BBC develops North East Creative Cluster with new commissions and talent initiatives

The BBC has announced a new slate of commissions and development opportunities in the North East, reinforcing its commitment to the region as one of its key Creative Clusters.

The projects span scripted drama, factual programming, and digital innovation, including the forthcoming series The Northumbria Mysteries, new films for The One Show and the four independent production companies selected for the BBC’s Digital Accelerator, which is designed to support local production companies, nurture emerging talent and drive sustainable, digital-first growth across the regional creative economy. These commissions are funded by the BBC’s expanded MOU with the North East region, as announced today.

Helen Munson, BBC Commissioner for Daytime and Early Peak, based in the North East, says “What an exciting time for the North East! I am delighted to be working with such brilliant companies across the whole region – from fantastic new drama The Northumbria Mysteries with Lonesome Pine to the development opportunities across digital and The One Show, the BBC is committed to working with the world class talent this region has to offer. And there’s more to come, so watch this space!”

The Northumbria Mysteries is a brand-new drama, marking a significant return of BBC drama production to the North East. Set against the sweeping Northumberland coastline and its surrounding market towns, the series centres on an unlikely crime-solving duo. The Northumbria Mysteries will be produced by Lonesome Pine Productions, who are based in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Robson Green will star as Joe Ruby: a jack-of-all-trades whose life has been shaped by mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities, alongside Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell (casting to be announced), a rarefied intellectual, a deep thinker with a brilliant mind and an ice-cool disposition.

In a classic odd-couple pairing, Joe and Rose combine their talents as they frustrate, confound and ultimately surprise one another while unravelling a series of compelling crime mysteries.

Lesley Douglas, Executive Producer and co-founder of Lonesome Pine Productions says: “We could not be happier to have Robson Green lead the cast and bring Joe Ruby to life, within the magnificent backdrop of Northumberland.  Working with the BBC to realise these characters has been a labour of love”.

Currently in pre-production, filming will begin in Northumberland this spring. The Northumbria Mysteries (8×45’) is a Lonesome Pine production for BBC One and iPlayer. The series was commissioned by Helen Munson, BBC Commissioning Editor for Daytime and Early Peak. Aschlin Ditta, Gordon Anderson and Chris Gascoyne serve as Executive Producers for Lonesome Pine, and Helen Munson for the BBC. The series will be directed by Gordon Anderson and Duncan Foster and produced by Lesley Douglas.

The highly-anticipated new adaptation of the iconic The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – which was announced in November last year – will be filmed at The Northern Studios, Hartlepool, as well as on location in Hartlepool and Sunderland. Based on Sue Townsend’s best-selling book of the same name, the ten-part series is adapted for the BBC by David Nicholls (One Day, Us), with further episodes written by Caitlin Moran and Caroline Moran (Raised By Wolves), Dillon Mapletoft and Oliver Taylor (Everyone Else Burns), and Jack Rooke (Big Boys).

The BBC can also today announce that two production companies based in the North East region will each make three films for The One Show. This offers a great opportunity for smaller companies to grow, develop their skills and showcase local talent.

First announced at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Festival, The Digital Accelerator is a bold new partnership between the BBC and North East Screen, designed to unlock the digital potential of North East production companies to create innovative, digital-first content for 16–24-year-old audiences on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Twitch. The pioneering initiative aims to fast-track the growth of digital-first content companies in the North East, combining direct investment with tailored mentoring and skills development to unlock long-term creative and commercial potential.

The BBC can today confirm that the four independent production companies selected to take part in the Digital Accelerator are:

• Adventure Alliance Films (County Durham)
• Film Nova (Gateshead)
• Northern Child (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
• Wander Films (Middlesbrough)

These companies will receive ongoing support from BBC and North East Screen teams, including mentorship, editorial and business guidance, to help them scale up and deliver high-impact, market-ready digital content.

Read more about the BBC’s commitment to the region, announced 30 March 2026, here.