The Couple Next Door cast: Meet the characters in Channel 4 thriller
Everything you need to know.
The Couple Next Door has returned to Channel 4 for season 2, which explores a new story featuring new characters, and is loosely adapted from Scandi drama Dopamin.
We're back on the cul-de-sac, but this time, it's heart surgeon Charlotte Roberts and her husband Jacob, a consultant anaesthetist, who find their lives turned upside down when their enigmatic new colleague Mia starts pulling the strings and Charlotte's ex Leo is back on the scene.
Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com about filming the show's more intimate scenes, Annabel Scholey, who plays Charlotte, admitted: "It's so important to have a good, good friendship.
"And we had a laugh when we were doing the intimate scenes, because, I mean, it's just ludicrous!
"We had to do a sex scene in a toilet, and we looked up and the camera guy was on the roof waving! It's so ridiculous."
Palladio went on to explain that they both "took a minute or two" before shooting to get themselves into the right mindset.
"The relationship is really important, and we were able to have fun," he said.
The cast includes a number of other recognisable faces, plus some you might not recognise.
Find out more about the key movers and shakers below.
The Couple Next Door season 2 cast
- Annabel Scholey as Charlotte
- Sam Palladio as Jacob
- Aggy K Adams as Mia
- Sendhil Ramamurthy as Leo
- Hugh Dennis as Alan
- Jeff Rawle as Henry
- Adam James as Ben
- Maimie McCoy as Gemma
- Jackie Clune as Annette
- Tanya Moodie as Yvonne
- Janine Duvitski as Gloria
- Pål Sverre Hagen as Isak
- Barney White as Brandon
- Kristy Philipps as Alyssa
- Barney White as Brandon
- Madhav Sharma as Viraj
- Shane Zaza as Hari
- Anthony Rickman as Jaden
Read on to find out more about the characters and where you've seen them before.
Annabel Scholey plays Charlotte
Who is Charlotte? A consultant cardiothoracic surgeon. She's described as "hugely competitive and highly respected". Charlotte has been married to her husband Jacob for 20 years and they are seemingly very happy, but when her ex Leo arrives on the scene and a mysterious new nurse joins the hospital, she starts to reevaluate what she really wants.
Where have I seen Annabel Scholey before? You've probably watched her in The Split, The Sixth Commandment, Brittania, Medici, Dead and Buried and The Serial Killer's Wife.
Sam Palladio plays Jacob
Who is Jacob? A consultant anaesthetist and Charlotte's husband. Jacob loves his wife and "the fact that she is so powerful in theatre, but buried deep are insecurities about his status". He also uses illicit prescription drug to cope with the pressures of his job. While Jacob has always been faithful to Charlotte, "when Mia arrives it soon becomes clear she might be another drug he can’t quite resist".
Where have I seen Sam Palladio before? His most notable projects include Nashville and The Princess Switch.
Aggy K Adams plays Mia
Who is Mia? A surgical nurse who has just moved to the area. She has a "very mysterious past" and is "clearly trying to run from someone or something". Mia also has "an uncanny ability to draw people in and make them desire her. But this can also make her a formidable enemy". Shortly after her arrival, she manages to worm her way into Charlotte and Jacob's marriage.
Where have I seen Aggy K Adams before? Her credits include Oh, Ramona! and Greek Salad.
Sendhil Ramamurthy plays Leo
Who is Leo? He dated Charlotte in med school. Leo comes from a very wealthy family and spent many years travelling the world. But now that his father is dying, he's come home. "When he sees Charlotte, the old feelings come flooding back. Will he try and win back the woman he’s always loved?" reads the official synopsis.
Where have I seen Sendhil Ramamurthy before? You probably recognise him from Heroes, Never Have I Ever, Beauty and the Beast, Covert Affairs an The Flash.
Hugh Dennis plays Alan
Who is Alan? One of two characters to return from season 1. "Isolated and alone since Jean left him a year ago, Alan has had to suffer the scorn of the community, as his crimes towards Becka became more widely known," reads the official description.
"Now fully recovered from his stroke, he’s been sentenced to community service, completing menial tasks around the local area to repay his debt to society. But has Alan really mended his ways? And if he has, will his past stop him ever finding love again?"
Where have I seen Hugh Dennis before? He's best known for Outnumbered, Not Going Out, My Hero and panel show Mock the Week.
Jeff Rawle plays Henry
Who is Henry? Charlotte's dad. He's suffering with dementia, which forces his daughter to move him into a home.
Where have I seen Jeff Rawle before? He's best known for Hollyoaks. You might also have watched him in Drop the Dead Donkey.
