Sherwood is THE thriller to watch this summer on BBC One, and it has a cast of dreams.
If you can judge a drama series by the calibre of its cast (which you usually can), Sherwood is already a winner.
We can confirm that the BBC One series is every bit as good as it looks, not least because of its insanely talented list of actors.
Here’s everything you need to know about the cast of Sherwood, and who plays who.
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David Morrissey plays Detective Chief Superintendent Ian St Clair in Sherwood
Detective Chief Superintendent Ian St Clair is called to investigate when a brutal murder occurs in the ex-mining town he grew up in.
As if solving the crime wasn’t already pressure enough, there’s an obvious mistrust of the police in the area going back to the days of the miners’ strikes.
DCS St Clair is a high-ranking police officer in Nottingham, who’s been honoured for tackling street crime and gang violence in the city.
Actor David Morrissey says: “He then very quickly has to investigate a brutal killing.
“Someone who he knows from his past, who is killed on the streets he grew up in.
“He has to go back to his childhood area to investigate this terrible death of a man he knows and that puts him back into a community and a place in time and history that was very complicated for the community, and very complicated for him personally.”
Of course, TV viewers will know Liverpool-born David Morrissey, 57, for four decades on our televisions.
He’s known for playing Sam Webster in the 2016 series The Missing, Murray Devlin in the excellent The Field of Blood, and Robert Carne in South Riding.
Brittania fans will know him as Aulus, a role he played from 2017 to 2021.
Meanwhile, Waking the Dead viewers will recognise David as Philip ‘The Governor’ Blake.
More recently, he’s played Walter Blackett in The Singapore Grip, and Martin in Inside No 9.
We’ll always remember him for his portrayal of Stephen Collins in the brilliant series State of Play.
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Lesley Manville stars as Julie Jackson in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Lesley Manville plays Julie Jackson in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
And, quite simply, she deserves to win ALL the awards for the role.
Lesley, 66, says: “Julie Jackson is Gary Jackson’s wife.
“He’s one of the miners who adamantly stayed out on strike.
“They are a warm, lovely couple who love each other and have a great life.
“But there is this side of him that she must suppress and try and put to one side because she doesn’t like it.”
Lesley has been on our screens since 1974, when she first appeared as Merle in Village Hall.
She then played teenager Rosemary Kendall in Emmerdale from 1974 to 1976.
Since then, she’s gone on to star in the likes of Coronation Street, Soldier, Soldier, Holding On, Cranford, Harlots and Save Me.
Of course, she also played Cathy in the sweet sitcom Mum.
She’s also featured in movies and has enjoyed roles in the likes of A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet and Ordinary Love.
Famous UK director Mike Leigh loves her and has cast Lesley in Another Year, Grown Ups, High Hopes, Secrets & Lives, Topsy-Turvy, and Vera Drake (to name a few).
In 2018, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Phantom Thread.
The Crown fans will know her for playing Princess Margaret in the Netflix series.
Most recently, Lesley has played Susan Ryeland in Magpie Murders, Maria in I Am, and she’ll soon play Genevieve de Merteuil in the much anticipated Dangerous Liaisons.
Alun Armstrong plays Gary Jackson
Actor Alun Armstrong stars as Gary Jackson in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
Gary was a miner during the strike in the 80s.
While some broke the picket line and went back to work, Gary stayed out on strike – and hasn’t forgiven those he calls “scabs”.
Alun, 75, is a veteran actor known for playing eccentric ex-detective Brian Lane in New Tricks.
He’s famed for his theatre work, and has also starred in US movie blockbusters including The Mummy Returns, Sleepy Hollow, and Van Helsing.
TV viewers will know him as Austin Donohue in Our Friends in the North, Teddy Middlemass in Underworld, and George Mole in Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years.
He’s also starred in Between the Sheets, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, and Garrow’s Law.
Most recently, he’s played Jim in Breeders, Chief Inspector Hugh Wisbech in Year of the Rabbit, and Lord Benton in Frontier.
Clare Holman stars as Helen St Clair in Sherwood cast on BBC One
Actress Clare Holman, 58, plays Ian St Clair’s wife Helen in the BBC One thriller Sherwood.
Clare portrayed forensic pathologist Dr Laura Hobson in the crime drama series Inspector Morse and its spin-off Lewis from 1995 to 2015.
She’s also known for portraying Felicity Dorr in Island at War, Miss Bach in The Little Drummer Girl, and Colonel Reese in MotherFatherSon.
