ITV announces special three-part series of Scott & Bailey

ITV has announced that Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp are to return to the channel in a special three-part series of Scott & Bailey.

The reduction in episodes has been attributed to allowing a story to unfold with ‘scale and ambition’ as the crime-solving duo encounter one of their biggest and darkest cases. Suranne, who conceived the idea for the drama with fellow actress Sally Lindsay, will executive produce alongside Nicola Shindler of Red Production Company. Sally reprises her role as Alison, the sister of Suranne’s character.

“I’m very excited to be returning to the series as Rachel Bailey and this time to be working alongside Nicola Shindler as an Executive Producer.” – Suranne Jones

With DCI Gill Murray in retirement, ever-ambitious Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones) returns from her Vice secondment fired up and full of new ideas and initiatives. She’s gained valuable experience and really wants to make her mark as she returns to Syndicate 9’s Murder Squad.

Exhilarated to step up to the plate, Rachel is exactly who Janet Scott (Lesley Sharp) and the Squad need to move forward with a terrifying and sinister Internet crime investigation of epic scale and unrelenting horror. Using her Vice authorisation, Rachel accesses a disturbing world where people brag about committing murder and lay down the gauntlet for the next victim.  A game of ruthless life or death daring develops, as Scott & Bailey investigate multiple killers with horrifying and everlasting consequences.  They will be changed forever and the investigation will take a devastating toll on their private, professional and personal lives.

“We’re delighted to be returning to Scott & Bailey with an investigation that will have everlasting consequences for the characters. This series is more ambitious and sinister than ever before and the concept of a three part story allows us the opportunity to tackle a story of epic scale and ambition. – Nicola Shindler, Executive Producer

Writer Lee Warburton, who penned episodes for the last series of Scott & Bailey, will write the new episodes with Paul Logan. The drama will be filmed in Oldham, Manchester and surrounding areas from September 2015.