Better cast – who stars in the BBC thriller?
The new series is led by Leila Farzad and Andrew Buchan, but who else stars in it?
Arriving hot on the heels of Sally Wainwright's Happy Valley, another police show set in West Yorkshire has landed on our screens: BBC One’s Better.
I Hate Suzie’s Leila Farzad leads the cast of the new five-part thriller as DI Lou Slack, a corrupt police officer trying to cut her ties to organised crime.
While Better, which has been produced by SISTER (This Is Going to Hurt, Chernobyl) and written by Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent, the writers of Humans and Spooks, is no doubt destined to face comparisons to Happy Valley, the cast of the series recently told RadioTimes.com that the show is not like other police-based dramas on TV.
When asked about their initial thoughts after reading the Better script for the first time, Farzad said that initially, Lou "seems to have it all figured out".
"And then when struck by tragedy, she has to question it all and question her morals and wonder if she can be redeemed for all the terrible things she's done," she added. "So it was complicated and different and brilliant.”
Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch), who stars as enigmatic Leeds crime boss Col McHugh, added that he thought the drama was "brilliantly written" and had "3D flawed characters whose lives are very intertwined".
He added: "It makes the unravelling of their lives and careers all the worse, as the story progresses, all the harder. You kind of read it and think 'Well, it's not your typical cop show'. And it's not, it's not a whodunnit – so what is it?
"It's this character-driven, character-based, very complex story about two people with many a flaw. Very, very complex lives.”
Who else stars in the new BBC series? Scroll on to find out.
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Better cast: Who stars in the BBC drama alongside Leila Farzad?
Leila Farzad as DI Lou Slack
Who is Lou Slack? Lou has spent years rationalising and excusing the wrongs that she has allowed (and helped) Col to get away with. Her slow slide into the world of corruption has finally caught up with her when she suddenly suffers a tragic life event and must face up to the years-long pact she's put in place with Col, her long-time friend.
Where have I seen Leila Farzad? Farzad has starred in I Hate Suzie as Naomi Jones, which earned her a 2021 BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Other main roles include The Fear Index and Avenue 5.
Andrew Buchan as Col McHugh
Who is Col McHugh? Col was a low-ranking but ambitious newcomer when he and Lou crossed paths 19 years ago and struck a deal that changed their lives forever. Now, he's a high-flying individual who has become very rich and very powerful.
Where have I seen Andrew Buchan? Buchan has starred in a variety of roles, including Broadchurch as Mark Latimer, The Crown as Andrew Parker Bowles and, most recently, as Matt Hancock in This England.
Samuel Edward-Cook as Ceri Davies
Who is Ceri Davies? Ceri is Lou's partner and father to Owen. He knows about Lou and Col's long-term arrangement but that doesn't make it easier for him, although his own career has benefitted from it.
Where have I seen Samuel Edward-Cook? Edward-Cook has previously starred in Peaky Blinders, Emmerdale, Innocent and Silent Witness.
Zak Ford-Williams as Owen
Who is Owen? Owen is Lou's son, who has a playful relationship with both of his parents. But when the close-knit family is faced with tragedy, everything changes.
Where have I seen Zak Ford-Williams? Rising star Ford-Williams has also starred in Wolfe.
Kaya Moore as Noel Wilkes
Who is Noel Wilkes? Wilkes is one of Col's treasured employees who has also grown to know Lou well over the years.
Where have I seen Kaya Moore? The actor has starred in Waterloo Road, Vera and Love, Lies and Records.
Carolin Stoltz as Alma
Who is Alma? Alma is Col's wife, who is proud of her husband's business arrangements and reaps the benefits of a wealthy lifestyle.
Where have I seen Carolin Stoltz? The Swedish-British actor has starred in Shetland, McMafia, Emmerdale and, most recently, in ITV's Maternal.
Anton Lesser as Vernon
Who is Vernon? Not much is currently known about Vernon but what we do know is that he is somehow caught up in Col and Lou's worlds of crime and corruption.
Where have I seen Anton Lesser? Lesser is a well-known actor, having appeared in Game of Thrones, Andor, Wolf Hall, The Crown, Endeavour and most recently, 1899.
Additional cast members in Better
Further cast members in Better also include:
- Ceallach Spellman as Donal
- Olivia Nakintu as DC Esther Okoye
- Joseph Steyne as Joleon
- Anthony Lewis as DC Niall Ibbotson
- Junade Khan as DS Pritam Khan
- Gavin Spokes as DI Phil Cowper
- Charley Webb as Elise
- Jamie Dorrington
Better is due to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on 13th February on BBC One. If you’re looking for something else to watch in the meantime, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide visit our dedicated Drama hub.
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