The Imposter on Channel 5: Cast of sexy thriller led by Kym Marsh, Dannii Minogue, and Jackie Woodburne
Soap icon? Make that three!
The Imposter is a soapy thriller landing on Channel 5 this week, so it makes perfect sense that it has cast three of soap’s biggest icons of the past four decades.
Iconic actresses from opposite ends of the globe – famous for their roles in Neighbours, Home and Away, and Coronation Street – play members of the same family. Well, sort of. But more on that later.
Kym Marsh, Dannii Minogue, and Jackie Woodburne lead the cast of the four-part series, filmed in beautiful Australia. And there’s some recognisable faces in the ensemble support too.
Here’s who plays who in the cast of The Imposter on Channel 5.
***Warning: contains mild spoilers from episode 1 of The Imposter ahead***
Neighbours icon Jackie Woodburne plays Helen O’Riley
Who is Helen O’Riley in The Imposter?
Helen is in her late 60s, and the “product of her strict Irish upbringing”. She runs a coastal hotel in Victoria with her three children Simon, Kate and Ian. But as she faces illness in the face, she begins to long for the secret daughter she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. After emigrating to Australia, she left the baby Amanda behind. It’s a decision that has haunted Helen ever since… Until her long-lost daughter Amanda turns up in Australia looking for her mum. But is she really who she says she is?
Soap legend Jackie Woodburn – aka Susan Kennedy – plays Helen
Actress Jackie Woodburn, 69, is best known for her 40-year role in Australian soap Neighbours. But she was actually born in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. So playing someone Northern Irish wasn’t too much of a stretch. Although, in real life, the actress moved Down Under when she was just three years old.
Jackie played Susan Kennedy in the Australian soap from the very first series in 1994 and until the very last episodes in 2025. She was a central character, known for her rocky marriage to Karl Kennedy. Some of her most memorable storylines included Karl’s numerous affairs, their subsequent divorces, and eventual reconciliations. Susan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, had a controversial affair with a priest, and acted as a surrogate mother for her daughter Libby. All in a day’s work for a soap star!
The actress has been on our screens since known for The Young Doctors, Cop Shop, Prisoner: Cell Block H, and A Country Practice.
Kym Marsh plays Amanda/Claire in The Imposter cast
Who is ‘Amanda’ aka Claire in The Imposter?
Born and raised in the UK, Claire is a survivor… by any means possible. Wily and resourceful, she’s had to overcome a lot in her 40-something life – including a grim upbringing, thorny relationships, and failed dreams. Now, she believes that life owes her something, even if she has to cross moral lines to get there. Claire arrives in Australia pretending to be Amanda, the long-lost daughter of Helen, hoping for a slice of some inheritance.
What is Kym Marsh famous for?
Like her co-star Jackie Woodburn, Kym Marsh is perhaps best known for her performance in a soap. Now 49, she portrayed Michelle Connor in Coronation Street from 2006 to 2019. Since then, she’s bagged a presenting role on Morning Live, and appeared in Waterloo Road, and The Syndicate. Of course, the Merseyside-born star made her name on the 2001 series of Popstars. Her band Hear’Say was created on the Simon Cowell talent show, and they achieved instant fame with their debut single Pure and Simple.
Dannii Minogue plays the real Amanda in the cast of The Imposter on Channel 5
Who is Amanda in The Imposter?
Amanda doesn’t actually appear until episode 3 of The Imposter – that’s after the “imposter” Claire tries to take over her life. Talking about her character, Dannii said: “Amanda was born in the UK, and had a very special bond to her mother. I can’t tell you much more – no spoilers!” We do know that Amanda was adopted when she was very young, so has not had any contact with her birth parents Helen and Bill. Until now, that is. Dannii told us: “It’s very juicy and I don’t want to give anything away about how it unfolds.”
What TV has Kylie’s sister Dannii Minogue done before?
Like her two co-stars Jackie Woodburn and Kym Marsh, Dannii Minogue cut her teeth in soaps. Now 54, Dannii was actually born in Victoria, where The Imposter was filmed. She made her name playing Emma Jackson in Aussie soap Home and Away between 1989 and 1990, while her sister Kylie Minogue rose to fame portraying Charlene Mitchell in rival soap Neighbours. Like her older sis, Dannii then went on to pursue a singing career.
