A touch of CLASS

TV Times

January 03, 2026

LEO SUTER and SOFIA BARCLAY on reviving a mismatched crime-fighting duo

Aristocratic, Oxford-educated DI Thomas Lynley and his working-class colleague DS Barbara Havers are being brought to life again by the BBC in new crime drama Lynley.

The chalk-and-cheese duo, who feature in American author Elizabeth George's mystery novels, were first played by Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small in BBC1 hit The Inspector Lynley Mysteries from 2001 until 2008. Now, Sanditon actor Leo Suter and Ted Lasso star Sofia Barclay are taking on the roles in a reimagined four-part series.

As the drama begins, shrewd Thomas - next in line to be the Earl of Asherton - joins the (fictional) Three Counties Major Investigation Team covering serious crimes in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. While past tensions with his boss DCI Brian Nies (The Thursday Murder Club's Daniel Mays) emerge, he soon forges a solid sleuthing partnership with brusque Barbara, as they navigate cultural and class differences in the pursuit of the truth. Here, Leo, 32, and Sofia, 37, share their case notes...

What appealed to you about these roles?

LEO There's something satisfying about playing a detective and I get to zip around in Thomas' Jensen Interceptor Mk II sports car and do a few high-speed chases, which makes for a lot of fun!