Insomnia on Channel 5: Cast list led by Vicky McClure and Tom Cullen
Helen Fear | 8:01am Sun 6 Jul | Updated 9:12am Sun 6 JulWhen Insomnia first landed on our screens in 2024, viewers admitted the “creepy and compelling” thriller gave them “nightmares”, and now it’s arriving on Channel 5 with its all-star cast.
The six-part series – which originally aired on Paramount+ – introduces career woman Emma Averill. Her hard-won dream life starts to turn into a nightmare when she loses the ability to sleep… She begins to fear she might be losing her mind just like her mother did…
The ever-popular Vicky McClure stars as successful career woman Emma. She leads the great ensemble cast of Insomnia, with lots of famous faces from the world of TV. Here’s everything you need to know…
Vicky McClure leads the cast as Emma Averill in Insomnia [Credit: Paramount+/Channel 5]
Insomnia on Channel 5 cast list: Vicky McClure stars as Emma Averill
Nottingham-born actress Vicky McClure, 42, leads the cast of Insomnia as Emma Averill. We meet her a couple of weeks before her 40th birthday when calamitously, she stops being able to sleep. But this isn’t just a case of temporary insomnia. This is exactly what happened to Emma’s mother just before she suffered a violent psychotic breakdown on the night of her own 40th birthday…
Of course, Vicky came to fame playing Lol in the brilliant Shane Meadows film This is England, and the subsequent TV series.
When she was 15, Vicky auditioned for local director Shane’s independent film, A Room for Romeo Brass, and he gave her the role of Ladine. After struggling to find more roles, Shane came calling again, this time casting her in the movie, This Is England. A TV series followed, for which Vicky deservedly won the BAFTA award for Best Actress for her performance as Lol.
Vicky went on to appear in series 1 of the hit David Tennant and Olivia Colman crime drama Broadchurch. And then, of course, came the juggernaut of Line of Duty. Vicky played DI Kate Fleming from 2012 to 2021.
Her role as Lana Washington in Trigger Point followed, and then ITV thriller Without Sin. Other notable roles include Mrs Jones in the Alex Rider TV series, Paula Reece in The Replacement, and Ruth Brooks in Action Team.
In between her acting roles, Vicky has appeared in the moving and powerful BBC documentaries Our Dementia Choir, and My Grandad’s War. She has also popped up on Celebrity Gogglebox with Line of Duty pals Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston.
The Gold’s Tom Cullen as Emma’s husband Robert [Credit: Paramount+/Channel 5]
Tom Cullen portrays Emma’s husband Robert Averill
Welsh actor Tom Cullen, 39, portrays Emma’s loving husband Robert Averill. Of course, The Gold viewers will know that he recently portrayed real-life criminal John Palmer in series 1 and 2 of the BBC One drama.
He’s been on our screens for more than two decades, having first appeared as ‘Boy’ in the 2006 Mark Lewis Jones film Daddy’s Girl. Tom went on to play Wulfric in period drama World Without End in 2012.
In 2013, he won his biggest role to date playing Viscount Anthony Gillingham in Downton Abbey. Anthony was an old friend of the Crawley family who subsequently became a romantic love interest in Lady Mary Crawley after the death of her husband. Yes readers, he was rather dashing.
Tom later played Joe Rose in the Ray Winstone drama The Trials of Jimmy Rose, Mark Wells in the Harlan Coben thriller The Five, and Guy Fawkes in Gunpowder.
Between 2017 and 2018, Tom portrayed Landry in 14th century drama Knightfall, before going on to appear in Invasion, Becoming Elizabeth, and The Way.
As well as The Gold, Tom recently played Peter Burton in the Welsh language drama Ar y Ffin. In 2026, Tom joins the cast of House of the Dragon as
Actress Leanne Best as Emma’s sister Phoebe in Insomnia [Credit: Channel 5/Paramount+]
Leanne Best stars as Phoebe Bournett
Liverpool-born Leanne Best, 46, portrays Emma’s estranged sister Phoebe Bournett in the cast of Insomnia. She’s recently appeared in some of TV’s biggest hits, including The Bay, and This City is Ours.
The actress is perhaps best known for playing Tina Reynolds in the popular comedy series Cold Feet, a role she played from 2016 to 2017.
Other big roles include Frida Rask in Young Wallander, Anna in Channel 4 thriller Close to Me, Helen Brown in Tin Star, and Teresa Fenchurch in Home Fires.
She’s also known for playing Jane Cobden in Ripper Street, Celia Donnelly in Fortitude, Kate in the mini-series Four Lives, and Anne in the critically acclaimed mini-series Save Me. You might also recognise her as PC Jackie Brickford from the third series of Line of Duty.
More recently, Leanne has played Jodie in G’wed opposite The Good Ship Murder‘s Zak Douglas, Georgie in one episode of Ted Lasso, and DI Lindsay in A Town Called Malice.
