The Northumbria Mysteries on BBC One: Robson Green and Liz White joined by a Coronation Street legend in the cast
There's a great guest cast every week, too
The Northumbria Mysteries is BBC One’s delightfully wholesome new crime drama (bordering on cosy) with a cast packed full of some of TV’s most bankable faces.
Led by Robson Green and Liz White, with a sprinkling of Chris Gascoyne and Simon Callow, it’s a warm hug of a TV show. And, like many similar shows including The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and Death in Paradise, there’s a ‘guess-the-guest-star’ element every week.
There’s lots to love about this new offering, not least the stunning filming locations. If you’re a fan of Grantchester, Father Brown, and Shakespeare & Hathaway, then this will be your happy place.
Here’s who plays who in the cast of The Northumbria Mysteries, including the brilliant weekly guest cast.
Robson Green plays Joe Ruby in the cast of The Northumbria Mysteries
The Northumbria Mysteries introduces ex-convict and gambler Joe Ruby, who is trying to be a better man. Because of his previous links to the criminal world, he proves useful to DI Rose O’Connell when a series of baffling crimes occur in the area…
TVGuide.co.uk readers will know Robson Green, who plays Joe, very well. He of the sparkling blue eyes and impish smile has been on our screens for more than 30 years, having started his career playing the cheeky porter Jimmy Powell in Casualty between 1989 to 1992.
Hexham-born Robson, 61, went on to become one of the UK’s most popular TV actors. He played the leading roles of Fusilier Dave Tucker in Soldier Soldier, DI Dave Creegan in Touching Evil, Joe Purvis in Grafters, and Dr Tony Hill in Wire in the Blood.
Other notable early roles include John Close in legal drama Close & True, Jack Chambers in Take Me, Jack Chambers in Trust, and George Stevenson in Rocket Man.
In 2006, Robson played Colin in the sitcom Northern Lights, beginning a successful onscreen partnership with Shakespeare and Hathaway star Mark Benton (another ridiculously likeable TV star). They went on to reprise their roles in City Lights, and Clash of the Santas.
More recently, Robson has portrayed Rob Scotcher in Waterloo Road, Chris in Mount Pleasant, Lt. Col. Philip Locke in Strike Back, and Teddy in Age Before Beauty.
Since 2014, the actor has portrayed DI Geordie Keating in the period detective drama Grantchester. He recently tried something different, playing a villain in The Game. He’s also known for his factual entertainment shows, including Extreme Fishing with Robson Green, Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, and World’s Most Amazing Walks with Robson Green.
Liz White stars as DI Rose O’Connell
South Yorkshire-born Liz White, 46, portrays Oxford-educated DI Rose O’Connell who sounds posh, but isn’t as snooty as she sounds.
She is probably best known as Annie Cartwright in the BBC One drama series Life on Mars. She played the role of Annie, police officer of the Manchester and Salford Police and the eventual girlfriend and then wife of DI Sam Tyler, between 2006 and 2007.
She subsequently portrayed Emma Keane in the Channel 4 school-based drama series Ackley Bridge between 2017 and 2019.
Liz made her very first TV appearance in 2002, playing Lorraine in the comedy drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. She later went on to appear in Ross Kemp‘s Ultimate Force, Teachers, and A Thing Called Love.
Other notable roles include Jess Mercer in the crime drama The Fixer, Caroline in The Crimson Petal and the White, Jo Dwyer in Line of Duty series 2, and Lizzie Mottershead in Our Zoo. In 2017, Liz portrayed Peggy Taylor in The Halycon, before later playing Fiona Grayson in Unforgotten series 4.
More recently, Liz White has played Ali in Anatomy of a Scandal, PS Meg Winterburn in The Long Shadow, Debra in Tell Me Everything, and Hilary Roberts in Dalgliesh. This year, she’s played Emily in the Netflix drama Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, and reprised her role as Rhoda Mullucks in Call the Midwife.
She’s also known for her roles in films, such as 2004’s Vera Drake, Franklyn in 2008, 2011’s Wild Bill, and the 2012 Daniel Radcliffe version of The Woman in Black.
The Northumbria Mysteries cast: Gurjeet Singh portrays DS Raj Singh
Manchester-born Gurjeet Singh, 31, plays DS Raj Singh in the cast of The Northumbria Mysteries. Raj is desperate to impress his superior officer, but a little wet behind the ears – and often jumps to the wrong conclusions.
