The first look at a new BBC thriller series that’s set in Lancashire and starring Jenna Coleman has been unveiled.
That’s right, the North West is set to be the star of the TV screen once again later this year.
And that’s because the BBC has released the first image and teased some details of a brand-new – and very highly-anticipated – crime drama series called The Jetty that’s set in a Lancashire seaside town, and starring local actress Jenna Coleman.
Described as being as much of a coming-of-age story as it is a detective thriller, The Jetty is set to ask the big questions “in the places that Me Too left behind”.
There’ll be questions about sexual morality, identity, and memory.
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A synopsis for the four-part series on the BBC website reads: “A fire tears through a holiday home in a scenic Lancashire lake town, and Detective Ember Manning must work out how it connects to a podcast journalist investigating a missing persons cold case, and an illicit ‘love’ triangle between a man in his twenties and two underage girls.
📸 Here's your first look image of @Jenna_Coleman_ in the highly anticipated new crime drama The Jetty!
"I can’t wait for everyone to meet this new heroine and to find out what’s lurking beneath the surface of The Jetty."
“But as Ember gets close to the truth, it threatens to destroy her life and forces her to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her past, present, and the town she’s always called home.”
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Blackpool-born actress Coleman stars as rookie detective Ember Manning, alongside Archie Renaux, Laura Marcus, Bo Bragason, Amelia Bullmore, Ruby Stokes, Tom Glynn-Carney, Weruche Opia, Matthew McNulty, Ralph Ineson, and more, all in supporting roles.
Speaking ahead of the new show airing later this year, the 37-year-old actress, who is probably best-known for her roles in Doctor Who, Victoria, Waterloo Road, commented: “Working with the BBC and Firebird Pictures on bringing the complex and enigmatic character of Ember Manning to life has been an incredible experience.
“I can’t wait for everyone to meet this new heroine, and to find out what’s lurking beneath the surface of The Jetty.”
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Filming has wrapped, and the series is expected to air later in 2024 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
TV & Showbiz
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2024 
