Stephen Nolan returns to Peelers for second series of PSNI documentary

Summarised from 3 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 19:27 · Archive

Stephen Nolan has described fearing for his life during a high-speed car chase whilst filming the second series of Peelers, his BBC documentary following Police Service of Northern Ireland officers. The presenter said the incident was his scariest moment yet whilst making the series and that he thought he might die.

The new series has dropped on BBC iPlayer and begins on BBC One NI at 10:40pm tonight. It follows PSNI officers as they patrol the streets of Northern Ireland, reflecting the realities of 24/7 policing and its many challenges. New episodes feature officers from police teams in Lurgan and Portadown, alongside returning familiar faces from the first series.

Nolan told Belfast Live that Peelers is the most successful project of his entire career. A quarter of the region's population watched the first series on local television and BBC iPlayer, delivering the highest viewing figures for any factual BBC series in Northern Ireland since January 2026. He said the series aims to show as much of the work of the PSNI as possible, venturing into different sections and areas of the organisation.

Nolan described becoming emotionally involved in what officers have to deal with in the job, saying he needed support after witnessing difficult situations. He reflected on the series' blend of light and dark moments, from banter between colleagues to intense arrests.

PSNI chief Jon Boutcher said he hopes the new series will encourage people from all backgrounds to sign up for a career in policing. The second series also revisits a viral moment from the first season in which an arrested woman told Nolan 'F*** you and your ma' in the back of a police car, with his mother responding to the incident in the new episodes.

How it is being reported

• Review: Peelers returns to our screens featuring Stephen Nolan's 'ma' reacting to Jackie's viral moment"My mother is very defensive of her wee son"Belfast Live · 11 Nov, 19:07
• PSNI chief hopes Stephen Nolan's Peelers documentary will encourage people to sign up in police recruitment campaignJon Boutcher says he hopes the new series of a BBC documentary following his officers on the beat will encourage people from all backgrounds to sign up for a career in policing.News Letter · 11 Nov, 14:45
• Peelers review: Stephen Nolan’s mum responds to viral ‘F**k you and yer ma’ comment as son’s PSNI series returns to screensBelfast Telegraph · 11 Nov, 13:45
• Peelers review: Stephen Nolan’s mum responds to viral ‘F**k you and yer ma’ comment as son’s PSNI series returnsBelfast Telegraph · 11 Nov, 13:45
• 'I genuinely was frightened': Stephen Nolan reflects on 'scariest moment' while filming Peelers so farBelfast Live chatted to the presenter ahead of the second series of his popular cop show returning to screensBelfast Live · 11 Nov, 06:01
• Stephen Nolan on why he feared for his life during second season of Peelers: ‘I needed a hug’As BBC series returns, Nolan talks terrifying car chases, his admiration for police... and getting emotionally involved over what they have to deal with in the jobBelfast Telegraph · 11 Nov, 06:00
• 'I thought I might die' - Stephen Nolan describes car chase terror as he's back on the beat with the PSNI in new series of PeelersPeelers presenter Stephen Nolan says he feared for his life during a high speed car chase to be shown in the new series of his fly-on-the-wall documentary, which follows PSNI officers on the beat.News Letter · 10 Nov, 12:10

In this story: Stephen Nolan · BBC · Police Service of Northern Ireland · Jon Boutcher · Northern Ireland · Lurgan · Portadown

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