# Hope Street (TV series)

Hope Street is a Northern Irish crime serial drama television series filmed in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. The series, broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland, was created by Paul Marquess and Susanne Farrell. The series is also broadcast on BBC One, once the episodes have been shown in the Northern Ireland region; as of the third series, full series have been released on BBC iPlayer ahead of broadcast.

## Production
### Creation

Hope Street was created by Paul Marquess and Susanne Farrell. Marquess stated that his aim whilst creating the series was to make a long-running local drama. Due to being born in Belfast, he wanted to avoid the stereotypes that come with Northern Irish media portrayals, instead focusing on the "humour and warmth" of the area. The series was commissioned in March 2021, by BBC Daytime and BritBox North America, in a joint collaboration, with Marquess' and Farell's production company, Long Story TV co-producing the series with BritBox North America.

### Filming and locations

Hope Street is filmed in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, which acts as the fictional Port Devine. Locations within Donaghadee were used as part of filming, these included Pier 36, a local restaurant, which acted as The Commodore Pub in the series, and a building on Shore Street in Donaghadee which was used as the fictional Port Devine Police Station.

### Broadcast

Hope Street is initially broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland, before being shown on BBC One on daytimes for the remainder of the United Kingdom. As of the fourth series, the broadcast is a week apart from Northern Ireland and the remainder of the UK. Since the third series, full series have been released ahead of broadcast on BBC iPlayer. It is available in the US and Canada on Britbox streaming platform.

## Premise

The first series sees the sudden arrival of DC Leila Hussain (Amara Karan) in the fictional Northern Irish town of Port Devine. The local residents question the reason behind her arrival; only Inspector Finn O'Hare knows why Leila has been transferred, but he is keeping it to himself.
On Leila's arrival to the town, Karan hinted: "The secret, the reason why she's been brought to Northern Ireland, is actually a matter of life-and-death". Each episode follows a self-contained crime story following the investigation of the local police department, as well as the exploits of the town's local residents.
In the second series, a former colleague of Finn's, DC Al Quinn, is sent to town as part of an undercover operation. Following the operation's conclusion, Al stays in town to fill the void left following Leila's departure. When his daughter is caught up in the theft of an ATM, Al crosses the line to protect the one he loves most, putting his career on the line in the process.
In the third series, a new detective constable, Jo Lipton (Karen Hassan), arrives in Port Devine, alongside new police constable Ryan Power (Finnian Garbutt).

## Cast

| Character | Actor | Series | Series | Series | Series |
| Character | Actor | Series 1 (2021–22) | Series 2 (2022–23) | Series 3 (2023–24) | Series 4 (2024–25) |
| Inspector Finn O'Hare | Ciarán McMenamin | Main | Main | Main | |
| Inspector Eve Dunlop | Tara Lynne O'Neill | | | | Main |
| Sergeant Marlene Pettigrew | Kerri Quinn | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| PC Callum McCarthy | Niall Wright | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| PC Ryan Power | Finnian Garbutt | | | Main | Main |
| DC Leila Hussain | Amara Karan | Main | | | |
| DC Al Quinn | Stephen Hagan | | Main | Guest | Guest |
| DC Jo Lipton | Karen Hassan | | | Main | Guest |
| DC Luke Jackson | Marcus Onilude | | | | Main |
| Concepta O'Hare | Brid Brennan | Main | Main | Recurring | Recurring |
| Barry Pettigrew | Des McAleer | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Clint Dunwoody | Aaron McCusker | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Nicole Devine | Niamh McGrady | Main | Main | Main | Main |
| Siobhan O'Hare | Rachel Tucker | Main | Main | Main | Recurring |
| Niamh O'Hare | Ellie Lavery | Main | Main | Main | |
| Shay O'Hare | Louis McCartney | Main | Main | Main | |
| Taylor Quinn | Sade Malone | | Main | Main | |
| Assumpta Kozloswka | Carrie Crowley | | | Recurring | Recurring |
| Aidan Hunter | Ian Beattie | | | Recurring | Recurring |
| Ash Hayes | Meghan Tyler | | Recurring | Recurring | |
| Brandi McClure | Katie Shortt | | | | Main |
| Lois Dunlop | Eleanor Methven | | | | Main |
| Seamie McCarthy | Paddy Jenkins | | | | Main |
| Chloe Jackson | RhéAna Kamalu | | | | Main |
| Ross Dunlop | Jonny Grogan | | | | Main |

