Bulletproof’s New Season is Abbreviated and Action-packed

An abbreviated third season takes the drama Bulletproof abroad

Three episodes are better than none, the makers of Bulletproof reason. That’s why Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters—stars, creators and producers of the fast-paced, British-made action series—offer an abbreviated season three over the next three Mondays. Filmed on location just before the coronavirus pandemic began, the story takes U.K. police partners Bishop and Pike to South Africa, where they intend to relax after the carnage of last season… but a kidnapping soon makes them more than casual observers, much to local law enforcement’s chagrin.

“Noel and I have always had this idea that every season, we should take Bishop and Pike out of their comfort zone,” Walters confirms, “so it’s always nice to see them in places they’re unfamiliar with. It makes for more comedy and stress.”

Walters had worked in South Africa previously, but he admits making the latest Bulletproof season there “wasn’t our initial idea. We were looking at other places, like Japan, but the powers that be felt it would be too hard to film in some of the places we desired. We ended up being given options, and South Africa was one of them.

“I’m a big fan of South Africa, but Noel had reservations,” adds Walters, “because of the history of the country, with Apartheid and racial issues and all. But once we arrived and settled in, we had the most amazing time. I’m glad we got to have that experience before we came home to news of the pandemic. It’s a brilliant memory for us.”

Currently filming the fourth season of Netflix’s Top Boy, Walters notes he’s “to blame” for season three of Bulletproof being so short, due to his commitment to the other show. However, originating British network Sky has ordered a fourth go-round for Bulletproof—and though The CW hadn’t committed to carry it at press time, that would seem likely. Not only will Walters and Clarke star again, they’ll also write and/or direct some episodes.

Working on Top Boy during the pandemic has given Walters a huge education in filming under new proto- cols: “A lot of people are suffering, so I have to be thankful that I can still do what I love. When the pandemic originally hit and everything shut down, I was quite depressed about it. We’re just glad that things are slightly up and running again.”

As a rap artist, Walters is also working on new music under his alias Asher D. “I signed quite a big publishing deal with Warner Chappell,” he reports, “so I’ve been writing a lot and working with a lot of producers. I’m waiting for the right moment, and we’ll hopefully see something toward the end of this year.”

Bulletproof returns Monday, March 15th at 8 p.m. on The CW