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Doctor Who and Downton Abbey favourites confirmed for all-new "mismatched" detectives show
Robert James-Collier and Mandip Gill will star in Cooper and Fry.
Samir Hussein/WireImage, Karwai Tang/WireImage
- James Hibbs
Published: Monday, 21 July 2025 at 12:03 pm
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A beloved detective duo are coming to our screens soon, as 5 is set to adapt Stephen Booth's best-selling Cooper and Fry novels.
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The new TV series, titled Cooper and Fry, will be made up of 4 two-hour episodes, will be set in the Peak District, and will follow two mismatched young detectives.
One of these detectives is Ben Cooper, an affable local who is played by Downton Abbey and The Inheritance star Robert James-Collier. Meanwhile, the other is Diane Fry, a guarded newcomer played by Doctor Who and Curfew star Mandip Gill.
The synopsis for the series says: "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."
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Each of the episodes is set to adapt one of Booth's novels, with this first season taking on Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind To the Bones and Dancing with the Virgins.
The series was announced alongside a raft of new commissions for 5, which also includes thrillers Missed Call and Number One Fan, psychological drama The Family Secret, and more.
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The channel also announced that it is renewing popular series The Hardacres and The Teacher for new seasons, and The Madame Blanc Mysteries for a Christmas special.
Deputy chief content officer and head of scripted for Paramount UK, Sebastian Cardwell, said in a statement: "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.
"These titles reflect our commitment to delivering compelling, accessible British drama that resonates with viewers across the UK. We look forward to announcing further titles in the coming months."
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Cooper and Fry will air on 5.
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Authors
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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