The Good Ship Murder series 3: Cast of episode 7 welcomes Line of Duty's most divisive star ever
Jack has a bent copper on his hands!
The Good Ship Murder series 3 continues with a hedonistic visit to Ibiza, and a very familiar TV villain guest stars in the cast of episode 7.
This week (Tuesday, February 10, 2026), two old flames reunite in the nightclub where they first kissed some 20 years previously. While Alex is on a lads holiday with his lairy mate Gary, his former lover Lucia now co-owns the club. But their surprising reunion turns into a nightmare when Lucia’s slimy business associate, Rico, is murdered by being pushed off the balcony of the club.
Of course, seafaring sleuth’s Jack and Kate are on the case to investigate the crime and uncover the identity of the killer. And they aren’t short of suspects…
Meanwhile, in the wake of learning about Marlowe’s illness, Jack remains at odds with Kate. But he can’t stay mad with her for long and the pair eventually reach a new understanding…
Here’s who plays who in the guest cast of The Good Ship Murder series 3 episode 7.
Nigel Boyle guest stars as Gary Banks
Birmingham-born actor Nigel Boyle, 41, joins the cast of The Good Ship Murder as Gary Banks. Gary is most definitely someone you would want to avoid at an office party, or any party for that matter. And that’s probably how Line of Duty fans feel about Nigel’s most famous TV character, too.
Of course, Nigel is best known for playing DSU Ian Buckells in the BBC One crime drama Line of Duty. He was revealed to be the infamous corrupt copper ‘H’ in series 06 in 2021. Not that fans were best pleased. Many were left disappointed that such a ‘meh’ character could have played such a vital role in organised crime.
A record-breaking 12.8m viewers tuned in as the seemingly hapless Buckells was exposed as the corrupt cop – or Fourth Man – pulling strings on behalf of organised crime. Talking about the big reveal at the time, the actor said: “I think it’s very well-written and thought-out. A rotten apple needn’t always be a mastermind. You don’t have to be a criminal genius to be bent. It can just be gross incompetence and people turning a blind eye.”
What else has Line of Duty star Nigel Boyle been in?
Before being catapulted into the limelight in Line of Duty, actor Nigel had been on our screens since 2006 when he popped up as John Hagan in Dream Team. He went on to appear in TV series such as Dalziel and Pascoe, Peep Show, Coronation Street, Home Fires, De infiltrant, The Feed, and Silent Witness.
More recently, Nigel has portrayed Dougie in Three Little Birds, Bill Burgess in Doctors, and Jim in the children’s series High Hoops.
In real life, he is married to actress Lainy Boyle, with whom he has two children. Coincidentally, Lainy has also appeared in The Good Ship Murder. She played Maria Southall in episode 3 of series 2.
Tania Watson plays Lucia Diaz
Actress and director Tania Watson plays Lucia Diaz in the cast of the Good Ship Murder series 3 episode 7. Lucia is a suspect in the death of Rico. She seems to have ample motive for wanting Rico out of the picture…
Spanish actress Tania has been on TV ever since she appeared in the Spanish language film La Isla Interior, aka The Island Inside. She went on to play Zoe in RDM: La Serie, Judit in La Sala, and Agente Udev 6 in The Minions of Midas.
Other notable roles have included Forense in Now and Then, Erika Fisher in The Head, and Marisol in gangster drama Hotel Cocaine.
Matt Kennard stars as Alex Staples
Grimsby-born Matt Kennard, 43, stars as Alex Staples. In an effort to protect his former flame Lucia, Alex himself actually turns himself in, confessing to the crime… But did he really do it?
The English actor is most famous for playing nurse Archie Hallam in the BBC soap Doctors. He’s played the role between 2007 and 2009. Archie was a former boyfriend of Melody Bell, but she dumped him when he ratted on her brother… Cheeky, playful, but with a serious streak, Archie could be judgemental and impetuous.
The character got in trouble for investigating a dodgy drugs trial, had an on going feud with Daniel Granger, and worried about Ruth Pearce’s state of mind. His last appearance was April 2009.
He has subsequently portrayed Craig O’Leary in Waterloo Road, Kirk Stoker in Emmerdale, and David Meyer in WPC 56. In 2018, Matt played Theo James in Hollyoaks, and that same year portrayed the Foxborough coach in Jamie Johnson.
More recently, Matt played a negotiator in the 2025 series Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
Full guest cast list for The Good Ship Murder series 3 episode 7:
Matt Kennard stars as Alex Staples.
Tania Watson plays Lucia Diaz.
Nigel Boyle guest stars as Gary Banks.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103′ Tina Rizzo plays Inspector Maria Morales.
Foundation’s Clare Agius is Carmen Rivera, a local mafia boss who is trying to force Lucia out of the club.
Monos star Julián Giraldo portrays Carmen’s henchman Rico Garcia.
Before We Die actor Mickey Angelov stars as Goran Musovic.
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