The BBC‘s popular police drama, Blue Lights, returned to our screens this week with its anticipated fourth season – and viewers have wasted no time getting stuck into the new episodes. 

The Northern Ireland-set series follows three rookie police officers as they navigate the severe pressures of policing in Belfast. 

© BBC/Two Cities Television

Acclaimed for its compelling storylines, relentless tension, and gritty depiction of frontline policing, Blue Lights has cemented its place as one of the BBC’s most thrilling crime dramas – with many viewers even declaring it “better than Line of Duty.”

Keep reading to find out what viewers have said about season four. 

What to expect from Blue Lights season four

Constables Grace Ellis, Tommy Foster, and Annie Conlon are three years into their job when we find them in season four, which follows the murder trial of Gerry Cliff, who was killed in season one.

The synopsis for season four reads: “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. 

© Steffan Hill/BBC

“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.”

According to co-creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, the new episodes uncover “a lot of dark secrets,” while delving into “what justice looks like in Belfast today” and “ties together the past, present, and futures of Grace, Annie and Tommy in an action-packed story.”

What have viewers and critics said about season 4?

Following the debut of season four, viewers rushed to BBC iPlayer to binge-watch the six-part series.

Taking to social media, one person wrote: “Binged 6 episodes over two nights. Superb!” while another added: “Well I’ve just binge watched all of series 4 within a day and made myself sad it’s all over. One of the best tv shows out there.”

© BBC/Two Cities Television

Critical reception was equally glowing. The Telegraph hailed it as the “best drama on British TV” in its five-star review, while The Guardian awarded four stars to “TV’s most thrilling cop show”. 

Elsewhere, The Irish Times criticised the show’s “unfortunate and cartoonish portrayal of racism”. 

Who stars in season 4? 

Siân Brooke (Sherlock, Trying) stars as Grace, alongside Martin McCann (Trespasses, Hostage) as Stevie, Katherine Devlin (The Day Of The Jackal, Vikings) as Annie, Nathan Braniff as Tommy and Frank Blake (Say Nothing, Normal People) as Shane. 

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Two Cities Television/Matthias Clamer

Richard Dormer (The Day of the Jackal, Game of Thrones), who played Gerry Cliff in series one, returns in season four, alongside Hannah McClean (Malpractice) as solicitor, Jen Robinson and Jonathan Harden (The Rainmaker, Time) as disgraced former Inspector, Jonty.

Blue Lights is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.