A new gritty Leeds-based BBC crime drama is coming to our screens next week. Upcoming series Better is set to explore "the complex and powerful bonds of loyalty and family".
The new five-part thriller follows the life of DI Lou Slack, played by Leila Farzad, and her battle to find redemption. For her, it will hopefully come in the shape of bringing down Col McHugh, played Andrew Buchan, who previously she came to care for like a brother to her but is now head of a Leeds criminal underworld.
Better is set and shot entirely in Leeds and West Yorkshire, so it's likely viewers will recognise many of the filming locations and there may be some familiar faces too. Soap star Charley Webb features in her first role since leaving Emmerdale, along with several other famous faces.
Read more: ITV's Yorkshire Ripper drama filming in Leeds
The series is described as being "set in a world where everyone has their own version of 'right' and 'wrong'" but when can we expect the drama to land on our screens? Here's everything we know so far about BBC's Better.
Better release date
Better will air on Monday, February, 13 with episodes airing weekly on BBC One at 9pm.
All episodes will also be available to stream as a boxset on iPlayer if you're more of a binge watch type of person!
Better cast
The cast of Better is packed with familiar faces. Playing the leading role of DCI Lou Slack is Leila Farzad, who previously starred in I Hate Suzie and The Fear Index.
DCI Lou Slack's arch nemesis comes in the form of Andrew Buchan, who most recently starred in This England and Industry, Andrew plays Col McHugh in the BBC drama.
The other cast members of Better include:
- Samuel Edward-Cook as Ceri Davies
- Carolin Stoltz as Alma
- Zak Ford-Williams as Owen
- Kaya Moore as Noel Wilkes
- Anton Lesser as Vernon
- Ceallach Spellman as Donal
- Olivia Nakintu as DC Esther Okoye
- Joseph Steyne as Joleon
- Anthony Lewis as DC Niall Ibbotson
- Junade Khan as DS Pritam Khan
- Gavin Spokes as DI Phil Cowper
- Charley Webb as Elise
- Jamie Dorrington
Better plot
The synopsis for the show reads: "We follow DI Lou Slack’s epic battle towards redemption, by bringing down Col McHugh; the man she has come to love like a brother and the man she has helped place at the head of Leeds criminal underworld.
"But while Col is a dangerous enemy to make, Lou’s biggest battle may yet be with herself."
"19 years ago, when Lou was a young police officer at her lowest ebb and Col a low-ranking but ambitious newcomer to the Leeds underworld, their paths crossed, and they struck a deal that changed their lives forever.
"The bargain allowed Col to become very rich and very powerful, and Lou to turn around her failing career. A complex but special bond between the pair was forged, and so began Lou’s gradual slide into corruption. But now, when Lou’s family is brought to the brink of a tragedy, she must put right the wrongs that she has spent years rationalising and excusing, to have a second chance at a new, better life."
The first episode of Better will air on BBC 1 at 9pm on Monday, February 13
Read next:
- 6 must-watch movies and TV shows starring Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire
- Former Emmerdale star set to join rival soap
- Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright says Catherine might come out of retirement as she addresses 'disappointing' ending fears
- Former Emmerdale legend Terry Woods star to join new project with former Corrie fave
- Sign up to our Emmerdale newsletter
