After the Flood features an impressive cast of familiar faces from hit shows including Peaky Blinders, The Crown and Bridgerton – here’s your guide to the ITV drama’s stars
After the Flood features an impressive cast of familiar faces(Image: ITV)
After the Flood is back for series two and it boasts a star-studded cast that fans will recognise from popular shows like Peaky Blinders and Bridgerton.
The first series saw an unidentified man found dead in an underground car park after a devastating flood with PC Jo Marshall, played by Sophie Rundle, commissioned to investigate the truth of the man’s death with devastating and shocking revelations.
The second series of After the Flood follows newly promoted detective Jo as she embarks on a perplexing murder investigation. As Waterside teeters on the brink of disaster due to the looming threat of moorland fires and potential flooding, a body is found under strange circumstances.
Jo’s pursuit of the killer puts her at odds with the town’s powerful and influential figures, leading her into an investigation that becomes deeply personal.
To uncover the corruption that has plagued the town’s police force – and her own family – for years, she’ll need to conduct her investigation covertly.
But who are the new and returning familiar faces gracing series two? Let’s take a look…
Sophie Rundle – Jo Marshall
Sophie, 37, takes centre stage in After the Flood as Jo Marshall. Viewers may recognise her from a host of TV programmes such as ITV’s miniseries Titanic, Merlin, The Bletchley Circle, guest appearances in Call the Midwife, Happy Valley, and Brief Encounters.
Her most notable role came in 2013 when she landed the part of Ada Shelby in BBC’s historical drama series Peaky Blinders, where she starred for all six series until 2022. In the show, Sophie shared the screen with Cillian Murphy, who played her character’s brother and notorious gang leader, Tommy Shelby.
Sophie has also graced Sky One’s Jamestown as Alice Kett and a year later, she portrayed Vicky Budd in BBC’s thriller Bodyguard, sharing the screen with Keeley Hawes and Richard Madden. Fans of Gentleman Jack will recall Sophie for her role as Ann Walker, while viewers of the 2020 surrogacy drama series The Nest will recognise her as Emily.
Jill Halfpenny – DS Sam Bradley
Jill Halfpenny, 50, is joining After the Flood for series two as DS Sam Bradley. Jill first soared to fame playing Nicola Dobson in Byker Grove in 1989. Jill later gained roles in Coronation Street as Rebecca Hopkins in 1999 and later EastEnders as Kate Mitchell in 2002.
Other roles include Izzie Redpath in Waterloo Road, Emma in Mount Pleasant, Fiona in Wild at Heart, Diane Manning in In The Club, Julie Winshaw in Three Girls, Jennifer in Liar, Jodie Walsh in The Drowning, Roisin in Everything I Know About Love, Doreen Hill in The Long Shadow, Emma Bartlett in The Feud and Eve Riser in Girl Taken.
Nicholas Gleaves – DS Phil Mackie
Nicholas Gleaves, 57, is known for his role as Sergeant Phil Mackie, Jo’s boss and surrogate father figure in the series but he’s hiding a dark secret. Nick, as he’s often called, has certainly carved out a successful career since his TV debut in 1993 as Carl in Boon.
Since then, he’s amassed an impressive list of credits, having starred in Casualty, The Bill, Faith and Soldier, Soldier. In 1997, he landed the role of PC Rudy Whiteside in Wokenwell before securing the role of Rick Powell in the hit series Playing the Field, which also featured his wife Lesley Sharp.
Other TV roles include Eddie in Being April, Duncan in The Queen’s Nose, and Ray Fairburn in Conviction. He’s also known for his performances as DS Gary Tate in City Lights, Tom Bedford in The Chase, Oliver in Murderland, James Whitaker in Survivors, and Richard Whitman in Waterloo Road.
In 2011, Nick took on the role of DS Andy Roper in Scott and Bailey, where he starred alongside his real-life wife once again. He went on to secure minor roles in Cold Feet, Death in Paradise, The Split, and Midsomer Murders before landing a part in Bodyguard as Roger Penhaligon.
Soap enthusiasts will remember the actor from his stint on Coronation Street, where he portrayed Duncan Radfield from 2018 to 2019. He’s also ventured into film, with roles in Spider-Man: Far From Home and a portrayal of John Birt, the former director general of the BBC, in Netflix’s The Crown in 2022.
Philip Glenister – Jack Radcliffe
Audiences will recognise Philip Glenister, 62, who takes on the role of property developer Jack Radcliffe, from his successful television career. He is most renowned for his portrayal of DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC’s Life on Mars from 2006 to 2007, and its sequel Ashes to Ashes from 2008 to 2010.
Beyond these popular TV series, Philip has landed roles in David Walliams‘ sitcom Big School in 2013 as Trevor Gunn, in the horror series Outcast as Reverend Anderson, and in Belgravia playing the lead role of James Trenchard. Most recently, he assumed the lead role of DCI Paul Bethell in Steeltown Murders.
