After the Flood series 2 cast includes real-life married couple Sophie Rundle and Matt Stokoe
This time, Jo is battling fire, corruption and a killer...
After the Flood returns to ITV with a long-awaited series 2 after the success of the first episodes in 2024, and fans will see many of our favourites return in the cast.
As the name suggests, series 1 dealt with a devastating flood in the fictional Yorkshire town of Waterside. This time around, DC Joanna Marshall and those around her face a destructive fire on the Moors.
The six-part mystery drama sees Gentleman Jack actress Sophie Rundle return to lead the cast, alongside her real-life husband Matt Stokoe, and fan favourites Lorraine Ashbourne, and Philip Glenister.
After the Flood series 2 finds newly promoted detective Jo Marshall on the trail of a baffling new murder investigation. As tensions simmer in Waterside amid the rising threat of moorland fires and the subsequent risk of further flooding, a body is discovered in truly bizarre circumstances.
Jo’s race to stop the killer brings her into direct conflict with powerful and influential forces within the town, ultimately drawing her into an investigation that becomes deeply personal. One that will require her to operate in secret if she is to have any hope of rooting out the corruption that has blighted the town’s police force – and her own family – for decades.
Here’s everything you need to know about the cast of After the Flood series 2 on ITV1…
After the Flood series 2 cast: Sophie Rundle returns as DC Joanna Marshall
Jo Marshall returns from maternity leave to her new role as detective. Jo has separated from Pat after the explosive events of series 1, when she discovered Pat was in Mackie’s pocket. Meanwhile, she’s shielding her mum Molly from the revelations about Mackie and her dead father, Bren.
Bucks-born Sophie, 39, is well known to TV viewers. After all, she’s starred in some of the biggest hits of recent years, including Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and Gentleman Jack. Sophie played Ada Thorne, née Shelby, in all six series of drama Peaky Blinders. She starred alongside Cillian Murphy, who played her character’s brother, the crime boss Tommy Shelby.
Gentleman Jack fans will know Sophie as Ann Walker, the love interest (and later wife) of protagonist Anne Lister. She also played Vicky Budd in Jed Mercurio political thriller Bodyguard in 2018.
Then there was her significant role in Jamestown, Sky’s answer to a British Western, which told the story of settlers in the New World. The show ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2019. She played Alice Sharrow, and met her husband to be Matt Stokoe during filming (see below).
Her role in Happy Valley was short-lived but pivotal. She played Kirsten McAskill, who was murdered by Tommy Lee Royce when he repeatedly drove over her. The death crushed viewers and Sarah Lancashire’s character Catherine Cawood alike.
More recently, you might have seen Sophie in 2020 surrogacy drama The Nest, or as the titular role in political thriller The Diplomat. She also starred in the 2020 George Clooney film The Midnight Sky. Other film roles include Great Expectations, Elizabeth is Missing, The Face of an Angel, and Rose.
Nicholas Gleaves plays Sergeant Phil Mackie
Bolton-born actor Nicholas Gleaves, 57, stars as Jo’s boss and surrogate father figure, Sergeant Phil Mackie. That was until she discovered he was as bent as a paperclip in series 1. Viewers will remember that Phil Mackie worked closely with Jo’s dad Bren, who was also possibly corrupt. In series 2, Jo and Pat work together to expose Mackie.
Also known as Nick, the actor has been on our screens since 1992 when he first appeared as Carl in Boon. Since then, he’s popped up in a multitude of TV series including Casualty, The Bill, Faith, and Soldier, Soldier. In 1997, he won the significant role of PC Rudy Whiteside in Wokenwell. Of course, he then landed the role of Rick Powell in the popular series Playing the Field, which ran from 1998 to 2002 – and also starred his now wife Lesley Sharp!
He went on to play Eddie in Being April, Duncan in The Queen’s Nose, and Ray Fairburn in Conviction. Other significant roles include DS Gary Tate in City Lights, Tom Bedford in The Chase, Oliver in Murderland, James Whitaker in Survivors, and Richard Whitman in Waterloo Road.
Between 2011 and 2012, Nicholas portrayed DS Andy Roper in Scott and Bailey, again alongside his real life wife Lesley Sharp. After minor roles in Cold Feet, Death in Paradise, The Split, and Midsomer Murders, the actor took on the role of Roger Penhaligon in Bodyguard.
