BBC announce return of George Gently

The 1960's detective returns with four new feature length episodes. Inspector George Gently is set in 1968 and Martin Shaw returns to the role for BBC One. The series was created by Peter Flannery. The series is set in Northumberland and set in the socially changing days of the swinging 60s. Lee Ingleby returns as the Inspectors sidekick Bacchus.

Writer Peter Flannery says: "Gently and Bacchus return to my home turf of Durham and Northumberland with plenty more murders and cases to solve. It's 1968 and there are huge changes taking place in society, and hopefully our series continues to give a real portrait of the age."

The first episode is titled Gently With Class, written by Flannery it depicts a darker side to 1968, as riots rage in Paris, thousands rally in the US against the Vietnam war, in Northern Ireland the beginning of the civil rights movement and in England antipathy for the outmoded upper class social graces and abuse of privilege.

"Gently With Class" tells the story of Inspector Gently's investigation into the death of Ellen Mallam found dead in an upturned car registered to aristocrats.

Guest stars include Roger Lloyd Pak and Geraldine Somerville as Lord and Lady Blackstone; with James Norton, Nick Hendrix, Christopher Fairbank and Fred Pearson. The film also introduces Ebony Buckle as the young and free-spirited Ellen.

Other episodes included Gently Northern Soul, depicting racial unrest, The Shooting of Thomas Hurnall and the final episode sees Gently's enemies from London Met coming after him.

The series is currently filming on location in Durham and the North East and will be shown on BBC One later in the year.