The Loch cast: Full list of actors in ITV crime drama and where you know them from

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Recently, the popular 2017 crime drama from ITV titled “The Loch” returned to our screens following its addition to the streaming service, Netflix.

After the unearthing of Niall Swift’s corpse at the base of Carn Mohr Mountain, The Loch unfolds the tale of the manhunt for a notorious serial killer in a quaint Scottish hamlet.

Not long after Swift’s demise, an unusual discovery was made on a shoreline – a human heart, sending shivers down the spines of locals and prompting swift action from law enforcement to nab the perpetrator before another resident vanished.

If you’re wondering about the identities of the characters in this gripping story, and what they’ve been doing since its broadcast eight years back, here’s the complete cast of The Loch and where you might recognize them from:

Laura Fraser – DS Annie Redford

What character does Annie Redford portray? – In the storyline, Annie Redford assumes the role of a diligent but discontented Detective Sergeant in Lochanfoy, a rural town. She grapples with a tense relationship with her adolescent daughter Evie and cherishes her loving bond with husband Alan. However, when the town falls victim to a ruthless serial killer, she is both appalled by the violence and intrigued by the potential career advancement a murder case might bring.

Have I encountered her character somewhere else? Laura Fraser, known for her roles in The Missing (as Eve Stone), One of Us (as Juliet), Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul (as Lydia Rodarte-Quayle), was the actress I’m trying to recall.

Siobhan Finneran – DCI Lauren Quigley

Who does the character portray in this story? In the narrative, Glasgow detective and dedicated career officer Lauren Quigley is called upon to spearhead the investigation. She recognizes that the perpetrator might be lurking undetected among us, given her understanding of humanity’s darker aspects. As a pragmatic policewoman, she aims to apprehend the offender and then return to her hometown for the promotion she has long aspired to achieve throughout her career.

Have I encountered Siobhan Finneran somewhere else? She portrayed Clare Cartwright in Happy Valley, but she also appeared as Janice Garvey in Benidorm and Mandy in The Syndicate on TV. However, ITV viewers might recognize her most from her role as O’Brien, the cunning servant and former friend of Thomas Barrow, in Downton Abbey.

John Sessions – CI Frank Smilie

In what role does he perform? Frank Smilie, a seasoned cop nearing retirement, prefers to avoid unnecessary complications and prioritizes his own interests, sometimes bending rules as needed. He previously worked with Lauren Quigley, and their relationship is far from amicable. Now, Quigley has returned to town as a DCI, making them both the top brass in their jurisdiction. This creates an interesting dynamic, similar to two leaders governing the same territory.

Have I encountered John Sessions somewhere in my past? Here’s a brief recap of his career: He acted in films like Made in Dagenham, Belfast, The Iron Lady, among others. On television, he was a frequent guest on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and he played roles in Upstart Crow, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Outlander, and Mr Holmes. Tragically, John Sessions passed away at the age of 67 in November 2020.

Gray O’Brien – Alan Redford

What character does Alan Redford portray? Alan Redford, who operates a local tour boat and narrates stories about the Loch Ness Monster, is Annie’s husband. However, the ongoing murder investigation creates tension in their relationship.

Have I encountered Gray O’Brien somewhere before? Here are some of his notable roles: He played Tony Gordon for three years on Coronation Street, which won him the Villain of the Year award at the British Soap Awards 2009. Additionally, he has been a recurring cast member in Casualty and River City. Furthermore, he has appeared in Taggart, Doctor Who, and Titanic: Blood and Steel.

Shona McHugh – Evie Redford

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say: In my world, Evie is the one and only daughter of Annie and Alan. At 18 years old, she’s full of life, a bit rebellious, and can’t wait to embark on a fresh journey in Australia, leaving her school behind. A rather peculiar teenage prank involving bones from the local abattoir shaped like the Loch Ness monster stirred up quite a fuss, especially when a real human heart was found among the fake “Nessie” we’d created.

Have I encountered her somewhere familiar? Previously, Shona McHugh appeared on TV in Waterloo Road back in 2006. Following that, she has been featured in shows like Shetland, Annika, Marriage, and The Head.

Don Gilet – Blake Albrighton

What character does he portray? Blake Albrighton is a charismatic, smart, and self-assured forensic psychologist who’s penned a bestselling book. Due to the peculiarities of this murder, he’s been drafted into the investigation by DCI Quigley, but not everyone appreciates his involvement.

Have I encountered Don Gilet somewhere else? Don Gilet portrayed Lucas Johnson on EastEnders, a character who’s both Jekyll-and-Hyde and has recently returned after a six-year hiatus. He also appeared in various films and shows like Death in Paradise, The Beekeeper, The Stranger, Holby City, and even lent his voice to the Dragon Age video game series.

Murray Fraser – PC Jason Denny

In my line of work, I’m one of the newer officers, and let’s just say intelligence isn’t exactly my strong suit. But I’ve got a thirst for knowledge and I genuinely care about doing the right thing. So, when people ask who I am, I proudly introduce myself as PC Jason Denny.

Have I encountered him in any previous shows or series, perhaps?

Alastair Mackenzie – Craig Petrie

What institution does Craig Petrie lead, and what field is he known for academically? Yet, it’s worth noting that he sometimes comes across as arrogant.

Have I encountered Alastair Mackenzie anywhere else, perhaps in a different role?

William Ash – Leighton Thomas

What character does he portray? Leighton Thomas, once an offender from our town, now strives for rehabilitation in a peaceful community. However, these unfortunate occurrences cast suspicion on him as the main suspect.