Of course, Coronation Street fans will know Nicholas Gleaves as Duncan Radfield in the ITV soap, a role he played from 2018 to 2019.
More recently, he’s played Allen Feraday in The Bombing of Pan Am 103, and Tony in Riot Women.
Philip Glenister portrays Jack Radcliffe
Well known actor Philip Glenister, 62, returns as down-on-his-luck property developer Jack Radcliffe in the cast of After the Flood series 2. He’s also Molly’s have-a-go love interest.
TV viewers will know him from a career crammed with decades worth of great roles. Middlesex-born Philip is probably best known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt in BBC One’s Life on Mars, a role he played from 2006 to 2007. He also appeared in its sequel Ashes to Ashes from 2008 to 2010. The first series told the story of Sam Tyler (John Simm), a man who accidentally time travels to 1973 to discover he still has the same job, in the same place, now with chauvinistic boss.
The character returned again in Ashes to Ashes, alongside Keeley Hawes as Alex Drake. Philip later reunited with John Simm for 2011 psychological thriller Mad Dogs, and 2014 mini-series Prey, which received a BAFTA nomination.
Philip has also starred in David Walliams’ sitcom Big School in 2013, supernatural horror Outcast, and 19th century-set historical drama Belgravia.
Most recently, Philip played DCI Paul Bethell in the Welsh drama Steeltown Murders, and Arthur Wakefield in Bergerac. His film work includes 2003’s Calendar Girls, Bel Ami in 2012, and Kingdom of Heaven in 2005.
After the Flood series 2 cast: Lorraine Ashbourne is Jo’s mum Molly Marshall
Acclaimed actress Lorraine Ashbourne, 65, portrays Jo’s mother Molly in the cast of After the Flood series 2. She’s now Councillor for Waterside as well as being Grandma to baby Eve.
Lorraine is well known to TV fans from her acting career which spans more than three decades. We loved her as Mrs Varley in Bridgerton on Netflix. She has also starred as Barbara Castle in The Crown, DI Tessa Nixon in Unforgotten, and Lace Polly in Jericho.
Manchester-born Lorraine’s many other roles include Playing the Field, Clocking Off, The Syndicate, Cheat, Jericho, and Vera. In She played DI Rachel Klein in the Coup de Grace episodes in 2014.
Other acclaimed roles include Daphne Sparrow in the brilliant Sherwood, a role she reprised in series 2. She’s also played Karen in I Hate Suzie, Joan in comedy Alma’s Not Normal, and Michelle Lafferty in Silent Witness two-hander My Sister’s Keeper.
More recently, Lorraine played drummer Jess in Riot Women. Lorraine’s fans will know her husband and son are famous too… She’s married to actor Andy Serkis, and their son Louis Ashbourne Serkis starred in 2025 drama Wild Cherry.
After the Flood cast on ITV: Faye McKeever stars as Kelly Kamali
Faye McKeever, 40, returns as Kelly in the cast of After the Flood series 2. She recently portrayed Tanya Helsby in the cast of BBC One’s hard-hitting prison drama Time, and Erica in Adolescence.
She’s perhaps best known for playing Linda in the comedy Trollied, but she’s no stranger to a gritty drama. In 2017, she played Petra Jamieson in the Shannon Matthews-inspired BBC drama The Moorside in 2017. Then three years later, she made an appearance in ITV’s harrowing series Des in 2020.
More recently, Manchester-born Faye portrayed Alison in BBC’s The Reckoning – which was about disgraced paedophile Jimmy Saville. She also played Jodie Sweeney in The Responder, Deborah Peach in A Confession, and Claire Olssen in Little Boy Blue.
Away from TV screens, she was also in a relationship with The Good Ship Murder star Shayne Ward. The pair struck up a romance in 2003, and got engaged in 2012. However two years later the pair called it quits.
Matt Stokoe plays Jo’s husband Pat Holman
Durham-born actor Matt Stokoe, 36, portrays Jo’s estranged husband Pat Holman in the cast of After the Flood series 2. And it won’t be much of a stretch, as the couple are together in real life!
