Hit Crime Drama Cooper & Fry Set to Return to 5

Robert James-Collier & Mandip Gill reprise lead roles

LONDON Tuesday 14th July 2026: 5 today announces the recommission of critically acclaimed detective drama Cooper & Fry after a successful first series run. The 8x60’ series will again be produced by Clapperboard in association with STUDIO TF1.   

Adapted from Stephen Booth’s best-selling novels of the same name, Cooper & Fry series two will continue to follow unlikely detective duo Ben Cooper and Diane Fry, played by Robert James-Collier (The Inheritance, Downton Abbey) and Mandip Gill (Doctor Who, Can You Keep a Secret?), as they investigate a string of eerie murder cases in the mystery-shrouded Peak District.   

Building on the unique friendship forged in series one, Ben and Diane will navigate cases steeped in the legendary folklore of the area, all while battling each other’s conflicting investigation styles and facing their complicated personal lives head on.   

Series two also sees the return of Lorcan Cranitch (Blue Lights, Leonard and Hungry Paul) as DI Hitchens and Charlotte Bradley (The Dry, Arctic Circle) as Isobel Cooper. New faces include Pollyanna McIntosh-Goldthwait (The Walking Dead, Vikings: Valhalla) as DI Kim Armstrong, Scott Graham (Vikings, Redemption) as DC Gavin Murfin and Kathy Rose O’Brien (Small Town, Big Story, Deadly Cuts) as Liz Petty. Cooper & Fry series two will cover Booth’s novels The Devil’s Edge, Fall Down Dead, One Last Breath, The Murder Road.   

The second series of Cooper & Fry was ordered for 5 by Commissioning Editors Paul Testar and Greg Barnett, alongside Deputy Chief Content Officer and Head of Drama, Sebastian Cardwell. Mike Benson and Jonathan Hall will Executive Produce for Clapperboard along with Tamryn Reinecke of Pale Rebel Productions. Ben Court and Caroline Ip return as Lead Writers with Ronan Burke and Rob Burke as Directors for the series. STUDIO TF1 will handle international distribution for the series.   

Mandip Gill on returning for series two: “I’m thrilled to be returning to Cooper & Fry after the brilliant reaction to series one. It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside Rob again and I’m excited for audiences to see where the story takes us this time.”   

Robert James-Collier continues: "I'm thrilled to be back playing DC Ben Cooper along with my good friend Mandip Gill in the role of Diane Fry. The audience really warmed to the first series of Cooper & Fry and we hope they will again, so stay tuned as we have lots more murders to solve and all sorts of strange goings-on down in Edendale."   

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 adds: “Cooper & Fry proved to be a huge hit with 5’s audience and we’re incredibly excited to bring more of Stephen Booth’s novels to life. Rob and Mandip make a formidable detective duo, and we can’t wait to see what Cooper and Fry get their teeth into this series.”   

Jonathan Hall, Executive Producer, Clapperboard continues: “We’re thrilled to be returning to the Peak District with Cooper & Fry for a new set of gripping murder mysteries. Steve Booth’s fantastic novels are packed with memorable characters and atmospheric crimes that we’re looking forward to bringing to 5 soon.”   

Karine Atlan, EVP Acquisitions and International Co-Productions at STUDIO TF1 adds: “We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership with 5 and Clapperboard on a second series of Cooper & Fry. The success of the first series confirmed the strength of the brand and its audience appeal and reinforces STUDIO TF1’s ambition to become a leading destination for premium English-language scripted content.”   

Cooper & Fry series two is filming now and set to air on 5 in 2027.   

ENDS   

For further information, please contact: kate.killgour@paramount.com   

Notes to Editors:   

Critical Acclaim for Cooper & Fry Series One:   

“Immediately seductive thanks to its two brilliant leads” “The sure test of a new show like this is whether you are tempted to watch the next episode, especially with so many crime dramas to choose from. Thanks to these two central characters, I am.” 

– The i   

“Theirs is a partnership with hints of The X-Files” 

– Radio Times   

“A winning new crime drama” 

– TV Choice       

****

- Daily Mail Weekend   

 “A much anticipated new who-dunnit” 

 – TV Times   

About 5: 

5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Skydance Corporation. Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount+ and more.  In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.    Recent wins include ‘Favourite Broadcaster/Streaming Service’ at the 2026 TV Choice Awards; ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards; BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024; along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.    

About Clapperboard Studios: 

Since launch, Clapperboard has delivered over 32 series and 155 hours of prime time television, including critically acclaimed ratings winners Love Rat, The Holiday, Cooper & Fry, The Cuckoo, The Game and Number One Fan for 5 and Girl Taken, The Castaways, The Ex-Wife and The Serial Killer's Wife for Paramount+. It was shortlisted for Best Production Company in the Edinburgh TV Awards 2022, 2025 and 2026 and Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards 2024. Dramas Clapperboard is currently working on include The Day for Paramount+ and Paris is Always a Good Idea for Hallmark Media, Benidorm is Murder, The Heights and An Impossible Way to Die for 5 and Hunting Alice Bell for Channel 4. Returning dramas include The Teacher anthology series, The Good Ship Murder and The Madame Blanc Mysteries created and co-written by Sally Lindsay and co-produced by Clapperboard. Clapperboard along with its partner companies, Chalkboard and Storyboard Studios, are part of iZen and the wider Studio TF1 Group   

About STUDIO TF1: 

With over 50 production companies and labels, STUDIO TF1 is one of Europe's leading audiovisual and film production and distribution companies. Located in Europe, America, and Canada, STUDIO TF1 is a key player in all content genres (from fiction and daily series to film, documentaries, magazines, animation, and entertainment) and provides industry partners and distribution channels, from TV channels to digital platforms, with programs designed to inspire, entertain, and inform all audiences. With more than 20,000 hours of programming, STUDIO TF1 boasts one of the largest film rights catalogs in France and Europe. Its spirit of ambition, which sits at the heart of the Group's values, is supported by the commitment and agility of our talented teams, who will always find within STUDIO TF1 a springboard for their creativity and projects.