Dannii actually hasn’t appeared in an acting role on TV for decades, since playing Didi in the 1992 film Secrets. In 2004, she popped up in the short film The Porter, playing a club owner opposite Max Beesley. Instead, Dannii focused on presenting, and appearing on judging panels. She’s been a judge on TV talent shows, including The X Factor UK (2007–2010), Australia’s Got Talent (2007–2012), Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model (2013), and The X Factor Australia. As a presenter, she is currently hosting I Kissed a Girl.
Who plays Helen’s children?
Apart from “imposter” Kym Marsh, the cast of The Imposter are all Australian, and are nearly all known for their roles in the soaps Neighbours and Home and Away. Makes sense as the thriller was written and created by Neighbours’ Jason Herbison.
Sydney-born Don Hany, 50, plays Simon. Simon is the eldest of Helen’s three children, and the one who ultimately betrays her with Claire. Don played Pierce Greyson in Neighbours between 2020 and 2021, but he’s known for 25 years on the small screen. Notable roles have included Gary in Crash Palace, Snr. Constable Theo Rahme in White Collar Blue, Zane Malik in East West 101, and Kyle in Bad Mothers. He recently portrayed George Barlin in the Netflix thriller The Survivors, based on Jane Harper’s bestselling novel.
Australian actress Jane Harber, 40, plays Helen’s hardworking daughter Kate. She came to fame playing Bianca Nugent in Neighbours between 1999 and 2002. Jane went on to portray Susie Money in Underbelly, Cora Benson in A Moody Christmas, and the subsequent spin-off The Moodys. She starred as Zara Perkich in quirky comedy The Offspring for seven years, between 2000 and 2007. More recently, she portrayed Lulu in The Family Next Door, which lands in the UK on UK on December 21, 2025.
Jackson Gallagher, also from Victoria, plays Helen’s youngest child Ian O’Riley. Like his co-stars, Jackson appeared in Home and Away playing Josh Barrett between 2013 and 2016, as well as Neighbours playing Nathan Packard. He’s also known for portraying Connor Marrello in Playing for Keeps, and Ashley ‘Chewie’ Becker in The Saddle Club.
Who else appears in the Channel 5 thriller The Imposter?
Victoria-born Charlie Clausen, 48, plays Kate’s ambitious husband Todd, a smooth-talking real estate agent. He starred as Zac MacGuire in Home and Away for five years, between Jay Duncan in Neighbours in 2008, and Tom Squires in medical drama Canal Road. Other big roles came in McLeod’s Daughters, and Blue Heelers.
Kabir Singh plays Ian’s boyfriend Lee. He played Raees Parashar in Comic Timings of Life, and Ahura in The Tourist series 2.
Nicholas Bell stars as Amanda’s dad Bill. He’s actually the only other British actor in the cast, although he has worked mostly in Australian. Yorkshire-born Nicholas, 67, is known for playing Graham in Bay of Fires, and Sean in The Bureau of Magical Things.
Newcomer Adeline Williams plays Helen’s grandchild.
Full cast list for The Imposter Channel 5 episode 1:
Jackie Woodburne stars as Helen O’Riley.
Kym Marsh plays ‘Amanda’.
Dannii Minogue is (the real) Amanda Metcalfe.
Don Hany portrays Simon.
Jane Harber stars as Kate.
Charlie Clausen plays Todd.
Jackson Gallagher is Ian.
Kabir Singh plays Ian’s husband Lee.
Adeline Williams plays Helen’s grandchild Corrine.
Class of ’07 actress Chi Nguyen plays hotel receptionist Courtney.
Bad Mothers’ Blake Draper stars as thug for hire Ryder.
Olivia Deeble – Raffy Morrison in Home and Away – plays Ryder’s friend Eden.
Shortland Street’s Tane Williams Accra is Officer Glenn.
Jing-Xuan Chan – Neighbours’ Leila Potts – portrays Doctor Lee.
It Will Find You star Brooke Blurton plays Naomi.
High Country’s Tim Clarke plays Larry.
Paul Ireland, aka Supt. Duncan Hayes in Neighbours, stars as Brian Deadman.
Brett Popplewell portrays Reg.
Nicholas Bell stars as Bill (from episode 3).
Itch actor Harrison Popple plays Amanda’s son Thomas.
The Code’s Gig Clarke portrays Dr Peters.
Barrumbi Kids’ Stephen Mahy is Evan.
Safe Home’s Sinead Ashlyn Fernandes plays Nurse Phoebe.
Stingers’ Lawrence Price stars as the Funeral Celebrant.
Mystery Road: Origin’s Salme Geransar plays Detective Allen.
Neighbours’ Guy Greenstone portrays Officer Pataki.