Actor Gurjeet has been on our screens for about 20 years, but is best known for playing student Naveed Haider in Ackley Bridge. He appeared in the Yorkshire school drama between 2017 and 2019.
He subsequently portrayed Tez Sidhu in Meera Syal crime drama Mrs Sidhu Investigates, and Virat Sengupta in Hotel Portofino. As well as a healthy theatre career, he’s appeared in films including The Importance of Being Earnest, and Indian movies 25 Kille, and 31st October.
He recently portrayed Devan Siddiqui in Grace series 6 episode 1 Left You Dead.
Four Weddings star Simon Callow is Father David Rutherford
London-born Simon Callow, 77, is perfect for the role of Joe’s kind benefactor Father David Rutherford. He’s known for often playing robust, likeable characters such as Gareth in Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Tom in Chance in a Million.
He’s been on our screens for more than 50 years, and is also known for his theatre work. His very first TV role was in Carry on Laughing! which is pretty apt considering the majority of his roles are comedic.
After years as a jobbing actor in both film, TV and theatre, he won the life-changing role of Tom Chance in romantic comedy Chance in a Million opposite Brenda Blethyn. He played the role from 1984 to 1986, before winning the hugely influential role of Gareth in Richard Curtis’ hit romcom Four Weddings.
He’s been in tonnes more films, including Shakespeare in Love, A Room With a View, and The Phantom of the Opera. Other notable TV roles include the Duke of Sandringham in Outlander, Henry Palmer in The Rebel, and Crispin Shamblee in Étoile.
In 1999, he was awarded a CBE for his services to acting. Later, in 2007, he was named the 28th most influential gay man in the UK by The Independent.
Former Coronation Street’s Chris Gascoyne plays Ace Dawson
Nottinghamshire-born Chris Gascoyne, 58, is perfectly cast as Ace Dawson in The Northumbria Mysteries. Ace is a loan shark, the head of the Dawson crime family, and considered dangerous.
Of course, Coronation Street fans will know Chris played Peter Barlow in the ITV soap for over 20 years on and off. He first arrived as Ken’s son in 2000, and left the soap in 2023. He was the seventh actor to portray the role.
In 2023, ITV confirmed that Chris Gascoyne would be leaving the soap to pursue other acting projects and to spend more time with his family. Channel 5’s The Feud in 2025 was his first acting role since leaving the cobbled streets of Manchester.
Chris has been on our screens since 1984 when, as a teenager, he played Jud in Murphy’s Mob. He went on to portray Barry Kent in the TV series The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13, and its sequel The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole.
Other notable roles include Mike Williams in Starting Out, Barry Forrester in The Locksmith, Fus Tony Rossi in Soldier Soldier, and Al Ware in New Street Law.
More recently, Chris Gascoyne portray brusque builder Lee in The Feud, Harry Coker in All Creatures Great and Small, and Kevin Gill in Patience.
Episode 1 guest cast includes Alexander Arnold as Benedict
Arguably the most recognisable guest cast in episode 1 is Alexander Arnold, who stars as Benedict Bancroft. He made his TV debut in 2011, playing Rich Hardbeck in Skins. He subsequently portrayed Jamie in A Mother’s Son, Adam Moss in What Remains, Jim Carter in Poldark, and Luke in Save Me.
Damola Adelaja, star of Berlin Station and Juice, portrays Brother Christopher Akintola.
Meanwhile, Great Expectations’ Laurie Ogden plays Sister Marie Wilson, Figg & Dates’ Rachel Marwood portrays Madam Crystal, and newcomer Alex Croft is Brother Mark Bancroft.
Jonathan Walker stars as Ace’s Bodyguard. He’s best known as a jobbing actor who’s appeared in Snowpiercer, Continuum, and The X Files. He famously played Rankol in Flash Gordon between 2007 and 2008.
The Northumbria Mysteries guest cast for episode 2
Episode 2 of the BBC One crime drama guest stars Joe Simpson as Jeremy Hare. An actor who’s been on our screens for more than 40 years, you might know him for playing Reed in Heartbeat, Alex Swinton in Coronation Street, and PC James Pierce in Emmerdale. In 2023, Joe portrayed Richard Mason in Ross Kemp thriller Blindspot.