## Development

Series co-creator and co-executive producer Paul Marquess stated that his aim whilst creating the series was to make a long-running local drama. Due to being born in Belfast, he wanted to avoid the stereotypes that come with Northern Irish media portrayals, instead focusing on the "humour and warmth" of the area. Marquess and colleague Susan Farrell decided that the series should not focus on serial killers or the Troubles, but instead on the resilience of the community in Northern Ireland. Another of Marquess' aims was to increase the amount of television productions in Northern Ireland, specifically since he had moved from the country to pursue a career in production in his youth. He and Farrell created a cast and crew almost entirely formed of local talent from in and around Donaghadee, where the series is filmed. The 10-episode first series was funded by Northern Ireland Screen and it was confirmed that it would premiere on BBC One Northern Ireland in November 2021, as well as having a January 2022 broadcast on BBC One in the other regions of the United Kingdom.
The show stars an ensemble cast almost entirely collected from the local area, including Ciarán McMenamin, Kerri Quinn, Niall Wright, Des McAleer, Bríd Brennan, Aaron McCusker and Niamh McGrady.
Cast member McMenamin was helped with his research about the police by two schoolfriends who are part of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). After reading the scripts for the series, he was excited to be part of Hope Street due to its modern-day portrayal of his community. He said that his experiences on set are the happiest moments of his professional life, due to the locations they film on and the cast and crew. McMenamin explained: "The craic is a different level. When you live away, to come home and be surrounded by people just as sarcastic as you, makes getting out of bed in the morning a joy". Quinn opined that it is refreshing for Hope Street not to mention the Troubles and appreciated that the scripts place a focal point on relationships and the small community of Port Devine. Wright echoed her comments, feeling that the serial drama is "a completely different take" to other dramas on television at the time of transmission. He added that the series would have plenty of twists and cliffhangers and hoped that the series would be renewed for several further series. English cast member Karan said that whilst filming for the series, the locals of Donaghadee were very proud of their town, but "went out of their way to make [her] feel welcome". She added that she loved playing Leila even though she "sticks out in her new environment like a sore thumb".
In April 2022, the show was renewed for a second series, which premiered in November 2022, with Stephen Hagan taking on the role of new lead character, DC Al Quinn.
In April 2023, the show was renewed for a third series, which premiered in October 2023, with Karen Hassan taking on the role of new lead character, DC Jo Lipton.
In April 2024, it was confirmed that the BBC had renewed Hope Street for a fourth series and would commence filming that month, with eight episodes being commissioned.

## Series overview

| Series | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released |
| Series | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released |
| 1 | 10 | 10 | 24 November 2021 (2021-11-24) | 2 February 2022 (2022-02-02) |
| 2 | 10 | 10 | 7 November 2022 (2022-11-07) | 30 January 2023 (2023-01-30) |
| 3 | 15 | 15 | 30 October 2023 (2023-10-30) | 12 February 2024 (2024-02-12) |
| 4 | 8 | 8 | 28 October 2024 (2024-10-28) | 16 December 2024 (2024-12-16) |

