Badria Timimi - Sara Mahmoud

Sara Mahmoud is an English teacher who is in the process of applying for a headteacher role at a struggling local school which she hopes to turn around. She is a practising Muslim and active member of her community but not afraid to ruffle a few feathers and challenge orthodoxy, particular when it comes to women’s equality. Sara is married with children but has secrets in her past that could jeopardise her family life.

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Fans of Doctors will recognise Timimi as Layla Darwish, while EastEnders viewers might recognise her as Doctor Sandra Vole, who cared for Jane Beale after Bobby violently assaulted her. She played Doctor Abraham in Hollyoaks, Doctor Allen in DCI Banks and yet another medical professional in Whitechapel.

Adeel Akhtar - Hassan Mahmoud

Hassan is Sarah's loving husband, who just wants to see his wife happy.

Another River veteran, Mahmoud is probably best known for playing Faisal in Four Lions. 2016 was a strong year for the actor, who played Shahzad in the BBC3's Murdered by my Father and appeared as Rob Singhal in The Night Manager. You might also know him as Utopia's Wilson Wilson and shopkeeper Ahmed in BBC mini-series Capital.

Bobby Lockwood - Nathan

Nicola's son's pal is the tech wizard she's been looking for, charged with helping to salvage evidence from a long forgotten pager.

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If you were a fan of BBC1's Tumble then you'll recognise Bobby Lockwood as the show's winner, but chances are you'll know him best for the CBBC series Wolfblood. He won a British Academy Children's Award for his turn as Rhydian Morris.

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