Silent Witness series 29: Cast of Shame Part 1 and 2 includes Norwegian Wisting star, and Hornblower actor
Nikki, Jack, Harriet and Kit investigate the apparent suicide of a British-Chinese pro-democracy activist
Silent Witness series 29 comes to a dramatic ending with a gripping new story, and a guest cast packed with famous faces – so who plays who in Shame Part 1 and 2?
This week (Monday, March 02, 2026), Nikki, Jack, Harriet and Kit must navigate complex international tensions as they investigate the apparent suicide of a British-Chinese pro-democracy activist. But, of course, this is no suicide.
Nikki subsequently uncovers evidence that the woman was already dead before she supposedly drowned herself. There’s also proof that she may have had a price on her head by the Hong Kong government, who viewed her as a threat to national security.
In Tuesday’s part two, the case takes an unexpected turn with the death of a second victim. When Nikki follows up further evidence, she soon finds herself in danger…
Here’s a breakdown of who plays who in the guest cast of Silent Witness series 29 episodes 9 and 10, also known as Shame Part 1 and 2.
John Heffernan stars as Alex Burns
Essex-born John Heffernan, 44, guest stars as Alex Burns in the cast of Silent Witness’ penultimate and final episodes. Anybody else think he looks like the love child of The Trip friends Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon?!
The actor made his very first TV appearance in a 2007 episode of Holby Blue. He later went on to star in The Archers, Casualty 1901, and The Hollow Crown.
In 2013, John portrayed Ashley Roehampton in the Alison Steadman comedy drama Love & Marriage. The series also starred the lady now destined to be known for a “nervous” fart – The Traitors’ Celia Imrie.
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He went on to play Ronald Capshaw in Ripper Street, Lascelles in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and Steven Rose in Luther. John subsequently portrayed Jaggers in period drama Dickensian. In the novel Great Expectations, Mr Jaggers is the lawyer whose clients include Miss Havisham and Pip.
Other notable TV roles include Dr Simon Marr in The Loch, Lord Altrincham in The Crown, and the Duke of Somerset in Becoming Elizabeth. More recently, John has portrayed Commander Bentley in This Town, and Bishop in A Gentleman in Moscow.
He’s also known for his work in theatre. John has worked with the English Touring Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the National Theatre. On film, he’s appeared in King Lear, Crooked House, The Banishing, The Duke, and Official Secrets.
Silent Witness series 29 Shame Part 1 and 2 cast: Sean Gilder plays DI Fred Casey
Brampton-born Sean Gilder, 61, plays DI Fred Casey in Silent Witness tonight. Although he plays a copper in the forensic drama, he’s famous for playing intimidating criminal Paddy Maguire in Channel 4’s Shameless. He portrayed Paddy between 2005 and 2010.
But it’s his role as Styles in the Hornblower films that he’s often remembered for. He first played the role of the Horatio Hornblower’s loyal sea mate in the 1998 TV movie Hornblower: The Even Chance opposite Ioan Gruffudd. Sean reprised the role in the subsequent sequels The Examination for Lieutenant, The Duchess and the Devil, The Frogs and the Lobsters, Retribution, Loyalty, and Duty.
Other notable roles include Steve Carroll in the Robson Green crime drama Touching Evil, Joseph Poorgrass in Far from the Madding Crowd, DS Mark ‘Chewy’ Cheweski in State of Play, and Robert Beatty in The Shadow Line.
The actor has actually appeared in Silent Witness before, too. In 2015, Sean played Jim Clout in series 18’s Sniper’s Nest. He went on to portray Wulfhere in The Last Kingdom, Marshall Franklin Ostow in Penny Dreadful, CS George Harris in White House Farm, and Max Lane in Our Girl.</span>
Poldark fans will know him as Tholly Tregirls. More recently, Sean has appeared in Sherwood, The Gold, Mary & George, Passenger, and Slow Horses.
In real life, he’s known for being married to The Inbetweeners actress Robin Weaver.
Lars Berge stars as Bendik Voss
Norwegian actor Lars Berge joins the cast of Bendik Voss. And, yes, we think he looks a bit like Paul Mescal, too!
He’s largely known for his roles in Norway, and has appeared in Norweigan dramas including One Night, Magnus, Evy & Alltid, DNA, Exit, and Basic Bitch.
Between 2019 and 2025, Lars has played police detective Benjamin Fjeld in the Nordic Noir Wisting. The Norwegian-language crime drama series follows homicide detective William Wisting as he struggles with the toughest cases of his career. The police procedural proved so popular it now has five series, so Lars should feel right at home in Silent Witness!