This year, she has portrayed grieving mum Julie Ashworth in The Bay series 5, and Diana’s mum Lesley Williams in the cast of This City is Ours. At the start of the series, we discovered that the character was in prison.
Talking about her co-star, Vicky said of Leanne: “We look frighteningly similar on camera. I saw some footage and I thought I was looking at myself, but it was Leanne – we even share some of the same mannerisms!”
Actress Lyndsey Marshal portrays Caroline in thriller [Credit: C5/Paramount+]
Lyndsey Marshal plays Caroline in cast of Insomnia
Lyndsey Marshal stars as Caroline, Emma’s friend and confidante in the Channel 5 thriller. The Manchester-born actress recently popped up in Death in Paradise as Sadie Jones.
The 46-year-old is perhaps best known for playing Cleopatra in HBO’s Rome between 2005 and 2007, or Lady Sarah Hill in Garrow’s Law from 2009 to 2011.
Her very first TV performance was in 2000, when she played Natalie Pearce in Peak Practice. She went on to appear in TV series such as Midsomer Murders, Born and Bred, Poirot, and Marple… Yes, she obviously loves a good mystery!
Other notable roles include Professor Lucy Jaggat in Humans, Mabel Watson in Titanic, Lucy Demoys in Blackout, Rachel in Hanna, and Mary Watling in Inside Man.
More recently, Lyndsey starred as Laura in BBC comedy Inside No.9. Her famous film roles include Jessica in Julie Walters drama A Short Stay in Switzerland, and Lottie Hope in The Hours.
The Agency actress India Fowler stars as Chloe, Emma and Tom’s daughter, in Insomnia [Credit: Paramoun+/Channel 5]
India Fowler portrays Chloe
Young actress India Fowler stars as Chloe, Emma and Tom’s daughter, in Insomnia on Channel 5.
The rising star recently portrayed Martian’s daughter Poppy in the cast of The Agency on Paramount+. She’s been on our screens since 2017, when she appeared in the Orlando Bloom movie Retaliation.
In 2018, India starred in the Harlan Coben thriller Safe on Netflix. She played Ellen Mason opposite Michael C Hall, Amanda Abbington, Marc Warren, and Emmett J Scanlan.
Two years later, India won the role of Zoe Walker in Angela Griffin drama White Lines, before going on to appear in Man vs. Bee, The Nevers, and Franklin.
She recently played Teah Sinclair in Channel 5’s The Trial. India has been in several films, too, including Christmas at the Palace, The Amazing Mr Blunden, The Strangers: Chapter 1, and Fear Street: Prom Queen.
Actor Dominic Tighe stars as Julian Sandford [Credit: Paramount+/Channel 5]
Dominic Tighe plays Julian Sandford in the cast of Insomnia
British actor Dominic Tighe, 42, portrays Julian Sandford, a close family friend of the Averill family, in the cast of Insomnia on Channel 5.
He’s probably best known for playing the morally ambiguous Daniel Eldridge in Sheridan Smith’s The Castaways, a role he played in 2023. Like Insomina, the thriller first aired on Paramount+ before arriving on Channel 5.
Dominic is no stranger to thrillers, having played Steve McAllister in Uma Thurman’s Suspicion, and DS Bob Cooper in A Confession. Other notable roles include Pelham Wingfield in Hotel Portofino, Richard Payne in Next of Kin, and Captain Harvey Smith in Hollyoaks Later.
More recently, Dominic portrayed Julien Horn in the Apple TV+ drama The New Look, and DI Macdonald Payne in Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
His film roles have included Coach Brown in The George Clooney drama The Boys in the Boat, and Dr. Egger in Sulphur and White.
Beyond Paradise’s Jade Harrison as Michelle Simpson in the cast of Insomnia [Credit: C5/Paramount+]
Jade Harrison plays Michelle Simpson
London-born actress Jade Harrison, 45, stars as Michelle Simpson in the cast of Insomnia. Beyond Paradise fans will know her as Chief Superintendent Charlie Woods in the BBC crime drama. She joined the cast at the end of series 1 in 2023.
Jade made her first TV appearance in 2002, when she popped up in two episodes of Grange Hill playing Shirley. She went on to play a nurse in two episodes of Holby City. Subsequent small roles in Doctors, Silent Witness, Casualty, and Dream Team followed.
In 2010, she portrayed Carla in six episodes of Channel 4 and E4 soap Hollyoaks. Two years later, she won the role of Metts in Wedding Season.
Other notable roles include Vicky Hoy in Netflix Harlan Coben adaptation The Stranger, Karen Freedman in Queens of Mystery, and Deborah Haynes in The Midwich Cuckoos.
More recently, she’s portrayed Sadie Rowcroft in Midsomer Murders, and Selene Melville in Mrs Sidhu Investigates.