Have I encountered him recently somewhere? You might recognize William Ash from his latest role as Caleb Milligan on Eastenders. Prior to this, he appeared as Christopher Mead in Waterloo Road, Michael Wyatt in The Rising, and in Paranoid, The Tunnel, Clocking Off, and alongside Siobhan Finneran in The Loch.

Jack Bannon – Kieran Whitehead

Kieran is one of Evie’s friends who attends the local sixth form college. He’s known for his quick thinking, good looks, and compassionate nature, but there’s something he keeps hidden: at home, he assists his mother Bea in caring for his bedridden brother, who has locked-in syndrome. Evie admires him deeply.

Have I encountered him somewhere before, perhaps in any of his recent works like Pulse, Endeavour, The Darkness, Pennyworth, or maybe in films such as The Imitation Game, Kids in Love, and so on?

Keiran Gallacher – Jonjo Patterson

I’m a fan who can tell you that Jonjo is pals with Evie and Kieran. His folks, Ken and Nicole, manage the local butcher shop (where he lends a hand) and they find him quite amusing. Being the class clown of our group, Jonjo has a knack for making people laugh. However, he struggles with bipolar disorder, and when he forgets to take his meds, his behavior can become unpredictable.

Have I encountered him elsewhere in my television viewing? The Loch marked Keiran Gallacher’s debut on TV, but prior to that, he had appeared in short films titled Skin Deep and Footballers United. Following his appearance in The Loch, he has only been seen in one episode of the 2021 series Weegies.

Moray Hunter – Ken Patterson

Who is the character that Ken Patterson portrays?

What role does Ken Patterson take on?

Ken Patterson runs a local butcher shop and finds it hard to stay afloat financially. This ongoing murder case might ultimately drive his business under. However, this is just one of his many concerns…

Have I encountered him somewhere previously? Moray Hunter is recognized for his roles in Channel 4’s sketch show Absolutely and the spin-off series Mr Don and Mr George. He portrayed Dr Martin Baxter in Broadchurch and is also a scriptwriter. Lately, he appeared as Demon Josh in two Good Omens episodes.

John Heffernan – Dr Simon Marr

What character does he portray? Simon Marr serves as our town’s physician. Lately, he’s been dealing with the loss of his wife and is a father to a young girl who was a piano pupil of the late Niall Swift. There are certain aspects about his past that he wishes would stay hidden.

Have I encountered John Heffernan somewhere previously? Here are a few places where he might be familiar from: A Gentleman in Moscow, This Town, Dickensian (as Jaggers), Luther (as Steven Rose), Ripper Street (as Ronald Capshaw), and the Final Fantasy 14 and 16 video games.

Oliver Greenall – Jordan Whitehead

As a cinema enthusiast, I ponder over the intriguing question: Who does his older brother portray in this captivating tale? Years ago, he apparently fell victim to an aneurysm, leaving him with locked-in syndrome. Yet, hints suggest he’s beginning to regain consciousness. One can’t help but wonder, has his mother been keeping him immobile all these years under the pretense of care, when in reality, it was for her own benefit to maintain control over them?

Have I encountered Oliver Greenall somewhere else in the television world?

Euan Stamper – Crawford Baxter

In my perspective as a movie critic, allow me to rephrase that sentence: I find myself asking who the protagonist portrays in this film. The role, as it turns out, is the neighborhood’s menacing bully. This character, Baxter, derives sadistic pleasure from physically abusing fellow student Dessie. However, Baxter follows a familiar narrative for troubled teen characters: his personal life is fraught with unhappiness, with his father having passed away and an uncertain future looming ahead.

Have I encountered Euan Stamper elsewhere in my TV or movie-watching experience?

Jenny Ryan – Nicole Patterson

I’m speaking about Nicole Patterson, who happens to be Jonjo’s mom. Compared to his father, she tends to be a bit more lenient with him.

Have I encountered Jenny Ryan in some other role? She portrayed Sally Stewart in Waterloo Road and Amanda in the TV show Cracked.

Simone Lahbib – Mhari Toner

Who is the character that Annie’s friend, Mari Toner, portrays?

Have I encountered Simone Lahbib playing a different role somewhere else? It’s possible that you might recognize her from Eastenders (2020-2021), but she’s also appeared on Monarch of the Glen, Bad Girls, Wire in the Blood, and London Bridge. She has recently taken on minor roles in River City, Grantchester, Shetland, Vera, among others.

Conor McCarry – Dessie Toner

In my perspective as a film critic, I find myself drawn into the narrative of a movie where the protagonist, Dessie, is a teenager on the verge of retirement – yes, you heard it right! As the story unfolds, we witness Dessie being subjected to the cruelty of Baxter, but fortunately, he gains allies in Evie and Kieran who stand up for him. Interestingly, Dessie had a prior acquaintance with Niall Swift, whose tragic fate plays a significant role in the plot.

Have I encountered Conor McCarry in any other productions? He played Jacob Dodridge in The Night Manager with Tom Hiddleston, PC Alex Grant in Shetland, and had short roles in Outlander, Time, Rillington Place, Anna Karenina, and Battleship.

Fraser James – Oliver Tench

In the story, who does Tench portray? – Tench, a character from Leighton Thomas’ past, was once an accomplice to the murders that Leighton had committed years ago. When he spots Leighton on TV news, he feels compelled to visit him. However, he encounters an unexpected rejection at Leighton’s house as the reformed convict guards his fresh start in life. Tench is a complex character, marked by volatility, vulnerability, and danger.

Have I encountered Fraser James in any of his previous roles, such as those on Law & Order, Holby City, Death in Paradise, Endeavour or elsewhere?

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2025-08-02 15:06