The new series of Hope Street is only just around the corner and it’s all change in Port Devine.
The BBC One series, which made its TV debut in 2021, returns for a brand new eight episode season on Friday, November 1.
Prior to its UK TV premiere, however, the entire season will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 7pm on Monday, October 28 – shortly after its premiere on BBC One NI.
The popular daytime drama, which has proven quite the force to be reckoned with, follows the lives of residents and the local police department of fictional Northern Irish seaside town Port Devine.
The fourth series, which Marlene Pettigrew star Kerri Quinn likens to a ‘reboot’, is its most different to date, with a number of significant cast changes lined up, including the arrival of a brand new Inspector in the form of Eve Dunlop, played by Derry Girls star Tara-Lynne O’Neill.
Eve’s tough no-nonsense demeanour sets the cat among the pigeons, with Marlene’s nose well and truly put out of joint.
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‘Because Eve has known Marlene since school, there is a lovely crossover between the personal and the professional – and there’s stuff to play there,’ said newcomer Tara-Lynne of the conflict.
‘How do you manage your friend? And they haven’t even been friends since they were teenagers so all this time has passed – so who’s in charge? Who’s not in charge? She needs Marlene on her side but also has to put her in her place.’
The feuding friends, however, put their differences aside when the real reason for Eve’s arrival come to light.
Port Devine also welcomes a host of new faces, including feisty new ‘firecracker’ barmaid Brandi McClure, played by Katie Shortt.
‘Brandi’s very fun!’, exclaimed actress Katie. ‘She brings a fun energy to the show and she’s very obsessed with Nicole!’.
We’ve also got Lois Dunlop (Eleanor Methven), the formidable mother of Eve, plus Chloe Jackson (RhéAna Kamalu), Eve’s diplomatic step-daughter, and Ross Dunlop (Jonny Grogan), Eve’s troubled son, who all make for exciting additions.
‘Chloe is apprehensive [about moving to Port Devine] but quickly it’s a breath of fresh air’, said RhéAna. ‘It’s very nice for her to feel welcome. She’s a firecracker! A fun and a confident young woman.’
Jonny, meanwhile, added of his character: ‘Ross is having a bit of trouble at school. He’s supported by his stepsister, who he can confide in. He wants to be the perfect son – and he doesn’t want to burden anyone with what he’s going through.’
There’s also a new Detective Constable in town. Played by Ted Lasso star Marcus Onilude, newcomer Luke Jackson certainly makes his presence felt – and he and Eve seem to be very well acquainted, with sparks flying between the two!
‘It’s a very different year,’ said Kerri Quinn of all the changes. ‘We have so many new people, so it feels almost like a reboot. You need that fresh energy.’
‘I know if I’m watching something, I don’t particularly like change. “Who’s this guy? Who is she? What’s this about?”, but [introducing the newcomers] is a “gently, gently” process.
‘People will miss characters that haven’t come back this year, so it’s important for us to stay true to things like the Marlene and Nicole friendship, which has been there from the get-go.’
Despite all the changes there are still plenty of returning favourites in Hope Street season 4, including the loveable PC Callum McCarthy (Niall Wright) who – quite rightly – is right at the centre of the drama this year.
His father Seamie (Paddy Jenkins) makes a surprise appearance and there’s also his romance with Jo Lipton (Karen Hassan), which was running smoothly at the end of series three. But will there be trouble in paradise this year?
Discussing what’s to come, actor Niall Wright said: ‘At the end of series three everything was pretty rosy for Callum. He’d met Jo, they fell in love and made everything official. They were looking to move up to Belfast. So, as this series begins, there are a few things that make that a bit tricky! They look at whether they can actually move and whether or not Callum wants to go.
‘I always said that it would be nice to see what goes on at home and to give a bit of history to him – a bit of backstory about why he is the way that he is.’
We certainly get that in the fourth series!
And speaking of Callum, there is also the matter of Nicole Devine-Dunwoody’s (Niamh McGrady) pregnancy. Will he discover that he might be the father of the unborn child after he and Nicole slept together last year?
Or will Nicole’s roguish husband Clint (Aaron McCusker) ultimately prove to be the dad?
‘We’ve been on such a journey with Nicole’s fertility issues, so it’s bittersweet that there’s so much complication involved when she finally gets her motherhood moment,’ said actress Niamh. ‘This is all Nicole has ever wanted and she’s finally about to get it – though not without a few complications!’
Ryan Power is also back for series four, with star Finnian Garbutt telling us that his character is more confident this time around. ‘You can tell Ryan is learning from the mistakes he made in previous series. And he’s got his own desk this year!’
In terms of what else viewers can expect, there is also a kidnap on the cards, plus plenty of crimes and mysteries to be solved – in addition to a familiar face staging a return.
Also, a tragedy casts a shadow over Port Devine.
With a perfect blend of the old and the new, Hope Street returns as strong as it ever was for an exciting new chapter – one that most certainly is not to be missed.
The BBC series has proven incredibly popular in the UK and beyond. The first series centred on the arrival of the Leila Hussain (Amara Karan), whose presence got tongues wagging, while the second saw new detective Al join the police force, causing quite the stir.
The third series, which Metro deemed its best to date, saw Jo Lipton’s arrival setting the cat among the pigeons – not to mention Callum’s heart racing.
Hope Street returns Friday November 1 at 2pm on BBC One or stream the whole series from 7pm on Monday October 28 on BBC iPlayer.
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