The BBC‘s crime drama Blue Lights is one of the most popular police series on the channel, holding a 94 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and widely commended for its depiction of fresh recruits Grace, Annie and Tommy, as they learn the ropes in the force in Belfast.

While viewers eagerly await the fourth season, which is currently in production and will see the return of Sian Brooke and Martin McCann, the BBC has a new binge-worthy series that will more than satisfy fans of the show.

Two police officers stand together© BBC/Two Cities Television
Siân Brooke and Martin McCann star in Blue Lights

Peelers: The PSNI For Real is the BBC’s latest six-part series, which takes the concept of Blue Lights and puts it into reality. Over a two-year period, Northern Irish broadcaster Stephen Nolan joins the police force in Northern Ireland to reflect the realities of 24/7 policing on the streets of Belfast.

Intrigued? Keep reading to find out more about Peelers: The PSNI For Real, which is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

Have you seen Blue Lights season 3?

What is Peelers: The PSNI For Real about?

Offering the real-life side of the story depicted in Blue Lights, Stephen joins the forces in Belfast, who are tasked with dealing with everything from street disorder and substance abuse to domestic violence.

Stephen Nolan in Peelers: The PSNI - For Real © BBC/ Third Street Studios
Stephen Nolan in Peelers: The PSNI – For Real

It also explores the human realities for the officers on the frontlines, revealing the intense teamwork required in fast-changing and often uncertain situations.

The synopsis reads: “Peelers: The PSNI – For Real is an up close, questioning and important series. It explores vital issues and tells us much about wider society – something that will be developed further in associated coverage on BBC News NI.”

Meet the officers from Peelers: PSNI For Real

The series spotlights a range of different officers, who all agreed to be a part of the show to highlight the reality behind frontline policing.

Stephen Nolan with officers from the PSNI in Peelers: The PSNI - For Real© BBC/ Third Street Studios
Stephen Nolan with officers from the PSNI in Peelers: The PSNI – For Real

Among the faces of the series are Constable Adam, a probationer starting from a different career, Constable Jade, Sergeant Nigel, Constable Anna, Sergeant Dave, Constable Perri and Sergeant Tom.

What has Stephen Nolan said about Peelers: The PSNI For Real?

Reflecting on his experience that spanned two years among the police in Northern Ireland, Stephen Nolan said: “Peelers is an unfiltered insight into the reality of front-line policing. It’s based on the hundreds of hours that I spent with officers going about their everyday work.

Constable Jade© BBC/ Third Street Studios
Constable Jade

“I’ve been with them as they tackled drug dealers, chased stolen cars and dealt with hostile crowd situations. What I saw was fascinating and unexpected. It blew my mind and I know that BBC audiences will feel the same.”