Meet the cast of Ellis on Channel 5

As a seasoned detective with years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but be intrigued by the diverse cast assembled for the third episode of Ellis. The ensemble seems to have a perfect blend of familiar faces and fresh talent, each bringing their unique backgrounds and expertise to the table.

As autumn arrives, the nights become ideal for curling up with a gripping detective series, and we’re fortunate that Channel 5 is introducing a fresh one to look forward to!

Under the guidance of Sharon D Clarke, the character Ellis debuts this week, as Detective Chief Inspector Ellis travels to several English towns accompanied by her trusted partner, DS Harper played by Andrew Gower, to assist with their ongoing investigations.

As a Black woman in the police force, Ellis frequently encounters hostility and prejudices. However, her exceptional skills as a top-tier murder detective often put her several moves ahead of her colleagues when it comes to catching criminals.

Just like how procedural dramas typically introduce a fresh guest cast per episode, you’ll encounter numerous unfamiliar characters in each episode of Ellis, making it exciting to meet the newcomers in each installment.

So, who stars in the new three-part series? Read on to find out more about the cast of Ellis.

Ellis cast: Full list of characters and actors in Channel 5 drama

Below you’ll discover the principal cast members of Ellis. To learn additional details about these characters and where their acting careers might be familiar to you, keep reading.

If you want to know more about the casts for each episode, scroll further to find out.

Sharon D Clarke as DCI Ellis
Andrew Gower as DS Chet Harper
Allison Harding as ACC Alison Leighton

Sharon D Clarke as DCI Ellis

Meet the cast of Ellis on Channel 5

In London, you’d find DCI (Detective Chief Inspector) Ellis, a highly skilled detective specializing in solving murders. Due to her exceptional abilities, she is frequently called upon to assist in towns near the Peak District. Despite being undervalued due to her age and ethnicity, Ellis never wavers from her commitment to justice. She leverages her intelligence to unravel even the most complex cases.

Regarding her character, Clarke remarks: “This woman needs a robust spirit. She must focus solely on the case without getting distracted by any unnecessary dramas happening both at work and in her personal life.

Beyond her renowned stage performances, Sharon D Clarke is also recognized for her work on TV, particularly as Lola Griffin in Holby City and Grace O’Brien in Doctor Who. More recently, she has been seen in Lost Boys and Fairies, Showtrial and Mr Loverman. In movies, Clarke has appeared in Rocketman, Rocks, and Red, White and Royal Blue.

Andrew Gower as DS Chet Harper

Who is Detective Sergeant (DS) Chet Harper? In the initial episode, DS Harper, who has been stationed at Hanmore and has maintained a consistent lifestyle among familiar faces, encounters Ellis. This interaction triggers his growth as a detective. Accompanied by Ellis, they journey through the Peak District, but not everyone welcomes them warmly.

In Gower’s description, Harper and Ellis seem to be individuals who are deeply interdependent, even if they don’t initially realize it. He suggests a dynamic reminiscent of a master and apprentice relationship, yet he also emphasizes their distinct personalities. It is often Harper who poses the questions that Ellis tends to avoid.

Has Andrew Gower appeared in any other shows or movies aside from Being Human, Outlander, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, You Season 4, and Carnival Row?

Allison Harding as ACC Alison Leighton

Who is ACC Alison Leighton? She’s the superior officer of Ellis, the detective character. In the initial episode, she’s the one who dispatches him to Hanmore to aid with their ongoing case. Ultimately, it’s her decision where Ellis should head next.

Has there been anything else where Allison Harding has appeared on screen? She has had roles in Nova Jones, The Bill, London’s Burning, and was a member of the cast for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Ellis episode 1 guest stars

