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New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 24th February 2026

The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.

We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.

The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.

The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.

The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.

The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."

The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.

Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lola is a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."

Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."

The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.

Read more: Yorkshire actor Robert Aramayo scoops BAFTA alongside other ‘surprise’ northern winners

Featured image - BBC