EXCLUSIVE: Robson Green’s upcoming BBC detective drama The Northumbria Mysteries is coming to the international market after Banijay swooped for the rights.

Set against the sweeping Northumberland coastline and surrounding market towns, the drama centers on an unlikely crime-solving duo, led by Grantchester star Green. He stars as Joe Ruby, a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes and missed opportunities. Ruby works alongside ice-cool Oxford-educated detective Rose O’Connell. The pair combine their talents to unravel crime mysteries, confounding and surprising one another along the way, in classic odd couple style. Casting on the O’Connell character has not yet been revealed.

The series is being produced in the North East of England by Lonesome Pine Productions, which is based in the region. Production is now underway on the show, which is for BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.

Banijay Rights will handle distribution, having picked up the series, adding it to its drama lineup. “The Northumbria Mysteries is a distinctive, atmospheric crime drama that pairs compelling storytelling with the striking backdrop of North East England,” said Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights. “As a powerful addition to Banijay Rights’ burgeoning scripted slate, we’re excited to bring this character-driven detective series to international audiences, bolstering our focus on premium, globally resonant drama.”

For the UK public broadcaster, greenlighting The Northumbria Mysteries was part of a renewed commitment to filming in the North East.

For Banijay, snagging global rights adds a star-led light crime drama to its lineup, with these series hugely in vogue. Just yesterday we reported on the latest remake of French cozy crime show High Potential. Other shows in the genre, such as Midsomer Murders and Death In Paradise, remain huge sellers on the international market.

The Northumbria Mysteries becomes part of Banijay Rights’ scripted portfolio, which includes Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, Rogue Heroes and the revived 80s classic Bergerac.