Granite Harbour series 3 cast talk of the “most emotional series yet”

Hit BBC crime drama Granite Harbour returns to Aberdeen as Lindo (Romario Simpson), Bart (Hannah Donaldson) and the Major Investigations Team are drawn into a complex murder investigation that threatens to divide communities and unearth long-buried secrets.

Teenage café worker Lisa Sterling (Jess Douglas-Welsh) disappears into the woods surrounding the prestigious estate owned by Richard Loughty (Alastair Mackenzie) following a birthday celebration for Rose Gough (Ellie Haddington), matriarch of the local traveller community. By morning, Lisa's body is discovered at the bottom of a ravine. What initially appears to be a tragic accident is quickly confirmed as murder.

DCI MacMillan (Dawn Steele) and her team begin to investigate, but they are under more pressure than ever before. Following the fallout from their previous high-profile case, Chief Constable Alan Willis (John Gordon Sinclair) has ordered an investigation by the Special Police Investigations Service (SPIS).

Just as the team appear to be closing in on answers, a shocking discovery forces them to question everything they thought they knew about Lisa's murder, leaving Lindo and Bart facing a far darker mystery than they first imagined.

Granite Harbour Series 3 (3x60) launches on BBC Scotland on Thursday 23 July at 9pm, followed by BBC One on Friday 24 July at 8pm. All episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 23 July.

• Watch series 1 and 2 of Granite Harbour on BBC iPlayer

RS

Meet the cast of Granite Harbour

Dawn Steele (DCI Cora Macmillan)

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

Great! We filmed it last October so I can’t wait to see it on the screen. We all really love working together.

Without giving too much away, what can audiences expect from Series 3?

Audiences will see a different side of Aberdeen as the story centres on the Traveller community, which is rocked by a shocking murder. It's a real whodunnit, and I hope people have fun trying to work out who's responsible. We also delve much more into the detectives' personal lives this series. It's probably the most emotional series we've made, and you really feel for a lot of the characters. 

How has Cora changed since audiences first met her in Series 1?

I think Cora has mellowed (a bit!) and what happened with Malik last year has brought her closer to her team, she really cares about her job. 

What challenges does Cora face this series?

Cora faces a personal health scare, and I loved having the chance to show a more vulnerable side to her. At the same time, she's under immense pressure to solve the case while also dealing with the SPIS investigation into Malik's dismissal from last series.

Is there a moment from filming that particularly stands out?

Yeah, I really loved playing the emotion of Cora’s story and loved my scenes in the questioning room with one of the guest actors (I won’t say who as it might give too much away!) I also loved getting to drive great cars up forest roads with the blues and twos on! 

Do you have a favourite spot in Aberdeen?

The beach!

You reunite with Alastair Mackenzie on screen for the first time since Monarch of the Glen. What was it like working with him again?

Amazing. We are still friends and in touch a lot but haven’t worked together in 25 years. It was SO lovely and very easy… like no time had passed!

Why should audiences tune into this new series?

I think this series you get to see more of our characters and their chemistry with each other. There is also the plot, lots of new guest actors and of course the stunning Scottish locations. 

How important is it to be part of a drama that's filmed and made in Scotland? 

VERY important. Most of my work is in Scotland, but I still don’t think you hear enough Scottish voices on TV. It’s such a stunning place and culturally vibrant and has such a rich history. I love it.

Describe series 3 in three words

Emotional. Intense. Crookit. (A wee bit of Doric fer you there!)

Romario Simpson (DC Davis Lindo)

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

It feels exciting to be back. It's thrilling to be able to delve back into these characters and explore a completely different crime and tell a story set within the travelling community. It's another story that people can relate to and learn from. It's exciting to be able to do it all again.

Can you introduce your character? Where do we find Lindo in Series 3?

We find Lindo in his third year as a detective. He's much more comfortable in his role and is dealing with bigger, more intricate cases. We also explore his love life a bit more, and you still see him sticking to his renegade tactics of going off the books for the greater good. It's never selfish – it's always about helping others. This series really shows Lindo in his element.

Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the storyline for Series 3?

The story follows the travelling community after two young people are found dead. It's a complex investigation that raises lots of questions and becomes increasingly difficult to unravel. At the same time, the team is under pressure following the fallout from the previous case, where one of the detectives broke protocol and was sanctioned. So with all eyes on how they conduct themselves, the pressure continues to build as the investigation develops.

Do you think Lindo has evolved since Series 1?

Yes, definitely. He's older, wiser and more mature now. He understands his team better, he understands his role as a detective better, and I think you really see him develop both as a person and as a police officer.

Lindo often follows his instincts, even when it means taking risks. Is that one of his greatest strengths or one of his weaknesses?

