Technology

The UK government's designation of data centers as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) underscores their vital role in national operations and economic stability. This recognition comes with increased scrutiny and highlights the need for robust cybersecurity, especially in the face of escalating global threats.

While significant investment is pouring into the UK data center sector, a critical question remains: how much of this addresses the often-overlooked cybersecurity risks associated with Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices?

The Achilles' Heel: OT/IoT Security

Data center operators have traditionally prioritized IT security, safeguarding valuable data from cyber threats by focusing on data center connectivity and server infrastructure. However, critical OT systems responsible for building automation, cooling, power, safety, and physical security often lack the same level of protection and are often not accounted for at all.

These systems, crucial for maintaining the physical functionality of data centers, become interesting targets for attackers if left unsecured, often being used as initial points of access and presence in Data Centre networks. This risk is underscored by the fact that many of these systems are more connected to data center networks and even the internet than security teams realize, while often lacking basic cyber security hygiene like operating system updates, secure credentials, and network monitoring.

Similarly, IoT devices like IP cameras, digital displays, fire suppression systems, and biometric access controls, while enhancing safety and physical security, introduce a complicated additional attack vector for security team to account for. Like OT systems, these devices often use stripped down, embedded operating systems that lack critical cyber security functions making them a relatively easy target for compromise.

Real-World Vulnerabilities

There are now numerous known public examples of OT/IoT vulnerabilities being exploited in data centers and similar environments, and likely many more compromises that are not disclosed or even remain undetected. IP cameras have been hijacked for botnet attacks, launching large-scale DDoS attacks. Building management systems have been compromised for unauthorized activities like crypto mining, impacting system stability and risking failure with dangerous levels of resource utilization.

Even when not targeted for direct impact, OT and IoT devices are often ‘soft’ targets threat actors can use for sustained presence in even otherwise secure networks that have invested heavily in IT cyber security. These incidents highlight the very real dangers of neglecting OT/IoT security. Ignoring these vulnerabilities is like leaving the keys to your data center under the welcome mat.

Bridging the Gap: A Focus on OT/IoT Visibility and Security

Effectively securing OT/IoT environments requires a different approach than traditional IT security. It starts with gaining complete visibility into these often-forgotten systems. Data center operators need to know what devices are connected, how they communicate, and what vulnerabilities they introduce.

This requires specialized tools designed for OT/IoT environments, capable of identifying and profiling industrial control systems, building and IT automation devices, and other connected assets. This likely also requires monitoring wireless communications as well, as many IoT devices are connected via site WiFi networks or IoT connectivity solutions like LoRa or cellular.

Once visibility is established, continuous monitoring and threat detection are crucial. Real-time asset management allows operators to track every connected device, identifying unauthorized or anomalous behavior before it escalates into a major incident.

This includes monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity and implementing anomaly detection systems tailored to OT and IoT protocols. Something as simple as identifying an IoT device like a camera attempting to communicate with the data center server infrastructure could be indicative of a compromised device.

Collaboration and Best Practices: A shared responsibility

While the responsibility for securing data centers ultimately rests with the operators, collaboration between the government and the private sector is still essential. Government initiatives like the NCSC's Active Cyber Defence (ACD) program provide valuable resources for threat identification and response. And, industry collaboration and threat intelligence sharing, as advocated by the World Economic Forum, are crucial for staying ahead of sophisticated attackers.

Data center operators must prioritize OT/IoT security by:

• Asset discovery and inventory: Identify and document every connected OT and IoT device within the data center environment.
• Vulnerability assessment: Assess the security posture of OT/IoT devices and systems, identifying potential weaknesses.
• Network segmentation: Implement micro-segmentation to isolate critical OT systems and limit the impact of potential breaches.
• Continuous monitoring: Deploy real-time monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify suspicious activity.
• Incident response planning: Develop and test incident response plans specifically for OT/IoT security incidents.

The Time to Act is Now: Don't Wait for a Breach to Wake You Up

As data centers become increasingly complex and interconnected, a holistic approach to cybersecurity, encompassing all of IT, OT, and IoT, is no longer optional – it's a necessity. Don't wait for a breach to expose the vulnerabilities in your OT/IoT infrastructure.

By taking simple, proactive steps, data center operators can significantly reduce their cyber risk and ensure the resilience of these critical facilities. Protecting your data is crucial, but protecting the systems that support your data is equally important. Ensuring that cyber security investment goes beyond IT and accounts for OT and IoT environments is critical to secure the foundation of your data center operations.

We've listed the best software asset management (SAM) tools .

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Aug. 4, No. 315

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Aug. 4, #785.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 4.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, August 3 (game #1287).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• M

• S

• C

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1288) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1288, are…

• MACAW
• SINCE
• COLON
• CHIRP

MACAW took me a little while, but the second I speculatively typed MAC I knew that it was going to be the right word.

