Cooper & Fry on Channel 5: Cast of eerie new crime drama led by Rob James-Collier and Mandip Gill
It's a relatively small cast, but it's definitely quality over quantity
Cooper & Fry is our new favourite detective drama, and it lands on Channel 5 this week with Rob James-Collier leading the cast in his first leading man role.
The series introduces DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry, a “chalk and cheese” team who must investigate a string of mysterious deaths in the “mystery-shrouded Peak District”.
The brilliantly quirky four-part crime drama is based on the bestselling novels by Stephen Booth. The writer infused local folklore in each story. As well as eight hours of quality escapism, there’s a cast of character you can really get behind.
Here’s everything you need to know about the who plays who in the main cast of Cooper & Fry on Channel 5.
Rob James-Collier is DC Ben Cooper in Cooper & Fry cast
Who is DC Ben Cooper in Cooper & Fry?
DC Ben Cooper is described as an “affable local police office in Edendale”. Talking about his character, actor Rob James-Collier said: “He’s genuinely a nice guy. Ben has a backstory, too. He’s trying to find out who’s behind the horrific murder of his dad, who was a well-known police officer.”
However, after nearly five years researching his father’s death, he’s burnt out and has almost given up. He’s exhausted every avenue in his investigation. Until his new partner DC Diane Fry shows up, that is!
What is Rob James-Collier famous for?
Salford-born actor Robert James-Collier, 49, leads the cast as DC Ben Cooper. And it’s his first “out-and-out lead” role.
Soap fans will know Rob for playing the incredibly popular Liam Connor from 2006 to 2008. It was a life-changing role for the actor, who had first appeared on our screens the year before playing Nick Christy in Pauline Quirke sitcom Down to Earth.
Rob cemented himself as a TV fave when he took on the role of love-to-hate villain Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey. He played the role in all six series from 2010 to 2015, as well as the subsequent spin-off films.
Other stand-out roles include Kevin O’Dowd in The Level, Martin Evershed in Ackley Bridge, and Saul Silva in Fate: The Winx Saga. More recently, he appeared in The Inheritance, The Long Shadow, and Generation Z.
Rob, who is married to boutique owner Lauren Chandiram and has a teenager called Milo, said he got in shape for the role of Ben Cooper.
He said: “I worked out and went on a mad diet, a regime I called The Shred. I think it’s manifested on the screen. Ben Cooper may have the best set of cheekbones in TV detective history. I’ve not seen any better. With the stunning Mandip Gill, we make one of the most beautiful detective partnerships in the history of TV and film.”
Mandip Gill stars as DC Diane Fry
Who is DC Diane Fry?
Guarded newcomer DC Diane Fry arrived at Edendale’s police force shrouded in mystery. Newly transferred from Leeds, the accomplished city cop clearly has something to hide – most likely her past, or whoever Dave is who keep ringing her. Describing her character, actress Mandip Gill said: “She’s very sharp, street wise, by the book. And, most of all, sceptical of the folklore which Cooper has grown up with.”
Mandip Gill’s other TV shows
Leeds-born Mandip Gill, 37, portrays the initially frosty Diane in the cast of Cooper & Fry. The actress first came to fame playing Phoebe Jackson – later McQueen – in the C4 soap Hollyoaks. It was a role she portrayed from 2012, which was her first ever appearance on the small screen.
After leaving in 2015 after three years, Mandip subsequently appeared in Doctors, The Good Karma Hospital, and Love, Lies and Records opposite Shetland’s Ashley Jensen.
In 2018, she won her biggest role to date playing Yasmin Khan in Doctor Who, a character she played for four year until 2022. More recently, she starred as Sarah in Curfew.
Mandip will soon appear in the Dawn French comedy Can You Keep a Secret? The story centres around a retired couple who fake a death to collect an insurance payout.
Lorcan Cranitch is DI Paul Hitchens in Cooper & Fry cast
Who is DI Paul Hitchens?
DI Paul Hitchens works for Edendale Police, and is Cooper and Fry’s superior. As DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry investigate some increasingly disturbing crimes, they are helped by DS Todd Eland and DI Paul Hitchens. Although Eland is morally ambiguous, Hitchens seems to be an honourable guy, and praises the new detective duo for working so well together in episode 1.
What has Lorcan Cranitch been in before?
Dublin-born actor Lorcan Cranitch, 66, portrays DI Paul Hitchens in Cooper & Fry. And it’s not the first time he’s played a copper, far from it! He played DCS Jackie Twomey in Bloodlands, Detective Superintendent Howlett in Bad Sisters, Commissioner Stevens in The Crown, and Colin McGrath in Silent Witness.
Lorcan is probably best known for playing Sean Dillon in the BBC series Ballykissangel, or DS Jimmy Beck opposite Robbie Coltrane’s Cracker.
In 2001, he played the leading role of Michael McCready in detective drama McCready and Daughter, before going on to play DCI Frank Keane in The Bill. Lorcan played Erastes Fulmen in the globally acclaimed series Rome, and went on to play Jonty Roberts in The Palace, Simon Manning in Paradox, and DI Littlejohn in Fortitude.