Lucy Cohu stars as Helen Garnett
Wiltshire-born Lucy Cohu, 57, stars as Helen Garnett in the cast of Silent Witness this week. She’s been on our screens for more than 30 years, and you might not recognise her out of a corset! The actress is probably best known for her multiple roles in period dramas, including Gosford Park (2001), Becoming Jane (2007) and The Queen’s Sister (2005).
Other notable roles include Maj Jessica Bailey in Soldier Soldier, the leading role of Amelia Marchant in the 2000 series Reach for the Moon, Philippa Manson in The Bill, and Valerie Welling in Bombshell. In 2007, Lucy starred as Evelyn Brogan in the David Morrissey drama Cape Wrath.
Broadchurch fans might remember her as Tess Henchard, a role she played in 2015. She went on to appear in Ripper Street as Deborah Green, before playing Miriam Petrukhin in Summer Rockets.
More recently, Lucy has played Christine de Sevigny in Dangerous Liaisons, Rachel Sutherland in COBRA, and Esme in Domino Day. In 2025, the actress portrayed Cecilia in the Sky Original drama Amadeus.
In real life, she was previously married to US actor Corey Johnson, star of The Day of the Jackal.
Silent Witness series 29 Shame Part 1 and 2 cast: Ayesha Dharker plays Professor Asha Banerjee
Indian-born actress Ayesha Dharker, 47, plays bufotoxin-expert Professor Asha Banerjee. She appears in the final episode, and provides Nikki with some vital information about the hallucinogenic.
After starting out on Indian TV as a teenager, Ayesha made her name in British films including the 2002 Meera Syal comedy drama Anita and Me. That same year, she famously portrayed Queen Jamillia in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Jamillia was the the Queen of Naboo.
Tara Mandal in Coronation Street. Tara was one of Dev Alahan’s many love interests. She dated him after he broke off an affair with Tara’s mother Nina – but it didn’t end well. Tara and Dev split up when Dev cheated on Tara with her father‘s accountant Lisa Dalton. Tara subsequently took revenge by unveiling a massive nude photograph of him at the Victoria Court flats in front of a crowd of onlookers.
Ayesha went on to portray Kamini Sharma in The Indian Doctor from 2010 to 2013, and Nina Karnik in Holby City. Nina was a consultant general surgeon who served as Holby City Hospital‘s medical director in 2017. Other notable roles include Tanvi in Finding Alice, Mrs Alice Murkherjee in Critical, and Sunni Khadir in Cutting It.
More recently, Ayesha portrayed Dr Sarai in the award-winning film The Father starring Anthony Hopkins.
Liela Mimmack is Elsa Kania
Warwickshire-born actress Liela Mimmack briefly pops up as scientist Elsa Kania in the final episode. The 32-year-old is probably best known for playing Laura Campbell in the period drama Home Fires, a role she made her own between 2015 and 2016. She went on to play Marcia in the 2017 comedy drama LOve, Lies and Records, before portraying Tanya Rees in Doctors in 2020.
Liela has been on our screens ever since 2010 when she Gina in the romcom Married Single Other. She went on to appear in episodes of EastEnders, and The Bill before portraying Christa in 2011’s vampire series Becoming Human.
Other notable roles include Dita in Inside Men, Caitlin/Hattie in Mayday, Paula Simms in Frankie, and Rowenna Napier in Midwinter of the Spirit. She’s actually been in Silent Witness before, playing Lana Sutherland in the 2015 episodes Falling Angels Part 1 and 2.
More recently, she’s popped up in single episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, Murder in Provence, The Couple Next Door, and Casualty. This is her first TV role since 2024.
Full guest cast list of Silent Witness episodes 9 and 10, entitled Shame:
Sean Gilder plays DI Fred Casey.
John Heffernan is Alex Burns.
Lars Berge stars as Bendik Voss.
Lucy Cohu stars as Helen Garnett.
Ayesha Dharker plays Professor Asha Banerjee.
Liela Mimmack is Elsa Kania.
Supreme Tweeter actor Harry Kershaw portrays Pike George.
Ellena Vincent – aka Emily Wilkinson in Coronation Street – guest stars as DS Dawn Hayman.
Silos’ Angela Yeoh is Jackie Hiu Wai Li.
Brazilian-born star of The Wright Turn Eduardo Muniz plays Rodrigo Da Silva.
Chimerica’s Quanna Luo Masterson plays Linda.
Newcomer Sunny Chung portrays Mei Li.
3 Body Problem’s Benjamin Jia is Deng.
Casualty star Juliet Garricks plays the coroner.
Father Brown’s Pepa Duarte is the ‘woman in video’.
Read more: ‘Beautiful city’ where Silent Witness is now set and filmed, and why it moved from London
