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.

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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.

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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.

Siân Brooke plays Grace Ellis

Siân Brooke in Blue Lights wearing uniform looking into camera
Siân Brooke in Blue Lights. BBC, Two Cities Television, Todd Antony

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

Martin McCann as Stevie Neil in Blue Lights, wearing a police uniform and looking into the camera
Martin McCann as Stevie Neil in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon in Blue Lights, wearing a police uniform and looking into the camera
Katherine Devlin as Annie Conlon in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster in Blue Lights
Nathan Braniff as Tommy Foster in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Joanne Crawford as Helen McNally in Blue Lights
Joanne Crawford as Helen McNally in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Andi Osho as Sandra Cliff in Blue Lights, wearing a police uniform and looking down
Andi Osho as Sandra Cliff in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Hannah McClean as Jen Robinson in Blue Lights, sat in an armchair
Hannah McClean as Jen Robinson in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Christopher Barr

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

Jonathan Harden as David 'Jonty' Johnston in Blue Lights
Jonathan Harden as David 'Jonty' Johnston in Blue Lights BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Desmond Eastwood as Murray Canning in Blue Lights, wearing a suit and looking offscreen
Desmond Eastwood as Murray Canning in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Andrea Irvine as Nicola Robinson in Blue Lights
Andrea Irvine as Nicola Robinson in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television/Todd Antony

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

Paddy Jenkins as Happy Kelly in Blue Lights, looking offscreen
Paddy Jenkins as Happy Kelly in Blue Lights. BBC/Two Cities Television

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

Frank Blake in Blue Lights sat in uniform
Frank Blake as Shane Bradley in Blue Lights season 2. Two Cities Television/BBC

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

Seamus O'Hara and Seana Kerslake in Blue Lights looking at one another
Seamus O'Hara as Lee Thompson and Seána Kerslake as Mags in Blue Lights season 2. BBC

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

Seana Kerslake in Blue Lights stood behind a bar
Seána Kerslake as Mags in Blue Lights season 2. BBC

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

Craig McGinlay as Craig in Blue Lights, stood in front of a police car
Craig McGinlay as Craig in Blue Lights BBC/Two Cities Television

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.

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