Calling all crime drama fans! Season one of the BBC's hit police series Blue Lights has just found its way onto a new free streaming service, U – and it's the perfect weeknight binge if you haven't yet tuned in.
The first series, which premiered in 2023, follows three new recruits to Belfast's police force, where being a frontline response officer comes with "unique pressures and dangers". Told over six parts, the first instalment introduces viewers to Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis, Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon and Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster.
Blue Lights proved a huge hit with audiences ever since its initial release and it currently holds an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. The latest series (season three) landed on the BBC in September 2025.
HELLO!'s Acting TV Editor Nicky Morris is a huge fan of the show. She said: "Blue Lights is without a doubt one of the best police dramas to hit the small screen in the last few years. With high-stakes drama, edge-of-your-seat action scenes and a dynamic blend of characters that immediately have viewers emotionally invested, this brilliant police drama is definitely one to add to your watchlist, particularly for Line of Duty fans."
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Blue Lights – and where to stream it if you haven't yet tuned in…
© BBCWhat is Blue Lights about?
Told over six episodes, the first season introduces viewers to Grace, Annie and Tommy, the three new recruits learning the ropes on Belfast's "dangerous and politically charged" streets.
The synopsis reads: "All three are new police officers in their probation period with the PSNI, the odds are at least one of them isn't going to last. The pressure is immense, but if they succumb to it, they won't survive. Often the rookie officers don't know the extent of the peril they are in, or who they can trust.
© Two Cities Television/Todd Antony/BBC"What's it like to have to hide your job from neighbours, friends and even family? How do you distinguish between who needs your help and who wants you dead simply because of the uniform you wear?"
© BBCWho stars in Blue Lights?
Siân, Katherine and Nathan play the three rookie police officers, while Martin McCann (Trespasses) plays Stevie Neil, Grace's mysterious yet experienced partner.
They're joined by John Lynch (The Fall) as James McIntyre, Valene Kane (Rogue One: A Stars Wars Movie) as Angela Mackle and Desmond Eastwood (Normal People) as DS Murray Canning.
Rounding out the cast are Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones) as Gerry Cliff and Andi Osho (Sex Education) as Sandra Cliff.
© BBC/Two Cities TelevisionWhat has the cast said about Blue Lights?
Speaking exclusively to HELLO! in 2024, Siân shared the motivations behind playing her character, Grace. "My dad was a police officer and my mum was a teacher, so I was brought up in a household where I very much knew right from wrong," she said.
"In some way, I think that's in there, as well as trying to humanise a profession that is so often defined by a uniform. You see the uniform first and sometimes forget that there's a real person behind that."
© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Two Cities TelevisionReflecting on the "amazing" cast and crew, Siân added: "It's an old cliché, but it's like a family. We've been together for two years, making seasons one and two, so to think we can spend another two years [with the show booked to return for series three and four] is a happy prospect."
The first season of Blue Lights is now available to watch on U, while all three seasons can also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
