Red Eye season 2 cast: New and returning actors as ITV thriller returns

I’m so excited to hear that Red Eye is returning to ITV1 and ITVX soon! I really enjoyed the show and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing what happens with DC Hana Li, played by Jing Lusi. It sounds like she’s going to be right in the middle of a really intense and dangerous case, full of twists and hidden truths. I can’t wait!

Richard Armitage isn’t appearing in these six new episodes, which is unexpected. Instead, Martin Compston, known for his role in Line of Duty, will be playing a character from Hana’s history.

Clay Brody and Hana used to train together, but Clay’s impulsive actions caused problems for both of them and damaged their relationship, leaving a lasting strain that remains to this day.

Despite their differences, they must team up when the US embassy goes into lockdown. They’re assigned to track down a murderer and stop a potentially devastating plot.

Ready to jump back into the Red Eye universe? Here’s a look at the main characters, including some familiar faces and exciting new additions.

Red Eye cast: New and returning actors

Want to know who’s in Red Eye season 2? We’ll introduce you to the main characters and the actors who play them, with a little background on where you might recognize the cast from.

Jing Lusi as Detective Hana Li
Lesley Sharp as Madeline Delaney
Martin Compston as Clay Brody
Jemma Moore as Jess Li
Robert Gilbert as Supt. Simon O’Brien
Tom Forbes as Fox
Cash Holland as Ruth Banks
Jonathan Aris as John Tennant
Steph Lacey as Megan Campbell
Nicholas Rowe as DSEC Alex Peterson
Trevor White as US Ambassador Ronald Tillman
Isaura Barbe-Brown as DCM Cece Redding
Danusia Samal as Captain Sarah Wright
Guy Williams as Air Marshal John Johnson

Jing Lusi plays Hana Li

Hana Li is a detective with the Metropolitan Police. In the first season of the show, she was assigned to transport a British man to China for questioning in a death investigation. During the flight, someone interfered with the plane, revealing a large international conspiracy that quickly became public.

By season two, the events of the previous storyline have been resolved. However, Hana finds herself facing new danger when a bomb threat targets the plane of MI5’s director-general. Simultaneously, a reception for the new US Ambassador to the UK descends into disaster, leaving everyone to wonder who is behind the escalating chaos.

You might recognize Jing Lusi from movies like Crazy Rich Asians and Heart of Stone. She’s also appeared in the TV shows Gangs of London, Man vs Bee, and Holby City, where she played Dr. Tara Lo-Valentine. These roles helped launch her career.

Lesley Sharp plays Madeline Delaney

Madeline Delaney is the director-general of MI5. In season one, she was a calm and helpful presence who guided Hana through a difficult flight. Now, in the second season, the tables have turned, and Madeline herself is in a dangerous situation while traveling by air.

You might recognize Lesley Sharp from a number of popular British TV shows. She’s appeared in dramas like Scott & Bailey, Before We Die, and Paranoid, as well as comedies such as Afterlife and Bob & Rose. She also had a role in the film The Full Monty and recently starred in the award-winning film Pillion, which won Best British Independent Film.

Martin Compston plays Clay Brody

Clay Brody is someone Hana used to know from police training. However, his reckless actions caused problems for her, and she hasn’t forgotten it. Years later, their paths cross again when Clay takes a job as the head of security at the American Embassy in London.

You likely recognize Martin Compston from his popular role as Steve Arnott in the BBC crime drama Line of Duty, which will be back for a seventh season. He’s also appeared in recent shows like Traces, Vigil, The Rig, and Fear.

Jemma Moore plays Jess Li

Jess Li is Hana’s half-sister and an aspiring journalist who specializes in investigations. They stopped speaking for a while after Jess wrote an article based on a private conversation with Hana about the police, but they eventually repaired their relationship during the first season of the show.

You might recognize Jemma Moore from her appearances in shows like Lockwood & Co, Silent Witness, and Two Doors Down.

Robert Gilbert plays Supt. Simon O’Brien

Simon O’Brien is Hana’s supervisor at the Metropolitan Police. However, she often doesn’t follow his instructions.