The Lakes fans might have noticed that there are several former stars in the cast of Sherwood.
These include Clare, who played Simone Fisher, Charles Dale (see below) who starred as Gary Alcock, and Kevin Doyle, who portrayed John Parr.
Adeel Akhtar plays Andy Fisher
The immensely likeable Adeel Akhtar plays bumbling train driver Andy Fisher in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
Adeel is the father-in-law of Joanne Froggatt’s character Sarah, who becomes a central character later on.
Actor Adeel, 41, is understatedly brilliant in every role he takes on.
These include Faisal in the excellent Four Lions, Ray in Trollied, Hassan Mahmoud in Unforgotten, and Rob Singhal in The Night Manager.
In 2017, he won the BAFTA for Best Actor for his role in Murdered by My Father.
He’s also been nominated for for his roles on Channel 4’s Utopia, and Ali & Ava.
Adeel has even played Mani in the sensation that is Stranger Things.
Joanne Froggatt plays Sarah Vincent in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Actress Joanne Froggatt stars as Sarah Vincent.
Sarah is campaigning to be the local councillor but she’s Tory, which goes down like a bowl of sick with some of the Labour supporting ex-miners.
Viewers seen Sarah getting married in episode one of Sherwood on BBC One.
Forty-one-year-old actress Joanne has been on our screens since her first TV appearance in 1996 when she popped up in the cast of The Bill as Kelly Martin.
Nowadays, she’s most famous for playing Laura Nielson in Liar on ITV1, and Anna Bates in Downton Abbey.
She’’s also starred in The Commons, Dark Angel, Robin Hood, Bad Girls, Dinnerladies and Life on Mars.
Soap fans might remember Joanna as Zoe Tattersall in Coronation Street, a role she played from 1997 to 1998.
Last year, she starred in the tense thriller Angela Black, opposite Michiel Huisman.
Lorraine Ashbourne stars as Daphne Sparrow
The brilliant Lorraine Ashbourne, 61, stars as Daphne Sparrow in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
Lorraine Ashbourne, 61, is well known to TV fans from her acting career which spans more than three decades.
We loved her as Mrs Varley in Bridgerton on Netflix.
She has also starred as Barbara Castle in The Crown, DI Tessa Nixon in Unforgotten and Lace Polly in Jericho.
Lorraine’s many other roles include Playing the Field, Clocking Off, The Syndicate, Cheat and Vera.
She’s also recently starred in Silent Witness, and as Joan in Alma’s Not Normal.
Philip Jackson plays Mickey Sparrow in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Philip Jackson stars as Daphne’s husband Mickey Sparrow in Sherwood.
The pair, along with their son, seem a tight-knit family at first.
However, they appear to live on the outskirts of the rest of the town.
Actor Philip, 73, notably portrayed Melvin “Dylan” Bottomley in Porridge and Chief Inspector Japp in the television series Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
Coincidentally, he portrayed Abbot Hugo, one of the recurring adversaries in the cult 1980s series Robin of Sherwood.
The actor was actually born in Retford, Nottinghamshire, so filmed close to home.
Philip recently portrayed Paul Smart in The Good Karma Hospital, and Grandad John in There She Goes.
Perry Fitzpatrick stars as Rory Sparrow in Sherwood
Actor Perry Fitzpatrick stars as Rory Sparrow in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
Rory is the son of Daphne and Mickey and seems to use his local taxi firm to spy on all the neighbours.
Perry, also born in Nottinghamshire, is perhaps best known for playing Flip in This is England ’90 and This is England ’86.
Line of Duty fans will recognise him for playing DS Chris Lomax in the popular BBC police drama.
Recently, he’s played Craig in Hullraisers, Johnny in We Hunt Together, and Officer Harper in Man Like Mobeen.
He’s also starred in Peaky Blinders, Suspects, Drifters, and I Am.
Perry played Chris Webster in the 2019 film Downton Abbey.
Kevin Doyle stars as Fred Rowley in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Actor Kevin Doyle is another very familiar face in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
He plays Fred Rowley, another former miner who seems to clash with Alun Armstrong’s character Gary Jackson.
The 62-year-old star is known for playing DS John Wadsworth in Happy Valley, and John Parr in the hugely successful TV series The Lakes.
He’s also appeared in Coronation Street, The Crimson Field, At Home with the Braithwaites, and Blackpool.
