BBC Northern Ireland has confirmed the return of Hope Street – including a special milestone episode.

Another trip to Port Devine for the fifth season of the drama is underway, which sees a local police team investigate crimes in the fictional Northern Ireland town.

Filming has already started in Donaghadee for the new season, which will celebrate its milestone 50th episode with the new episodes.

The new storyline will see two new arrivals in Port Devine – Constable Donal Gallagher (Krypton‘s Cameron Cuffe) and Doctor Sasha Cookson (The Lovers’ Jenn Murray).

Donal is described as “well-known local rugby player, whose career was cut short by injury”, while Sasha is “direct and straight talking, which rubs some people up the wrong way, but it’s not a problem for Donal”.

group of four individuals posing together in an indoor space

Press Eye

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The synopsis adds: “Even though he’s nursing a recently broken heart, when Donal and Sasha meet, sparks immediately begin to fly – but will one of them get burnt?”

Set to return for the eight-part season are Kerri Quinn in the role of Marlene Pettigrew, Tara Lynne O’Neill as Eve Dunlop, Aaron McCusker as Clint Devine-Dunwoody, and Niamh McGrady as Nicole Devine-Dunwoody.

Other returning cast members include: Marcus Onilude (Luke Jackson), Finnian Garbutt (Ryan Power), Katie Shortt (Brandi McClure) and Eleanor Methven (Lois Dunlop).

hope street, season 4

BBC

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“Hope Street captures the humour and warmth of this place perfectly and it has been great to see it strike a chord with audiences across the UK,” said Mary McKeagney, Commissioning Editor, BBC Northern Ireland.

“It’s a real milestone for all involved to hit episode 50 and we’re very proud of what the series has achieved.”

Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor, BBC Daytime, added: “We are back for series five in beautiful Port Devine! It’s a joy to be working again with Long Story and the cast and crew in Northern Ireland who all bring the characters of Hope Street to life so beautifully.”

Hope Street seasons 1-4 are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

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 Rachel Finn is a freelance sub-editor at Digital Spy.