The Famous Five cast: Full list of characters in BBC TV series

Joining The Famous Five in the new episode is Jason Flemyng (Snatch) as circus magician the Great Supremo and Art Malik (True Lies) as Sir Lincoln Aubrey.

According to the synopsis for the new episode: "In an action-packed episode, the Five take on another epic adventure as the circus comes to town and they must contend with new adversaries, a terrifying new threat and an old enemy now offering the hand of friendship."

This is the third Famous Five tale that's aired so far, with The Curse of Kirrin Island premiering back in December and Peril on the Night Train airing the other month.

The series is, of course based, on Enid Blyton's Famous Five novels but has been adapted and executive produced by Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn.

As for the cast, the Five is led by George, who is played by Diaana Babnicova (Don't Breathe 2). She is joined by a cast of rising young talent, as well as more familiar faces like Jack Gleeson, who is widely recognised for portraying Joffrey Baratheon in HBO's Game of Thrones, and BAFTA nominee Ed Speleers as Mr Roland.

With that, read on for everything you need to know about the cast of BBC's The Famous Five.

The Famous Five cast: Characters and actors in BBC adaptation series

You'll find the main cast of The Famous Five below, but scroll on to find out more about their characters and where you may have seen the actors before.

Of course, there would be no Five without faithful canine companion Timmy the dog, who will be played by bearded-collie cross Kip.

• Diaana Babnicova as George
• Elliott Rose as Julian
• Kit Rakusen as Dick
• Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne
• Jack Gleeson as Wentworth
• James Lance as Quentin
• Ann Akinjirin as Fanny
• Diana Quick as Mrs Wentworth
• William Abadie as Mister Boswell
• Ed Speleers as Mr Roland

Diaana Babnicova plays George

Who is George? The leader of the group, George is an only child and is an independent girl after having grown up without any siblings. Things start off rocky with her cousins but they soon grow their family bond.

Where have I seen Diaana Babnicova before? Babnicova has starred in TV series like Little Darlings as well as movies like Don't Breathe 2 and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.

Elliott Rose plays Julian

Who is Julian? The oldest of the group, Julian is the father figure when the adults aren't around. Anne and Dick are his younger siblings.

Where have I seen Elliott Rose before? Rose has appeared in The Northman, as well as short films Milk and Knife Edge.

Kit Rakusen plays Dick

Who is Dick? Although he's young, Dick is the definite brains of the group. According to Rakusen, Dick is "really clever, he can tell you anything about history, Latin and times tables but he's also funny in his own way".

Where have I seen Kit Rakusen before? Rakusen has starred in Apple TV+ series Foundation and Sky's The Midwich Cuckoos. He has also featured in movies like Belfast, Golda and Consecration.

Flora Jacoby Richardson plays Anne

Who is Anne? With Dick and Julian as her brothers, Anne is used to getting her own way with them and can be quite sassy while also bringing humour to the group.

Where have I seen Flora Jacoby Richardson before? As a newcomer to the world of TV, The Famous Five is Richardson's debut role.

Jack Gleeson plays Wentworth

Who is Wentworth? Quite a sinister figure, Wentworth is "hell bent on getting what he wants, which is power", according to Gleeson. "He's mercurial and mysterious, you're never sure how he's going to react in certain situation and I love that tension."

Where have I seen Jack Gleeson before? Gleeson is perhaps best known for playing the infamous role of Joffrey Baratheon in HBO's Game of Thrones. More recently, he appeared in the final season of Netflix's Sex Education and In the Land of Saints and Sinners.

James Lance plays Quentin

Who is Quentin? George's father and Fanny's husband, Quentin is a professor and likes to spend a great deal of time by himself. Nevertheless, like any father, he does get quite anxious about George's adventures.

Where have I seen James Lance before? Lance is perhaps best known for his role in Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso as Trent Crimm, a role which earned him a 2022 Emmy nomination. He has starred in numerous comedy series like I'm Alan Partridge and Absolutely Fabulous, as well as series like Black Mirror, Marple and Midsomer Murders.

Ann Akinjirin plays Fanny

Who is Fanny? As well as being George's mother and married to Quentin, Fanny is an accomplished writer who pens novels under a pseudonym. According to Akinjirin, "she's quite a strong-willed, really confident, anchored woman".

Where have I seen Ann Akinjirin before? Akinjirin has had roles in Moon Knight, Strike and I May Destroy You as well as Beforeigners and Trigonometry.

Ed Speleers plays Mr Roland

Who is Mr Roland? Mr Roland is the Famous Five's teacher - who may also be hiding a few secrets (hint: he also goes by 'Agent Keats'). Speaking of the character, Speelers said: "He's trying to not give away what he might be really up to. And actually, some of the children in particular, George, think he might be up to no good - but he isn't really up to no good, he's there on very important business."

Where have I seen Ed Speelers before? Speelers is a BAFTA-nominated actor, having received the nod for his turn in 2018 short film Wale. He is known for his roles as Jack Crusher in Star Trek: Picard and also had a leading role in the fourth season of Netflix's You. More recently, he starred alongside Lindsay Lohan in Netflix's Irish Wish.

Jason Flemyng plays The Great Supremo

Who is The Great Supremo? A circus magician who is on the run and quickly taken in by George and the Five, but they don't realise he has run away from being in Dr Grave's care in a local psychiatric institute. Flemyng describes his character as "very flawed but charismatic and he’s a genuinely good man".

Where have I seen Jason Flemyng before? Flemyng is perhaps best known for his roles in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, as well as X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass and Boiling Point. In terms of TV, Flemyng has starred in Pennyworth, The Walk-In and A Town Called Malice.

Art Malik plays Sir Lincoln Aubrey

Who is Sir Lincoln Aubrey? Aubrey set up the institute to help deal with mental illness after losing his son in the First World War and seeing how much trauma soldiers were returning home with. He's not a medical professional, simply a "very rich businessman".

Where have I seen Art Malik before? Malik is known for his role in the Bond film The Living Daylights and has also starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1994's True Lies. More recently, he has lent his voice to The Little Mermaid and also starred in TV shows like Borgia, Homeland, Doctor Who and Renegade Nell.

Emma Paetz plays Dr Graves

Who is Dr Graves? Dr Graves is a psychiatrist at the institute but Paetz describes her as "very smart and dedicated but you probably shouldn’t trust her". She adds: "You could say she’s a baddie or you could say she’s misguided, that she’s not going about it in the right way".

Where have I seen Emma Paetz before? The Canadian actress is best known for her role in Pennyworth as Martha Kane but has also starred in Gentleman Jack and Boys From County Hell.

The Famous Five episode 2 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with further episodes coming soon. For more news, interviews and features, visit our Drama hub, or find something to watch now with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.

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