Murder Most Puzzling comes to a deliciously dramatic end with episode 3 this week, and a lovely crop of guest stars are welcomed into the cast of the Channel 5 cosy crime.

In the last instalment of the current series (Thursday, July 03, 2025), we see Cora take on another killer – as well as a suitor! Hopefully not the same person, but you never know in this show!

There also the thorny issue of Sherry’s abusive ex-husband Dennis Pride… He arrives in Bakerbury, having been sponsored to play a gig by wealthy businessman, Ray, and his wife Gloria.

When another murder occurs in the village, Cora puts their lives on the line to catch the killer. She faces her toughest choice yet, when Hooper falls victim to her nemesis Mayor Firth and only she can save him… At stake is everything Cora and Sherry have built. Will The Puzzle Lady (Phyllis Logan) live to fight another day?

Here’s everything you need to know about the guest cast of Murder Most Puzzling episode 3.

Phyllis Logan stars opposite real-life husband Kevin McNally

Film and TV actor Kevin McNally portrays Cora’s “charming suitor” in the cast of Murder Most Puzzling’s latest episode. He arrives in Bakerbury and attempts to woo the famous Puzzle Lady – but is she in the market for a husband number 6? And is he as perfect as he seems?

There might not be much acting involved here, though… Bristol-born Kevin McNally, 69, is married to lead actress Phyllis Logan, who plays Cora, in real life!

They met on the 1994 mini-series Love and Reason, and have been wed since 2011. They have one son together.

Murder Most Puzzling guest cast of episode 3: Kevin McNally portrays Gilbert Sullivan

Kevin is probably best known for playing Joshamee Gibbs in The Pirates of The Caribbean film franchise. He is one of the few characters to appear in every single film, playing the devoted First Mate to Johnny Depp’s infamous Captain Jack Sparrow.

You might also recognise him from the fourth series of The Crown, where he played Margaret Thatcher’s press secretary Bernard Ingham. He played another real person recently, too, when he portrayed former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson in Stonehouse opposite Keeley Hawes.

Das Boot viewers will know him for playing Jack Greenwood in the Sky Original drama. His other well known TV roles include James Hollis in Unforgotten, Richard Woodhull in Turn, and Professor Eustacius Jericho in Doctor Who.

Most recently, he played Kenny/Supt Jolliphant in Endeavour series 9, Professor Peter Cherry in Silent Witness, and Max Grendel in Alex Rider. He also voiced Podo in The Wingfeather Saga, and played patriarch Mr Austen in the cast of BBC One’s Miss Austen. In 2024, he starred as George Ellis in the cast of Beyond Paradise’s penultimate episode of series 3.

As well as Pirates of the Caribbean, Kevin has been in dozens of films, too. These include Reflections, Curse of the Macbeths, Painted Beauty, Apartment 7A, and Legend. He’s been on our screens since 1976, so his career is pretty extensive.

Sarah Alexander stars as Gloria Hendrix

London-born comedian and actress Sarah Alexander, 54, guest stars as “dynamic” Gloria Hendrix, one half of a very wealthy couple. Together with her businessman husband, Ray, they have sponsored Sherry’s ex-husband Dennis Pride to play a gig in Bakerbury.

Sarah is perhaps best known for being one part of comedic group Smack the Pony. The sketch show ran from 1999 to 2003, and launched the careers of Sarah, Fiona Allen, Doon Mackichan, Sally Phillips. There were multiple guest performances, too, from the likes of Amanda Holden, Darren Boyd, James Lance, and Miranda Hart. Oh, and Amandaland‘s Peter Serafinowicz also popped up!

Peter just happens to be Sarah’s husband in real life. Sarah Alexander and Peter Serafinowicz have been married for 23 years, and have two children, a son and a daughter, together.

Sarah is also known for playing Susan Walker in Coupling, which ran from 2000 to 20o4. The sitcom followed six best friends on their never-ending quest to find true love. Jack Davenport also starred, as did The Trial’s Ben Miles.

Other famous comedic roles include Dr Angela Hunter in Green Wing, Alice Fletcher in Teachers, and Mel Cook in The Worst Week of My Life. She’s also known for her roles in Mutual Friends, All the Small Things, The Jury, Me and Mrs Jones, and Undercover.