Adam James plays Ben
Who is Ben? The hospital's medical director, and a friend and mentor to Jacob. He left his wife Gemma for a younger woman, but as she starts to grow close to Leo, "will he start to feel the pangs of regret?"
Where have I seen Adam James before? He has appeared in Doctor Foster, Hotel Portofino, Treason, The Day of the Jackal, The Suspect, Vigil, I May Destroy You and Belgravia, among others.
Maimie McCoy plays Gemma
Who is Gemma? A senior manager at the hospital and Charlotte's best friend. She was married to Ben but he left her for a woman half his age, something she's "still struggling to process".
"But once she meets the charming, suave Leo, life starts looking up. But with Leo still harbouring feelings for Charlotte, can they ever be more than just good friends?" adds the official character description.
Where have I seen Maimie McCoy? Her CV includes Van der Valk and The Musketeers.
Jackie Clune plays Annette
Who is Annette? A matron. Annette is a grouchy jobsworth who immediately takes a dislike to Mia.
Where have I seen Jackie Clune? You probably recognise her from Motherland.
Tanya Moodie plays Yvonne
Who is Yvonne? Mia's closest ally at work. She tries to set Yvonne up with Alan. "But can Yvonne overlook Alan’s past? And, if so, will he be able to prove he’s a changed man?" reads the official character description.
Where have I seen Tanya Moodie before? She has appeared in Motherland, The Change, A Discovery of Witches and The Clinic.
Janine Duvitski plays Gloria
Who is Gloria? One of the neighbours on Charlotte and Jacob's street. She also appeared in season 1. Gloria likes to stick her nose in other people's business.
Where have I seen Janine Duvitski before? You probably know her from Benidorm. Her other credits include Old Jack's Boat, One Foot in the Grave and Waiting for God.
Pål Sverre Hagen plays Isak
Who is Isak? A person from Mia's past.
Where have I seen Pål Sverre Hagen before? His credits include Exit and Furia.
Additional The Couple Next Door season 2 cast includes:
- Kristy Philipps (The Pact, Cleaning Up) as Alyssa - Ben's new girlfriend. She gives as good as she gets.
- Barney White (Professor T) as Brandon - a surgeon who thinks a little too much of himself.
- Madhav Sharma (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Viraj - Leo's father. He doesn't have long left to live.
- Shane Zaza (Happy Valley, Big Boys) as Hari - Leo's half-brother. They do not like one another.
- Anthony Rickman (Wreck) as Jaden - a nurse. He spills coffee on Mia during their first encounter.
- Amy Trigg (Such Brave Girls) as Amber - a ward receptionist.
The Couple Next Door season 1 cast
- Sam Heughan as Danny
- Eleanor Tomlinson as Evie
- Alfred Enoch as Pete
- Jessica De Gouw as Becka
- Hugh Dennis as Alan
- Kate Robbins as Jean
- Ionna Kimbook as Sophie
- Joel Morris as Gary
- Katie Clarkson-Hill as Rachel
- Anastasia Hille as Susan
- Andrew Woodall as Brian
- Deirdre Mullins as Lena
- Janine Duvitski as Gloria
- Mark Frost as Robbie Spencer
Read on to find out more about the characters and where you've seen them before.
Eleanor Tomlinson plays Evie
Who is Evie? A primary school teacher who has just moved to Danny's neighbourhood with her husband. They are expecting their first child together, but her family aren't thrilled about the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy.
"Evie is a complicated soul," said Tomlinson. "She's very curious about exploring herself and exploring boundaries, both with her friends and with her partner. She's been with one guy for most of her life, but as the series progresses, she finds her confidence with Danny and Becka, [who] bring her out of her shell and show her different routes, different possibilities."
Where have I seen Eleanor Tomlinson before? She is best known for BBC period drama Poldark. Her CV also includes BBC comedy The Outlaws and HBO fantasy drama The Nevers.
Jessica De Gouw plays Becka
Who is Becka? A yoga instructor-cum fitness influencer from Australia, who is married to Danny. Becka enjoys deep conversations and laying everything out on the table, but her husband prefers to bottle up his problems, which causes issues in their marriage.
"While everything looks picture-perfect, there's something about them as a couple that feels, particularly for Becka, that they don't fit," said De Gouw. "They're always wanting to break out of that space and carve a path for themselves that is unique. She's someone who is incredibly upfront and incredibly comfortable with who she is."
Where have I seen Jessica De Gouw before? You might have watched her in Australian series The Secrets She Keeps and Operation Buffalo, horror thriller Dracula with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and period drama Underground.
Sam Heughan plays Danny
Who is Danny? A traffic cop living in Leeds with his wife and young son. Danny is in an open marriage, but he's not always completely open with his partner – and despite his best efforts, those secrets refuse to stay buried.
