'Blue Lights' Announces High-Profile Castings for Season 3

It’s rare for the BBC to greenlight more than one season at a time, and certainly not before the current one has aired, which is why the announcement the network was giving Blue Lights a third and fourth season before Season 2 arrived in early 2024 was a bit of a shock. However, with BritBox joining the show as co-producer starting with the second season didn’t hurt, nor does the series’ viewership ratings or critical acclaim. Moreover, as the cast turnover continues, the production is taking advantage of the show’s reputation by adding two high-profile character actors to the roster.

As production on Season 3 started in early February 2025, BritBox and the BBC were proud to announce that Michael Smiley, who has been in everything from Luther to Obituary to Bad Sisters, would join the cast for the new season. He’s not the only addition Americans will recognize either. Cathy Tyson, who was fantastic in Apple TV+’s Criminal Record and recently became a recognizable face due to starring in HBO’s Dune: Prophecy, will also be a Season 3 regular.

“It is a delight to watch Cathy and Michael seamlessly join our talented cast,” the BBC’s Nick Lambon said as part of the announcement. “The arrival of both characters marks the start of the most ambitious Blue Lights series yet, which will leave fans questioning everything they think they know about the response officers they have come to love…”

Here's the Season 3 synopsis:

Two years into their jobs as response officers, Grace, Annie, and Tommy are accustomed to life under the blue lights. But their work will take them into a sinister world hidden behind the veneer of middle-class life, the world of the accountants and lawyers facilitating organized crime. The old political and criminal order has gone, and a new global gang rules Belfast, bringing danger closer to home for our officers than ever before.

Blue Lights returning cast for Season 3 includes Siân Brooke (Trying) as Grace, Martin McCann (Wolf) as Stevie, Katherine Devlin (The Day of the Jackal) as Annie, and no-longer-quite a newcomer Nathan Braniff as Tommy. The series ensemble also includes Joanne Crawford (Small Things Like These) as Helen, Andi Osho (The Sandman) as Sandra, Frank Blake (Normal People) as Shane, Abigail McGibbon (The Lovers) as Tina, Dearbháile McKinney (Kneecap) as Aisling, and Andrea Irvine (Dead Shot) as Nicola.

Series creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson once again penned all six episodes for the show's third season, with Season 1 director Jack Casey splitting helming duties with Angela Griffin (Waterloo Road). Lawn and Patterson also executive produce with Stephen Wright for Two Cities Television, Louise Gallagher for Gallagher Films, and Nick Lambon for the BBC.

Blue Lights Season 3 is expected on the BBC before the end of 2025, with the seires to follow on BritBox.