## Episodes
### Series 1 (2021–2022)

| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | BBC One Northern Ireland Broadcast | BBC One Daytime Broadcast |
| 1 | 1 | Episode 1 | Sean Glynn | Susanne Farrell | 24 November 2021 (2021-11-24) | 31 January 2022 |
| The sudden arrival of Detective Leila Hussain shakes up Port Devine, but only Inspector Finn O'Hare knows the real reason Leila's been transferred. |||||||
| 2 | 2 | Episode 2 | Sean Glynn | Jessica Lea | 1 December 2021 (2021-12-01) | 1 February 2022 |
| A burglar claims that he has seen a dead body in a farmhouse. Leila visits the property and asks Gerard Smith (Karl O'Neill) where his wife Brenda is. He claims that she is visiting a niece in France, whilst Concepta informs Leila that the couple never leave the town. Leila searches his property and finds a birth certificate with the name of a man on and discovers that Brenda has prostate cancer. Leila realises that Brenda was transgender and died from the cancer, which she wanted to keep a secret due to prostate cancer being commonly associated with men. Leila promises Gerard that she will keep the information a secret. Marlene discovers her promise to Gerard and gains respect for her. Leila receives more questions from local residents as to why she is in the town; she later talks with Finn about coming to Port Devine due to trying to escape dangerous people. After helping Gerard with his grief, Callum gets Leila mentioned in the online news. She then panics about her cover being blown. |||||||
| 3 | 3 | Episode 3 | Dez McCarthy | Christine Murphy | 8 December 2021 (2021-12-08) | 2 February 2022 |
| 4 | 4 | Episode 4 | Sean Glynn | Stuart Drennan | 15 December 2021 (2021-12-15) | 3 February 2022 |
| 5 | 5 | Episode 5 | Dez McCarthy | Jessica Lea | 22 December 2021 (2021-12-22) | 4 February 2022 |
| 6 | 6 | Episode 6 | Dez McCarthy | Susanne Farrell | 5 January 2022 (2022-01-05) | 7 February 2022 |
| 7 | 7 | Episode 7 | Bruce Webb | Paul Marquess | 12 January 2022 (2022-01-12) | 8 February 2022 |
| 8 | 8 | Episode 8 | Dez McCarthy | Christine Murphy | 19 January 2022 (2022-01-19) | 9 February 2022 |
| 9 | 9 | Episode 9 | Bruce Webb | Stuart Drennan | 26 January 2022 (2022-01-26) | 10 February 2022 |
| 10 | 10 | Episode 10 | Dez McCarthy | Jessica Lea | 2 February 2022 (2022-02-02) | 11 February 2022 |

### Series 2 (2022–2023)

| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | BBC One Northern Ireland Broadcast | BBC One Daytime Broadcast |
| 11 | 1 | Episode 1 | Dez McCarthy | Jessica Lea | 7 November 2022 (2022-11-07) | 17 March 2023 |
| 12 | 2 | Episode 2 | Dez McCarthy | Tess McGowan | 14 November 2022 (2022-11-14) | 24 March 2023 |
| 13 | 3 | Episode 3 | Sean Glynn | Christine Murphy | 21 November 2022 (2022-11-21) | 31 March 2023 |
| 14 | 4 | Episode 4 | Sean Glynn | Hamish Wright & Stuart Drennan | 28 November 2022 (2022-11-28) | 7 April 2023 |
| 15 | 5 | Episode 5 | Enda Hughes | Stuart Drennan | 7 December 2022 (2022-12-07) | 14 April 2023 |
| 16 | 6 | Episode 6 | Enda Hughes | Greer Ellison | 2 January 2023 (2023-01-02) | 21 April 2023 |
| 17 | 7 | Episode 7 | Dez McCarthy | Christine Murphy | 9 January 2023 (2023-01-09) | 28 April 2023 |
| 18 | 8 | Episode 8 | Dez McCarthy | Karis Kelly | 16 January 2023 (2023-01-16) | 12 May 2023 |
| 19 | 9 | Episode 9 | Sean Glynn | Stuart Drennan & Paul Marquess | 23 January 2023 (2023-01-23) | 19 May 2023 |
| 20 | 10 | Episode 10 | Dez McCarthy | Stuart Drennan | 30 January 2023 (2023-01-30) | 26 May 2023 |