I'd say it's one of his greatest strengths. Not everyone would be willing to take the risks that he does. Some of the higher-ups in the police force might see that as a weakness, but I think it's a strength because he'll always go above and beyond. More often than not those instincts help the team solve the case more quickly.

Was there a particular moment from filming Series 3 that stood out for you?

Working with live flames was unforgettable. Feeling the heat and understanding that, even with all the cameras and safety measures in place, it was very real added so much adrenaline and excitement. I'll never forget that experience.

Do you have a favourite place in Aberdeen?

I love the esplanade along the coast. You can drive alongside it and take in the coastline. It's a beautiful part of the city.

Lindo has a new romantic storyline this year. What can you tease about that?

It's very close to home for him. He's trying to navigate the line between his professional life and a potential relationship, which is something he knows should stay separate from work. He tries to keep those worlds apart, but it's much harder than he expects. You see his awkwardness as he tries to manage it and keep it from the rest of the team, but secrets have a way of coming out.

There's a fantastic guest cast this year, including Alastair Mackenzie, John Gordon Sinclair and Ellie Haddington. What was it like working with them?

It was incredible. They're such experienced actors who have worked on so many productions, but they're also genuinely lovely people. We had great conversations, I learned a lot from them, and it was fascinating to watch how they approach scripts and make the dialogue feel completely natural and authentic.

Was there anything in particular that you learned from them?

Ellie Haddington really stood out to me. She was able to take what was on the page and make it completely truthful, almost improvising while still keeping the meaning exactly the same. Watching how she took her time and delivered a scene so naturally was really insightful.

How has the cast dynamic changed over the three series?

We get on like a house on fire. We spend time together outside of work, which really helps us bond and takes away some of the pressure of being on set. A lot has happened in all our lives over the last few years, so there's always plenty to catch up on. Having Martin Smith back as director after Series 2 also made a big difference because we already had that trust and familiarity, which meant everyone could bounce off each other much more easily.

Finally, can you describe Series 3 in three words?

Complicated. Pressure. Relief.

Hannah Donaldson (DS Lara ‘Bart’ Bartlett)

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

I am over the moon to be back for a third series of Granite Harbour. The Aberdonian crime fighting band is back together again!

What’s in store for Bart in series 3?

Bart is newly promoted to DI, following DI Mallick’s pending court case. The long awaited position however is somewhat thwarted by her boss Mac who struggles to trust Bart following Mallick’s dismissal. Bart is once again caught between towing the party line and trusting the instincts of her partner Lindo, who follows his own instinct, better than orders from above.

Where do we find Bart at start of series 3?

At the start of series 3 Bart is reeling from the shock of losing her long time colleague and rival, DI Mallick.

Do you think Bart has evolved in her character from series 1? Any big difference or is she relatively the same?

Bart’s grown up, I have too. We’ve been working on the show for four years now so inevitably the characters grow up with us. She’s still as strong willed and hot headed as ever though. Some things stay.

What do you enjoy most about working with Romario? 

Romario is one of the gentlest people you'll ever meet. He brings such a calm energy to set every day and keeps us all grounded during long filming days. He's a joy to work with.

Is there a moment that stood out to you while filming the news series?

There were a lot of very friendly chickens roaming around the grounds at that big old house we shot in. Regularly I’d be mid shot with a chicken pecking at my boots.

Do you have a favourite spot in Aberdeen?

My favourite spot in Aberdeen has to be Footdee (aka Fittie)

Great guest cast this year including Alastair Mackenzie, John Gordon Sinclair and Ellie Haddington – what was it like working with them?

The guest cast this year were incredible. What a team! Special shout out to my real life husband Ryan Fletcher playing Carl Hadwell who I got to interrogate on screen.

Without giving too much away, why should audiences tune into this new series?

Tune in to the new series for your whodunnit fix, with a host of legendary Scottish screen talent.

How important is it to be part of a drama that's filmed and made in Scotland?

We have to keep making shows about Scotland and the people who live here. I can’t tell anyone else’s stories better than my own. It’s something I feel very strongly about. We have a wealth of talent here that should be given the platform to tell our stories and share them to the wider world. Isn’t that what art is all about?

Alastair Mackenzie (Richard Loughty)

How does it feel to join the cast of Granite Harbour for its third series?

Very flattered to be asked and I was excited to work alongside Romario, Hannah and my old pal Dawn. Irresistible really. And I loved working with the very talented and effervescent director, Martin Smith. The show has attracted some very talented actors - including Gary Lewis, Ron Donachie and even my old friend from Denmark Søren Malling (we met on Borgen), so I was delighted to be asked to get involved.

Tell us about your character and the role he plays in the story.

Richard Loughty is a charming and well-resected landowner who seems to be very charitable to all and sundry, especially the local traveller community who live on his land. Cracks begin to appear in this charming veneer of his when sketchy things start happening on his estate and, without giving to much away, things go from bad to worse for him. Maybe there’s more to him than meets the eye….