Freya Hannan-Mills (The Cuckoo) as Maggie Bradley – a teenage girl whose boyfriend, Rowan, is found dead and has disappeared
Kaye Wragg (Holby City) as Linda Bradley – Maggie’s mother who is working tirelessly to find her daughter
Michael Wildman (Baby Reindeer) as Stephen Mason – Maggie’s stepfather and Linda’s partner who is quickly suspected by local police
Brian Markey (Cycle) as Charles ‘Carlos’ Braine – a bartender at the local pub
Chris Reilly (Industry) as DCI Jim Belmont – the local Hanmore DCI who doesn’t take well to Ellis coming in to help the investigation
Daire Scully as Rowan Edwards – the 18-year-old who is found dead and is the son of an ex-MP
Catherine Walker (The Clinic) as Louise Edwards – an ex-MP and influential in Hanmore, Louise demands answers about her son’s death
Wayne Foskett (Game of Thrones) as Michael Edwards – Rowan’s father and Louise’s husband
Tom McKay (Devils) as Eric Mercer – Beau’s father who accompanies her when she’s being interviewed
Conor Sánchez (Inspector Ellis) as Aaron Kelly – one of Rowan’s friends and part of his close-knit swimming team
Beau Gadsdon (The Crown) as Amy Mercer – another of Rowan’s friends and swim team members
Tallulah Evans (White Lines) as Carrie Booth – another of Rowan’s friends and swim team members
Charlotte McCurry (Three Families) as DC Kate Trent – one of the local officers who is helping Ellis on the case
Noa Baurain as Rain Bradley – Maggie’s sister who is struggling with problems of her own
Barry O’Connor (Irish Crime) as Peter Kelly – Aaron’s father and swim team coach

Ellis episode 2 guest stars

Sam Marks (Litvinenko) as DI Jamie Morrison – one of the local detectives who is indifferent to his fellow colleague’s disappearance
Aoibhéann McCann (Blue Lights) as DC Leah Thompson – a fellow female detective at the local station who Ellis turns to for more information
William Travis (Where the Heart is) as Sgt Frank Landry – a local officer investigating Jenny’s disappearance
Stephanie Levi-John (The Spanish Princess) as Naomi McKeith – a friend of Jenny’s who works at the local hospital
Kirsten Foster (Rain Dogs) as CSI Christine Bennett – one of the crime scene investigators
Jonathan Harden (Blue Lights) as Adam Reid – Jenny’s husband who senses something is amiss in his wife’s case
Michael McCloskey-Ooi as Mark Reid – a local young man who has connections to the case
Tim Dutton (The Crown) as DCI Hain – one of the other investigating officers on the case
Paul Mallon (Derry Girls) as Tim Jones – a local conspiracy theorist
Orla Charlton (On Home Ground) as Carla Duffy – an influential figure in the local area
Fionn Ó Loingsigh (Witness Number 3) as Curtis Keogh – a drug dealer in the area
Jenny Kavanagh as Jenny Rawler – the officer at the centre of the case who has disappeared but was only days away from submitting a complaint of bullying against her colleagues

Ellis episode 3 guest stars

Amanda Drew (EastEnders) as DCI Val Cotton – the local DCI in the village of Brindleton who surprises Ellis and Harper with a warm welcome
Josh Bolt (Masters of the Air) as DI Archie Dent – Cotton’s right-hand man who is also helping in the investigation
Michael Simkins (The Iron Lady) as Gerry Rees-Mortimer – the father of Rachel, one of the honeymooners who disappeared
Rina Mahoney (Mary & George) as Lydia Green – a local person who takes an interest in the disappearance case
Charlie de Melo (Coronation Street) as Leo Braxton – a local gastro pub owner and street food businessman
Charley Webb (Emmerdale) as Abbie Summerfield – one of Rachel’s old friends who has inherited her parents’ local land for motocross
Mark Field (Culprits) as Kane Harrison – Abbie’s partner who helps run their motocross business
Harry Marcus (Poldark) as Rory Summerfield – Rachel’s brother who is always on his phone
Shanaya Rafaat (Inspector Lewis) as Soraya Mansoori
Jade Matthew (Judy) as Rachel Hoffman – a missing local woman who was last seen with her new husband
Tama Matheson (Heartbeat) as Oz Hoffman – the new husband of Rachel who was being introduced to her local friends when they went missing
Richard Sherwood (Hope Street) as Alex Scanlan – an ex-boyfriend of Rachel’s
David Sterne as Foster Lang – a local old man and ex-teacher who has dementia

Ellis will begin airing at 8pm on Thursday 31st October on Channel 5.

2024-10-31 12:34