The same with CHIRP. Plus I knew Quordle couldn’t resist putting those two words together.

Daily Sequence today (game #1288) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1288, are…

• REFIT
• RAPID
• DRUID
• TWIST

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
• Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
• Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
• Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
• Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
• Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
• Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
• Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
• Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
• Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
• Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
• Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
• Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
• Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
• Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
• Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
• Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
• Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
• Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, August 3 (game #784).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #785) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• APHID
• BEETLE
• CEDAR
• DECAY
• EASY
• EFFORT
• GEO
• TICK
• BEECH
• VENDETTA
• APPLE
• PINE
• MITE
• COOKIE
• YEW
• ZITI

NYT Connections today (game #785) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Tiny bugs
• GREEN: Barking up the correct ones 
• BLUE: Spelling game
• PURPLE: Say aloud to see the link

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #785) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: ARTHROPODS 
• GREEN: TREES 
• BLUE: [LETTER] (IS) FOR __ 
• PURPLE: WORDS THAT SOUNDS LIKE TWO LETTERS 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #785) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #785, are…

• YELLOW: ARTHROPODS APHID, BEETLE, MITE, TICK
• GREEN: TREES BEECH, CEDAR, PINE, YEW
• BLUE: [LETTER] (IS) FOR __ APPLE, COOKIE, EFFORT, VENDETTA
• PURPLE: WORDS THAT SOUNDS LIKE TWO LETTERS DECAY, EASY, GEO, ZITI

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 mistakes

Every day Connections finds a new way to either teach me or confuse me. Today it was… both.

I knew that A is for EFFORT and for APPLE, while V is for VENDETTA. But what is COOKIE doing in the [LETTER] (IS) FOR __ group? And what's with the square bracket rounded bracket? Is this an equation?

Realizing that I must be suffering from some terrible pop culture gap, a post-game Google revealed that the answer was related to the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. I should have known.

I made two mistakes trying to get that group together. The other came earlier in the game, when I put APPLE in with the other TREES. A for annoying.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, August 3, game #784)

• YELLOW: EMULATE COPY, ECHO, MIRROR, PARROT
• BLUE: MANIA BUG, CRAZE, FAD, FEVER
• GREEN: SPORTS CRICKET, GOLF, POLO, SQUASH
• PURPLE: SINGLE ANIMAL IN A CREATIVELY SPELLED BAND NAMEBEETLE, BIRD, GORILLA, MONKEY

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, August 3 (game #518).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Cutting it close

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SLICE
• SPORT
• STRIP
• VEST
• PRICE
• FARE

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #519) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #519, are…

• RAZOR
• CAPE
• CLIPPERS
• COMB
• TRIMMER
• AFTERSHAVE
• SPANGRAM: BARBERSHOP

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The letter Z gave today’s search an obvious starting point, with RAZOR immediately eliminating any mystery about the theme. Unless, like me, you saw the non-game word “slice” first.

I only learned recently that the origins of the traditional BARBERSHOP pole stem from the days when barbers also performed surgeries alongside their regular activities – a one-stop shop where you could have a leg amputated, your teeth pulled and a quick trim – with the red symbolizing blood and the blue veins.

Thankfully, these days barbers have narrowed down their offerings to those that can be performed using SCISSORS, CLIPPERS and a TRIMMER. If you see a saw on the counter I'd suggest you make a swift exit.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, August 3, game #518)

• MUFF
• WHIFF
• ERROR
• FAULT
• FUMBLE
• BOBBLE
• BLOOPER
• SPANGRAM: SPORTS GOOF

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for Aug. 4, No. 1,507

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 4 No. 519.

• AI chip repair firms in China are thriving due to heavy demand surge
• Smuggled GPUs fuel a booming underground repair market amid US export restrictions
• Chinese shops simulate data centers and fix hundreds of chips monthly at scale

A quiet but growing business has emerged in China that focuses on repairing Nvidia’s advanced AI chips, despite strict US export controls.

Reports from Reuters found around a dozen small firms, mainly based in Shenzhen, claiming they service large numbers of Nvidia’s H100 and A100 GPUs, even though these chips were officially banned from sale to China in 2022.

One company told the news agency it repairs up to 500 Nvidia AI chips every month - and with roughly 12 similar firms operating year-round, that could amount to tens of thousands of chips annually.

Significant demand

Many of these units are worn down from heavy use, especially as some have run around the clock for years in AI training workloads.

“There is really significant repair demand,” Reuters was told by the co-owner of a Shenzhen firm that moved into AI hardware in late 2024.

That demand led to the creation of a second company purely to handle AI chip repair.

Their facility includes a server room that can simulate data center conditions with up to 256 servers.

Another shop that shifted from GPU rentals to repairs told Reuters it fixes around 200 chips per month, typically charging about 10% of the original purchase price.

