The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

As I delve deeper into the lives of these fascinating characters, it becomes increasingly clear that their experiences are as diverse as the sounds they seek to understand.


As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Rebecca Hall and Ollie West grace the screen in the gripping BBC drama “The Listeners.” This captivating production debuts tonight on BBC One, and for those who can’t wait, it’s already streaming on iPlayer! Don’t miss out.

The storyline focuses on a teacher and a pupil who are exploring the origin of an unusual, low-pitched sound that only they, along with a select group of individuals, can perceive.

Their path takes them to a team that has been studying the sound for quite a while now, coming up with numerous hypotheses about where it came from and even daring concepts suggesting its potential benefits for personal life improvement.

Our review of the unorthodox and thought-provoking play gave it high marks, singling out Hall, West, as well as fellow actors Prasanna Puwanarajah, Amr Waked, and Gayle Rankin for special recognition.

Read on for our full guide to The Listeners cast, including all the key characters and stars.

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Below, find a comprehensive list of The Listeners’ cast, with further details about the major characters in the BBC drama and where to recognize the principal actors from.

  • Rebecca Hall as Claire
  • Ollie West as Kyle
  • Prasanna Puwanarajah plays Paul
  • Amr Waked plays Omar 
  • Gayle Rankin plays Jo
  • Mia Tharia plays Ashley
  • Franc Ashman plays Cassandra
  • Samuel Edward-Cook plays Damian
  • Karen Henthorn plays Emily
  • Lucy Sheen plays Teresa
  • Ian Mercer plays Tom
  • Scottee plays Noam
  • Shreya M Patel plays Seema
  • Kiruna Stamell plays Dr Broodthaers

Rebecca Hall plays Claire

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

In simpler terms, who is Claire? Claire is a woman leading a seemingly content life – she’s married, has a daughter, and works at a high school where she finds joy. However, one day, she starts hearing a low-pitched sound that unsettles her deeply. This sound causes her to lose focus, struggle with sleep, and grow more agitated because her family can’t hear it too. When one of her students, Kyle, admits he experiences the same sound, they both start investigating what might be causing it.

Hall explained to the BBC: “When a family member encounters an event that others don’t, it can feel isolating and harmful. Over time, The Hum grows increasingly menacing and causes destruction.

Apart from her role in Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige”, Rebecca Hall has also shone in other notable productions such as Frost/Nixon, Red Riding: 1974, and Parade’s End. She is also recognized for her work in blockbusters like Iron Man 3, Godzilla vs Kong, and its sequel The New Empire. Additionally, she directed the 2022 awards contender Passing as well.

Ollie West plays Kyle

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Kyle is a pupil in Claire’s classroom, but it seems like he’s not paying much attention to her lessons due to being distracted by a constant humming sound. Both Claire and Kyle set out on a quest to uncover the source of this mysterious noise, which eventually leads them to a group session led by spiritual duo Omar and Jo.

As a movie buff, I’d say: “Many of us my age face mental health challenges, including depression, and Kyle is no exception. He’s incredibly intelligent and sharp-tongued, with a passion for books that shines brightly. However, he might view school as somewhat unproductive.

Has there been anything else where we’ve seen actor Ollie West on screen before? Previously, he was featured in an independent film titled The Sparrow.

Prasanna Puwanarajah plays Paul

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

What we know about Paul is that he is Claire’s long-term partner and the father of their teenage daughter Ashley. Initially, their bond appears solid, but as the story unfolds, they will face significant challenges that may put a great deal of stress on their relationship.

Puwanarajah pointed out: “What intrigued me most about this character was the journey Paul undergoes, exploring the depths of how distant two individuals can become, and how terrifying, isolating, and perilous that can be for a relationship. It’s quite intense to experience such turmoil in just around forty to fifty days, twenty years into a connection. In essence, it feels like a sudden plunge into cold water.

