The Teacher cast: Who stars in season 3 of 5 thriller?

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This article contains discussion of suicide that some readers may find distressing.

Season 3 of The Teacher explores the feud between the titular educator and one of her students.

According to an official description, veteran teacher Helen Simpson, who has been teaching for three decades, doesn’t agree with what she sees as the current progressive beliefs of younger people.

Cressida Bancroft, a popular and well-respected student, is upset with Helen for falsely labeling her as overly concerned with social justice issues in an attempt to become more popular.

When another student tragically passed away, I realized Helen wasn’t just battling to keep her job anymore – she was fighting for her very survival. It felt like everything was on the line for her.

Victoria Hamilton, who plays Helen, said she was thrilled to delve into a topic that feels very relevant today, and she hadn’t seen it examined so thoroughly or from this particular angle before.

We’re exploring the communication gap between generations and how misunderstandings happen. As a parent of teenagers, I really appreciate seeing a story that honestly portrays this breakdown in communication, because I believe it’s a real issue.

Hamilton will be acting with rising star Alice Grant in the new series, as well as several well-known actors and some new ones you might not have seen before.

Read on for the full cast rundown.

The Teacher season 3 cast

  • Victoria Hamilton as Helen Simpson
  • Steve Edge as Terry Simpson
  • Rochenda Sandall as Tessa Stewart
  • Alice Grant as Cressida Bancroft
  • Olly Rhodes as Sam Simpson
  • Peter Ash as Sebastian Blake
  • Navin Chowdry as Simon Cookson
  • Ellis Jupiter as Dee Rainford-Thomas
  • Shak Benjamin as Leo Dalton
  • Malek Alkoni as Miles Crawford
  • Natalie Gavin as DS O’Brien

Keep reading to learn more about the characters and the actors who play them, including where you might recognize them from.

Victoria Hamilton plays Helen Simpson

Helen Simpson is an experienced drama teacher with over three decades in education. She recently became head of the drama department at her boarding school. However, she faces a challenge from a direct student who points out when Helen misuses their pronouns, leading to a tense and escalating conflict.

You probably recognize Victoria Hamilton from shows like Unforgotten, COBRA, The Crown, Doctor Foster, and Lark Rise to Candleford. She’s appeared in many other projects as well.

Alice Grant plays Cressida Bancroft

Cressida Bancroft is a popular and assertive student. She develops a dislike for Helen after accusing her of trying to gain attention and using progressive beliefs for social media validation. Instead of confronting Helen directly, Cressida asks another student to share her negative opinions.

What else has Alice Grant been in? You might have watched her in Mary & George.

Steve Edge plays Terry Simpson

Terry Simpson is Helen’s husband, and he’s going through a difficult time. According to sources, he’s working to overcome personal issues and repair his life. He recently experienced a mental breakdown, which has strained his relationship with Helen, from whom he is separated.

“He’s not happy with the way she dealt with it, but she has her own demons too.”

Besides The Madame Blanc Mysteries and Benidorm, Steve Edge has appeared in other shows and films. Those are likely his most well-known roles, but he has a wider body of work.

Rochenda Sandall plays Tessa Stewart

Who is Tessa Stewart? One of Helen’s colleagues, described by Sandall as “a very modern teacher”.

She’s passionate about understanding the political views of young people and how they think. Students feel comfortable talking to her because she’s open-minded, non-judgmental, and welcomes any topic of conversation.

Rochenda Sandall is also known for her roles in shows like Line of Duty, Amandaland, The Rig, and the UK version of Criminal.

Olly Rhodes plays Sam Simpson

Sam Simpson is the son of Helen and Terry. He currently lives on campus with his mother. He recently transferred to Cheetham Hall due to personal issues, but is now experiencing online bullying.

Besides his current work, Olly Rhodes has also acted in shows like Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road.

Peter Ash plays Sebastian Blake

Sebastian Blake is a candidate for Helen’s position. He expressed a desire to help students and update the curriculum, suggesting a move away from traditional Shakespearean studies.

Peter Ash is most famous for his role in Coronation Street, but he’s also been in Footballers’ Wives.

Ellis Jupiter plays Dee Rainford-Thomas

Dee Rainford-Thomas was a non-binary student who struggled with vulnerability. Following a disagreement with Helen, Dee was held against their will by Cressida and Helen. Tragically, Dee later died by suicide.

What else has Ellis Jupiter been in? This is their first major role.

Shak Benjamin plays Leo Dalton

Who is Leo Dalton? Dee’s best friend. Leo and Helen’s son Sam grow close following their death.

What else has Shak Benjamin been in? He has appeared in Sex Education.

Additional cast includes:

  • Navin Chowdry (EastEnders) plays Simon Cookson – the headmaster. He organises a meeting among the teachers to “establish a support network for the students”.
  • Malek Alkoni (The Crow Girl) plays Miles Crawford – one of Helen’s students.
  • Natalie Gavin (Passenger) plays DS O’Brien – the detective leading the investigation following Dee’s death.

If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans are available around the clock, every day. You can reach them for free by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org, or visiting their website to find a local branch.

Season 3 of The Teacher starts on Monday, March 30th at 9pm. The final three episodes will air on the following three nights, and all episodes will be available to stream from 10pm onwards.

Don’t miss out! Add ‘The Teacher’ to your watchlist on the TopMob app – download it now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor at TopMob, where she writes about TV dramas and comedies. Before joining TopMob, 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.

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2026-03-30 21:35