Jessica Hynes has joined the cast as Detective Frankie Monroe for series two following the exit of Laura Fraser
Patience: DI and Patience sit down for a chat
Channel 4‘s popular crime drama Patience is back for season two but has had a major cast shake-up.
The series, which is filmed in York, follows Patience Evans, played by Ella Maisy Purvis, a young autistic woman who works in the criminal records department of Yorkshire Police.
The first series, which aired in 2024, became one of the broadcaster’s “most successful” dramas of that year, with many viewers loving the dynamic between criminologist Patience and DI Bea Metcalf, played by Laura Fraser, who became her unexpcted mentor.
However, while series two picked up where the first season left off, with Patience continuing her work after establishing herself as an invaluable member of the team, viewers are quick to learn there’s been a major shake-up and that Bea is no longer part of the team.
Why is DI Bea Metcalf missing?
At the start of the series it transpired that Bea had moved away for another job without warning and DI Frankie Monroe, played by Jessica Hynes, would be replacing her.
Frankie has a very different management style to Bea, which proves tricky for Patience to navigate. Speaking about where her character is at the start of series two, Ella said: “We end the [first] series with Patience discovering a string of numbers that her mother left her on a prized himitsu baku box, a puzzle she’s been trying to solve throughout the series. Patience has been ruminating and obsessing over these numbers for several weeks as she continues her work with York Police.
“DI Metcalf, to her knowledge, is on leave, which allows Patience to strengthen her relationship with Jake, in particular, but also Will and Baxter. But with the news Bea isn’t coming back, Patience clings to the mystery of her mother, her world in quiet turmoil and her confidence knocked.”
On Patience’s dynamic with Frankie, she shared: “Patience is fuelled by routine and structure. In series one she pushes herself out of her comfort zone with Bea and is luckily nurtured by her fascination with Patience’s way of viewing the world.
“Frankie bursts in and ironically has no Patience for her. She is harsh and somewhat brutal towards Patience who is in comparison gentle, but interestingly as much as it affronts her, Patience doesn’t take no for an answer and pushes back with her findings on the first case. This defiance earns her respect from Frankie, who slowly realises Patience isn’t one to be brushed aside.”
Upon realising Bea would not be returning to the force, many took to social media. With one fan writing: “Devastated to hear Laura Fraser won’t return as DI Bea Metcalf in #Patience S2. Her chemistry with Patience was electric—perfectly tense, heartfelt, and utterly compelling. Why fix what wasn’t broken?”
While another added: “It is disappointing that the relationship between Bee and Patience won’t be deepened,” as a third commented: “I will miss Laura as her character was perfect with Patience. And such an excellent actor.”
However, Ella has told how Bea’s absence on the show is “crucial” to her journey as her character continues to reflect on the bond they shared. She told Radio Times: “It’s not [just] the first episode, then it’s done. A big part of Patience’s journey in the season is getting over that – and also, realising and reminding herself of what that experience had taught her.”
She added: “Her relationship with Bea is very much crucial in her finding strength and the chutzpah to carry on doing what she knows she does best [despite Frankie’s opposition].”
Laura Fraser hasn’t commented on her exit from Patience but in March last year it was announced she had been cast in BBC’s new eight-part drama, Mint, while filming for the second series of Patience began in May.
And while Laura won’t be returning, there will still be plenty of familiar faces in series two. Including Nathan Welsh (Trying, Am I Being Unreasonable?) as DS Jake Hunter, Mark Benton (Smoggie Queens, Shakespeare and Hathaway) as Calvin Baxter, Adrian Rawlins ( Chernobyl, Living) as Douglas Gilmore, Ali Ariaie (The Great, Doctor Who ) as DC Will Akbari, Connor Curren (Dodger, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) as Billy Thompson, Liza Sadovy (A Real Pain, The Rumour) as Dr. Loretta Parsons and Tom Lewis (Gentleman Jack, Redeeming Love) as Elliot Scott.
Patience continues on Channel 4 at 9pm on Wednesday, January 14.