There was lots of big stunts, like pyrotechnics and flipping craziness."

But what do we know about season 4 so far, when will it arrive and which key cast members will be back?

Read on for everything you need to know about Blue Lights season 4.

Will there be a Blue Lights season 4?

Martin McCann and Sian Brooke as Stevie Neil and Grace Ellis in Blue Lights

Martin McCann and Siân Brooke as Stevie Neil and Grace Ellis in Blue Lights. BBC

There will! In fact, the fourth season of Blue Lights was confirmed a long time ago, at the same time as the series was renewed for season 3.

When the two-season renewal was first announced back in February 2024, co-creators and writers Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson said in a statement: "We’re thrilled that the BBC is committing to Blue Lights in this way. From the beginning, we wanted to write a show that had scale and ambition in its storytelling, and this decision gives us everything we need to do that.

"Thanks to the BBC, to Two Cities/STV and Gallagher Films, and to our brilliant cast and crew. But most of all thanks to our audience who have responded so powerfully to the show. Time for us to get to work!"

Co-creators and executive producers Stephen Wright (Two Cities Television) and Louise Gallagher (Gallagher Films) added: "A two-series recommission is a staggering vote of confidence in Blue Lights – the writers, the cast, the crew and the entire production team.

"The BBC have been exceptional partners who have helped us elevate the show. A big thank you from everyone in the Blue Lights team for the faith and support given to our show; we are working with the best people.

"There are so many more stories to tell and we can’t wait to get going again with the Blue Lights squad in Belfast."

Meanwhile, Lindsay Salt, BBC Director of Drama, said: "We were bowled over by the reaction to Blue Lights and I’m really pleased to be confirming our commitment to bring two more series of our beloved Belfast drama to air.

"Adam and Declan have brilliant ideas about where to take the characters next and I can’t wait for viewers to see what’s in store."

When will Blue Lights season 4 be released?

Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster in Blue Lights, wearing a police uniform and leaning on the front of a police car.

Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television

Blue Lights season 4 will officially arrive in full on BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 29 September 2026. Episodes will also start airing on BBC One from 9pm that night.

This means the season is arriving exactly a year after season 3, making for a shorter break than previous.

There was a 17 month break between seasons 2 and 3, but admittedly that was always expected, as the writers had noted the need to get their ducks in a row for both seasons 3 and 4 at once.

The synopsis for season 4 says: "Three years into their jobs as response officers, Constables Grace Ellis, Tommy Foster, and Annie Conlon are operating at their limit, facing a new threat on the streets that the police can barely control.

"Meanwhile, the murder trial of Gerry Cliff exposes a dangerous and long-buried secret that leads to chaos both inside the police and across the criminal underworld. As they grapple with big decisions about their future, Grace, Tommy and Annie must find the courage to face the greatest threat they have ever encountered: the truth."

Who will return to star in Blue Lights season 4?

Andi Osho as Sandra Cliff, Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon, Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis, Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster and Martin McCann as Stevie Neil in Blue Lights, walking through a corridor wearing police uniforms.

Andi Osho as Sandra Cliff, Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon, Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis, Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster and Martin McCann as Stevie Neil in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television

All of the central cast from Blue Lights season 3 are returning for season 4, including Siân Brooke as Grace, Martin McCann as Stevie, Nathan Braniff as Tommy and Katherine Devlin as Annie.

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Meanwhile, there are also some more surprising returns that have been confirmed, including Hannah McClean as Jen Robinson, Jonathan Harden as Jonty and Richard Dormer as Gerry Cliff. Gerry died in season 1, but is set to return for a crucial flashback episode in season 4.

Here's a list of the confirmed cast members for season 4:

Is there a trailer for Blue Lights season 4?

There is! You can watch the trailer for Blue Lights season 4 right here now.

Watch trailer

Blue Lights season 4 will air on BBC One and iPlayer from Tuesday 29 September 2026.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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