Meet the cast of Inspector George Gently
The long-running crime drama has arrived on Netflix.
After a long run on the BBC across 10 years from 2007-2017, Inspector George Gently has arrived on Netflix - and is bound to attract a whole new legion of fans across the globe.
Led by Martin Shaw as Gently and Lee Ingleby as DS John Bacchus, the crime drama proved popular with audiences in the UK throughout 25 tense episodes.
Investigating everything from the death of old friends to village-wide conspiracies, this whip-smart show is likely to stand the test of time.
Featuring stars from the likes of Poldark, Sex Education and more, the cast were as crucial for the success of this series as its BAFTA-winning creator Peter Flannery.
But who exactly features in Inspector George Gently? Find out below.
Meet the cast of Inspector George Gently
Below are the main cast members in Inspector George Gently. Read on for more on the stars and where you've seen them before.
- Martin Shaw – George Gently
- Lee Ingleby – John Bacchus
- Lisa McGrillis – Rachel Coles
- Anamaria Marinca – Eve Liddell
- Victoria Bewick – Marion Liddell
- Ruby McAvoy – Young Marion
- David Prosho – Donnelly
- Richard Harrington – Michael Clements
- Naomi Frederick – Adele Watson
Martin Shaw – George Gently
Who does he play? Inspector George Gently is an old-fashioned copper with a strong moral code who doesn't like to jump to conclusions about anyone. Before we met him he saw active service in the Second World War, met his wife Isabella and then worked as a Chief Inspector in London. At Isabella's funeral he handed in his notice, telling his superiors that he felt his dangerous job had resulted in his wife's murder.
But during one final case in Northumberland, he met DS John Bacchus and decided to stay in the North East so he could take him under his wing. Now he is finally heading towards retirement, Gently is concerned about Bacchus and his other protege DS Rachel Coles – are they up to the job?
Where have I seen him before? Perhaps in Apparitions, Judge John Deed, Always and Everyone, cop drama The Chief, Rhodes or The Professionals. Back in the '60s he played Robert Croft on Coronation Street. He hasn't appeared on-screen since 2021.
Lee Ingleby – John Bacchus
Who does he play? Bacchus is a talented and intelligent cop, but he doesn't always play by the book and he lacks Gently's patience. In fact, he will sometimes cut corners and even bend (or break) the law, and can be horribly bigoted and sexist.
It remains to be seen whether he can live up to Gently's expectations.
Where have I seen him before? You'll have seen him as Nick Huntley in Line of Duty. He has voiced Bob in Bob the Builder and has also been in Our Zoo, The A Word, The Five, The Street and Early Doors. Harry Potter fans may recognise him as Knight Bus conductor Stan Shunpike from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. He recently appeared in The Cuckoo on Channel 5.
Lisa McGrillis – Rachel Coles
Who does she play? Book-smart and driven, ambitious and determined, she can be a little idealistic about her role. Coles genuinely believes in justice and makes Gently question his paternalistic attitudes.
Where have I seen her before? Lisa McGrillis played Kelly in the TV series Mum. She has also been in Hebburn, Much Ado About Nothing and The Pass. She has recently featured in Avoidance with Romesh Ranganathan.
Anamaria Marinca – Eve Liddell
Who does she play? One of the episodes focuses on an old case, which takes a new turn when a man's body is found in a chemical plant on Teesside. Gently discovers that the victim's wife was convicted of the murder and has served eight years already. DI Bacchus worked on the original investigation and strongly objects when Gently controversially decides to re-open the case. Will this expose an appalling miscarriage of justice, or make the inspector look like a fool?
Where have I seen her before? Anamaria Marinca played Maria in Maigret's Dead Man. She also plays Dr Dahlin in the Ghost in the Shell remake, and was Marta Kamen in TV series Mars. Until last year, she had a recurring role in The Chelsea Detective.
Victoria Bewick – Marion Liddell
Who does she play? Marion plays the daughter of Eve Liddell, now grown up.
Where have I seen her before? Victoria Bewick starred in a Call the Midwife Christmas special as Yvonne Bridges. She was Muriel Roberts in the Margaret Thatcher movie The Iron Lady. This was her most recent major role.
Ruby McAvoy – Young Marion
Who does she play? The younger Marion appears in flashback scenes.
Where have I seen her before? This is Ruby McAvoy's first and only on-screen role.
David Prosho – Donnelly
Who does he play? David Prosho stars as Donnelly in Gently and The New Age.
Where have I seen him before? Perhaps you've seen him in the TV series Scott & Bailey as DC Ian Mitchell. He has also been in Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Doctors and Coronation Street. He appeared in an episode of Happy Valley.
Richard Harrington – Michael Clements
Who does he play? Richard Harrington also appears in Gently and The New Age.
Where have I seen him before? Richard Harrington stars as DCI Tom Mathias in Hinterland. Oh, and he played Captain Andrew Blamey in Poldark. Since then, he has had recurring roles in Dalgliesh and Steeltown Murders.
Naomi Frederick – Adele Watson
Who does she play? Clements's assistant.
Where have I seen her before? Better known for her stage roles in everything from Made in Dagenham to Measure for Measure to Hobson's Choice, Naomie Frederick also played Zoe in the TV movie The Trial of Tony Blair. She recently popped up in Industry.
Inspector George Gently is now streaming on Netflix.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
George White is a Sub-Editor for Radio Times. He was previously a reporter for the Derby Telegraph and was the editor of LeftLion magazine. As well as receiving an MA in Magazine Journalism, he completed a BA in Politics and International Relations.