Between 2015 and 2016, Sarah starred as Marley Wise in Marley’s Ghosts, before going on to play Polly Creek in Jonathan Creek, Undine Thwaite in Pennyworth, and Harriet Sykes in Father Brown. This year, Sarah portrayed Rosa Conaghan in Art Detectives. Her famous film roles include Laura in the 2024 Christmas film Bad Tidings, Empusa in Stardust, and Gilda Perry in We’re Doomed! The Dad’s Army Story.

Ben Freeman guest stars as Dennis Pride in episode 3 cast

Actor Ben Freeman stars as the rather sinister Dennis Pride in the cast of the cosy crime drama on Channel 5. Dennis is the ex-husband of Sherry, Cora’s niece. And he’s a wife-beating rock star.

Viewers of Murder Most Puzzling soon discovered that Sherry Carter was in hiding from her abusive ex. She had fled London for a “quiet life” in Bakerbury to escape her former husband. He was the lead singer in the preposterously-named Psychic Buffalo – and Sherry used to be in the band with him too!

Soaps fans will know Ben best for portraying mechanic Scott Windsor in Emmerdale. He played the role of Viv and Reg Dawson’s son between 1998 and 2007. Some of his most memorable storylines included an affair with his step-sister Kelly Windsor, as well as having a child with Zoe Tate.

In 1999, the actor performed Robbie Williams’ Millennium in musical talent show Stars in Their Eyes. After leaving the ITV soap under a cloud – he was accused but later cleared of rape – Ben embarked on a career in musical theatre. He went on to play various roles in the West End.

Other notable TV roles include Chris Longworth in Grange Hill, which was his very first appearance on screen in 1996. He played the character for two years until 1998.

What is Ben Freeman doing now?

After playing the titular hero in the 2018 film Robin Hood: The Rebellion, Ben returned to soaps. In 2021, he joined EastEnders as Caleb Malone. Ben joined the BBC soap for six episodes. His character was a drug dealer who caused problems for Chelsea Fox and her dad Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet). Viewers last saw him in prison…

More recently, Ben has portrayed Corporal Jethro Woodbine in one episode of Outlander, and Athos in the film The Three Musketeers, alongside James Cosmo.

Who else is in the cast of Murder Most Puzzling episode 3?

On order of appearance: Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan returns as Cora Felton.

The Spanish Princess’ Charlotte Hope is Sherry Carter.

Dalgliesh‘s Alistair Brammer stars as Anton Grant.

Blue Lights‘ Adam Best portrays DCI Derek Hooper.

Funboys’ Richard Croxford plays Mayor Firth.

Simon Haines – Commander Malendol in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – is Rod Reed.

Hope Street’s Conor Grimes as Mr Trotter.

Kin’s Yasmin Seky plays Becky Baidwan.

Soft Border Patrol’s Chris Patrick-Simpson stars as Ray Hendrix.

Newcomer Jacob Baird is Julien Hendrix.

Coupling’s Sarah Alexander guest stars as Gloria Hendrix.

The Fall’s Amanda Doherty plays Olivia Lemon.

Fiona Browne – DI Audrey McCabe in Fair City – stars as Edith Potter.

Newcomer Julé Michelo portrays Ellen Hooper.

Newcomer Amber Mendez-Martin plays Katy Hooper.

The Hardacres‘ Jack Weise stars as PC Danny Finley.

Clean Sweep’s Trevor Kabeswaran is Sunil Baidwan.

Newcomer Eleanor Baird Kent stars as Pink Lipstick Lady in her first TV role.

Innocent’s Nick Danan plays DS Sam Brody.

Declan O’Connor – aka Hugo in Corrie – is Dante.

Holly Bodimeade – who played Megan in Paradise Cafe between 2009 and 2011 – plays the receptionist.

Mixtape’s Conor Sanchez portrays Jimmi Potter.

Royal Shakespeare Company’s Frances McNamee stars as Violet White.

Blue Lights’ Catherine Rees is Dr Nadia Burke.

Newcomer Joanna Sterling plays Marjorie.

Distortion’s Lata Sharma stars as Irene Farrow.

Ashionye Michelle Raccah – aka Monica Ade-Williams in Tinsel – portrays Babs Dufresne.

Read more: Pipe down critics, Phyllis Logan’s new Channel 5 series Murder Most Puzzling is cosy crime at its best

Murder Most Puzzling episode 3 – the final episode of series 1 – airs on Thursday, July 03, 2025 at 8pm on Channel 5.