Set in the English countryside, Lynley follows the unlikely partnership between aristocratic Detective Inspector Thomas “Tommy” Lynley, the Oxford-educated Earl of Asherton, and working-class Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. Despite their clashing backgrounds and contrasting approaches, they unite through their shared passion for justice, tackling complex mysteries while navigating issues of class, gender, and personality. In case you are wondering, Thomas Lynley drives a 1969 Jensen Interceptor.
Premiering on BritBox in September 2025 and set to debut on BBC One in January 2026, this new adaptation of Elizabeth George’s bestselling Inspector Lynley novels offers a fresh take on the beloved detective duo. Written by Steve Thompson (Sherlock) and directed by Ed Bazalgette, the four-part series consists of 90-minute episodes filmed across Ireland, standing as a distinct reimagining separate from the earlier BBC adaptation that ran from 2001-2008.
The series centers on the mismatched crime-solving partnership between DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers, two detectives who seemingly have nothing in common beyond their commitment to solving crimes and serving justice. Lynley is the epitome of privilege—an aristocrat with an Oxford education, refined manners, and intellectual approach to detective work. His world of country estates and upper-class connections contrasts sharply with Havers’ street-smart, working-class background and more instinctive, rough-around-the-edges investigative style.
What makes the partnership compelling is how their differences become strengths. Lynley’s intellect and ability to navigate elite social circles pairs with Havers’ practical instincts and willingness to challenge authority, creating a formidable investigative team. The series notably avoids the predictable romantic tension between leads, instead focusing on the development of genuine friendship and professional respect as they learn to trust each other’s methods and insights.
Set across the atmospheric English countryside with its family secrets and small-town intrigue, each case peels back layers of complex mysteries while exploring the personal struggles of both detectives. Lynley wrestles with moral dilemmas and the tension between his aristocratic heritage and his role as a working detective, while Havers grapples with professional frustrations and her sometimes blunt approach to justice. The series tackles contemporary issues around class, gender, and personality while maintaining the traditional appeal of well-crafted detective mysteries.
Produced by Playground (All Creatures Great and Small) and BritBox International, the series has garnered positive early reviews for its efficient pacing, genuine detective work, character development, and the chemistry between its leads. Elizabeth George serves as executive producer, ensuring the adaptation remains true to the spirit of her novels while creating original storylines for the screen.
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Locations
Setting
Three Counties, Norfolk, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom— East Anglia; some London/Cambridge story scenes
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Credits and More
Credits
📚 Original Author
The original author is Elizabeth George, an American writer who created the Inspector Lynley novels.
Interestingly, despite writing very “British” novels set in England with quintessentially British characters and settings, Elizabeth George is American-born and raised. She’s written 21 novels in the Inspector Lynley series, starting with “A Great Deliverance” in 1988, which won an Agatha Award. Her most recent novel, “Something to Hide,” was published in 2023.
🎬 TV Series Creator
Elizabeth George is also serving as an executive producer on the new 2025 Lynley series, ensuring the adaptation stays true to the spirit of her novels.
The new TV series is written/adapted by Steve Thompson (known for Sherlock) and directed by Ed Bazalgette.
The new Lynley series is set across the English countryside, including locations around the Norfolk Broads area. However, it’s worth noting that while it’s set in England, the series was actually filmed in Ireland.
The original novels and adaptations typically feature London (Scotland Yard) as the base, with investigations taking the detectives to various locations across England. The new series seems to focus more on countryside settings rather than being anchored to one specific city or town – the cases take Lynley and Havers to different areas with each investigation.
Unlike some detective series that are firmly rooted in one location (like Oxford for Morse/Lewis or Jersey for Bergerac), Lynley appears to be more peripatetic, with the detectives travelling to wherever the case takes them across England’s rural areas and small towns.
🏢 ProductionBBC Studios, BritBox International, Playground Entertainment, Salt Films