Matt’s breakout role was as Alex in the Channel 4 series Misfits. His special power enabled him to remove the powers of others. He went on to portray teacher Gerard Eyre in The Village, and Captain Marcheaux in series three of The Musketeers.
In 2018, he starred as Luke in Jed Mercurio’s Bodyguard, opposite his future wife. He and Sophie also appeared together in the Sky One series Jamestown, and the film Rose, which was written by Matt.
In 2020, Matt played Gawain in the Netflix original series Cursed. More recently, he played the controversial role of Raoul Moat in the series The Hunt for Raoul Moat, and suspect Mark B. Warden in Grace.
After the Flood cast on ITV: Jacqueline Boatswain plays Sarah Mackie
Bedford-born actress Jacqueline Boatswain portrays local politician Sarah Mackie in the cast of After the Flood series 2. She’s married to the corrupt Phil Mackie.
Jacqueline is well respected for her work across theatre, TV and film. On TV, viewers might recognise her for playing Mima Blodwen in Carnival Row, Victoria in Wolfblood, and Patreesha St Rose in Shameless.
Grange Hill fans will know her for playing headmistress Mrs Bassinger in the long-running BBC school drama from 2003 to 2006. In 2015, Jacqueline Boatswain joined the cast of C4 soap Hollyoaks as regular cast member Simone Loveday, a role she left in 2019.
Most recently, she popped up in an episode of The Good Ship Murder, and played Elaine Simms in The Diplomat opposite After the Flood co-star Sophie Rundle! She also played the Prime Minister in Red Eye series 2.
After the Flood series 2 cast: Matthew McNulty plays Xav Palmer
Matthew McNulty joins the cast of After the Flood series 2 as Xav Palmer. On first appearances, Xav is a happy-go-lucky charmer with an eye for the ladies. But he’s mixed up in something dangerous, and meets Jo in suspicious circumstances.
German-born Matthew, 43, most recently played Arj in the Jenna Coleman thriller The Jetty which came out in 2024. But he’s a face that fits many characters, and has been on our screens for 25 years.
Misfit fans will know him as Seth in the bonkers C4 comedy drama, and he’s also no stranger to period dramas having appeared in Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford, The Mill, and The Paradise.
However, he’s arguably best known for playing Lucien Grimaud in The Musketeers, Lt. Edward Little in The Terror, and Nicholas Mooney in The Bay. Other notable roles include Steve Campbell in Deadwater Fell, Dave in Cleaning Up, and Guillaume in Versailles.
More recently, Matthew played Gaius in Domina, and Tom Rees in The Rising.
Jill Halfpenny portrays DS Sam Bradley
Actress Jill Halfpenny joins the cast of After the Flood as DS Sam Bradley. She’s the new DS who’s recently transferred to Waterside from Newcastle.
If you’re partial to a bonkers Channel 5 thriller like us, then you’ll know that Jill has recently appeared in several series including The Feud, The Drowning, The Holiday, and Cuckoo.
Jill began her acting career at the age of 14, when she played Nicola Dobson in the BBC One children’s drama Byker Grove. She went on to star in Peak Practice, Dalziel and Pascoe, Heartbeat, and Coronation Street.
However, Jill is probably most famous for her role of Kate Mitchell in EastEnders – a police officer sent to spy on Phil Mitchell. She went on to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, and won the competition with professional Darren Bennett.
Jill starred as drama teacher Izzie Redpath in Waterloo Road, Emma in Mount Pleasant, and Davina in Babylon. In 2019, she portrayed mum Sam in Dark Money, who is horrified to discover her son has been sexually molested. She also starred as Jennifer Robertson in Liar.
In 2024, Jill Halfpenny played Ann Fletcher in Alibi’s eerie drama The Red King. Her many stage roles have included Roxie Hart in the West End musical Chicago. She also played Roisin in Everything I Know About Love, and Doreen Hill in the crime drama The Long Shadow, based on the devastating crimes of Peter Sutcliffe.
In 2026, Jill is playing mum Eve in the Paramount+ thriller Girl Taken.