Of course, Downton Abbey fans will know him for playing Mr Molesley in the TV series and films.
Claire Rushbrook portrays Cathy Rowley
Actress Claire Rushbrook, 50, stars as Cathy Rowley in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
Within minutes of episode one, it becomes clear that she lives next door to her sister Julie Jackson.
However, it’s far from happy families as the husband’s have no love for each other having been on opposite sides of the miners’ strike.
The relationship between estranged sisters Cathy and Julie result in some heartbreaking scenes.
Actress Claire is known for her role as Roxanne in the Mike Leigh film Secrets & Lies.
Other film roles include Deborah in Spice World, Mrs Lane in Enola Holmes, and Janice in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
TV viewers will know her as Katie Williams in Magpie Murders, Gloria Wilson in Temple, and DCI Marilyn Marchant in No Offence.
She’s also appeared in Home Fires, My Mad Fat Diary, Whitechapel and The Fades.
Adam Hugill plays Scott Rowley in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Actor Adam Hugill plays Scott Rowley in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
He’s the son of Cathy and Fred, and is facing jail time when we’re first introduced to him.
Adam is a relative puppy amongst the cast of Sherwood, which counts as one of his most significant roles to date.
The up-and-coming actor has played Jack in one episode of Pennyworth, Vic in World on Fire, and Constable Carrot Ironfoundersson in The Watch.
Film roles have included Private Atkins in 1917, Kayden in How to Stop a Recurring Dream, Frank Peerless in The Banishing, and Rintrah in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Not bad at all for someone who has only been acting professionally for a few years!
Robert Glenister portrays DI Kevin Salisbury in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
The very recognisable Robert Glenister stars as DI Kevin Salisbury in Sherwood.
He’s called him to assist DSC Ian St Clair on the brutal murder in the mining village – but there’s clearly history between them.
Of course, TV fans know Robert for playing conman Ash “Three Socks” Morgan in the BBC television series Hustle from 2004 to 2012.
Spooks viewers will recognise Robert as Nicholas Blake in the spy drama.
The 62-year-old is also known for playing Grieves in Curfew, George Kirkbright in Cold Feet, and Brigadier Wainwright in Close to the Enemy.
Most recently, he’s played Martin Copeland in Suspicion, Jasper Chiswell in Strike, Ron in Isolation Stories, and Thomas Edison in Doctor Who.
Tom Glenister stars as Young Kevin
Tom Glenister portrays a younger version of DI Kevin Salisbury in flashback scenes to the 80s miners’ strikes.
Of course, Tom is the real life son of Robert.
Talking about starring with his son, Robert said: “We didn’t actually do anything together, all the flashback scenes were shot in the two weeks after we’d pretty much finished all of the present-day stuff.
“I just thought, and I know I’m his dad, but I think he’s a terrific actor.
“He’s got something special.
“I contacted James Graham initially about Tom and I said, ‘Look, this is this is shamelessly nepotistic, but my boy has been out of drama school three years, he’s terrific.'”
“And we do sort of look alike!”
Tom is still relatively new to the old acting lark, but he portrayed Paul in a 2019 episode of Doc Martin, and Joshua Walken in a 2020 episode of Vera.
He’s also popped up in Isolation Stories and Industry.
In 2021, Tom played J.R.R. Tolkien in the film The Most Reluctant Convert.
Mark Frost is Martin St Clair in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Mark Frost stars as Martin St Clair in Sherwood.
The actor Mark Frost most recently portrayed Iain Jarrett in Silent Witness.
Of course, soap fans will recognise Mark Frost right away.
Mark recently played Ray Crosby in Coronation Street.
Ray Crosby was the sleazy, corrupt businessman who arrived on the cobbles determined to bulldoze Weatherfield to build a luxury hotel.
He’s now in prison.
So actor Mark is free to take on new roles!
Before the ITV soap, Mark was known for his roles as George Calendar in Hetty Feather, and Tom Carne in Poldark.
He played DCI Jim Sullivan in the 2015 episodes One of Our Own, and DS Paul Baxter in 2003’s Fatal Error.
Sean Gilder stars as Dean Simmons
Actor Sean Gilder, 58, plays former miner Dean Simmons in the cast of Sherwood.
Sean is best known for his portrayal of Paddy Maguire on Shameless from 2005 to 2010.
He also played Styles on Hornblower, and Max Lane in Our Girl.
