Bhav Joshi – Image Credit: BBC Scotland/LA Productions/Robert Pereia Hind

29 April 2024 – Popular drama series Granite Harbour returns to Aberdeen for a new three-part, second series as Lindo (Romario Simpson), Bart (Hannah Donaldson) and the police team investigate two fatal cases with dark consequences at their heart, immersing the Major Investigations Team in the granite city’s criminal underworld.

When drug kingpin Grace McFadden’s (Lesley Hart) notorious fixer turns up dead, the MIT have their work cut out to find the source of a new cocaine and ketamine compound flooding the streets. Fearing an impending drugs turf war is brewing, the team fight to uncover the truth.

Meanwhile, Lindo investigates the case of pregnant stowaway, Mariam (Afsaneh Dehrouyeh), who claims her partner was killed on their journey across the sea. At the dockside, Lindo and Bart’s suspicions are raised by the guarded behaviour of Captain Anders Nielsen (Søren Malling) and his protege Axel Berg (Christopher Rygh) from the Stolthet, a Norwegian cargo ship which recently arrived in Aberdeen.

After complications and conflicts arise, DCI MacMillan pulls Lindo and Bart off the stowaway murder case. However, Lindo has other ideas, refusing to give up on his hunch the Stolthet’s crew are guilty of something sinister.

With the drug investigation making slow progress, Monty and Mallick are further frustrated by the McFadden family’s unwillingness to cooperate.

As the investigation pulls the team in different directions, Lindo faces an added problem when his estranged father, Grantley, arrives for a visit from Jamaica. However, it’s clear he’s got an agenda of his own.

Made by LA Productions, Granite Harbour is the latest drama made in Scotland alongside the likes of Lockerbie, Nightsleeper and Shetland.

Granite Harbour debuts on the BBC Scotland channel, followed by BBC One and iPlayer. All three episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from Thursday 2 May.

Interview with Bhav Joshi (DI Jay Mallick)

How does it feel to be back for a second series of Granite Harbour?

It feels great to be back on series two of Granite Harbour. Working with this team again and having so many familiar faces back from series one was lovely. We had such a fun time doing the first series, so coming back was a real treat for all of us. And having some truly amazing actors signing on this year was special. A great supporting cast. We were incredibly fortunate to have them.

Why do you think Granite Harbour proved to be a fan favourite?

I think people really latched on to the plot. A Royal Military Police officer from Jamaica coming to Aberdeen to start a new life and retrain as a detective. It’s a fresh take on the classic police drama with this being the central character. It forced us to put ourselves in his shoes and how difficult it can be coming to a new place. And I think series one did a great job of introducing this tight knit group of detectives, seeing how Lindo integrates himself into that and finds his place in his new home.

Can you describe your character?

DI Jay Mallick is a pretty competitive guy. He cares deeply about cracking the case as efficiently and as quickly as possible. Taking all the plaudits in the process. A very diligent detective who is overtly arrogant, cheeky and loves being right. He especially likes rubbing Bart’s [Hannah Donaldson] face in it that he is the Detective Inspector and she is the Detective Sergeant.

What do you think are her/his strengths and weaknesses?

Mallick has many strengths when it comes to his police work. He has good instincts and act’s quickly. He understands how to put the squeeze on suspects he knows to be involved in the crimes he is investigating. He also has a very easy and relaxed way about him with people. He does have his weaknesses though (I hate to admit it) like: he is deliberately blunt with other members of his team, incredibly head strong and likes to assert his higher rank on everyone – except DCI MacMillan [Dawn Steele] of course. He’s not a team player that’s for sure!

What challenges does she face this series?

Jay finds it hard to juggle his personal life with his professional one. We get to find out a bit more about him in that way this time around. And we see what the consequences are for him when his private and professional life intertwine.

What is it like filming in Aberdeen?

It’s so amazing getting to film in Aberdeen. It feels very special that this drama is based there and it gives more representation to other parts of Scotland rather than just Glasgow and Edinburgh. People are very proud in Aberdeen, so it comes with a bit of responsibility! But hopefully those people who live there enjoy what we’ve made. I’m from Edinburgh myself and whenever I see it on TV, I always get super excited and giddy. So I can imagine what it’s like for people in Aberdeen seeing places that mean a lot to them on screen.

I think people in Aberdeen love seeing something being filmed in the city. There’s a buzz when a film crew are there.

Did you visit any unusual locations this year?

We actually shot some scenes on the actual harbour itself this season which was great! Those ships are humongous – especially up close! I also did a bit of driving this year which was very fun.

Aberdeen wholeheartedly sets the tone for the series. Those incredible aerial shots of the granite city at night are stunning. Very moody – which is great for a police drama.

Describe in five words what viewers can expect from Series 2 of Granite Harbour…

Action, Pace, Heartfelt, Unpredictable and ENERGY!

Time for some police interrogation now… Tell us a secret about one of the core cast?

The most well-kept secret about one of the cast is that… Dawn Steele isn’t really a DCI!

Which one of you is the DCI of the group and the most bossy?

Since Dawn plays the DCI I’m gonna go with the boss! She was also the group activities organiser.

And who is the most by-the-book of the group and why?

We are very lucky to have Michelle in the cast who is an ex-police officer – so I’m gonna go with her.