Doctor Who & Downton Abbey Cross Over With New British Detective Duo Debut

El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph. D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.

Major stars from Doctor Who and Downton Abbey are teaming up to become one of the UK's most Downton Abbey favorite Robert James-Collier and former Doctor Who companion Mandip Gill star as the titular duo in this eerie, atmospheric thriller set in the stunning scenery of the Peak District.

Based on Stephen Booth's 18-novel series of the same name, the show cleverly balances its investigative storytelling with character-driven drama. Gill's DC Diane Fry arrives in the fictional Derbyshire town of Edendale from the big city, running from a dangerous relationship. James-Collier's local copper, DC Ben Cooper, meanwhile, is still reeling from his dad's violent death, determined to catch the killer. Despite the tragic nature of the cases and the darker aspects of Fry and Cooper's backstories, the show never feels overly bleak, though it's certainly not a cozy crime drama, either.

Cooper & Fry Join A Long List Of Iconic British Detective Duos

Cooper and Fry are joining a great tradition of iconic British detective duos. Though none are quite as famous as Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and John Watson — their unlikely friendship is arguably the blueprint for all modern detective partnerships — other great examples include Cooper & Fry Will Return For More Episodes

Credit: Channel 5

Cooper and Fry has been confirmed for a second season in the UK, with production already underway. The first season consists of four separate investigations — split into eight 45-minute episodes for BritBox's release — based on Booth's novels Dying to Sin (2007), Black Dog (2000), Blind to the Bones (2003), and Dancing with the Virgins (2001). The second season will adapt The Devil's Edge (2011), Fall Down Dead (2018), One Last Breath (2004), and The Murder Road (2015).

Gill and James-Collier will both reprise their roles for the new season, alongside returning cast members Lorcan Cranitch (Bloodlands), who portrays the duo's superior officer, DI Paul Hitchens, and Charlotte Bradley (The Dry), who plays Ben's potentially clairvoyant mother, Isobel Cooper. Though a UK release window hasn't been revealed yet, it's expected to premiere sometime in 2027. Hopefully, if the first run of episodes does well on BritBox over the next few weeks, Cooper and Fry's second season will make its way across the pond a lot sooner.

New episodes of Cooper and Fry are released weekly on Thursdays, only on BritBox. The first two episodes are available to stream now.