Blue Murder is a British crime drama television series based in Manchester, originally broadcast on ITV from 18 May 2003 until 12 October 2009, starring Caroline Quentin as DCI Janine Lewis and Ian Kelsey as DI Richard Mayne.
Staincliffe pitched the idea for Blue Murder to ITV and a two-part first series was commissioned by the network.
Due to strong ratings, a second series of four episodes was subsequently commissioned and began broadcasting in 2004.
The final series included a number of guest stars Mark Benton, Lee Boardman, Kieran O'Brien, Brendan Coyle, Heather Peace, Tina O'Brien, Sylvia Syms and Anthony Flanagan.
Blue Murder began as two 90-minute (advertisements included) episodes[7][8] first shown in May 2003, which gained enough viewers for a full series.