Is Blue Lights based on a true story? Plot and Ending Explained
by Swetha P
Updated Apr 20, 2023
Blue Lights
BBC One and BBC iPlayer have produced a new six-part TV series called "Blue Lights" set in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The show follows the lives of probationary police officers as they carry out their duties in the city. The series captures the day-to-day challenges and experiences of the officers as they navigate the complexities of policing in Belfast.
The show premiered on March 27th, 2023, and has been highly anticipated by audiences. The series promises to provide a unique and gripping look into the lives of those on the front lines of law enforcement in Northern Ireland. Viewers can expect a raw and authentic portrayal of the officers' experiences, both professional and personal.
Is Blue Lights based on a true story?
No, Blue Lights is a fictional series created by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, but it is set during the period of unrest in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles. While the show is not based on true events, the authors aimed to make it as authentic as possible. In an interview with the BBC, they discussed how recent projects such as The Salisbury Poisonings and Rogue Agent inspired them to be truthful in their work.
However, Blue Lights is entirely fictional, with the storylines based on things that Lawn and Patterson uncovered during their research and interviews with real police officers. They spent over two years developing the show, speaking to more than thirty current and former officers to create a realistic portrayal of policing in Belfast.
Despite being a work of fiction, Blue Lights has been praised for its brutal and honest depiction of life during The Troubles. The show's cast was reportedly shocked by the brutality portrayed on screen, despite not having lived through the period themselves. Overall, "Blue Lights" offers a unique and gripping look at the challenges faced by police officers in one of the most turbulent times in Northern Irish history.
Is Blue Lights a real story?
Is Blue Lights a True Story? No, The Blue Lights work of fiction created by writers Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson. In contrast to their previous works, which were based on true events, the writers aimed to break away from this and create a fictional world. In an interview with the BBC, they talked about how recent projects like "The Salisbury Poisonings" and "Rogue Agent" had led them to be committed to truth.
However, "Blue Lights" is a purely fictional series set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. The writers spent over two years researching the show, speaking with more than thirty serving and retired police officers to create a realistic portrayal of policing in Belfast. Overall, "Blue Lights" provides a unique perspective on the challenges faced by probationary police officers working in a divided society during a period of unrest.
Blue Lights Ending explained
Blue Lights is a captivating series that explores policing in present-day Belfast and the complicated relationships between the police force and the McIntyre family. The series is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer, and viewers have been eagerly anticipating the season finale after episode 5 ended with a major cliffhanger.
Unfortunately, Gerry, a beloved colleague, lost his life after being shot multiple times by Sully in episode 5. This was particularly devastating for his wife Sandra, who received the news from Jonty. Jen was able to take out Sully shortly after he shot Gerry, but the McIntyres were able to escape for a short time.
In the final episode, Mo discovered that his father, James, had been working as an informant for the secret services since 1998 to protect his family. The 'sneaky beakies' were seeking information about the Ginleys, a major crime multinational organization, and discovered that Mo was planning to trade guns for money and cocaine with them.
Joseph offered James McIntyre a deal to let the transaction proceed so they could track the gun and lead them to a "bigger prize". Jen, who had been having an affair with Jonty, decided to break it off and quit her job. She realized that she was never truly interested in the job and only wanted to impress her mother, Nicola, the chief superintendent. Nicola announced that she would ask for Jonty's resignation.
Tommy asked Helen to be taken off the fast track program and to instead rise up the ranks with everyone else. He then went on patrol with Annie. Finally, Stevie and Grace grew closer, with Stevie almost confessing his feelings before they received a call on the radio and jumped back into action.
Overall, Blue Lights has been a gripping series that has kept viewers on the edge of their seats. It airs on BBC One on Mondays at 9 pm and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
Blue Lights Review
Positive early reaction to "Blue Lights," praising the show's portrayal of the complex and unique policing issues in Belfast, as well as the well-rounded and believable characters. Ellen Jones of The Guardian called the show a "structured portrayal" that handles the storyline from beginning to end, with emotional rewards that hit hard because they are so well deserved.
David Roy of the Irish News noted that "Blue Lights" is the first cop drama to focus on the confrontational, sectarian, and tense work of a realistic police service in Northern Ireland, reflecting the reality where police officers' lives are still severely threatened by dissidents, although it's not a PSNI-supported police recruitment ad.
Blue Lights Plot
Blue Lights is a TV series that centers around three rookie police officers on their probation period, who are posted at the fictional Blackthorn Station in Belfast. One of the new officers, Grace, is a mother in her 40s, who gave up her job as a social worker to pursue a career in the Police Service, but after only a few weeks into the job, she questions if it was the right decision.
Along with Grace, the series also highlights the challenges faced by fellow rookies Annie (Devlin) and Tommy (Braniff), who are also struggling under the enormous pressure of their roles. Sian Brooke portrays Grace Ellis, a mother to a teenage boy who takes a huge risk by quitting her stable job as a social worker to join the police force in Blue Lights.
In her first few weeks, she faces numerous challenges and makes a lot of mistakes. Alongside her are fellow probationary officers Annie (Katherine Devlin), who leaves behind everything she knows to pursue her dream, and Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff), who is determined to prove himself despite his inexperience in frontline policing.
The show explores the dangers and complexities of being a police officer in Belfast, where officers' lives are constantly at risk. The series raises the question of how they can tell who needs their help and who may turn against them because of their job. The first episode focuses on Grace and her partner responding to a disturbance involving a concerned mother, Angela Mackel (Valene Kane), who believes her son Gordy is being exploited.
Is Blue Lights Based on a True Story - FAQs
Blue Lights is a six-part cop drama series about three probationary police officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland, assigned to the fictional Blackthorn Station in Belfast.
The main characters in Blue Lights are Grace Ellis (played by Sian Brooke), Annie (Katherine Devlin), and Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff), all of whom are rookie police officers struggling under the immense pressure of the job.
Blue Lights is the first cop drama to focus on the confrontational, sectarian tense work of a recognizably realistic police service in Northern Ireland, seeking to reflect the reality of police officers' lives being severely threatened by dissidents.
Blue Lights explores the challenges and dangers faced by rookie police officers, and their struggle to determine who needs their help and who will turn on them due to their job.