BBC Police Drama Corrects Controversial Character Death in Upcoming Season
In a move that has delighted its dedicated fanbase, the BBC has announced that its acclaimed Belfast-based police thriller Blue Lights will rectify what viewers termed a 'big mistake' by bringing back a beloved character for its fourth season. The decision follows significant audience backlash after the shocking death of Detective Constable Gerry Cliff, portrayed by Game of Thrones actor Richard Dormer, during the show's inaugural season.
Fan Outcry Leads to Character Resurrection
The character's demise in the fifth episode of season one proved particularly devastating for viewers who had grown attached to the DC. Social media platforms erupted with criticism, with one fan, Caroline Murdoch, publicly declaring the decision to kill him off as a 'big mistake' on Facebook. This sentiment was widely echoed across the show's fan community, creating a persistent demand for his return throughout subsequent seasons.
The BBC has now officially confirmed that Dormer will reprise his role as Gerry Cliff in the forthcoming fourth instalment. In an announcement posted on Facebook, BBC One teased: 'Gerry!? Do not adjust your screens. Richard Dormer is back in Blue Lights series four!'
Speculation and Anticipation Build Around Return
The revelation has sparked intense speculation among fans regarding how the character's return will be handled narratively. Some viewers, like Michael Keel, have theorised about potential flashbacks or prequel storylines, questioning: 'I'm assuming flashbacks, and or, we will get a whole season of an older case with him that takes place before he died etc.'
Others have expressed cautious optimism, with Marie Langdon admitting: 'I don't know how it will be done, but if it's true, it's made my day!' However, concerns have been raised about maintaining the show's emotional integrity, as noted by Sarah-Louise McGrath: 'As much as I love Gerry, it has to be a flashback as a fake death would cheapen the enormity and emotional impact of his character.'
Additional Familiar Faces Set for Comeback
Dormer's return is not the only nostalgic element planned for season four. The BBC has confirmed that Hannah McClean will reprise her role as Jen Robinson, who left the Police Service of Northern Ireland following Gerry's death and retrained as a solicitor. Additionally, Jonathan Harden returns as the disgraced Inspector Jonty, whose complex storyline involving an affair with Jen forced his resignation in season one.
The episode featuring these returning characters promises to 'answer important questions from the past,' according to BBC statements. Co-creators and writers Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson have elaborated: 'It reveals a lot of dark secrets, examines 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. We can't wait to start filming it!'
Plot Details Hint at Explosive Developments
The BBC has released intriguing plot details for the new season, indicating that '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.' The description continues: '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.'
This development follows the critical success of season three, which earned four and a half stars from Metro's Senior TV Reporter Asyia Iftikhar. That season explored the middle and upper-class echelons funding Belfast's drug trade, while maintaining the series' emotional core through Grace's social work background and her protective instincts towards children caught in gang violence.
With several narrative threads left unresolved from season three – including free-walking criminals Tina McIntyre and Dana Morgan, and the ongoing issue of encrypted technology facilitating crime – season four of Blue Lights appears poised to deliver another gripping chapter. The series remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, allowing new viewers to catch up on the drama that has captivated audiences with its authentic portrayal of policing in Northern Ireland.
