Granite Harbour unfolds as a gripping British police drama set in the picturesque Aberdeen in Scotland. Created by Adriel Luff and Kul Muhay, the show first premiered on BBC Scotland, before airing across the UK on BBC One.
Season one introduces us to RMP Sergeant Davis Lindo, portrayed by Romario Simpson, a fresh face in Police Scotland, who teams up with DS Lara “Bart” Bartlett, played by Hannah Donaldson.
In the upcoming second season, Lindo and Bart embark on a new investigation, thrusting themselves into the shadows of the city’s criminal underworld.
According to the show’s synopsis: “When drug kingpin Grace McFadden’s (Lesley Hart) notorious fixer turns up dead, the MIT have their work cut out to find the source of a new cocaine and ketamine compound flooding the streets. Fearing an impending drugs turf war is brewing, the team fight to uncover the truth.”
Simpson previously said about the series: “I’m delighted to be returning to Scotland to film season 2 of Granite Harbour. I’m looking forward to reuniting with the original cast and collaborating with some new creatives.
“It’s another opportunity to learn more about Aberdeen and take in some vital fresh air and open space”.
Who is in the Granite Harbour season 2 cast?
Dawn Steele as DCI Cora MacMillan
Scottish actress Dawn Steele gained prominence for her portrayal of Alexandra Lexie MacDonald in the BBC drama Monarch of the Glen from 1999 to 2004.
In 2010, Steele reprised her role as Alice for a 10-episode stint in the fifth season of the beloved series Wild at Heart. She returned once more in the sixth season, this time as Alice Trevanion, who became engaged to Danny at the fifth season’s conclusion. Although there was no eighth season, Steele made a poignant return for the show’s final episode, a two-hour special aired on 30 December, 2012.
Steele then went on to join the cast of BBC1 Scotland Drama River City as Dr Annie Jandhu. However she left the series in 2018, citing the taxing commute from her home in Kent.
That same year, Steele was included on the cast of the BBC medical drama Holby City, portraying consultant general surgeon Ange Godard. She debuted in the show’s twenty-first series, which aired from January 2019 until its conclusion in March 2022.
Romario Simpson as Davis Lindo
Hailing from south-east London with Jamaican roots, Romario Simpson has made a mark in the entertainment industry with notable performances in projects like Small Axe, Noughts and Crosses, and Timewasters.
He is also renowned for his roles in Granite Harbour, Django, and Andor.
Teasing insights into the upcoming season of Granite Harbour, Simpson hints at a gripping narrative involving a young refugee woman embroiled in a sprawling drug operation.
Simpson said: “The story follows a young refugee woman who ends up intertwined into a huge drug operation after her husband disappears from the ship they snuck on to.
“The team investigate this new drug sweeping the city while trying to figure out what happened onboard the Stolthet ship.”
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Hannah Donaldson as DS Tara ‘Bart’ Bartlett
Hannah made her professional debut at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sunset Song, marking the beginning of a vibrant stage career that saw her in leading roles in productions like The Cherry Orchard, Romeo and Juliet, and The Enemy.
Expanding her repertoire to the screen, Hannah joined the cast of the Britbox drama Crime in its second series, starring alongside Dougray Scott.
In Granite Harbour, Donaldson took on the breakout leading role of Lara Bartlett.
Expressing her fondness for Bartlett, Donaldson said: “She’s really kind of streetwise and feisty, saying exactly what’s on her mind. Sometimes it works in her favor, while other times it backfires.”
Other cast members include:
- Katia Winter as Karolina Andersson
- Bhav Joshi as Dr Jaiyush Mallick
- Michelle Jeram as DS Simone “Monty” Montrose
- Gary Lewis as Shay Coburn
- Ross Anderson as Ewan MacClure
- Hiftu Quasem as Sandy Hepburn
- Caroline Deyga as Hannah Couffs
- Andrew Still as Rory Dashford
Where is Granite Harbour filmed?
Produced by LA Productions, Granite Harbour stands as the latest addition to Scotland’s roster of compelling dramas, joining the ranks of acclaimed series such as Lockerbie, Nightsleeper, and Shetland.
The inaugural season delved into Aberdeen’s rich history as a hub of the oil industry, a theme resonating deeply with Scotland, drawing an impressive audience of 7.6 million viewers on BBC iPlayer.
Reflecting on the filming experience in Aberdeen, Donaldson said: “We truly relished being in Aberdeen.”
Despite the city’s notorious weather, she noted how its cinematic allure shines through, particularly during stormy days. Donaldson vividly described a scene where waves crashed dramatically around the lighthouse, illustrating the raw beauty of the north-east coast captured on screen.
While the initial airing of the show faced criticism regarding some cast members’ accents and the absence of local dialect, the production team took heed of the feedback.
With the inclusion of more talent from the north-east, including Layla Kirk from Aberdeen and Lesley Hart from Stonehaven, Donaldson emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling, enriched by familiar accents and landscapes.
As the series showcases more of Aberdeen’s essence on screen, infused with a sprinkle of Doric dialect, Donaldson believes it’s crucial for viewers to see representations of people, accents, and landscapes that resonate with them, fostering a sense of connection and familiarity.
How many episodes are there in season 2?
The new series will officially launch on BBC One on Friday 3 May, at 8pm.
If you’re eager to dive into the drama ahead of its television broadcast, all three new episodes are already accessible for streaming on BBC iPlayer – as is the first season.
