Back in April, the UK was given a glimpse into Manchester’s grim criminal underworld when BBC Two aired a docuseries called The Detectives.
The Detectives: Fighting Organised Crime investigated real instances of historic organised crime In Manchester and the gangs behind such activities, and followed a team of detectives trying to put a stop to it – with each episode covering cases as they happened.
It aired on BBC Two and millions watched, tweeted and series linked it on their Sky boxes.
#WATCH | The second episode of the new BBC Two series #TheDetectives airs tonight at 9pm…
Watch exceptional coverage of DCI Liz Hopkinson and her team from the Major Incident Team successfully working to tackle a murder investigation involving serious and organised crime. pic.twitter.com/OVzecWLZqT
The show was a smash hit due to its exceptional coverage of live police investigations, filmed over a two year period, and gave viewers unprecedented access into the Greater Manchester Police.
However, after two episodes, the docuseries disappeared from TV guides and when Tuesday rolled around (the day it aired on both weeks) many people were wondering where it had gone.
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The Detectives: Fighting Organised Crime is honestly the best crime programme on tv right now! So interesting but also amazing to see the amazing work that @gmpolice do! @BcuPolicing student, definitely worth a watch!💫
The BBC didn’t do much to answer everybody’s questions at the time, with many wondering if the show had been axed – but while looking deeper on Twitter it has become apparent that the show’s creators are waiting to unleash a three-part episode on a single investigation this summer.
Answering someone’s inquisitive tweet, BBC iPlayer explained: “The first two episodes were self-contained narratives.
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“There are three remaining episodes that are planned later in the summer which follow one complete story.”
So while the first and second episode focused on individual stories – such as the murder of Luke Graham and the investigation into a series of kidnappings which introduced Paris Bostock to the nation – the last three episodes will be one continuous storyline (or three hours following the same criminal gang).
Hi Matt, The first two episodes were self-contained narratives. There are three remaining episodes that are planned later in the summer which follow one complete story. Keep an eye on the programme page for dates nearer the time: https://t.co/k77v9sWGjp Thanks
Currently, there is no information available on which investigation the show will focus on for its second-run (there are significant rumours online that it will be covering the Rochdale grooming gang scandal — but this is unconfirmed), but by dedicating three hours to it, we imagine it will be a significant story that we’re all familiar with.
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There are currently no exact dates set out for its return, with the BBC asking people to “keep an eye on the programme page for dates nearer the time”, however our educated guess is that it will be released at some point in July due to formal messaging stating its return will be in “summer” – and summer in the UK officially begins at the end of June.
As always, we will let you know as soon as the programming dates have been revealed, because if you’re reading this, you’re probably as much of a fan of The Detectives as we are.
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.
The Manc -
17th May 2021 