"He's got a lot of baggage," said Heughan of his character. "He comes across in the first few episodes as being quite a good guy, but we begin to realise that underneath it all, there are a lot of secrets that he's keeping. And his relationship with Becka is tested a lot by their situation."
Where have I seen Sam Heughan before? Most people will know Heughan from time travel drama Outlander. He also appeared in Channel 4 crime drama Suspect, action thriller SAS: Red Notice and Doctors.
Alfred Enoch plays Pete
Who is Pete? A journalist at a local paper who is married to Evie. "Pete is conscientious, he's committed to his work, and sees there's a social function in it," said Enoch. "Like all the characters, he's motivated a lot by what's under the surface, the insecurities, the resentments, the things that maybe aren't evident at first glance."
Where have I seen Alfred Enoch before? He's best known for American drama How to Get Away with Murder, BBC medical drama Trust Me and the Harry Potter films. You might also know him from BBC drama Troy: Fall of a City and Apple TV+ series Foundation.
Hugh Dennis plays Alan
Who is Alan? He lives on the same street as the two couples. Alan is obsessed with Becka and uses his telescope to spy on her.
"He's a guy with almost no redeeming features," said Dennis, adding: "And he is dark. The briefing notes say he is a 'peeping Tom', but the way I was trying to play him is a man dealing with ageing very badly. His frustration and melancholy turns to bitterness, which made him very interesting to me."
Where have I seen Hugh Dennis before? The comedian is best known for panel show Mock the Week and comedies Outnumbered, Not Going Out and My Hero. He also appeared in the first season of Phoebe Waller Bridge's Fleabag, and is the host of The Great British Dig.
Kate Robbins plays Jean
Who is Jean? Alan's wife. She's unable to walk up the stairs in their home due to a disability, so she has no idea that her husband is watching Becka from his study.
"She's a long-suffering wife," said Robbins, adding: "She's been with her husband a long, long time, so she's loyal. She believes in marriage. But there's a seed of doubt in her somewhere."
Where have I seen Kate Robbins before? She's a singer who has appeared in Netflix's After Life and ITV crime drama Unforgotten. You might also know her voice from comedy Spitting Image.
Ionna Kimbook plays Sophie
Who is Sophie? She works at the local paper with Pete. They have a playful relationship, but also know when to knuckle down and get the job done. There are moments when it feels like she might be a better fit for Pete than his wife.
Where have I seen Ionna Kimbook before? She appeared in Disney+ romantic thriller Wedding Season.
Joel Morris plays Gary
Who is Gary? A colleague of Danny's who offers him some illegal work on the side.
Where have I seen Joel Morris before? You might know him from Sally Wainwright's Gentleman Jack and BBC's The Syndicate.
Katie Clarkson-Hill plays Rachel
Who is Rachel? Evie's sister. Their parents are staunchly religious, which has created a gulf between Evie and her family. There's love between the siblings, but they also have their moments.
Where have I seen Katie Clarkson-Hill before? She appeared in Prime Video drama Hanna and BBC series Guilt.
Anastasia Hille plays Susan
Who is Susan? Evie and Rachel's mum. Susan wants the best for her daughters and, despite not always seeing eye to eye with Evie on certain matters, she takes care not to upset her daughter, unlike her husband.
Where have I seen Anastasia Hille before? You might have watched her in BBC drama The Missing and its spin-off Baptiste. Other credits include ITV's remake of The Ipcress File, I Hate Suzie starring Billie Piper, ITV's A Spy Among Friends, and Welsh BBC drama Keeping Faith.
Andrew Woodall plays Brian
Who is Brian? Evie and Rachel's dad. Evie has a strained relationship with Brian, who is entrenched in his ways.
Where have I seen Andrew Woodall before? He's had minor roles in a number of British dramas including BBC's The Reckoning and ITV's Endeavour and Des.
Deirdre Mullins plays Lena
Who is Lena? She has history with Danny.
Where have I seen Deirdre Mullins before? She's appeared in Channel 4 sitcom Man Down and Channel 5 series The Drowning, among others.
Janine Duvitski plays Gloria
Who is Gloria? Another neighbour, who loves nothing more than poking her nose in other people's business.
Where have I seen Janine Duvitski before? Most people will know her from ITV comedy Benidorm. She's also appeared in BBC sitcoms One Foot in the Grave and Waiting for God.
- There's also Mark Frost (Coronation Street, Doctors) who plays corrupt businessman Robbie Spencer.
The Couple Next Door season 2 airs on Channel 4.
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Authors
Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.