### Series 3 (2023–2024)

| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | BBC One Northern Ireland Broadcast | BBC One Daytime Broadcast |
| 21 | 1 | Episode 1 | Sean Glynn | Jessica Lea | 30 October 2023 (2023-10-30) | 15 March 2024 |
| 22 | 2 | Episode 2 | Sean Glynn | Tess McGowan | 6 November 2023 (2023-11-06) | 22 March 2024 |
| 23 | 3 | Episode 3 | Sean Glynn | Christine Murphy | 13 November 2023 (2023-11-13) | 29 March 2024 |
| 24 | 4 | Episode 4 | Enda Hughes | Brian McGilloway | 20 November 2023 (2023-11-20) | 5 April 2024 |
| 25 | 5 | Episode 5 | Enda Hughes | Stuart Drennan | 27 November 2023 (2023-11-27) | 12 April 2024 |
| 26 | 6 | Episode 6 | Sean Glynn | Karis Kelly | 4 December 2023 (2023-12-04) | 19 April 2024 |
| 27 | 7 | Episode 7 | Emma Lindley | Marcus Fleming | 11 December 2023 (2023-12-11) | 26 April 2024 |
| 28 | 8 | Episode 8 | Emma Lindley | Lessa Harker | 18 December 2023 (2023-12-18) | 10 May 2024 |
| 29 | 9 | Episode 9 | Joe McStravick | Phil Multyne | 1 January 2024 (2024-01-01) | 17 May 2024 |
| 30 | 10 | Episode 10 | Amy Coop | Greer Ellison | 8 January 2024 (2024-01-08) | 24 May 2024 |
| 31 | 11 | Episode 11 | Amy Coop | Jessica Lea | 15 January 2024 (2024-01-15) | 31 May 2024 |
| 32 | 12 | Episode 12 | Enda Hughes | Amy Coop | 22 January 2024 (2024-01-22) | 7 June 2024 |
| 33 | 13 | Episode 13 | Enda Hughes | Brian McGilloway | 29 January 2024 (2024-01-29) | 14 June 2024 |
| 34 | 14 | Episode 14 | Suri Krishnamma | Paul Marquess | 5 February 2024 (2024-02-05) | 20 June 2024 |
| 35 | 15 | Episode 15 | Suri Krishnamma | Sally Tatchell | 12 February 2024 (2024-02-12) | 28 June 2024 |

### Series 4 (2024)

| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | BBC One Northern Ireland Broadcast | BBC One Daytime Broadcast |
| 36 | 1 | Episode 1 | Sean Glynn | Paul Marquess | 28 October 2024 (2024-10-28) | 1 November 2024 |
| 37 | 2 | Episode 2 | Enda Hughes | Jessica Lea | 4 November 2024 (2024-11-04) | 8 November 2024 |
| 38 | 3 | Episode 3 | Enda Hughes | Stuart Drennan | 11 November 2024 (2024-11-11) | 15 November 2024 |
| 39 | 4 | Episode 4 | Sean Glynn | Greer Ellison | 18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) | 22 November 2024 |
| 40 | 5 | Episode 5 | Vicki Kisner | Karis Kelly | 25 November 2024 (2024-11-25) | 29 November 2024 |
| 41 | 6 | Episode 6 | Vicki Kisner | Unknown | 2 December 2024 (2024-12-02) | 6 December 2024 |
| 42 | 7 | Episode 7 | Audrey Cooke | Unknown | 9 December 2024 (2024-12-09) | 13 December 2024 |
| 43 | 8 | Episode 8 | Audrey Cooke | Unknown | 16 December 2024 (2024-12-16) | 20 December 2024 |

## Reception

On the Northern Irish BBC iPlayer, Hope Street received 1.6 million streams on the first five episodes of series one. Stephen Patterson, writing for the Metro, gave the series four stars out of a possible five. He wrote that within minutes of the first episode, the community-driven aspect is established "incredibly well". Patterson noted that the core cast are talented, praising McGrady specifically for "stealing every scene she's in". He also praised the standalone stories in each episode, feeling that they raise important issues in ways that he did not expect from the series. He opined that Marquess had succeeded in his aims for the series to accurately portray Northern Ireland. He added that despite serial dramas such as Red Rock, The Bill and Holby City losing popularity, Hope Street "suggests that there is still something of an appetite for this kind of programming", also hoping for more series of the programme.

## DVD releases

Series 1 and Series 2 have been released by Dazzler Media.
| Title | Episodes | DVD release date | Total discs |
| Hope Street: Series 1 | 10 | 4 April 2022 | 3 |
| Hope Street: Series 2 | 10 | 10 March 2023 | 3 |