The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Series 5 kicks off with a stand-up comedian and star of Phoenix Nights and Corrie in guest cast
Do you recognise him?
The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 5 lands on our screens this week – at last! – and comedy fans may well recognise an iconic figure from a popular sitcom in the cast of episode 1…
The Sally Lindsay cosy crime returns with another seven-part series from Sainte Victoire (on Thursday, October 29, at 9.05pm). And like every year, there’s a rich tapestry of guest stars in every episode. Series 5 is no exception.
This time, Jean and Dom prepare to tie the knot on Christmas Eve, but “nothing can prepare them for the unexpected obstacles standing in their way”. That includes a body discovered in one of the show’s most iconic locations…
In episode 1, entitled Fountain, Sainte Victoire is shaken by the murder of Mayor Stephanie Arquette, whose body is discovered in the historic fountain. The killing comes at a particularly sensitive moment: controversial redevelopment plans are about to change the square, and tensions around the work have divided local opinion.
So who plays who in the guest cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 5 episode 1, including an iconic stand-up comedian? Here’s everything you need to know.
Justin Moorhouse guest stars as Eddie Day in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 5 episode 1
As The Madame Blanc Mysteries returns for a series 5, episode 1 sees Justin Moorhouse pop up in the guest cast. He portrays morally unscrupulous loan shark Eddie Day who is one of the suspects in the suspicious death of the Mayor.
Comedy fans should recognise Justin… He’s a stand-up comedian and radio DJ, who has been performing for more than two decades.
Born in Ashton-Under-Lyne, he began his comedy career at the age of 29 in 1999 after leaving his job as a salesman. He subsequently made his stand-up debut at the Frog and Bucket comedy club in Manchester.
Now 56, he has perhaps most famous for his appearances in Phoenix Nights and Ken Loach’s film Looking for Eric. He is also a regular presenter on BBC Manchester and hosts the podcast About 30 Minutes, No More Than 45.
Justin Moorhouse has also appeared on Richard Osman’s House of Games, QI, Live At The Apollo, and Dictionary Corner on Countdown. He’s on tour in 2027.
Who did Justin play in Phoenix Nights?
Justin played Young Kenny in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, between
He spent the majority of the series wearing tiger face paint, after being made up with car paint by a con man… Max & Paddy’s Road to Nowhere.
The actor, comedian and DJ has subsequently popped up as various roles in Coronation Street, as well as appearing in Shameless, Burn It, and Buried.
In 2009, he portrayed Spleen in the football film Looking for Eric, directed by Ken Loach.
Who else is in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 5 episode 1?
Meaawhile, French actor Benjamin Duc stars as the victim’s son Roland Arquette. Benjamin is best known for his recurring role as Laurent Prince in 50 episodes of French drama Chronicles of the Sun.
French actress Jessica Morali portrays gardener Louise Gagne. She played Marguerite de Valois in historical drama The Real War of Thrones.
All the usual favourites are returning to the cast in The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 5, too. Sally Lindsay commented: “I’m endlessly proud of this amazing cast who bring so much joy, warmth and mischief to the show and series five is packed with sunshine, escapism and gloriously twisty mysteries.”
The returning main cast includes:
- Sally Lindsay as Jean White.
- Steve Edge as Dom Hayes.
- Co-writer Sue Vincent as Gloria Beaushaw.
- Robin Askwith and Sue Holderness as Jeremy and Judith Lloyd James.
- Alex Gaumond as Chief of Police André Caron.
- Tony Robinson as Dom’s Uncle Patrick.
- Paul Chuckle (Elliott) as Gloria’s dad Trevor.
- Stephen Bailey as gangster John Marsden.
- Jacqueline Berces as Gendarme Richard.
- Sanchia McCormac as Charlie.
- Djinda Kane as Simone.
Ella Dale replaces Alaïs Lawson as Dom’s daughter Claudie
Newcomer Ella Dale joins the cast as Dom’s daughter Claudie. She takes over the role from Alaïs Lawson, who last appeared in series one in 2021.
Alaïs has subsequently played Marcella in Domina, and Enza Rylanz in Andor.
The actress left The Madame Blanc Mysteries after season one because her character, Claudette Hayes, left Sainte Victoire in episode 6 to study abroad in America with her best friend.
However, she returns in series 5 with a new face – and a huge secret! Claudie is six months pregnant and there’s something not quite right about her relationship with boyfriend Marco…
Who else guest stars in series 5?
There are plenty of famous faces joining the cast as guests in The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 5. Including Corrie villain Brian Capron, and Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph in episode 2.
Episode 3 welcomes Jason Manford.
The complete guest cast includes:
- Justin Moorhouse (Phoenix Nights).
- Brian Capron (Coronation Street).
- Lesley Joseph (Birds of a Feather).
- Josh Bolt (The Blame).
- Jason Manford (Waterloo Road).
- Michael Fenton Stevens (Slow Horses).
- Su Pollard (Hi-de-Hi!).
- Louisa Lytton (EastEnders).
- Frazer Hines (Emmerdale).
- Bonnie Langford (EastEnders).
- Zoe Lyons (Mock the Week).
Read more: The Madame Blanc Mysteries filming locations and if Sainte Victoire is real