Repairs can include fan replacement, circuit board fixes, memory diagnostics, and software testing.

Nvidia cannot legally support or replace restricted GPUs within China. An Nvidia spokesperson said only the company and approved partners are authorized to offer the necessary service and support, adding that running restricted chips without full infrastructure is not viable long-term.

The potentially high failure rate raises concerns about what will happen to tens of thousands of aging A100s and earlier GPUs once they fail.

The existence of such a repair sector is down to the widespread smuggling of banned chips into China, something we’ve reported on previously.

While Nvidia recently began offering the H20 GPU in China to comply with export restrictions, many customers there still prefer the banned H100 for training LLMs.

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• The Wacom Pro Pen 3 delivers precision drawing without needing a battery or Bluetooth pairing
• Wacom MovinkPad 11 uses a matte screen that reduces glare and enhances pen control significantly
• Android’s lack of Photoshop and Illustrator support continues to limit mobile creative workflows overall

Wacom’s MovinkPad 11 is an unusual addition to the Android tablet space, not because of its processing power or app ecosystem, but due to one standout feature: support for the Wacom Pro Pen 3.

According to PCWatch, this device costs just under 70,000 yen (approximately $471), making it cheaper than many competing tablets, and includes the same pen technology trusted by professional artists.

Still, its appeal seems tailored to a very specific audience, and it’s worth asking whether its strengths truly outweigh its compromises.

A familiar pen, now in a standalone tablet

The MovinkPad 11 comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 3, which, unlike many battery-powered options, uses EMR (electromagnetic resonance) to achieve low-latency, battery-free performance.

It’s long been favored by digital artists working with pen displays like the Cintiq and Intuos Pro.

Now, with this Android tablet, Wacom appears to be targeting users who want to practice professional-level pen input without needing a full computer setup.

From a usability standpoint, the experience is generally fluid, particularly when using drawing apps like CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT, which comes pre-installed.

However, the lack of Android versions of Adobe’s photo editing software remains a limitation for users who rely on tools like Photoshop or Illustrator.

This device features an 11.45-inch display with a resolution of 2200 x 1440, and it also uses a matte finish that resists glare and fingerprints.

This surface, combined with the Pro Pen 3’s fine pressure sensitivity, does offer a more natural feel than the glossy panels found on many mainstream tablets.

For illustration software, where pen glide and surface resistance matter, this hardware combination is a major advantage.

But as an Android tablet, the MovinkPad 11 is less impressive because it runs on a midrange MediaTek Helio G99 processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

That’s sufficient for drawing and basic multitasking, but not exceptional.

Despite its salient selling points, Wacom’s software decisions raise valid questions.

The custom interface, Wacom UX, allows for quick access to a sketching app called Wacom Canvas, even when the device is locked.

This might appeal to beginners eager to sketch instantly, but the lack of biometric authentication and broader Android productivity features may feel restrictive.

Likewise, while it’s handy that third-party EMR pens also work with the device, the software ecosystem surrounding Android remains limited for serious graphic design software users.

The MovinkPad 11 feels more like it fills a niche and neither stands as a powerful Android tablet, nor is it aimed at established professionals.

Instead, it’s an accessible entry point for students and hobbyists hoping to develop their skills using the same tools found in professional environments.

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• The Pixel Buds Pro 2 may get a new shade
• It's the Moonstone color linked to the Pixel 10
• New gadgets are arriving on August 20

In the various Google Pixel 10 leaks we've come across recently, there's been a lot of a particular color involved: a grayey-bluey type of shade which is apparently called Moonstone. Now it seems the shade will be rolling out to Google's other gadgets too.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the existing Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds are now listed as being available in Moonstone, if you switch to the 3D view – though it's possible the change may have been rolled back by the time you're reading this.

What's more, the light green known as Wintergreen looks to be going away, as Moonstone replaces it in the listing. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 were launched in August last year, so it's perfectly possible that they're getting a refresh after 12 months.

There's no doubt that Google is keen on this Moonstone color: so far we've only seen one official teaser for the Pixel 10 launch event on Wednesday, August 20, and it shows off what we think is the Pixel 10 Pro in the Moonstone shade.

What we've heard so far

An official snap of the Pixel 10 Pro... in Moonstone (Image credit: Google)

Another leak has shown off everything we're expecting on August 20 in Moonstone: the Pixel 10, the Pixel Watch 4, and the Pixel Buds 2a. Other colors will of course be available, but it looks like this is going to be the primary one.

Aside from the colors, there have been plenty of leaks and rumors swirling around. The Pixel 10 series of phones – and there should be four of them again, like last year – are rumored to be introducing MagSafe-style wireless charging to Android for the first time.

