UKTV has commissioned popular factual label Red Sauce, part of Zinc Media Group, to make a further two seasons of its gritty factual series Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal, which explores stories of 21st century policing in Britain, for U and U&Dave.

Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal (4 x 60 mins for each of season 5 and 6, and formerly titled Special Ops: Crime Squad UK) follows the investigative work of a variety of specialist units within UK police forces created to crack the toughest of cases. From cyber heists, romance fraud and people trafficking to drugs rings and murder.

The series boasts unique access to the highest-level detective techniques used to tackle crimes where ordinary policing has failed to make progress. This gritty but intelligent series reveals the workings of police operative units made up of the most elite detectives in the country. Filming with numerous task forces across the country, Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal reveals the real, lived experience of the police officers involved, through exclusive interviews, archive, CCTV and body cam footage.

Tom Edwards, Creative Director, Red Sauce, said: “We’re delighted by the unparalleled ongoing success of Special Ops, a series that evolves and strengthens with every run and part of our burgeoning slate of hard-hitting and intelligent true crime content.”

"I’m delighted that Red Sauce are bringing two further seasons of these compelling real-life stories to U and U&Dave."

Kirsty Hanson, Senior Commissioning Editor for Factual and Factual Entertainment, UKTV, said: “Special Ops continues to spotlight some of the most complex and challenging criminal investigations faced by Britain’s police forces. I’m delighted that Red Sauce are bringing two further seasons of these compelling real-life stories to U and U&Dave.”

Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal seasons 5 and 6 were commissioned for UKTV by Kirsty Hanson. It is Executive Produced by Tom Edwards for Red Sauce at Zinc Media and Series Produced by Mary-Jane Evans for Red Sauce at Zinc Media.

Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal seasons 5 and 6 will air on U&Dave and stream on U in 2025.

UKTV recently launched ‘U’ – a new Masterbrand that united its family of free-to-air channels and its free streaming service. Its streaming service UKTV Play has now transitioned to U and UKTV’s family of free-to-air channels are called U&DAVE, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY and U&W.

About Red Sauce

Red Sauce is the home of popular factual, factual entertainment and formats from London and the Regions. It is part of UK factual powerhouse Zinc Media Group, home to some of the UK’s leading content creators. Red Sauce is led by former producer and Commissioning Editor in BBC Factual, Tom Edwards. His credits include, as Showrunner, Mary Queen of Shops (Optomen for BBC Two), The Undercover Princes (Objective North for BBC Three and BBC One) and Wife Swap (RDF for Channel 4). His Commissioning Editor back catalogue includes many high-profile shows such as: Eat Well for Less, Hugh’s War on Waste, DIY SOS, and Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking (all for BBC One); The House That 100k Built, Alex Polizzi: The Fixer, Rick Stein’s Long Weekends, Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites (all for BBC Two); and Conspiracy Coach Trip, Premier League’s Most Amazing Moments, and Strictly Soulmates (all BBC Three). Red Sauce sits alongside Zinc’s award-winning and critically-acclaimed television production labels including:

• Atomic: Specialising in premium specialist factual content encompassing history, science, adventure, and documentary genres.
• Brook Lapping: Known for exceptional current affairs, contemporary history, and investigative journalism.
• Rex: Producing must-watch popular factual programming and documentaries for diverse audiences.
• Supercollider: Innovators in 'genre-blending' content for both television and brands.
• Tern TV: A multi-award-winning producer of Nations factual content, with production centres in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Belfast.
• Bumblebee: Providing climate-conscious post-production solutions, ensuring polished finishes for all media content.

Additionally, Zinc Media Group’s Commercial Content Creation unit includes:

• The Edge Picture Company: One of the UK’s largest brand film-making production companies, boasting over 700 awards and serving leading global brands, businesses, and charities.
• Zinc Communicate: Specialising in podcasts, radio production, and bespoke publishing solutions in collaboration with industry bodies.

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.

UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.