TV viewers will know him for his roles in Doctor Who (as the Sycorax Leader), as well as New Tricks, Penny Dreadful, White House Farm, and His Dark Materials.
Charles Dale is Leonard Gibson
Actor Charles Dale portrays Leonard Gibson in the cast of Sherwood.
The 59-year-old is also a veteran of The Lakes.
He played Gary ‘Chef’ Alcock in the murder mystery.
Charles is a Welsh actor known for playing Big Mac in Casualty.
Coronation Street fans will know him as Dennis Stringer in the ITV soap.
He’s also played Clive Eustace in The Eustace Bros, Brian Weston in Rules of the Game, Chief Constable Robin in Unforgotten, and DS Gareth Rees in The Pembrokeshire Murders.
Terence Maynard is DS Cleaver in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Actor Terence Maynard portrays Ian St Clair’s partner DS Cleaver.
Terence has been a jobbing actor ever since 1994 when he first appeared as a social worker in the film Ladybird Ladybird.
After that, he went on to play André in the TV series Roger Roger, Stuart Naysmith in Dream Team, and Anton Matthews in Holby City.
Other significant roles include Van Helsing in Young Dracula, Barrington Smith in Father & Son, Portis in Spy, and Artorius in The Witcher.
Corrie fans will know him as Tony Stewart, a role he played between 2014 and 2015.
He recently played Kavanagh in the brilliant TV drama Time.
Mark Addy plays Ron St Clair in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Actor Mark Addy stars as Ron St Clair in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One.
At first, we don’t know the connection between Ron and DCS Ian St Clair – but surely there is one!
The 58-year-old made his film debut as Dave Horsefall in The Full Monty in 1997.
Other notable film roles include Fred Flintstone in The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, Ronald in A Knight’s Tale, Friar Tuck in Robin Hood, and Mr Bakewell in Downton Abbey.
Mark also played Ross Cassidy in the excellent The Salisbury Poisonings, and DS Stan Jones in White House Farm.
Game of Thrones fans will know Mark as King Robert Baratheon in the HBO fantasy series.
Stephen Tompkinson is Warnock in episode 3 of Sherwood
Actor Stephen Tompkinson arrives in Ashfield as Warnock in episode 3 of Sherwood.
Warnock is a union pal of Gary Jackson, who turns up with a bunch of union members to pay their respects.
Of course, they ruffle the feathers of the whole community while they’re at it.
TV viewers will know actor Stephen very well from a multiple of popular TV shows.
Stephen, 56, is known for his television roles as Marcus in Chancer, Damien Day in Drop the Dead Donkey, Father Peter Clifford in Ballykissangel, and Trevor Purvis in Grafters.
He played Danny Trevanion in Wild at Heart, Davey in The Split, and Brian in Trollied.
He’s perhaps best known for starring as DCI Alan Banks in detective drama DCI Banks from 2010 to 2016 – opposite fellow Sherwood co-star Andrea Lowe who played DI Taylor.
More recently, he’s portrayed George Torvill in the TV movie Torvill & Dean, Mr. Shippen in The Other One, and murder victim Stephen Marshbrook in The Bay.
Film fans will know him from his roles in Brassed Off, Hotel Splendide, Harrigan, and Hector.
Nadine Marshall stars as Jenny in the cast of Sherwood
Actress Nadine Marshall appears as Jenny Harris, an old flame of DI Salisbury.
He clearly still has feelings for her, and she is unsettled by his reappearance in the village.
Matters are made more complicated because Jenny is friends with Ian St Clair…
Trigger Point viewers will know Nadine, 49, as DSU Marianne Hamilton in the 2022 thriller.
She also played Alicia Cobden in Time, Jesse in Small Axe, DS Shola O’Halloran in Save Me, and Christine in The Innocents.
Nadine has appeared in National Treasure, Old Jack’s Boat, and Waterloo Road, among other roles.
Who plays a young Julie Jackson in Sherwood?
Eagle-eyed viewers might recognise the actress who plays a young Julie Jackson in Sherwood.
Actress Poppy Gilbert plays the character, who is seen protecting alongside husband Gary on the picket line.
Flame-haired Poppy, 23, recently played dancing assassin Barbie in the Netflix thriller Stay Close.
She also played Chloe Fairbourne in the BBC drama Chloe, in which she played the titular character whose death was not as innocent as it first seemed.
Poppy has also starred in Leonardo, Midsomer Murders, Call the Midwife, and The Pale Horse.