What attracted you to the role?

I enjoy playing characters with some mystery and perhaps even some darkness to them. Humans are complex and it’s all too easy to judge a book by its cover. Also, this was one of those jobs where I knew it would be fun and I relished the chance to be back in the Motherland.

You reunite with Dawn Steele for the first time on screen since Monarch of the Glen - what was it like working with her again?

Awful. Just kidding! We are very good pals and it was an utter joy to be on set with her again, although we did not have many scenes together. It was very nostalgic too. Monarch was a very happy time and so well-loved by so many people and Dawn was so fabulous as Lexie. She’s a national treasure really. It was lovely but we always giggle a lot, so we had tried hard to be very professional! I think it worked.

Is there a moment from filming that particularly stands out?

There was a night shoot involving everyone that was a lot of fun - a party scene in the woods. Night shoots, as long and tiring as they can be, always feel to me like you’re at a festival - tents and tea and big lights with lots of brilliant people. I still get that puppyish excitement when I do them. Ellie Haddington made me laugh a lot between takes too.

How important is it to you to be part of a drama that's made and filmed in Scotland?

I love being in Scotland. That’s where my heart is. I was able to fit this in around filming a series of Blood of my Blood nearby and they both meant that I was in Scotland for quite a while last year. The Scottish film and TV industry is thriving and I’m proud to have played a small part in that. Scotland is home to not only the most amazing locations but also the most amazing technicians and actors.

Describe Series 3 in three words.

Don’t Trust Anyone.

John Gordon Sinclair (CC Alan Willis)

How does it feel to join the cast of Granite Harbour for its third series?

It was a really easy decision. I'd worked with Dawn Steele before and know her well, so the idea of spending a few weeks filming together in Scotland really appealed. Once I got on set and met Donna and Colin, the producers, and Martin, the director, I knew I'd made the right choice.

There was such a lovely atmosphere on set – a fantastic cast, brilliant crew and great scripts. Add in the chance to film in Scotland and it really ticked every box.

Had you watched the series before joining the cast?

I actually binge-watched the first two series before we started filming. I hadn't seen it before because I don't watch a huge amount of television – I tend to read more and listen to music – but I do love a good crime drama. If I'm watching TV, it'll usually be a thriller or a crime series.

Tell us about your character and the role he plays in the story.

I play Chief Constable Alan Willis who is overseeing the investigation. The case has become politically sensitive because it involves the Traveller community, wealthy landowners and the local community, so there's a lot of pressure for the investigation to move forward.

He's quite tough on the team and doesn't take much nonsense, particularly from Cora.

What attracted you to the role?

Working with Dawn again was definitely part of the attraction. Once I'd watched the previous series, I could see what a lovely production it was with a great cast and creative team. There was also enough substance in the character to really get your teeth into, so it felt like a role I could have some fun with.

What was it like joining such an established cast?

Everyone was incredibly welcoming. I never felt like an outsider for a second and I think that's down to Donna and Colin, the producers, and Martin, the director, who created such a positive atmosphere on set.

The crew were fantastic too. It was great working with such an experienced Scottish crew – everyone was so professional and you always felt you were in safe hands.

What was it like working with Dawn Steele again?

It was great. We last worked together about 25 years ago, but we've always kept in touch over the years. We don't see each other every week or anything like that, but we've stayed in touch and she's a wonderful actor.

She definitely had the harder job in our scenes because she had pages of dialogue while I just chipped in every now and again! But it all felt very easy and natural, and it was lovely to work together again.

Is there a moment from filming that particularly stands out?

There's a small moment between my character and Cora towards the end of one scene that wasn't actually in the script. I'd suggested to Martin that we try a little ad-lib because it felt like the characters had earned a quieter, more human moment after everything that had happened.

Thankfully they kept it in the final edit, so that was really gratifying. It's probably the moment that stands out most for me.

You've enjoyed a hugely successful career across film, television and theatre. What keeps you excited about taking on new roles?

I've always loved performing live in front of an audience. There's nothing quite like that immediate reaction – it's addictive.

Film has always been another favourite because everyone is working together to create something artistic. Television is different because the pace is much faster, but when you have a great cast, crew and director, as we did on Granite Harbour, it's every bit as rewarding.

I still feel like there's more I want to achieve in television, and that's what keeps me excited about taking on new projects.

How important is it to you to be part of a drama that's made and filmed in Scotland?

It's hugely important to me. I want to hear more Scottish voices on our screens and see more stories being told from a Scottish perspective.

Scotland has such an incredible cultural and intellectual history, and I think we should celebrate that through our drama. It's something I'm really passionate about, and it's one of the reasons I've written my own play, which I hope will premiere in Scotland.

Describe Granite Harbour Series 3 in three words.

Intriguing. Emotional. Heartfelt.

Follow for more