The odd couple

DOWNTON ABBEY'S ROBERT JAMES-COLLIER AND DOCTOR WHO'S MANDIP GILL TELL LYNN RUSK ABOUT THEIR ROLES AS TWO MISMATCHED DETECTIVES IN THE UPCOMING SERIES COOPER AND FRY

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Case work: Robert and Mandip play detectives in the Peak District

DOUBLE-ACT detective series have long been a staple of British television, with shows like Dempsey and Makepeace, Inspector Morse and Sherlock.

Mid-Eighties series Dempsey and Makepeace, starring American actor Michael Brandon as Lt James Dempsey and South African-British actress Glynis Barber as Sgt Harriet Makepeace, sparked a wave of male-and-female detective duos.

Now, a new series called Cooper and Fry, starring Robert James-Collier and Mandip Gill, is joining the ranks of these mismatched detectives.

Set in the mystery-shrouded Peak District, the four-part series, based on the novels by Stephen Booth, follows the affable local DC Ben Cooper, played by Robert and the guarded newcomer DC Diane Fry, played by Mandip.

Thrown together to investigate a string of mysterious deaths, they must learn to work as a team to get results. As their personal lives begin to intertwine, a unique friendship begins to form.

The series adapts four of Booth’s early novels including Black Dog, Dying to Sin, Blind To the Bones and Dancing with the Virgins.

Robert, best known for his portrayal of the scheming Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey, says he was drawn to the role of DC Cooper because of the character's backstory.

Alongside being popular in his local community, Cooper is also grappling with the loss of his father, whom he believes was murdered.

“What really drew me to the role was his backstory with his dad,” explains the Salford-born actor.