--- title: "Blue Lights: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/blue-lights/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/blue-lights" critics_score: 80 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Blue Lights (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 80 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. All eight reviews are positive, and most say the same thing: this is a police procedural that feels fresh because it looks at the job from the bottom. Critics like the decision to follow probationary officers rather than seasoned detectives, and they like Belfast as a setting, with the legacy of the Troubles and the question of policing by consent giving routine calls a weight most precinct dramas lack. The characters are called credible and vulnerable, and several reviews praise the newer cast members in particular. The spread is narrow. No review is lukewarm, and the only full-marks verdict comes from Den of Geek. Where reservations appear they concern scale rather than quality: Radio Times finds it less intense than Happy Valley, and The i Paper notes that it favours ordinary officers over high-stakes twists, which some viewers will take as a limitation. The Times enjoys it mostly for being funny. ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 March 2023. The critic finds Blue Lights well-crafted, fantastically tense and thrilling, following naive rookie recruits plunged into dangerous policing work in Belfast. They single out the layers of social and political complexity from the post-Troubles setting and the notion of policing by consent for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/27/blue-lights-review-dont-sleep-on-this-fantastically-tense-belfast-cop-show) ## Radio Times — James Hibbs Rating 4/5. 27 March 2023. The critic praises the Belfast setting and focus on rookie officers as refreshing takes on the police procedural genre, highlighting strong performances especially from newcomers. They note it doesn't match Happy Valley's intensity but is thoughtful and authentic. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/blue-lights-bbc-review/) ## The i Paper — Ed Power Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 March 2023. The critic praises Blue Lights for standing out from typical police dramas by focusing on ordinary officers in Belfast's unique context, highlighting its authenticity and character-driven approach rather than high-stakes twists. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/blue-lights-bbc-one-review-stands-out-crowd-cop-shows-2236755) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 March 2023. The critic calls it a rare gem among police procedurals that deserves as much hype as Line of Duty, praising its realistic characters and storylines that knit together satisfyingly. They single out the smart choice to view policing through rookie eyes for praise. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/03/27/blue-lights-bbc-one-review-belfast-cop-drama-deserves-much-hype/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2025. The critic presents Blue Lights as an absorbing, propulsive precinct drama that balances routine comfort with emotional stakes and the unique Belfast context. It singles out the strong ensemble performances, the show's humanity amid endless crime, and its ability to deliver punches without cynicism. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/blue-lights-review.html) ## The Times — Carol Midgley Rating ★★★★☆. 27 March 2023. The critic finds the series a complicated, cleverly observed and funny drama that is a cut above the average police procedural. She singles out the fresh, irreverent quality and credible characters of the probationary officers. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/blue-lights-review-finally-a-police-procedural-that-s-worth-your-time-bcgxh7l67) ## Den of Geek — Laura Vickers-Green Rating 5/5. 28 March 2023. The critic calls Blue Lights a fresh, compelling must-watch that elevates the police drama genre with its focus on three likable rookie officers in Belfast. It singles out the authentic, relatable characters and the show's blend of tension, Northern Irish humor, and the shadow of The Troubles for praise. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/blue-lights-review-bbc-belfast-police-drama-fresh-compelling-must-watch/) ## Digital Spy — Rebecca Cook Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 March 2023. The review highlights Blue Lights as a refreshing police procedural that focuses on uncertain rookie constables navigating Belfast's streets and the legacy of sectarian violence, rather than seasoned detectives. It singles out the well-crafted trio of new recruits and the authentic sense of vulnerability they bring to the job for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a43437723/bbc-blue-lights-review-line-of-duty/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/blue-lights.md