Vikings star looks completely unrecognisable in upcoming BBC mystery crime series

Vikings: Valhalla star Leo Suter looks completely unrecognisable in his latest role after portraying Harald Sigurdsson in three seasons of the hit Netflix spin-off.

A sequel series to the original Vikings on the History Channel and Prime Video, the epic historical drama concluded the tale of legendary explorer Leif Erikson (played by Sam Corlett) last year.

Suter portrayed Harald, a young warrior who eventually becomes known as the King of Norway in the 11th Century while developing complex relationships with Leif and his sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson).

Since finishing the series, Suter has bagged a leading role in a highly anticipated BBC crime drama based on bestselling novels by Elizabeth George.

Launching later this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the four-part drama follows upper-class detective Tommy Lynley (Suter), who’s paired with streetwise Barbara Havers (Sofia Barclay) to solve crimes around the UK.

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A reimagining of the original hit series which aired between 2001-2008, Lynley has assembled a stellar supporting cast for its first season which also includes Daniel Mays, Niamh Walsh, Michael Workeye and Joshua Sher.

A synopsis reads: “Tommy Lynley is a brilliant police detective but an outsider in the force – simply by virtue of his aristocratic upbringing.

“He is paired with Barbara Havers, a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background.

“With seemingly nothing in common and against all odds, the mismatched duo of Lynley and Havers become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice done. His brain and her spirit – his knowledge and her instincts.

“It is only through working side by side do they both find where they truly belong.”

The first-look stills from the upcoming drama, which will consist of four 90-minute episodes, feature Suter looking far away from the rugged world of Vikings.

Swapping his beard and armour for a clean-cut look, the rising star looks like a completely different person altogether in the recently released promo images.

Meanwhile, Barclay, best known for roles in Ted Lasso and Prime Target, opts for a more casual look as Lynley’s partner, Havers, who’s not afraid to get her hands dirty.

Steve Thompson of Sherlock fame is the creator, writer and executive producer, with directing duties filled by The Last Kingdom’s Ed Bazalgette and All Creatures Great and Small’s Stewart Svaasand.

Author Elizabeth George is also on board as an executive producer, giving book fans confidence this new revamp will do her original novels justice.

Lynley premieres this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.