As for the Google Pixel Watch 4, we've heard that it's going to get a rather interesting new charging system, and come in at the same sort of prices that we saw with the Pixel Watch 3 last year – with some Fitbit and YouTube promos bundled in for good measure.

We haven't heard quite as much about the Google Pixel Buds 2a, but the updated earbuds could bring with them a tweaked design if the rumors are true. We will of course bring you all the official announcements, as they happen.

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• Lecoo Mini Pro includes Radeon 780M graphics and dual USB4 ports for GPU expansion
• AMD’s Ryzen 7 8745H powers the system with strong Zen 4 performance across eight cores
• Two 2.5G Ethernet jacks allow for flexible networking options rarely seen in mini PCs

Lenovo has quietly released a new Lecoo-branded mini PC in China called the Mini Pro, a system which combines relatively strong performance with a compact, low-power design.

Lecoo is not a widely known brand in Lenovo’s global portfolio, but it joins a long list of sub-brands the company manages, including Motorola Mobility, Lenovo NEC, Medion, and LOQ.

While most of these brands have defined market positions or regional focuses, Lecoo appears to be geared toward affordable consumer tech and accessories.

A compact system priced for budget-conscious users

Priced between $363 and $615 depending on configuration, the Lecoo Mini Pro enters the same market space as many affordable workstation alternatives.

This device is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 8745H processor, a chip that belongs to the Hawk Point family and is similar to the Ryzen 7 8745HS.

It includes the integrated Radeon 780M graphics, which means it can tackle low to mid-tier gaming workloads.

For heavier graphical use, the system’s two USB4 ports allow for external GPU connectivity, a feature becoming more common on newer business PC setups and one that extends its capabilities beyond typical office work.

Internally, the Lecoo Mini Pro supports up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 5600MHz and offers dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for storage, pushing it close to workstation PC territory in terms of memory and drive expansion.

Despite the hardware capacity, the Lecoo Mini Pro remains a palm-sized and low-power device.

Even in its highest performance mode (70W), the thermal output is kept under control using dual fans and an aluminum chassis, and Lenovo says the noise level of this device is as low as 32 decibels in quiet mode.

Another strength of this device is connectivity, and it supports a mix of legacy and modern accessories - as it includes two USB4 ports, two 2.5G Ethernet jacks, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and multiple USB-A ports while also supporting Wi-Fi 6 as its only wireless option.

Lenovo has confirmed the Lecoo Mini Pro will be available for global shipping, and the sales page accepts payment via PayPal.

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The Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+ are bringing Providence Falls to fans from August 2 in a three-part ‘event’ (think miniseries, only it’s three movies rather than episodes). The new three-part film series follows Cora (Katie Stevens), a new cop on the scene suddenly partnered with the rogue and spaced-out Liam (Lachlan Quarmby). The reason Liam’s not all there isn’t an obvious one, having been sent to Cora from their past lives in 1800s Ireland to make sure she falls in love with her fated romantic partner, Finn (Evan Roderick).

Essentially, we’ve got a period drama, police procedural and whodunnit murder mystery all happening at the same time, with one plot staying wrapped within another at all times. This will make much more sense as you watch it, and I promise the line between a satisfying payoff and having enough clues to crack without things being too confusing is an ideal balance. As these are Hallmark movies, after all, you can probably take a good guess at how the series ends.

But while the ending ties up some loose threads, does this really mean we’re leaving Providence Falls for good? I think it’s a world too rich to abandon, and when I put this to the cast, they already had their own ideas for a return.

Providence Falls could continue to exist in the wider Hallmark universe

“I hope [Providence Falls returns], it's a fun universe,” star Roderick tells me. “I think there's an opportunity to bring back the angels of destiny, and have that be the rock of the show. I mean, that would be a really, really cool concept moving forward, if the fans love it.”

As far as I’m concerned, Roderick’s elevator pitch is a Hallmark goldmine. The Angels of Destiny storyline could be applied to absolutely any character we’ve met over the past few decades, and could even work in the context of continuing shows such as The Chicken Sisters, When Calls the Heart and The Way Home. Anybody who has a dodgy run-in or awkward storyline gets a chance for redemption, even if they have to die in order to do so.

Granted, the number of people who have died in Hallmark projects is slim to none, meaning fresh recruits like Liam might need to be drafted in for Providence Falls to continue. But if the angels and main cast aren’t coming back (their storylines have basically been wrapped up, after all), there’s still the town itself. Everything we love about shows like Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing is now sitting in Hallmark’s lap, and they’d be silly not to utilise that.

Does Providence Falls now have the legs to be a springboard for a bigger ongoing series? I’d say absolutely. Of course, the same storyline can’t be replicated, but if Hallmark wants to replicate the out-of-the-box success of The Way Home or find a rival for Virgin River, they best start listening to Roderick’s idea.

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