Damien Molony, Fay Ripley, Clare-Hope Ashitey to return for Series 2 and 3 of ‘SUSPECTS’

March 14, 2014

DS Jack Weston (Damien Molony), DI Martha Bellamy (Fay Ripley) and DC Charlie Steele (Clare-Hope Ashitey) will be returning to our TV screens in brand new drama Suspects for a second series in the Autumn and a third series next year Channel 5 announced today.

Originally a 10 part series, Suspects episode 5 aired on Wednesday 12 March as the finale of series 1, the remaining episodes along with new ones will air in Series 2, with series 3 commissioned for 2015.

Using fly-on-the-wall filming techniques and with dialogue improvised by the actors, Suspects brings a gripping and uniquely real level of drama to television, setting is apart from other cop procedurals. The show has debuted to critical acclaim, receiving praise for it’s originality and approach:

“Smart, effective TV” – Daily Telegraph

“Raw and unconventional… With its improvised dialogue and edgy camerawork, it has the same reek of reality that comes from a fly-on-the-wall documentary.” – The Times

“[Channel 5’s] new high-tension police show Suspects makes such powerful, original viewing.” – Daily Mail

“Kudos to Channel 5 … A procedural purist’s dream come true… a pacy, naturalistic portrait of [a] cop shop… Fay Ripley, in particular, is excellent as the no-nonsense commanding officer.” – The Independent

“An Innovative new London police procedural.” – The Observer: News Review

“They’ve found a fresh and gripping way to breathe life into a standard police procedural.” – Sunday Mirror: Notebook

“The spontaneous feel of a fly-on-the-waller with the dramatic momentum of a bona fide thriller.” – Metro

“Taut storytelling, matched by naturalistic, semi-improvised performances.” – The Times

“Bedding in nicely since its debut …. And that has a lot to do with the very easy chemistry that exists in the fictional police team.” – The Guardian: Guide

Suspects is commissioned by Ben Frow, Director of Programmes at Channel 5, produced by Newman Street (part of FremantleMedia UK), and co-created by Fremantle Managing Director and executive producer Paul Marquess (The Bill, Footballers’ Wives, Hollyoaks).

Ben Frow said on the shows return, “Suspects has been an incredible critical success for Channel 5, and praised for its innovative and game-changing approach to procedural drama. We’re thrilled by the reaction and are excited about commissioning a further series for later in the year.”

Paul Marquess added, “Suspects is the most exciting show I’ve ever made, so we can’t wait to get back into production and we’re delighted to be working with Ben and Greg Barnett again.”

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