Vikings star 'thrilled' as he lands new lead role in revamp of iconic crime drama

Vikings: Valhalla's Leo Suter has confirmed he's "thrilled" to take on his new role, a revamp of a popular crime series currently filming in Ireland.

The new take on the bestselling Detective Lynley crime novels by Elizabeth George has recently been acquired by the BBC and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Currently in production, Suter will star in the leading role as the brilliant and aristocratic investigator Tommy Lynley.

His privileged past clashes with his maverick partner Barbara Havers (played by Sofia Barclay), who comes from a working-class background.

Despite having almost nothing in common, the unconventional pair quickly form a formidable team driven by their shared goal of delivering justice.

Suter recently took to his Instagram to share the exciting first look at the series, a still of Lynley and Havers in front of a classic car.

"Cleaning up the streets with the fabulous @sofiabarclay and a whole bunch of legends for @britboxtv," he said in the caption.

The actor then told his fans: "Thrilled to be bringing #Lynley back to life :-))"

Suter is best known to Netflix viewers for embodying Harald Sigurdsson in the popular spin-off series, while Barclay has appeared in the likes of Ted Lasso, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Love Again opposite Outlander's Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra.

The reimagining will also see Line of Duty's Daniel Mays take on the role of DCI Brian Nies and The English Game's Niamh Walsh portray estate agent and Lynley's love interest Helen Clyde.

Other cast members include My Lady Jane's Michael Workeye and Vera's Joshua Sher and the first series will air in four 90-minute episodes.

Author George said in a statement: "I'm thrilled to see Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers come to television again, especially through the participation of the BBC and Britbox and the production expertise of Playground.

"Watching my characters brought to life on television is a real celebration."

Writer and executive producer Steve Thompson added: "It's a privilege and a thrill to have the opportunity to adapt these wonderful books for television. Elizabeth George's iconic characters are greatly loved and her gripping stories are smart and ingenious."

Head of BBC Programme Acquisition Sue Deeks said: "There is so much to enjoy in this new and exciting adaptation, both for fans of Elizabeth George's gripping novels and of the BBC's iconic The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, and for viewers yet to encounter the magnetic attraction of Lynley."

Lynley is currently in production and is expected to air in 2025.