The Ridge on BBC Two: Scottish and New Zealand cast led by Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle
The six-part psychological thriller stars BAFTA Scotland award-winning Scots actress Lauren Lyle and Kiwi star Jay Ryan
The Ridge cast is a mix of Scottish and Kiwi actors which reflects the fact the BBC Two thriller was shot on location in Scotland and New Zealand.
The six-part psychological thriller follows Mia, a Scottish anaesthetist, but also an opioid addict. When we meet her, her professional life is in jeopardy in Scotland. Understandably perhaps, when you consider that drugs literally don’t work at work.
She accepts a perfectly-timed wedding invitation from her estranged sister in New Zealand. However, when she arrives, she discovers that the would-be-bride is dead. Not the best start to a holiday. To make matters more complicated, the grieving Mia is pulled by a dark attraction to her late-sister’s fiancé Ewan… Anyone else seeing red flags?
Here’s who plays who in the cast of The Ridge on BBC Two.
The Ridge on BBC Two cast: Lauren Lyle stars as Mia Mia Beaton
Who is Mia Beaton? Mia is the central character in crime drama The Ridge, and not afraid to ruffle feathers in the small Kiwi town she ends up in. An anaesthetist under suspicion at home in Scotland, she’s also hiding a rather dangerous opioid addiction. When she arrives in New Zealand for her sister Cassy’s wedding, she is devastated to discover that she is missing – and later found dead. Convinced it wasn’t an accident, she begins to look for answers.
What is Lauren Lyle famous for? Glasgow-born Lauren Lyle, 32, is rather brilliant as the damaged and slightly unhinged Mia Beaton in The Ridge on BBC Two. It’s quite a different role from the one she is most famous for – playing the title role in detective drama Karen Pirie. She’s played the role since 2022 in series 1 and 2.
Lauren is also famous for playing Marsali in Outlander, between 2017 and 2022. Other notable roles include Jade Antoniak in series 1 of Vigil, Chloe Demichelis in Broken, and Dani Holliday in Netflix’s Toxic Town. This year, she played June McCusker in the true crime drama The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Jay Ryan stars as Ewan Carmichael in the cast of The Ridge on BBC Two
Who is Ewan Carmichael? Ewan is a born-and-bred Kiwi, who was engaged Mia’s sister Cassy before her death. Of course, that could clearly put him in the frame. As Mia begins to investigate, she finds herself drawn romantically to Ewan. She soon discovers that Ewan and Cassy’s relationship wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. As well as losing his fiancée, Ewan lives with his mother, who is suffering from dementia.
Who plays Ewan, and what’s he been in before? New Zealand star Jay Ryan, 44, made his name playing heartthrob Jack Scully in Australian soap Neighbours between 2002 and 2005. He went on to play Able Seaman Billy ‘Spider’ Webb in the patrol boat drama Sea Patrol from 2007 to 2009.
Jay moved on to play leading man Kevin in Go Girls, before winning arguably the biggest role of his life – Vincent Keller in the live action TV series Beauty and the Beast. He starred opposite Kristin Kreuk in the series, in which he played an ex-soldier in hiding after being turned into a “mechanically-charged beast”.
Other notable roles include Sam Hooper in Being Eve, Mark in the brilliant Kiwi drama Top of the Lake, Ben Wesley in Mary Kills People, and Bobby in Creamerie. More recently, he starred in Scrublands, Territory, North of North, and Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. Jay has been in multiple films, too, including It: Chapter Two.
How tall is The Ridge actor Jay Ryan, who plays Ewan?
Some viewers will no doubt notice that there’s quite the height discrepancy between actor Jay Ryan, who plays Ewan, and his co-star Lauren Lyle, who portrays Mia.
In fact, Jay Ryan is 1.85 metres, which is around 6ft. Lauren Lyle is reportedly 5 foot 2 inches. That’s a lot of neck bending for the kissing scenes.
In real life, Jay is dating director and writer Dianna Fuemana. They have too children together. She is reportedly 5ft 10in.
Who else stars in the cast of The Ridge on BBC Two?
Dulcie Smart stars as Ewan’s mum Annot Carmichael
New Zealander Dulcie Smart portrays Ewan’s often-confused mum Annot Carmichael. The actress is famous for her roles across theatre, film, and TV. During her career, which spans over five decades, she’s appeared in the films V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, and God. On TV, she’s known for portraying Mrs Cathy Miller in Concordia, and Vivian in Rematch.
Florence Hartigan stars as Ewan’s half-sister Sgt Libby Grimes
American-born, New Zealand-raised actress Florence Hartigan stars as Ewan’s half-sister Sgt Libby Grimes. After brief appearances in Auckland-based serial drama Shortland Street, and Kid Sister, Florence won her biggest role to date playing Lolly in Kiwi comedy Madam.
David Van Horn plays Harry Grimes in the cast of The Ridge on BBC Two
David Van Horn is a New Zealand-born actor known for playing the Dragon Gunship Gunner in Avatar. He stars as Harry Grimes in the cast of The Ridge on BBC Two. He’s had tonnes of TV roles as a jobbing actor on US and Kiwi TV, including Cowboy Bepop, The Brokenwood Mysteries, and Dirty Laundry. He also played Vendor in Netflix’s Sweet Tooth.
Taqi Nazeer plays Mia’s work pal Riz Chopra
On the Scottish side of things, Taqi Nazeer plays Mia’s work pal Riz Chopra. His first TV role was playing Omar in the BBC One thriller The Replacement. He went on to portray Larson in two episodes of Shetland, Jat in The Control Room, and Riyaz Mansoor in Six Four.
Cora Bissett plays Mia’s boss Jacky
Lastly, Cora Bissett plays Mia’s boss Jacky. The Scottish actress is best known for being a theatre director, but has appeared in High Times, Rab C Nesbitt, Shetland, Annika, and The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Full cast list of The Ridge on BBC Two:
Lauren Lyle plays Mia Beaton.
Jay Ryan stars as Ewan Carmichael.
Dulcie Smart portrays Ewan’s mum Annot Carmichael.
Florence Hartigan is Sgt Libby Grimes.
David Van Horn plays Harry Grimes.
Taqi Nazeer is Mia’s work colleague Riz Chopra.
Cora Bissett plays Mia’s boss Jacky.
Kauri Williams – aka Todd Taylor in The Brokenwood Mysteries – stars as Teddy.
Claire Dargo – aka Karen Connolly in River City – stars as Mia and Cassy’s mum Gloria.
Kiwi Beth Alexander, of Oddly Even fame, plays Natalie.
Shortland Street’s Joe Dekkers-Reihana is local troublemaker Eru.
Mean Mums actress Aroha Rawson portrays Hera’s mum Brenda Olsen.
New Zealand actress Chloe Parker stars as Libby and Harry’s daughter Sadie Grimes. It’s her first TV role.
Katherine McRae – aka Brenda Holloway in Shortland Street – stars as Teddy’s mum Louise.
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