Can You Keep a Secret? cast: Full list of actors in new BBC sitcom
Dawn French and Mark Heap lead the cast of new BBC sitcom Can You Keep a Secret?
Dawn French is back on BBC One and iPlayer with a brand new sitcom, where she plays a strong-willed woman in the middle of a risky criminal scheme.
Can You Keep a Secret? follows alleged widow Debbie Fendon (French), who is secretly hiding her very-much-alive husband William (Mark Heap) in the attic.
Her intention is to claim on his life insurance and give them the carefree lifestyle that they've yet to experience, but pulling off the con proves a lot more difficult than imagined.
In the first episode, their anxious son Harry (Craig Roberts) is let into the big secret, forcing him to decide whether or not to tip off his wife, police officer Neha (Mandip Gill).
If you're interested in the high-concept premise, read on for your full introduction to the Can You Keep a Secret? cast right here (and check out our review for the verdict on whether it's worth watching).
Can You Keep a Secret? cast: Full list of actors in new BBC sitcom
Here's an overview of the key players in Can You Keep a Secret? – read on for more detailed profiles on each character and actor, including where you might have seen them before.
- Dawn French as Debbie Fendon
- Mark Heap as William Fendon
- Craig Roberts as Harold 'Harry' Fendon
- Mandip Gill as Neha Fendon
- Paul Chahidi as Clive
- Heather Seymour as Jean
- Geraldine McNulty as Pamela
- Shola Adewusi as Billie
- Gregory Gudgeon as Pigfish
- Sam Battersea as PC Susan
Dawn French plays Debbie Fendon
Who is Debbie Fendon? Debbie is a woman who has recently been widowed – at least, that's what she's telling people. The truth is that her husband, William, was mistakenly declared dead, but she is keeping up the ruse in order to claim on his life insurance. She sees herself as something of a Robin Hood-figure, somewhat radicalised by seeing William's health cover stripped away after his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease. However, she sometimes pushes her behaviour to the very edge of excusability.
Speaking of her latest role, French said: "I could see that she's one of those people that absolutely believes she's always right. I don’t think I’ve ever done that in my life, been sat firmly in that righteous place the way Debbie is. I may have often imagined that I could be right, but I’ll err on the side of thinking, 'I'm probably wrong about this'. Debbie just doesn't have that anxiety or filter.
"She's made a split decision in a mad moment, and once the decision is made, unless she's prepared to go to prison, she knows she'd better man up and deal with it."
What else has Dawn French been in? One of the most recognisable faces in British comedy, French rose to stardom in a comedy partnership with Jennifer Saunders, with whom she currently presents the Audible podcast Titting About. She went on to star in all-time great sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, with other credits including Psychoville, Roger & Val Have Just Got In, and The Trouble with Maggie Cole. On the big screen, French and Saunders appeared together in Kenneth Branagh's Death on the Nile.
Mark Heap plays William Fendon
Who is William Fendon? William is Debbie's husband of many years. Together, they have one son – Harold – who genuinely believed his father to have died weeks earlier. In reality, he has been hiding away in the loft, allowing Debbie to claim on his life insurance. Unfortunately, he may not be willing to do so in perpetuity, which raises serious questions about the long-term viability of the scam. William also lives with Parkinson's disease, which is an added complication to their stressful situation.
What else has Mark Heap been in? Heap is a prolific name in the world of British comedy, with credits including Brass Eye, Big Train, Spaced, Green Wing and Lark Rise to Candleford. In 2011, he originated one of his most popular characters, playing intrusive and eccentric neighbour Jim Bell in Channel 4's Friday Night Dinner. More recently, he's been seen in Upstart Crow, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin and ITV1's Piglets.
Craig Roberts plays Harold 'Harry' Fendon
Who is Harry Fendon? Harry is the son of Debbie and William. His mental health has recently taken a turn for the worse, as he spent a significant period grieving for his father. Imagine his shock, then, when he discovers that dear old dad never died at all – and his mother was in on the deception! It would be a lot for anyone to handle, but particularly the highly-strung Harry, who needs to decide whether to become complicit in his parents' con.
"His mum Debbie doesn't give him a chance to breathe, really," said Roberts of his latest role. "She's constantly on his back about stuff, and I think that's where a lot of the comedy comes from. Even when he makes a joke, he's making the wrong joke. I think the relationship throughout the series is him getting to know them a lot more, really, when their backs are up against it, and then them all rallying together to fix it."
What else has Craig Roberts been in? Roberts' career started as a child actor, when he bagged early roles in CBBC favourites The Story of Tracy Beaker and Young Dracula. He went on to star in Richard Ayoade's directorial debut Submarine, which earned him a BAFTA Cymru award, before a stint across the pond working on the likes of Bad Neighbours, 22 Jump Street and Prime Video's Red Oaks. Most recently, he co-starred in Apple TV comedy series Still Up.
Roberts has also taken the director's chair for British films Just Jim, Eternal Beauty and The Phantom of the Open.
Mandip Gill plays Neha Fendon
Who is Neha Fendon? Neha is Harry's wife and a police officer. Her occupation makes her a serious danger to Debbie and William, who have so far managed to carry out their scam under her nose. Can they keep it up?
On her new character, Gill said: "I think she has a lot of humility, and she sees a lot of good in people, whether they are doing weird and wonderful things. She doesn't just want to go around arresting people. That's not really how she works. She's in with the community and she can see the good in everyone."
What else has Mandip Gill been in? Gill's breakout role came on Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, where she played Phoebe McQueen over a period of about three years. She later bagged the role of Yasmin 'Yaz' Khan on Doctor Who, a companion and later love interest to the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), which proved to be another long-running gig. Since departing the sci-fi drama, Gill has been seen in Apple TV's Suspicion as well as 5 dramas Curfew and Cooper & Fry.
Paul Chahidi plays Clive
Who is Clive? Clive is the manager of the local bowls club.
What else has Paul Chahidi been in? Chahidi previously worked with Can You Keep a Secret? creator Simon Mayhew-Archer on This Country, where he played Reverend Francis Seaton – who looked out for the hapless Mucklowes. He is currently starring in the long-awaited second season of The Night Manager as Basil, an ally to intelligence agent Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston).
Heather Seymour plays Jean
Who is Jean? Jean is a neighbour to the Fendons and a member of the so-called 'widow club', which Debbie has fraudulently joined. She is also blind.
Geraldine McNulty plays Pamela
Who is Pamela? Another of the Fendons' nosey neighbours, who could well pose a threat to their con.
What else has Geraldine McNulty been in? McNulty played the villainous Mrs Raven in BBC One's superhero sitcom My Hero.
Shola Adewusi plays Billie
Who is Billie? Another member of the 'widow club', Billie is a friend to Debbie, who tends to fall asleep during her visits due to narcolepsy.
What else has Shola Adewusi been in? Adewusi's past credits include Sky's In The Long Run, Channel 4's Chewing Gum, and acclaimed family film Paddington 2.
Gregory Gudgeon plays Pigfish
Who is Pigfish? Pigfish is the nickname given to a troubled local man, who has a habit of being picked up by police due to his outlandish behaviour.
What else has Gregory Gudgeon been in? Gudgeon has recently appeared in Prime Video's The Wheel of Time and Disney Plus drama A Small Light, as well as acclaimed films Nosferatu and All Quiet on the Western Front.
Sam Battersea plays PC Susan
Who is PC Susan? She is Neha's colleague on the local police force.
What else has Sam Battersea been in? You may recognise her from recent appearances in Bridgerton, where she played Lady Barragan.
Can You Keep a Secret? premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday 7th January 2026.
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Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