Other notable roles include Cilix in Atlantis, Adam in Rig 45, and Sir Magnus Pye in Moonflower Murders prequel Magpie Murders.
More recently, Lorcan portrayed Harry Bradley in the always-brilliant Blue Lights, and Sergeant Reid in Trespasses.
Barry O’Connor stars as DS Todd Eland
Who is DS Todd Eland in the cast of Cooper & Fry?
DS Todd Eland works for Edendale Police, and works alongside Cooper and Fry. As DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry investigate a worrying amount of crime in a small town, they are helped by DS Todd Eland and DI Paul Hitchens. First impressions of DS Eland is that he is morally ambiguous, and not to be trusted. In fact, one might say his behaviour towards newbie Diane is verging on predatory.
Barry O’Connor’s TV shows
Like his co-star Lorcan, Barry O’Connor is also from Dublin. You might not be surprised when we tell you the series was actually filmed in Ireland, not the Peak District.
Barry plays a great creep, and famously portrayed the killer in Shetland series 8. He murdered his own daughter Ellen in a fit of rage and humiliation, after finding out he wasn’t her biological father.
He’s also known for playing Tom Callaghan in Red Rock, a crime drama based around a busy Dublin Garda station. Other notable roles include Big Paul in On Home Ground, Cathal Mills in Dublin Murders, and Jason in Normal People. Barry has even popped up Down Under in Neighbours, playing Jason in 2022.
More recently, he’s played Lord Clon Rockenby in The Faceless Lady, Trevor Boyd in crime drama Harry Wild, and Colonel Daniel Morgan in Outlander.
Charlotte Bradley portrays Isobel Cooper in the cast of Cooper & Fry on Channel 5
Who is Isobel Cooper in Cooper & Fry?
Isobel Cooper is Ben’s alcoholic mum. It’s been five years since Ben’s dad was killed in the line of duty, and both mother and son have struggled to get over the death in different ways. When not finding solace in alcohol, Isobel is a clairvoyant, medium, and tarot card reader who believes she can contact spirits beyond the grave.
What is Charlotte Bradley?
Actress Charlotte Bradley is another Dubliner and is best known for her work across TV, film and theatre. She won the 2005 Irish Film & Television Award (IFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Film, for her performance in The Boys from County Clare in 2003. In 2015, she was nominated for the IFTA Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama for her performance in The Gift.
She’s been on TV since 1994, and is probably best known for playing Helen King on On Home Ground, Detective Dolores Quirke in Proof, and Mary McCann in Titanic: Blood and Steel.
More recently, she played Aunty Rita in coming of age comedy The Dry, CS Flynn in Irish crime drama Borderline, and Ella Bolmaro in Arctic Circle.
Niamh McCann plays Tracey Garnett
Who is Tracey Garnett?
Tracey Garnett works in Edendale police force, and is a genuine ray of sunshine. She is the only officer who really welcomes Diane when she first arrives, and doesn’t seem suspicious of her reasons for leaving Leeds. She’s always helpful, and the sort of colleague you’d want as a work bestie.
What has Niamh McCann been in before?
Irish actress Niamh McCann is best known for playing Grace Wilson in the medical drama River City. She starred in drama – set in a close-knit Glasgow community – in 2015.
She played Nina Webster in the second series of Channel 5 thriller The Teacher, before going on to play Siobhan in the rather baffling drama The Listeners.
Other notable roles include Annette in The House Across the Street, and Dolly in The Rainmaker.
She also plays Maura in the animation Little Roy.
Clara Simpson is Dr Juliana Taylor in the cast of Cooper & Fry
Who is Dr Juliana Taylor in Cooper & Fry?
Cooper and Fry rely heavily on Dr Juliana Taylor in the Channel 5 detective drama. She is the pathologist who is often first on the scene of the crime, and the first to examine a body. She is a key member of the investigative team, providing crucial forensic evidence in investigations.
What is Clara Simpson famous for?
Irish-born actress Clara Simpson has worked on both UK and French TV. But has actually chosen to appear in very little since her first role in 1993, when she played Mademoiselle Betty in the French TV movie Le bal.
She played Madame Simpson in French police drama Research Unit in 2013, and Zélie Bookmans in The Reunion, which was also French-speaking.
Full cast list for Cooper & Fry:
Rob James-Collier plays Ben Cooper.
Mandip Gill stars as Diane Fry.
Lorcan Cranitch is DI Paul Hitchens.
Barry O’Connor stars as DS Todd Eland.
Charlotte Bradley portrays Isobel Cooper.
Niamh McCann plays Tracey Garnett.
Clara Simpson is Dr Juliana Taylor.
Episode one guest cast:
Showtrial’s Emer Heatley plays Danielle Entwhistle.
Clean Sweep’s Grace Collender portrays Cara Doyle.
The Clinic’s Eamon Rohan is Raymond Carlisle.
The Gumdrops Conor Hackett stars as Alex Barcroft.
Ukrainian actor Sergey Dzialyk – star of Toptun – plays Nikolai Dudzik.
Harry Wild’s Paul Tylak portrays Roy Palfreyman.
