A television drama designed to bypass historical stereotypes

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While many portrayals of Northern Ireland are defined by the Troubles, Hope Street deliberately looks elsewhere. Created to showcase local resilience and warmth, this crime drama swaps heavy political history for the intimate, everyday lives of a coastal community.

Created by Paul Marquess and Susanne Farrell, Hope Street was commissioned in March 2021 as a joint collaboration between BBC Daytime and BritBox North America. From its inception, the creators aimed to move away from common media portrayals of Northern Ireland. Instead of focusing on the Troubles, they sought to highlight the area's 'humour and warmth,' specifically aiming to showcase the resilience of the people living there.

The production is deeply rooted in local identity. Filmed in Donaghadee, which serves as the fictional town of Port Devine, the series utilizes real locations like Pier 36 and a building on Shore Street for its police station. To maintain authenticity, Marquess and Farrell cast almost entirely from the local area. This community-centric approach was echoed by actors who noted that while the show features crime stories, it primarily focuses on the 'small community' and personal relationships of the officers and residents.

The series has seen steady growth since its premiere in November 2021. During its initial season, the first five episodes garnered 1.6 million views on BBC iPlayer in Northern Ireland. By June 2025, it was confirmed that the fifth series would reach a milestone of 50 episodes. Critics have praised the show for successfully capturing an accurate, modern-day portrayal of the community while proving there is still a significant appetite for local serial dramas.

The narrative structure balances self-contained crime investigations with overarching character arcs. For example, early seasons introduced mysteries involving secret transfers and undercover operations that forced characters to make difficult moral choices. As the show progressed, it transitioned through various lead characters—from DC Leila Hussain to DC Al Quinn and eventually DC Jo Lipton—ensuring a dynamic evolution of the Port Devine police force.

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