Gillian Halliday

Blue Lights co-creator Declan Lawn says he knows police officers who have had to step away from the GAA over fears of being “too exposed”.

The slow-burning ‘Will they, won’t they?’ chemistry between Blue Lights’ rookie cop Grace Ellis (Sian Brooke) and her work partner Stevie Neil had every fan of Blue Lights show gripped throughout the first series – just as much as the tension-driven action scenes. Which begs the question: will the pair’s relationship develop into something romantic in the second series?

Fans could be forgiven for expecting Martin McCann — Blue Lights’ ‘mystery man’ Stevie Neil — to carry a Bento-style lunchbox wherever he goes, since they’ve become ubiquitous with his good cop constable, whose love of putting together his packed work lunch to enjoy on patrols has endeared him to millions of viewers. But alas, when Weekend meets him, he’s empty-handed.

Adam Patterson, one half of the creative duo behind hit Northern Irish cop drama Blue Lights, is laughing, before modestly adding: “Do you have some news for us?”. Weekend has just asked him – at the end of a long day where he and fellow writer Declan Lawn have met with media on set during filming for the latest series of the hugely successful series – if fans can expect a third one. While he playfully dodged the question, Weekend knew the answer was a resounding ‘yes’ months before the BBC took the unusual step of confirmed last month that not only had the broadcaster commissioned series three, but also a fourth season. A sure sign that Blue Lights is to be sure to be part of our screens for the next few years to come. Gathered in a chilly building (a former civil service building in east Belfast) that serves as a base for not only interior scenes of Blackthorn Police Station, but also a hospital ward, a on a bright November day, journalists (both local and further afield) have watched a short teaser clip to show just a sliver of what fans can expect when Blue Lights explodes back onto our screens on April 15. And it’s safe to say, it surpasses the brilliance of the first series which attracted around 7m viewers and earned a spot in the UK’s top 10 new drama programmes last year across all broadcasters and streamers.

The second series of Blue Lights finds Sandra Cliff (Andi Osho) step out from behind her custody desk to getting involved in the action facing her fellow cops of Blackthorn Station.

A trunk call with a difference, a sporting legend and taking the leap are part of what was a busy year in Northern Ireland. Gillian Halliday and Aine Toner look through the Belfast Telegraph archives

The Holyland in south Belfast has attracted some negative media headlines in recent years, with anti-social behaviour of students prompting calls for the authorities to tackle the issue. But it’s also the area that is home to the highest listed price for a seven-day Airbnb stay in Belfast — a whopping £8,236 for an apartment.

This Spanish villa-style property situated in Holywood has ample space and privacy, ideal for a growing family.

The Holyland in south Belfast has attracted some negative media headlines in recent years, with anti-social behaviour of students prompting calls for the authorities to tackle the issue. But it’s also the area that is home to the highest listed price for a seven-day Airbnb stay in Belfast — a whopping £8,236 for an apartment.