Meet the cast of forensics drama Traces
Line of Duty's Martin Compston and Molly Windsor reprise their roles in the second season of the Alibi thriller, now coming to BBC One.
The second season of forensic science murder mystery series Traces first aired on Alibi two years ago, but now it is about to be seen by a whole new group of viewers as it airs on BBC One.
The second season sees all of the central cast returning, including Molly Windsor, Laura Fraser, Jennifer Spence, Martin Compston and Michael Nardone, as it continues to follow the women of the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science (SIFA).
This new run finds them attempting to solve a series of bombings in Dundee, with the city on the edge and the pressure rising before the next bomb goes off.
Season 1 focussed on Windsor's character Emma, whose mother Marie was murdered when Emma was just seven years old. However, when the now grown-up Emma made a new start in Dundee, she came across her mother's as-yet unsolved murder case in the most unexpected way.
Speaking about the second season, Compston told RadioTimes.com back in 2022: "[In] season 2 the story has moved on a little bit. At the end of series one Daniel had turned in some evidence against his dad and his dad had been arrested.
"We’re now just before the trial of his dad for the murder of his girlfriend Emma’s mum. You find Daniel and Emma in quite a happy place, actually, they reconciled at the funeral at the end of series one and for a split second they’re kinda happy and then the wheels start to come off a bit…"
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters in Traces.
Molly Windsor plays Emma Hedges
Who is Emma Hedges? A 23-year-old who, at the start of season 1, signed up to a MOOC – Massive Open Online Course – which teaches the principles of forensic science. However, she soon realised a supposedly fictional forensic case study bore a remarkable similarity to a real-life case she knew all too well: her mother's unsolved murder.
Where have I seen Molly Windsor before? Windsor is known for roles in She Said, War of the Worlds, Three Girls, The Unloved, The Runaways, Cheat and Make Up.
Laura Fraser as Prof. Sarah Gordon
Who is Professor Sarah Gordon? Sarah is a professor of Chemistry who taught the very case study that raised Molly's suspicions back in season 1.
Speaking about the female-led series, Fraser told RadioTimes.com: "This wasn't even 50/50 – it was actually predominantly female and I really appreciated it, it felt so comfortable."
She added: "I would love to see more of that. It'd be great if the pendulums swings, and then balances out so it's 50/50 – that would be incredible."
Where have I seen Laura Fraser before? Fraser played Lydia Rodarte-Quayle in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. She's also starred in The Missing, A Knight's Tale with Heath Ledger, The Loch, Crime, The Pact and Doctor Who.
Jennifer Spence as Prof. Kathy Torrence
Who is Professor Kathy Torrence? Professor of forensic anthropology, and a colleague of Sarah's.
Where have I seen Jennifer Spence before? Spence has starred in the likes of Continuum, Close Up, Trigger Me, Family Law, You Me Her, Lucky Hank, The Trades and Family Law.
Martin Compston plays Daniel Macafee
Who is Daniel Macafee? A man whom Emma meets in season one and shares a romantic connection with. At the end of season 1, (spoiler!) he turned on his own father for potential murder.
Where have I seen Martin Compston before? Compston is best known for playing Steve Arnott in Line of Duty, but he's also starred in surrogacy thriller The Nest, Sweet Sixteen, Mary Queen of Scots and Monarch of the Glen. More recently he has been seen in Vigil, Our House, Mayflies and The Rig.
Michael Nardone plays DCI Neil McKinven
Who is DCI Neil McKinven? Neil is a veteran police officer who is experienced and sympathetic, and who became a confidante to Emma in season 1.
Where have I seen Michael Nardone before? Nardone has previously appeared in shows such as Silent Witness, Rome, Merlin, Doctors, Line of Duty, Shetland, This is England '90, The Night Manager, Guilt and River City, as well as films including Rogue One, Dune and Napoleon.
Vincent Regan as Phil Macafee
Who is Phil Macafee? Daniel's father, who was arrested at the end of season 1.
Where have I seen Vincent Regan before? Regan known for appearances in films like 300, Snow White and the Huntsman and Troy. He also played Ned Despard in Poldark, Jasper Tudor in The White Princess and Tony in Flesh and Blood, and has also appeared in The Bay, Luther: The Fallen Sun, Before We Die, One Piece and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Season 1 characters
John Gordon Sinclair plays Drew Cubbin
Who is Drew Cubbin? Emma's father, whom she reconnected with during the first season.
Where have I seen John Gordon Sinclair before? The Glasgow-born star played Gregory in the iconic Scottish film Gregory's Girl, and has gone on to star in Erik the Viking, World War Z, and Mad About Alice.
Laurie Brett as Izzy Alessi
Who is Izzy Alessi? A figure from Emma's childhood, and her best friend's mum.
Where have I seen Laurie Brett before? She played Jane Beale in EastEnders and Christine Mulgrew in Waterloo Road. She's also starred in London Kills and the recent Deadwater Fell as DC Gemma Darlington.
Traces season 2 will air on BBC One from Saturday 30th March 2024 at 9:25pm. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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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.
