Better: release date, cast and latest news for BBC thriller

The pair navigate "the complex and powerful bonds of loyalty and family" as the series unfolds, leading up to an epic finale of the BBC drama.

The new series comes from the same producers as Chernobyl and This Is Going to Hurt, and is written by Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent (Humans, Spooks).

Read on to find out more about Better, including the cast.

Better on BBC One release date

Better landed on Monday 13th February, with episodes airing weekly on BBC One at 9pm.

All episodes will be available to stream as a boxset on BBC iPlayer from Monday 13th February also.

Better cast

The cast of Better is a stellar one, complete with quite a few familiar faces. Leading the cast of the new drama is Leila Farzad, who previously starred in I Hate Suzie and The Fear Index, and stars as DCI Lou Slack. Andrew Buchan, who most recently starred in This England and Industry, is also one of the series leads as Col McHugh.

The other cast members of Better include:

• Samuel Edward-Cook as Ceri Davies
• Carolin Stoltz as Alma
• Zak Ford-Williams as Owen
• Kaya Moore as Noel Wilkes
• Anton Lesser as Vernon
• Ceallach Spellman as Donal
• Olivia Nakintu as DC Esther Okoye
• Joseph Steyne as Joleon
• Anthony Lewis as DC Niall Ibbotson
• Junade Khan as DS Pritam Khan
• Gavin Spokes as DI Phil Cowper
• Charley Webb as Elise
• Jamie Dorrington

Better plot

The thriller explores themes of loyalty, family and morality, as well as the power of human conscience. As per the synopsis: "We follow DI Lou Slack’s epic battle towards redemption, by bringing down Col McHugh; the man she has come to love like a brother and the man she has helped place at the head of Leeds criminal underworld.

"But while Col is a dangerous enemy to make, Lou’s biggest battle may yet be with herself."

It continues: "19 years ago, when Lou was a young police officer at her lowest ebb and Col a low-ranking but ambitious newcomer to the Leeds underworld, their paths crossed, and they struck a deal that changed their lives forever.

"The bargain allowed Col to become very rich and very powerful, and Lou to turn around her failing career. A complex but special bond between the pair was forged, and so began Lou’s gradual slide into corruption. But now, when Lou’s family is brought to the brink of a tragedy, she must put right the wrongs that she has spent years rationalising and excusing, to have a second chance at a new, better life."

Last December, RadioTimes.com also had an exclusive first look at the new BBC drama in the form of a tense teaser, which you can watch here.

Is there a trailer for BBC drama Better?

There certainly is! In the new trailer, we hear Lou explain the state of the drug problem in Leeds, stating that 70 per cent of the cocaine in the city flows through "him", with Col's face quickly appearing in the trailer.

She explains: "He started off as my informant, but then he started to ask for little favours" and we soon see that evidence disposal and turning "a blind eye" to Col's actions is starting to weigh heavily on her mind.

It's certainly set to be a drama full of close calls and confrontations, but will Lou's pledge to "be better" come to reality? Watch the trailer below.

Better premiered on Monday 13th February on BBC One, with episodes airing weekly on Mondays at 9pm. The series is also available to stream as a boxset on BBC iPlayer.

If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide visit our dedicated Drama hub.

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