Some might also recall his film roles, including his part in 2003’s Calendar Girls as Lawrence, as Squire in Kingdom of Heaven in 2005, or as Charles Forestier in 2012’s Bel Ami.
Lorraine Ashbourne – Molly Marshall
Another standout cast member is Lorraine Ashbourne, 65, who portrays Jo’s worried mother Molly. Her acting career spans over three decades, with one of her most beloved roles being Mrs Varley – the housekeeper for the Featherington family – in Netflix’s Bridgerton.
The actress has also portrayed Barbara Castle in The Crown, DI Tessa Nixon in Unforgotten and Lace Polly in Jericho. Her impressive television portfolio includes roles in Playing the Field, Clocking Off, The Syndicate, Cheat, Jericho, and Vera.
In 2022, she brought to life the character of Daphne Sparrow in the popular TV series Sherwood. Lorraine also played Karen in I Hate Suzie, Joan in the comedy Alma’s Not Normal and Michelle Lafferty in Silent Witness.
Off-screen, Lorraine is part of a renowned family, being married to actor and filmmaker Andy Serkis, famed for voicing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings films. Their son Louis Ashbourne Serkis is carving out his own acting path, having appeared in 2020’s The Queen’s Gambit as Georgi Girev and alongside Sheridan Smith in the 2022 drama No Return.
Faye McKeever – Kelly
Actress Faye McKeever, 40, is known for her role as Kelly, but recently she was seen as Tanya Helsby in BBC’s prison drama Time. One of her most memorable roles was Linda in the comedy Trollied, though she’s graced our screens in numerous gripping dramas.
She featured in the Shannon Matthews-inspired BBC drama The Moorside in 2017 as Petra Jamieson, and in ITV’s chilling miniseries Des in 2020 as Linda Jay. In 2022, Faye took on the role of Jodie Sweeney in The Responder and a year later starred in BBC’s The Reckoning as Alison – which is a factual drama examining the crimes of Jimmy Savile.
Matt Stokoe – Pat Holman
Matt Stokoe, aged 37, portrays Jo’s on-screen husband Pat Holman, and off-screen, the couple – Matt and Sophie – are engaged and proud parents to two children who are four and one. Matt first gained recognition for his role as Alex in Channel 4’s Misfits, which paved the way for roles in The Village and the third series of The Musketeers.
In 2018, he starred as Luke in the TV series Bodyguard, alongside his future wife Sophie who played Vicky Budd in the BBC thriller. The couple also shared screen time in Sky One’s Jamestown and the film Rose, penned by Matt himself.
Matt took on the role of Gawain in Netflix’s original series Cursed and the contentious character Raoul Moat in The Hunt for Raoul Moat. He’s also appeared in films such as Hollow and Outlaw King, and lent his voice to several Final Fantasy video games.
Jacqueline Boatswain – Sarah Mackie
Jacqueline Boatswain brings to life local politician Sarah Mackie in After the Flood, boasting an impressive resume in both television and film. Audiences may recognise Jacqueline from her roles as Mima Blodwen in Carnival Row, Victoria in Wolfblood, and Patreesha St Rose in Shameless.
Fans of Grange Hill will also recall her memorable portrayal of headmistress Mrs Bassinger from 2003 to 2006 in the popular BBC teen drama. She later joined the Hollyoaks cast as Simone Loveday, a role she held from 2015 until 2019.
More recently, Jacqueline graced an episode of The Good Ship Murder and shared the screen with After The Flood co-star Sophie Rundle in The Diplomat.
Alun Armstrong – Alan Benson
Alun Armstrong is joining After the Flood series two as Alan Benson. Alun, 79, is known for roles such as Cardinal Jinette in Van Helsing, Mornay in Braveheart, Baltus Hafez in The Mummy Returns, and the High Constable from Sleepy Hollow.
Other roles include Gary Jackson in Sherwood, John Southouse in Garrow’s Law and Brian Lane in New Tricks – to name a few.
Ian Puleston-Davies – Tony Rower
Ian Puleston-Davies is joining After the Flood series two as Tony Rower. Ian, 65, is best known for playing Owen Armstrong in Coronation Street from 2010 to 2015.
Other roles include Terry Williams in Hollyoaks from 1995 to 1996, Jimmy in EastEnders in 1998, Mick Glover in The Bill, Phil Wiley in I’m Alan Partridge, Charlie Fisher in Waterloo Road, Peter Cullen in Marcella, Arthur Pennyworth in Pennyworth, Brian in The Teacher, Supt. Ross Beardsmore in D.I. Ray, Terry McGregor in The Bay and Eric in The Responder.
After the Flood returns on Sunday, 18 January, airing weekly on Sundays and Mondays on ITV. All episodes are available on ITVX.
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