Has Prasanna Puwanarajah appeared in any other productions besides ITV crime drama Payback, Line of Duty season 6, and roles on Patrick Melrose, Ten Percent, and The Crown as journalist Martin Bashir?

Amr Waked plays Omar

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it like this: “I’ve come across Omar, the head of a community for individuals experiencing ‘The Hum’. This enigmatic figure claims to have heard it for decades and shares an unusual bond with it, along with his partner Jo. Yet, some members find their methods questionable, even going so far as to liken them to a cult.

Waked stated: “He’s not your typical individual; he’s more of an unconventional type. Some might label him a ‘pseudoscientist,’ perhaps with biases towards his theories. I personally find him to be a delightful man who also challenges the status quo.

Has Amr Waked appeared in anything else besides Ramy, Marco Polo, Riviera, Contagion, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Lucy, Wonder Woman 1984, and Firebrand?

Gayle Rankin plays Jo

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Who is Jo? She serves as a co-leader among the listener group and has a long-standing relationship with Omar. Jo shows empathy towards Claire and Kyle’s plight and regards her bond with the mysterious hum quite significantly.

Rankin describes Jo as portrayed as a typical yoga practitioner, who appears serene yet hides depths beneath the surface. She’s an enigmatic figure, sparking curiosity about her past, her journey, where she originated, and how her bond with Claire will unfold upon their initial encounter.

Apart from my recent role as Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon, I’ve also had the pleasure of donning the cap of Sheila the She-Wolf in GLOW, bringing Emily Dodson to life in Perry Mason, and portraying Queen Victoria in The Greatest Showman. Additionally, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Janicza Bravo on Kindred, a sci-fi drama that aired last year.

Mia Tharia plays Ashley

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Ashley is the 18-year-old girl that Claire and Paul are raising. She’s currently wrapping up her A Levels and pondering about her future plans once she graduates from school.

Tharia mentioned: “Ashley doesn’t require constant presence from her mom, but what’s comforting for her is maintaining a bond. The thought that her mom could have connections with another group causes some unease.

Has Mia Tharia been in anything else apart from that? She was in the BBC Three young adult series Phoenix Rise, and soon you’ll see her in Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun.

Franc Ashman plays Cassandra

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Cassandra is a longtime coworker and friend of Claire’s, with whom she has shared many teaching experiences over the years.

Has Franc Ashman appeared in any other productions besides The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, Time, I May Destroy You, and Peep Show?

Samuel Edward-Cook plays Damian

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Who is Damian? Damian is a former soldier and member of the listening group.

Edward-Cook mentioned that the individual has experienced The Hum for more than a year and joined the group recently, which means he’s still relatively new to seeking assistance regarding this matter.

It’s clear that, since he’s been allowed to act independently and has been investigating both the nature and origin of this topic, he’s delved deeply into his own research and become immersed in the complexities of the deep web. He frequently visits sites like Reddit and 4Chan where numerous conspiracy theories abound.

Has Samuel Edward-Cook acted in anything beyond The Gallows Pole, Silent Witness, and Peaky Blinders? If so, those roles are in addition to his work on various other productions.

Karen Henthorn plays Emily

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Is Emily a fellow group member who’s been experiencing the humming sound lately, similar to her spouse?

“What other shows or roles has Karen Henthorn been associated with aside from Coronation Street?”

Lucy Sheen plays Teresa

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Who is Teresa? She is a calm and composed individual within our listening circle, who has been exposed to the sound for quite some time now.

What other productions has Lucy Sheen been involved in besides the recent Doctor Who audio drama The War Master? Previous works include Casualty, Silent Witness, and Netflix’s Shadow and Bone.

Ian Mercer plays Tom

The Listeners cast: Full list of actors and characters in BBC drama

Who is Tom? He is Emily’s spouse, a man who can perceive the hum as well, though he remains somewhat skeptical about the techniques proposed by Omar and Jo.

Apart from Coronation Street, has Ian Mercer appeared in any other productions?

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2024-11-19 16:04