Robert Gilbert as Faisal in Insomnia [Credit: Channel 5]
Robert Gilbert is Faisal
London-born actor Robert Gilbert, 37, portrays Faisal in the Insomnia cast. He’s been on our screens ever since 2010, when he played Mark in the Jack Black film Gulliver’s Travels.
Robert went on to play Tazeem in the TV series Sinbad, Felix in Uncle, Tom in The Windsors, and Patingi in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
In 2022, he won the enviable role of Yusuf on Killing Eve. The character worked with Eve, before they embarked on an affair. Robert went on to play DS Jackson in The Burning Girls, Will in Big Mood, and Supt. Simon O’Brian in Red Eye series 1.
He’s also famous for portraying Tim in the comedy series Big Boys, a role he’s played since 2022. Mor recently, Robert has starred as Tim in the Bergerac reboot with Damien Molony, and DC Rustin in Little Disasters.
Michelle Bonnard as DI Jackson Wendy in We Hunt Together [Credit: Credit: BBC/UKTV/Sam Taylor]
Insomnia cast: Michelle Bonnard plays DI Hildreth
Brummie actress Michelle Bonnard, 44, stars as DI Hildreth. in the cast of Insomnia on C5. However, Unforgotten fans will know her best as Sunny’s former fiancée Sal. She played the role between 2018 and 2023, in series 3, 4, and 5.
The actress has been on our screens for several decades, with her first major role being Tops in the 2007 Suranne Jones drama Five Days.
She went on to play Daisy Murray in several episodes of Doctors, before portraying Praskovya in The Last Czars. Since leaving Unforgotten in 2023, Michelle has popped up as Susie Griffin in Beyond Paradise, Louisa Bradfield in the bonkers Channel 5 thriller Blind Spot, and Sylvi in House of the Dragon.
More recently, Michelle starred as Irene Frost in one episode of Father Brown, Mrs Edwards in the film Salvable, and Dr Justine Faye in Art Detectives.
Who else is in the cast of Insomnia on Channel 5?
Child actor Smylie Bradwell stars as Will, Emma and Tom’s son. He’s already played Martin Ryan in The Crow Girl, and Clifford Greenwood in Scandi Noir Wisting.
Additional cast for Insomnia includes Corinna Marlowe stars as Emma’s mother Patricia. The jobbing actress is perhaps best known for playing Mollie Stafford in The Doll – a role she played in 1975!
Marcus Onilude portrays Pete Stockwell. He’s best known for playing Marcus Adebayo in Ted Lasso, and DC Luke Jackson in Hope Street.
Amy Marston portrays a young Patricia. She recently played Aislene in Malpractice series 2. Amy is also known for portraying Miss Murphy in A Kind of Spark, Lydia Vendler in Showtrial, and Deborah in Rome. Earlier in her career, Amy portrayed Sylvia Sands in the TV series The Hello Girls.
Meanwhile, Anthony Calf portrays Angus Buckley. He’s known for playing Charles Drummond in Drummonds, Larry Durrell in My Family and Other Animals, and Pip in Great Expectations. Between 2005 and 2006, Anthony starred as Michael Beauchamp in Holby City, before going on to play DAC Robert Strickland in New Tricks, William Wickham in Poldark, and Lord Brightlingsea in The Buccaneers.
Veteran actress Corinna Marlowe stars as Patricia in Insomnia [Credit: Channel 5/Paramount+]
Full cast list of Insomnia on Channel 5:
Vicky McClure stars as Emma Averill.
Tom Cullen plays Robert Averill.
Leanne Best is Phoebe Bournett.
Dominic Tighe portrays Julian Sandford.
Jade Harrison stars as Michelle.
Lyndsey Marshal plays Caroline.
Robert Gilbert is Faisal.
Smylie Bradwell plays Will Averill.
India Fowler stars as Chloe Averill.
Corinna Marlowe plays Patricia Bournett.
Marcus Onilude portrays Pete Stockwell.
Amy Marston is a young Patricia.
Anthony Calf portrays Angus Buckley.
Hannah Azuonye – aka Virginie in Hanna – is Amanda Stockwell.
Silent Witness’ Seosaimhin Hennelly portrays young Emma.
A Gentleman in Moscow’s Billie Gadsdon stars as young Phoebe.
T.S.U.’s Lara Lemon plays Rosemary.
Random Acts’ Gwilym Lloyd is Baxter.
Juice’s Arlie Medford stars as Ben Sandford.
Flack’s Rebecca Benson plays Nurse Laura.
Rachel O’Meara – aka Diana Wilson in C5 soap Family Affairs – is Markham.
Code of Silence star Paul Lancaster plays the magistrate.
Surinder Duhra – aka Mr. Khalil in Coronation Street – portrays Dr Khan.
Read more: The free-to-air premiere of cosy crime drama Whitstable Pearl series 3 lands on U&Drama
