Coastal Charm Meets Deadly Secrets: Why the Upcoming Old Town Murders Is Already the Year’s Most Anticipated Crime Series
If your idea of the perfect weekend involves gorgeous windswept coastlines, razor-sharp banter, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last frame, then the BBC has a new obsession in store for you. Commissioned to fill the void left by classics like Shetland and Broadchurch, Old Town Murders is shaping up to be the cozy, witty, and deeply human crime drama we didn’t know we needed.
Set against the postcard-perfect backdrop of Tenby, Wales, this six-part series isn’t just another procedural; it’s a character-driven story about reinvention, friendship, and finding a second act when you least expect it.
A Dynamic Duo With a Past
At the heart of the series are two of Wales’ most beloved acting talents, Mark Lewis Jones (Baby Reindeer, The Crown) and Steffan Rhodri (Gavin & Stacey, Steeltown Murders). They star as DI Glyn Walsh and DS Sion Dearden, a pair of estranged former partners who find themselves forced back into the line of fire together.
Both men are navigating their own personal wreckage—Glyn is returning from bereavement leave, while Sion is dealing with his own hardships—and their reunion is anything but straightforward. Thrown together under the same roof, their relationship becomes the show’s emotional anchor, balancing the gravity of their investigations with the kind of authentic, laugh-out-loud banter that only years of shared history can produce.
Why Old Town Murders Is Already Making Waves
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Welsh Noir Meets Cozy Crime: With the stunning South Wales coast as its playground, the show promises a visual feast. It perfectly captures the duality of Tenby—a place that looks like a dream but hides a series of dark, twisty secrets.
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A Stellar Supporting Ensemble: The series is bolstered by the presence of Julie Graham (Shetland), who joins as a sharp-witted forensic biologist, alongside a talented cast including Catherine Ayers, James Bamford, and Bethan Mary-James.
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Expertly Crafted Storytelling: Written by Matthew Barry (Men Up), the series is designed to be as grounded in character as it is in clever plotting. Expect a “whodunnit” that prioritizes emotional resonance just as much as it does the shocking twists of the investigation.
A Must-Watch for Genre Fans
Whether you loved the atmospheric intensity of Keeping Faith or the grit of Steeltown Murders, this series promises to offer something unique: a blend of high-stakes crime and genuine warmth. It is a story about two friends finding their way back to each other, one baffling murder case at a time.
Filming is currently underway across Tenby and Cardiff, with the series set to hit BBC One and iPlayer later in 2026. Keep your eyes on the horizon—the picturesque seaside town of Tenby is about to become your new favorite (and deadliest) TV destination.