Meanwhile, Jessica Ellerby stars as poker player Eleanor Calvert. Benidorm fans will know her for playing Amber Platt in 2016. She’s also portrayed Molly in In the Club, Jane in Lovesick, Stacee in Living the Dream, and The Queen in Pennyworth.
Jon Furlong also appears as Ned Bullard. Actor Jon is perhaps best known for playing Mr Dobson in All Creatures Great and Small. Other notable roles include Sean in Pushers, and Jelson in comedy series Here We Go.
Swiss actor Philip Arditti stars as poker player Rami Ashraf. He previously played Dr Metin Ozkul in Joanne Froggatt’s 2024 Covid medical drama Breathtaking.
Relative newcomer Megan Trower portrays Amanda Burgess in the guest cast. She’s best known for playing Molly Dixon in Ridley, Beth Barnett in The Feud, and Olivia Harpson in The Jury: Murder Trial.
The Northumbria Mysteries guest cast for episode 3
Veteran actress Paula Wilcox stars as Lady Philippa Armstrong in the guest cast of The Northumbria Mysteries episode 3. The Manchester-born actress, 76, is known for her role in 70s sitcom Man About the House, and subsequent early roles in The Lovers, Miss Jones and Son, The Queen’s Nose and Fiddlers Three. Between 2004 and 2005, she starred as Lilian in the comedy The Smoking Room.
She went on to play Hilary Potts in Emmerdale from 2007 and 2008, and later Elaine Jones in Coronation Street for three years between 2020 and 2023.
Charlotte Jordan plays Maxine Gray. The actress made her name playing Serena in Summer in Transylvania, and Gaby Grant in Free Rein. Between 2020 and 2025, Charlotte portrayed barmaid turned landlady Daisy Midgeley in Coronation Street.
Trevor Fox stars as Ben Whittick. He made his name in the 90s, popping up in Spender, Finney, Crocodile Shoes, and Our Friends in the North. He played DC Adrian Collins in Emmerdale, and the taxi driver with a crucial secret history in The Fortune.
Julian Rhind-Tutt is Lady Philippa’s son Jonathan Armstrong. Viewers might know Julian best for his early comedic roles in sitcoms such as Simon Pegg’s Hippies, The Wilsons, and The Imp. Between 2004 and 2006, he portrayed Dr. Macartney in the seminal comedy series Green Wing, opposite a fantastic cast including Sally Bretton, Olivia Colman, Tamsin Greig, Mark Heap, and Stephen Mangan. More recently, Julian has portrayed Phelan in the Roman Army saga Britannia, a role he played between 2017 to 2021.
Karl Theobald portrays Gavin Cooper. He’s also known for his comedic roles in Green Wing, Primeval, Twenty Twelve, Sick Note, and Plebs.
Episode 4 welcomes Jason Merrells
Jason Merrells plays estate agent Damon Martin. He’s best known for playing Gavin Ferraday in Amanda Holden hairdressing drama Cutting It, and Jack Rimmer in Waterloo Road. Other notable roles include Sir Charles Fraith in Agatha Raisin, DC Stead in Happy Valley, Harry in Finding Alice, and Martin Leach in Clocking Off. Of course, Emmerdale fans will know him as Declan Macey, a role he played between 2010 and 2014.
Josef Altin stars as Frank Sullivan. Game of Thrones viewers will know him as Pypar. He’s also played Darren in Him & Her, Tyler in Unforgotten, and Prince Rasselas in Harlots. Josef also portrayed Lee in Top Boy from 2019 to 2022.
Daymon Britton is Luke Wandle in the guest cast of The Northumbria Mysteries episode 4. He’s known as Sean Hocknell in Dream Team, and Dom Meredith in Byker Grove. Other notable roles include Casey Winters in World’s End.
Jobbing actress Nicole Evans, who recently played Helen in Emmerdale, guest stars as Louise Bentley.
Charlotte Lucas, most famous for playing Selena Geeson in Bad Girls, portrays Catherine Wandle. She’s also popped up in EastEnders, WPC 56, and Call the Midwife.
Jay Taylor is Nathan Bentley. Winter fans will know him as Lauren’s cheating husband Antony Marlowe in the 2026 crime drama. He’s also popped up in Sister Boniface Mysteries, Father Brown, Manhunt, The Bill, and Prime Suspect 1973.