Christopher Fairbank stars as Bill Raggatt
Actor Christopher Fairbank makes a brief but important appearance as Bill Raggatt in the cast of Sherwood episode 4 on BBC One.
Bill Raggatt, aka as Robbie Platt, was a special operations officer who has now retired.
DI Kevin Salisbury discovers he is one of the governments secret spy cops.
Christopher Fairbank, 68, is an English film, stage and television actor.
He is most famous for playing Moxey in the comedy-drama series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
Film fans will also know him for The Broker in Guardians of the Galaxy, Mactilburgh in The Fifth Element, Uncle in Jack the Giant Slayer, and Nic in Batman.
Other TV roles have included Cracknell in The Essex Serpent, Mr. Brown in The Woman in White, and Ibbotson in Taboo.
Lindsay Duncan stars as Jennifer Hale in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One
Fabulously classy actress Lindsay Duncan, 71, stars as Jennifer Hale in episode 4 of Sherwood.
She delivers some shocking news to DCS Ian St Clair about government practices during the miners’ strikes.
Lindsay has been on our screens since 1975, and is famous for her work on stage, TV and film.
She is perhaps best known for playing Barbara Douglas in Alan Bleasdale’s G.B.H., Servilia of the Junii in the HBO series Rome, and Adelaide Brooke in Doctor Who.
She also played Lady Smallwood in the BBC series Sherlock.
Film roles include Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and Birdman.
Most recently, she played Countess Caroline in The Split, Ysabeau De Clermont in A Discovery of Witches, and Jane Digby in Around the World in 80 Days.
Don Gilet portrays Jacob Harris in Sherwood
Actor Don Gilet, 55, guest stars as Jacob Harris in Sherwood episode 4 on BBC One.
He is the husband of Jenny, former flame of DI Salisbury.
The character is also a copper, friend of Ian St Clair, and is on Gary Jackson’s list of possible spy cops.
In episode 4 of Sherwood, his gold party is shot at by Scott Rowlet – but why?
EastEnders fans will know actor Don as villain Lucas Johnson, a role he played from 2008 to 2021.
Don is also famous for playing Lance Bennett in Doctor Who, Gary Thorpe in Love & Marriage, and Freddie in Cape Wrath.
Who plays Keats in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One?
Actress Lucy Carless plays spy cop Keats in Sherwood on BBC One.
Nottingham-born Lucy, 25, has been on TV ever since she was 18 years old.
The relative newcomer first appeared as Susan Mann in true crime drama Code of a Killer in 2015.
She played Eva Pryce in one episode of Cuffs the same year, before winning her most significant role to date in Humans.
The actress portrayed Mattie Hawkins in Humans from 2015 to 2018.
Lucy Carless has also played Lucy Harris in Suspects, Amilia Silver in Shepherd’s Delight, and Cara in The Dumping Ground.
Who else stars in the cast of Sherwood on BBC One?
Kelly Harrison plays Amy Whitstable in episode four.
Corrie fans will recognise her as Elsa Tilsley, a role she played from 2018 to 2019.
She also played Leanne in Age Before Beauty, Vanessa in The End of the F***ing World, and Delia Bradley in The Level.
Kelly has also appeared in Happy Valley, Safe House, Casualty, and Born and Bred.
Meanwhile, Bally Gill stars as Neel Fisher, Lance O’Reilly-Chapman is Noah Jackson, and Safia Oakley-Green plays Cinderella Jackson.
Unforgotten’s Phaldut Sharma plays Chief Constable Fraser, while DCI Banks star Andrea Lowe portrays DI Taylor.
The Crown actor Pip Torrens portrays DI Salisbury’s stern boss in episode one of Sherwood, while The Ipcress File’s Chloe Harris stars as PC Kirsty Dove.
Maimuna Memon, Bill Jones, Hazel Ellerby, Harpal Hayer, George Howard, and Joe Bolland also star.
Ace Bhatti stars in episode two of Sherwood.
The Line of Duty actor plays solicitor Vinay Chakarabarti, who is targeted by the killer.
René Zagger also stars as CSI Madison, not a far cry from his character in The Bill, PC Nick Klein.
In later episodes, Sunetra Sarker portrays the Sheriff of Nottingham, Lindsay Duncan plays Jennifer Hale, and Don Gilet stars as Jacob Harris.
Sherwood airs on Mondays and Tuesdays on BBC One at 9pm.
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