EXPLOSIVE scenes for series two of a hit crime drama series are being filmed in Bolton today.

Crowds have gathered outside Bolton Market Place as filming for series of two of Traces got underway.

Actors were spotted shooting a scene of the forensic drama on Corporation Street, where the road was transformed into the aftermath of a bomb explosion.

Emergency vehicles including fire engine, ambulance and police vehicles were on set as part of the shoot with police tape blocking off the area.

Laura Fraser, who plays Professor Sarah Gordon, and Michael Nardone, who stars as D.I. Neil McKinven, were on set wearing blue forensic suits.

The Bolton News:

There was no sign of fellow cast member and Line of Duty Star Martin Compston.

Set designers had gone to town with fake debris strewn across the road with numbered forensic markers placed on the ground.

Excited fans gathered around to try and catch some of the action.

Nicole Smith was hoping to see Martin Compston.

The Bolton News:

She said: “I really enjoyed the first series, me and my partner watched it during lockdown, but I didn’t know there was going to be a second series.

“It’s weird knowing it’s filmed in Bolton, last time they filmed it in the town centre.

“When I walked in this morning it wasn’t until I recognised the two actors that I knew it was traces.

“I’m hoping I will see Martin Compston but I don’t think he’s here today.”

The series, produced by RED production Company which also made the recent Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin - also filmed in Bolton — is based on an original idea by best-selling crime writer Val McDermid where forensic science takes centre stage.

Series one, broadcast earlier this year, and although set in Scotland, featured several scenes shot in Bolton, including in Victoria Square and the university.

Series two will continue to delve into the world of forensic science and get to the bottom of who’s behind a series of bombings in Dundee.