Leo Suter, known for his fierce role in Vikings: Valhalla, now commands the small screen as Inspector Thomas ‘Tommy’ Lynley in the new BBC One crime drama Lynley, which has already clinched a remarkable victory. With a spotless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series stormed to number 5 on the Amazon Channels Top 10 in the U.S. as of September 9, 2025, according to FlixPatrol.
The show presents a fresh yet faithful take on Elizabeth George’s beloved detective duo: Lynley, the aristocratic Oxford-educated Earl of Asherton, paired with DS Barbara Havers (Sofia Barclay), a street-smart sergeant with an edge. This partnership plays out without the predictable trope of romance, focusing instead on loyalty and contrasting detective styles.
BritBox’s revival of this iconic mystery series, nearly two decades after BBC One’s original Inspector Lynley Mysteries, surprised longtime fans with its modern twist. Showrunner Steve Thompson, who also helmed Prime Target and Vienna Blood, skillfully handled the changes. The series balances the familiar with the fresh, resonating well beyond British shores.
Lynley Streaming Success Amid Continued Popularity of the Original Series
For aficionados of the original Inspector Lynley Mysteries, it takes scarcely an episode to surrender to Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay’s incarnation of Lynley and Havers. Suter’s Lynley is less a brooding Byronic hero and more a reflection of contemporary minor aristocracy, living in a modern home by the salt marsh, more likely to jog than ride horseback.
Yet, the vintage Jensen Interceptor ties the new series to its roots, a charming nod to Parker’s Lynley. Barclay’s Havers carries a sharper edge than her predecessor Sharon Small’s version, shedding the outdated stereotype of social awkwardness for a pricklier, no-nonsense persona who unapologetically challenges authority, including their superior, DCI Brian Nies (Daniel Mays).
The chemistry between Suter and Barclay crackles with authenticity, evolving from friction to fierce mutual respect, setting up the potential for deeper narrative layers in future seasons. Unlike its predecessor, which sometimes faltered in tackling early 2000s social themes, Lynley leans into empathy and nuance, refreshing the franchise with a modern sensibility.
Here’s a table summarizing the star cast, director, and other production details for Lynley:
| Category | Details |
| Lead Cast | Leo Suter as Inspector Thomas “Tommy” Lynley |
| Sofia Barclay as DS Barbara Havers | |
| Supporting Cast | Daniel Mays as DCI Brian Nies |
| Niamh Walsh as Helen Clyde | |
| Michael Workeye as Tony Bakare | |
| Joshua Sher as Simon St. James | |
| Nadia Parkes as Sofia | |
| Jack Archer as Frazer | |
| Eloise Thomas as Cynthia | |
| Tom Forbes as Gareth | |
| Oliver Wellington as Leo Hodgson | |
| Sophie Harkness as Gemma Swift | |
| Helene Maksoud as Susan Myerson | |
| Director | Ed Bazalgette |
| Showrunner / Writer | Steve Thompson (also executive producer) |
| David Stern, Colin Callender (Executive Producers for Playground) | |
| Robert Schildhouse, Stephen Nye, Jon Farrar, Jess O’Riordan (Executive Producers for BritBox) | |
| Kate Woods (Executive Producer for BBC Studios) | |
| Sue Deeks (Executive Producer for BBC) | |
| Production Companies | BritBox International, Playground, Salt Films |
| Source Material | Adapted from Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley novels |
| Previous Adaptation | The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (BBC One, 2001–2008) |
| Distribution | Premiered on BritBox (U.S. and Canada), forthcoming on BBC One and BBC iPlayer (UK) |
BritBox’s decision to fill the gap with sharper, more procedural crime dramas stands in contrast to cozy mysteries found on platforms like Acorn TV, signaling a strategic content shift. Will Lynley maintain its momentum and build a rewatchable legacy akin to the original? Only time will tell, but initial signs are promising.
Vikings: Valhalla Star Leo Suter Talks Lynley and His Biggest Challenge on Set
Vikings: Valhalla star Leo Suter recently revealed that his previous stunt experience barely prepared him for the less glamorous challenges of filming Lynley in Ireland. His “Saigon” moment? A knee-deep mud chase where he lost both Chelsea boots and had to be rescued, an ordeal unseen by viewers but unforgettable to him. He recently shared with THR:
That was my Saigon. The viewers won’t know or see this. But the mud was knee-deep, and I lost both of my Chelsea boots. So I had to be rescued. I genuinely got stuck.
His Viking colleagues found the predicament amusing, given his usual toughness, but Sofia Barclay praised his enthusiasm and stamina through long, grueling shoot days marked by rain, mud, and multiple soakings.
A lot of the crew who worked on this I had actually worked with before on Vikings: Valhalla, so they’d seen me wrestle and swing axes. So when I got stuck in the mud, they just thought it was pathetic.
Produced by Playground, the company behind Wolf Hall and All Creatures Great and Small, Lynley was reportedly filmed in Ireland with a stellar ensemble cast, including Daniel Mays and Niamh Walsh.
The series’s swift VOD success signals an appetite for smart, sophisticated procedural dramas that refuse to take shortcuts on character depth. Will Lynley rise to the challenge of establishing its own cult following distinct from the original, or will it forever live in its shadow? Sound off below; spill the beans and let the conversation ignite!
Lynley is streaming now on BritBox Amazon Channel in the US.
