Blue Lights season 2 cast: Meet the stars of BBC police drama
Siân Brooke stars alongside a cast of established names and newcomers in the second season.
Hugely popular crime drama Blue Lights returned for its second season this month, returning to the streets of Belfast with the team at the PSNI.
The new season is set exactly a year after the events of the first season, and picks up with recruits Annie (Katherine Devlin), Grace (Siân Brooke) and Tommy (Nathan Braniff) as they continue on their policing journey while facing a fresh set of professional and personal challenges.
Most of the first season's central cast are back for the new run, along with some newcomers including Frank Blake (Sanditon), Seamus O'Hara (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) and Seána Kerslake (Smother).
However, one cast member who hasn't returned is Richard Dormer, after his character met a tragic fate at the end of season 1.
But who do they play? Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Blue Lights season 2.
Blue Lights season 2 cast
The returning characters in season 2 are as follows:
- Siân Brooke as Grace Ellis
- Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon
- Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster
- Martin McCann as Stevie Neil
- Joanne Crawford as Helen McNally
- Andi Osho as Sandra Cliff
- Hannah McClean as Jen Robinson
- Jonathan Harden as David 'Jonty' Johnston
- Desmond Eastwood as Murray Canning
- Andrea Irvine as Nicola Robinson
- Paddy Jenkins as Happy Kelly
The new cast additions in season 2 are as follows:
- Frank Blake as Constable Shane Bradley
- Seamus O’Hara as Lee Thompson
- Seána Kerslake as Mags Thompson
- Craig McGinlay as Craig McQuarrie
- Dan Gordon as Rab Thompson
Read on for everything you need to know about the actors and who they play.
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Siân Brooke plays Grace Ellis
Who is Grace Ellis? Grace is a empathetic and caring former social worker who is now a constable in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Where have I seen Siân Brooke? Brooke is best known for her roles as Eurus Holmes in Sherlock, Deirdre Young in Good Omens and Aemma Arryn in House of the Dragon. She has also appeared in Trying, The Terror, Doctor Foster and more.
Martin McCann plays Stevie Neil
Who is Stevie Neil? Stevie is Grace's partner and former mentor, who was tasked with getting her through her probation. They also have a romantic connection, but have decided to keep things professional.
Where have I seen Martin McCann? McCann has previously appeared in series such as Marcella, The Fall, Vera and Temple, as well as films including Clash of the Titans and '71.
Katherine Devlin plays Annie Conlon
Who is Annie Conlon? Annie is one of the constables in the PSNI, who joined around the same time as Grace. In season 2 she finds she has a connection with new constable Shane.
Where have I seen Katherine Devlin? Blue Lights is Devlin's first major role, after she previously appeared in 2018 film The Dig and one episode of Vikings.
Nathan Braniff plays Tommy Foster
Who is Tommy Foster? Tommy is another constable in the PSNI who joined at the same time as Grace and Annie. In season 2 he starts to learn about intelligence policing from Murray Canning.
Where have I seen Nathan Braniff? Blue Lights is Braniff's first on-screen role.
Joanne Crawford plays Helen McNally
Who is Helen McNally? Helen is the Inspector in the PSNI team, having been promoted following the departure of Jonty.
Where have I seen Joanne Crawford? Crawford is known for her roles in series such as Line of Duty, The Fall and Chosen, as well as films including Ballywalter and To All My Darlings.
Andi Osho plays Sandra Cliff
Who is Sandra Cliff? Following the death of her husband Gerry in season 1, Sandra is no longer the main custody sergeant at the police station, but has instead been promoted to be the section’s skipper.
Where have I seen Andi Osho? Osho is known for her roles in series such as Good Omens, Sex Education, You & Me, The Sandman, Breeders, Stay Close, Line of Duty, I May Destroy You and Death in Paradise, as well as the DC film Shazam!.
Hannah McClean plays Jen Robinson
Who is Jen Robinson? Jen was a police constable, but she left the PSNI at the end of season 1 after the death of Gerry Cliff. She is now a trainee solicitor.
Where have I seen Hannah McClean? McClean has previously had minor roles in series such as Josh and Sick Note.
Jonathan Harden plays David 'Jonty' Johnston
Who is David 'Jonty' Johnston? Jonty was previously the Inspector in charge at the station, but he was forced to resign after it was revealed he had been having an affair with Jen, his junior. In season 2, he is asked to return to the station in a more junior position, in order to utilise his experience and knowledge.
Where have I seen Jonathan Harden? Harden is known for his roles in series including Sherwood, Time Unforgotten and Peep Show and films such as Victoria & Abdul and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Desmond Eastwood plays Murray Canning
Who is Murray Canning? A detective sergeant now leading a Paramilitary Crime Taskforce, who in season 2 is investigating loyalist paramilitaries.
Where have I seen Desmond Eastwood? Eastwood has previously appeared in shows such as Blood, Normal People, Vikings and Derry Girls, along with films including In the Land of Saints and Sinners and The Last Rifleman.
Andrea Irvine plays Nicola Robinson
Who is Nicola Robinson? The assistant chief constable at the station.
Where have I seen Andrea Irvine? Irvine has had roles in series and films including Ella Enchanted, The Fall, Line of Duty, Red Rock and Dead Shot.
Paddy Jenkins plays Happy Kelly
Who is Happy Kelly? Happy is the childhood friend of Gerry who suffered trauma and often wanted to be arrested so he wouldn't be alone. In season 2, Jen looks into a case from his past to try and help him move on.
What have I seen Paddy Jenkins before? Jenkins has had roles in Bel's Boys, Give My Head Peace, An Irish Goodbye and The Last Rifleman,
Frank Blake plays Constable Shane Bradley
Who is Shane Bradley? A constable who arrives in the first episode of season 2 and is partnered up with Annie.
What have I seen Frank Blake before? Blake played Alan in the recent TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People. He has also appeared as Declan Fraser in Sanditon.
Seamus O’Hara plays Lee Thompson
Who is Lee Thompson? A Protestant from east Belfast who gets caught up in a loyalist feud.
Where have I seen Seamus O’Hara before? Viewers will recognise the actor from his previous roles in An Irish Goodbye and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves.
Seána Kerslake plays Mags Thompson
Who is Mags Thompson? Lee’s sister. The co-owner of The Loyal pub in Mount Eden in Belfast with her brother Lee.
Where have I seen Seána Kerslake before? Kerslake has previously starred in thriller series Smother, as well as comedies Bad Sisters and Ballywalter.
Craig McGinlay plays Craig McQuarrie
Who is Craig? Lee’s right-hand man.
Where else have I seen Craig McGinlay? McGinlay's acting credits include the TV series Cobra, You, Outlander and Knightfall.
Dan Gordon plays Rab Thompson
Who is Rab? Mags and Lee’s uncle.
Where else have I seen Dan Gordon? Gordon is best known for his roles as Noel Timoney in Bloodland, and Garda Summers in Northern Irish drama film Doineann.
Blue Lights season 2 is available to stream in full now on BBC iPlayer.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
