Blue Lights actor Frank Blake says show presents ‘genuine human’ side of Belfast
Blue Lights actor Frank Blake has praised the show as “so special”, saying it presents Belfast in a “genuine human” way.
The 30-year-old stars as Constable Shane Bradley in the BBC crime drama, which follows officers at the fictional Blackthorn police station in the Northern Irish city.
Blake reflected on how the show presents Belfast during an interview with the Press Association, in which he also discussed the upcoming series.
“The show is so special,” he said.
“The thing I always loved about it is that it’s about the characters rather than a big plot or a big storyline. That all happens to be there.
“First and foremost, it’s about the characters. We actually get to explore Belfast through them.
“I think it gives almost a more fruitful version of Belfast, because you’re not (looking at) the same old stuff we have seen in the media for years.
“We’re seeing the more genuine human Belfast.”
The police programme has been praised for its authentic portrayal of the city, navigating its complex history while its characters face rising conflict as a result of social and political issues.
Blake joined the show in its second series, and his character Shane has been involved in storylines which have seen him go rogue due to the pressures of the job and growing increasingly frustrated with policing.
In the most recent series, Shane was stabbed in the leg by a drug-affected woman, and the upcoming instalment will see him navigate his return to the job after this incident.
Blake said: “It put a lot of things into perspective for him.
“It was up in the air whether he’d come back or not to the (police) unit, and then he did.
“Through that near tragedy, he saw who he really valued and who valued him, and that was these guys around him and the people he gets to take care of every day out in the streets of Belfast.”
Reflecting on his character, Blake added: “I’ve loved exploring the softer, more humorous sides of Shane, which I think was always there.
“I think he’s got a good heart.”
“It’s been fun the last couple of seasons, and the writers have him do some pretty silly things,” he added.
The upcoming series of Blue Lights will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from September 29.