Alun Armstrong stars as Alan Benson
Alun Armstrong joins the cast of After the Flood series 2 as Alan Benson, a hugely successful businessman and the town’s most generous benefactor. It was Alan who swiftly responded to last year’s flooding and paid £10 million to have a flood wall built to protect Waterside. His business is scrutinised when a body – or two – turn up on his land.
County Durham-born Alun, 79, is well known to TV viewers and has been on our screens since the 60s. Having appeared in several period dramas including Bleak House, Little Dorrit, and Garrow’s Law, he went on to appear as Brian Lane in New Tricks. Alun starred opposite Amanda Redman for 10 years, between
He’s also famous for playing Clifford Bentley in Prime Suspect 1973, Lord Benton in Frontier, and Jim in Breeders. In 2022, he portrayed the murder victim Gary Jackson in the sublime series Sherwood.
After the Flood series 2 cast: Ian Puleston-Davies plays Tony Rower
Ian Puleston-Davies portrays Tony Rower in the cast of After the Flood series 2. Tony is a town councillor, so most of his storyline is with Lorraine Ashbourne’s character, Molly. Being a town councillor, he’s right in the thick of things, involved with all the flood risks and aware of the murders that have happened in the town.
Of course, soap fans will know Ian best for playing Owen Armstrong in Coronation Street, but he’s been acting for nearly four decades.
Early roles included small parts in Boon, Brookside and Grange Hill. From 1995 to 1996, he played Terry Williams in Hollyoaks. Two years later, in 1998, he popped up in nine episodes of EastEnders as Jimmy.
He’s worked extensively as a jobbing actor in TV shows including The Bill, Conviction, Funland and Vincent. Ian also played Charlie Fisher in Waterloo Road, Peter Cullen in Marcella, Mick O’Callaghan in A Confession, and Frank Jackson in Tin Star.
Ian, 65, also starred in the doomed ITV series Viewpoint, and he is the voice of King Thistle in the surreal CBeebies show Ben & Hollys Little Kingdom.
More recently, Ian played Karl Turner MP in Four Lives, Professor Phil Scraton in Anne, and the villain in The Teacher. He also popped up as DI Philip Mays in Silent Witness, Terry McGregor in The Bay, and Eric in The Responder. DI Ray fans will know the Welsh actor as Supt Ross Beardsmore.
Jenny Platt stars as Donna Rower
Suffolk-born Jenny Platt, 46, appears as Tony’s daughter, but she’s also dating Xav Palmer.
Coronation Street fans will know actress Jenny for playing Violet Wilson in the long-running soap, a role she has portrayed on and off between 2004 and 2024. Her character became pregnant with Jamie Baldwin’s baby. In 2024, she returned for a dark bullying storyline involving her son Dylan Wilson, her son with Sean Tully.
Jenny met her future husband on the set of the soap. She married Rupert Hill in 2013. Viewers will know Rupert played Jamie Baldwin in the soap, and he recently popped up in Whitstable Pearl.
The actress is also known for portraying Jeanne in Versailles, Emma Williams in The Bay, and Rose Massey in Waterloo Bay.
Who else stars in the cast of After the Flood series 2?
Elsewhere, actress Tripti Tripuraneni portrays Deepa Das who is flourishing in the uniform team. Tripti is a relative newcomer to our screens. In fact, her role in After the Flood is her fourth TV appearance. She previously played Carol in one episode of Temple in 2019, Leena Minhas in Casualty the same year, and Helaena’s Nurse in House of the Dragon in 2022.
Also in the cast are:
Ridley’s George Bukhari as Kelly’s husband Keith.
Jesus: Crown of Thorns’ Heider Ali returns as Det Jawad Babak.
Goodness Gracious Me’s Anil Desai as DCI Ravi Balsara.
Doctor Who’s Steph de Whalley as Harriet Benson.
Roger Morlidge – aka Head Teacher Mr Griffin in Coronation Street – as Geoff Dixon.
Goya’s Ghosts star Lola Brown as Izza.
Marcella and Showtrial’s Natalie Armin as teacher Layal.
After the Flood series 1 star Maui Connock returns as Sophie Kamali.
Home Fires’ Oliver Nelson as Declan Rower.
Waterloo Road and Gentleman Jack star Leo Flanagan as Finn Allen.
The Office’s Jason Walsh as Todd Drake.
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