Northern Ireland

James Nesbitt back in character as BBC's Bloodlands shoots new series in Belfast

The show's writer has said viewers can expect the second series of Bloodlands to explore the past of Nesbitt's character Tom Brannick. Picture By Hugh Russell.
The show's writer has said viewers can expect the second series of Bloodlands to explore the past of Nesbitt's character Tom Brannick. Picture By Hugh Russell. The show's writer has said viewers can expect the second series of Bloodlands to explore the past of Nesbitt's character Tom Brannick. Picture By Hugh Russell.

FILMING for the second series of brooding BBC crime drama Bloodlands brought traffic to a halt in Belfast city centre yesterday as scenes featuring star James Nesbitt were shot in Donegall Street.

The Co Antrim-born actor, who plays DCI Tom Brannick in the show, was spotted among the crew close to St Anne's Cathedral.

A hit with viewers when the four-part first season aired last February, the gritty police procedural saw Nesbitt's character chasing a legendary assassin, with ties to his own personal life.

The drama attracted an average audience of 8.2 million viewers, cementing a second series.

Donegall Street in Belfast city centre is the backdrop for scenes in the upcoming new series of the BBC crime drama. Picture By Hugh Russell.
Donegall Street in Belfast city centre is the backdrop for scenes in the upcoming new series of the BBC crime drama. Picture By Hugh Russell. Donegall Street in Belfast city centre is the backdrop for scenes in the upcoming new series of the BBC crime drama. Picture By Hugh Russell.

The show is the brainchild of Co Down screenwriter Chris Brandon, who last year in an interview with the Irish News offered a glimpse of what viewers can expect from the show in future episodes.

"Bloodlands is essentially the story of Brannick, so audiences can expect to delve a lot deeper into exactly what has gone on in his past," he said.