You might recognize Robert Gilbert from his recent roles in the Paramount Plus drama Little Disasters and the reboot of the UKTV detective series Bergerac. He’s also appeared in Channel 4’s Big Boys, the comedy-drama Big Mood, and the popular spy thriller Killing Eve.

Tom Forbes plays Fox

Fox is a mysterious person believed to be connected to the schemes targeting Madeline and the American Embassy.

You might recognize Tom Forbes from a few recent TV shows. He’s appeared in the detective series Bookish on UKTV, as well as the dramas Queenie (Channel 4) and Champion (BBC One). He also made a guest appearance in Lynley earlier this year.

Cash Holland plays Ruth Banks

Who is Ruth Banks? An MI5 employee, who has previously worked closely with Madeline Delaney.

You might recognize Cash Holland from her roles in Apple TV’s comedy series, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, and the BBC sitcom Out of Her Mind, created by Sara Pascoe.

Steph Lacey plays Megan Campbell

Who is Megan Campbell? A colleague of Ruth’s at MI5, who has also been a trusted ally of Madeline.

Steph Lacey is known for her role as Robyn in the Doctor Who episode “Lux.” She’s also appeared in the ITV series Maryland and the Netflix miniseries Stay Close.

Trevor White plays Ronald Tillman

Ronald Tillman is the United States’ new ambassador to the United Kingdom. He’s eager to begin his important job on a good note, but things aren’t going as planned.

Trevor White is a British-Canadian actor who recently starred in The Crow Girl on Paramount Plus, alongside Eve Myles and Katherine Kelly. He’s also appeared in shows like Industry, I Hate Suzie, and The Durrells.

Jonathan Aris plays John Tennant

John Tennant is Delaney’s main competitor at MI5 – he lost out on the top job to her. Throughout the first season, he constantly opposed her choices and their relationship was very strained. It’s unclear if they’ve managed to improve things since then.

Wondering where you’ve seen Jonathan Aris before? He’s recently been in Sky’s Amadeus, ITV’s The Hack, and the Disney+ series Andor, where he played a senator. You might also recognize him from shows like Sherlock, The End of the Fing World, Lucky Man, and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.

Nicholas Rowe plays Alex Peterson

Alex Peterson is a colleague of Madeline’s who works at the Ministry of Defence. He’s currently on the same flight as her, which has been sabotaged, as they travel back to London.

You might recognize Nicholas Rowe from his recent role as Jeremy Paxman in the ITV drama The Hack. He’s also appeared in popular shows like The Outlaws, The Killing Kind, A Spy Among Friends, and The Crown.

Danusia Samal plays Captain Sarah Wright

Captain Sarah Wright is a Royal Air Force veteran and is currently a passenger on the flight Madeline is tracking.

You might recognize Danusia Samal from her role as Lady Antonia Svenska in the popular Hulu series, The Great. She’s also been in recent shows like The Serial Killer’s Wife, Gangs of London, and The Hack.

Richard Armitage plays Matthew Nolan (season 1 only)

Matthew Nolan is a doctor facing manslaughter charges after attending a medical conference in China. His case was a central focus of the show’s first season, but he won’t be appearing in the second season.

Wondering where you recognize Richard Armitage from? He’s a frequent collaborator with author Harlan Coben, starring in adaptations of ‘Missing You,’ ‘Fool Me Once,’ ‘Stay Close,’ and ‘The Stranger.’ Beyond that, you might know him from ‘Obsession,’ ‘The Hobbit’ movies, the series ‘Spooks’ and ‘Berlin Station,’ or films like ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Hannibal’.

Red Eye season 2 premieres on ITV1 and ITVX on New Year’s Day 2026.

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Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before that, she was a TV writer for Digital Spy and a content writer for Mumsnet. She has a degree and a postgraduate diploma in English Studies.

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV and streaming dramas and comedies for TopMob. Before that, he was a writer for Starburst Magazine, hosted the podcast ‘The Winter King’ for ITVX, and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2025-12-23 13:07