Van Der Valk series 4: Episode 1 Safe in Amsterdam guest cast includes actors from Baptiste and Scott & Bailey
It's a tense episode with several famous faces in the mix
Van Der Valk returns to ITV with a series 4 and lead actor Marc Warren is joined by some famous faces in the guest cast of episode 1.
The Amsterdam-set detective drama is back with three new feature-length episodes, kicking off this Sunday (August 02, 2026). And in the first instalment, entitled Safe in Amsterdam, pretty much no one is actually safe in the Netherlands capital.
This week, no-nonsense detective Piet van der Valk investigates when a whistleblower supposedly under police protection prior to a hearing is murdered. The team must then ensure that a second vulnerable witness makes it to court. The case? They are testifying against Bibi Franken, the matriarch of a criminal empire.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the officer in charge of the first victim is Kalie Tenkers, Van Der Valk’s old flame. And, lets just say, there’s no love lost between the pair…
Here’s who plays who in the guest cast of Van Der Valk series 4 episode 1.
Ben Batt stars as Daan Franken
Wigan-born Ben Batt, 40, stars as Bibi’s son-turned-whisteblower Daan Franken in the cast of Van Der Valk series 4.
The actor is probably most famous for playing Joe Pritchard in Channel 4 comedy Shameless, a role he played between 2009 and 2010. He is also known for portraying DC Kevin Lumb in Scott & Bailey opposite Suranne Jones and Leslie Sharp.
Other notable roles include Agrippa in Domina, Willmus Crabtree in Jamestown, John Cartwright in The English Game, Blue in Our Girl, and Pat Miller in Toxic Town.
Those of you who watched the underrated Maxine Peake thriller Rules of the Game in 2022 will remember him as key character Owen Jenkins.
Ben recently played the rather creepy and controlling photographer Ned Thwaite in the cast of Murder Before Evensong. Last year, he also portrayed the vile police officer Rudy in the female-heavy cast of Riot Women.
This year, Ben played morally ambiguous Jason Macklow in Silent Witness, Spartacus in The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, and Disneyland Darren in G’wed.
Van Der Valk series 4 episode 1 guest cast: Anastasia Hille portrays Bibi Franken
London-born Anastasia Hille, 60, portrays criminal matriarch Bibi Franken. And it’s not the first time she’s played a baddie. Anybody who’s familiar with Keeping Faith will remember her morally-grey character Gael Reardon. And let’s not forget her Lady Macbeth on stage!
The actress has been on our screens for more than three decades, and is perhaps best known for playing Baptiste’s long-suffering wife Celia in the detective drama of the same name. She first played the role in The Missing between 2014 and 2016, and reprised the role in Baptiste from 2019 to 2021.
She’s also known for portraying Rita Bellows in Wanderlust, Alice in The Ipcress File, Flora Solomon in A Spy Among Friends, and Sian Bellingham in I Hate Suzie.
Other notable roles include Sybil Cazalet in The Cazalets, Chantal Morisot in Cutting It, and Jeffries in Not Safe for Work. More recently, she’s appeared in Dalgliesh, The Couple Next Door, A Gentleman in Moscow, Steal, The Lady, and Twenty Twenty Six.
Andrew Gower stars as Xavi Franken
Merseyside-born actor Andrew Gower, 37, stars as Bibi’s other son Xavi Franken. At first he appears to have ‘gone straight’ but Piet has his suspicions…
Crime drama fans might know Andrew best for playing Ellis’ sidekick DS Chet Harper in the Channel 5 crime drama. He’s played the role in both series 1 and 2, from 2024 to 2026.
He also played Andrew Mullery in the James Nesbitt drama Monroe, a role he played between 2011 and 2012. In fact, after playing Nick Cutler in 2012 episodes of Being Human, it was his next big significant role.
He’s also famous for playing Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Outlander, and Ezra Spurnrose in Carnival Row. Other notable roles include Gilbert Hankin in The Village, Rupert Parker in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Sansum in The Winter King, and Detective Peter Andrews in Netflix thriller You.
Most recently, he portrayed Jamie in Sherwood. Like his Ellis co-star, Andrew has also enjoyed a music career. In June 2005, he formed the Manchester-based rock band Emerson with his friends Michael Collins and James Webster. Andrew was the lead vocallist.
Who’s in the main cast of Van Der Valk series 4?
The core cast of Van Der Valk return for series 4. Hustle and Mad Dogs actor Marc Warren reprises the titular role of dogged Commissaris Piet Van Der Valk.
The detective is once again joined by The Musketeers actress Maimie McCoy as Inspector Lucienne Hassell, and Just Act Normal’s Azan Ahmed, who plays Sergeant Eddie Suleman.
Domina’s Darrell D’Silva returns as team pathologist Hendrik Davie, while Sanditon’s Emma Fielding is back as Chief Commissaris Julia Dahlman.
Dutch actress Loes Haverkort stars Lena Linderman, now Piet’s girlfriend. She’s previously appeared in multiple Dutch TV series, including Oogappels, and Moedermaffia!
Full cast list of Van Der Valk series 4 episode 1:
Marc Warren returns as Piet Van Der Valk.
Maimie McCoy stars as Lucienne Hassell.
Azan Ahmed is back as Eddie Suleman.
Darrell D’Silva portrays Hendrik Davie.
Emma Fielding once again stars as Julia Dahlman.
Loes Haverkort stars Lena Linderman, now Piet’s girlfriend.
Guest cast of episode 1:
Who else appears in the guest cast?
Ben Batt stars as Daan Franken.
Anastasia Hille portrays Bibi Franken.
Andrew Gower stars as Xavi Franken.
Suriname-born and Dutch speaker Mike Libanon plays Cliff Palache.
German actress Kim Riedle portrays Kalie Tenkers.
Flikken Rotterdam’s Ruurt De Maesschalk is Gregor Albers.
Dutch actor Juda Goslinga plays Baz van Zijl.
Sihame star Bram Klappe is Frans Tanner.
Young Dutch actor Coen Bril stars as Jacko Gallas.
Mocro Maffia’s Mandela Wee Wee plays Anton de Haas.
Papadag’s Kaltoum Boufangacha is Maud Lommel.
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