Obsession cast: Full list of actors and characters in Netflix series
The erotic thriller stars Richard Armitage and Charlie Murphy, but who else joins them in the cast?
Netflix is getting fans hot under the collar with its new adult thriller, Obsession.
Based on the 1991 Josephine Hart novel Damage, the series follows renowned surgeon William who begins a fiery affair with his son's fiancée, Anna.
However, as the romance progresses, desire soon becomes (yep, you guessed it) obsession, and fatal consequences ensue.
Richard Armitage and Charlie Murphy lead the cast of the Netflix thriller as William and Anna, alongside The Capture's Indira Varma and Ms Marvel's Rish Shah, amongst others.
So, who do they all play and where have you seen them before? Check out our full guide to the Obsession cast.
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Obsession Netflix cast
Here are the main cast members and characters in Obsession. Read on for more information about who they are and where you've seen the actors before.
- Richard Armitage as William Farrow
- Charlie Murphy as Anna Barton
- Rish Shah as Jay Farrow
- Indira Varma as Ingrid Farrow
- Pippa Bennett-Warner as Peggy
- Sonera Angel as Sally Farrow
- Anil Goutam as Edward
- Marion Bailey as Elizabeth Barton
Here's all you need to know about the major players in the drama Obsession.
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Richard Armitage plays William Farrow
Who is William Farrow? William is a successful surgeon, father and husband to Ingrid. Everything seems to be going brilliantly in his life – he's got a high-flying career, a father-in-law in parliament, a successful wife and a lovely family but something is missing. At least, he realises it is when he comes across Anna, his son's fiancée, and soon gets wrapped up in his obsession with her.
Talking about taking on the role, Armitage recently told Radio Times magazine that he "knew that it would be intense before [he] even read the script".
He said: "Everyone was asking, ‘Is this a temperature you’re comfortable with?’ I said, ‘Bring it on. Let’s not be British about this.’ That prudishness is, I think, not cool."
Where have I seen Richard Armitage before? Armitage is known for his various roles in television and film, most notably in The Hobbit, North & South, The Crucible, Hannibal, Spooks, Strike Back, and Robin Hood. Of course, Armitage will be recognisable to many Netflix thriller fans as he has starred in two of Harlan Coben's adaptations, including The Stranger and Stay Close.
Charlie Murphy plays Anna Barton
Who is Anna Barton? Anna works for the foreign office and one night at a parliamentary event, locks eyes with William for the first time. Sparks fly and soon, they realise their connection to each other: that Anna is the mysterious girlfriend that William's son Jay has been excitedly talking about.
Hiding a complicated past of her own, Anna embarks on an affair with William but also loves Jay – will she have to decide between the two? Speaking about the role, Murphy said: "It was the most dynamic and fun role I could ever have imagined.
“On the one hand, she’s desperately looking for normality to anchor and heal her and that’s what she gets from Jay, but the destructive side seeks out danger and annihilation and that’s what William represents.”
Where have I seen Charlie Murphy before? The Irish actress is perhaps best known for her roles as Jessie Eden in Peaky Blinders and her moving portrayal as Ann Gallagher in BBC's Happy Valley, a role she held throughout all three seasons. She has also starred in 2022 thriller Deadline, Halo and The Capture season 2.
Indira Varma plays Ingrid Farrow
Who is Ingrid Farrow? Ingrid is William's wife and is in a high-flying career of her own as a barrister. She's intrigued by Anna, who Jay happily brings home to meet his parents one weekend and only wants the best for her children.
Speaking about avoiding cliches in her role as Ingrid, Varma revealed: "Ingrid isn’t the wife that’s 14 being traded in for a younger model. Just look at the clothes that costume designer, Keith Madden and I felt the character should wear... We wanted her to still be attractive, and hip, and a sexual being. We wanted to avoid all the usual cliches.”
Where have I seen Indira Varma before? This certainly isn't the first strong character Varma has played, with past roles of hers including Elaria Sand in Game of Thrones, Zoe Luther in Luther and more recently as Khadija Khan in The Capture season 2. She has also starred in Extrapolations, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Carnival Row and Spitting Image.
Rish Shah plays Jay Farrow
Who is Jay Farrow? William and Ingrid's son, Jay is a junior doctor following in his father's major career footsteps. He seeks his father's approval and validation, but his focus is centred on his latest obsession: Anna. She's older, exciting and soon, Jay is completely in love with her, unknowing of her and his father's secret.
Where have I seen Rish Shah before? Shah had his breakout role in Ms Marvel as super-powered teenager Kamran but has also more recently starred in Netflix's Do Revenge and Riz Ahmed's The Long Goodbye. He has also appeared in British soaps like Emmerdale, Casualty and Doctors.
Sonera Angel plays Sally Farrow
Who is Sally Farrow? Sally is Jay's sister and William and Ingrid's daughter. She and her brother have a loving relationship and she takes great pleasure in teasing him about his new love interest, Anna.
Where have I seen Sonera Angel before? Angel has appeared in series such as Red Velvet Revolution, Casualty, The Third Day and short films like Without Warning, The Castle: Two Against One, and Zaara.
Marion Bailey plays Elizabeth Barton
Who is Elizabeth Barton? Elizabeth is Anna's mother in the story. What does she make of her daughter's choices?
Where have I seen Marion Bailey before? Bailey is a renowned stage actress and has regularly appeared in the films of director Mike Leigh, including Vera Drake and Peterloo. The actress has been a television regular for the past few decades but is likely best known for her role as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the third and fourth seasons of The Crown.
Anil Goutam as Edward
Who is Edward? An influential and wealthy Member of Parliament and the father of Ingrid Farrow.
Where have I seen Anil Goutam before? The actor has starred in Citizen Khan, Top Boy, This Is Going To Hurt and The Witchfinder. Goutam recently portrayed the villainous Ranveer Gulati in EastEnders, the adopted father of bad boy Ravi Gulati.
Pippa Bennett-Warner plays Peggy
Who is Peggy? Peggy is a friend of Anna's and one of her only links back to her complicated past. She is Anna's confidante and knows all about her past, but what will she think of Anna and William's growing relationship?
Where have I seen Pippa Bennett-Warner before? Bennett-Warner has starred in various things both on stage and on the screen, including standout performances in Richard II and The Witness. As for TV, she is perhaps best known for her role as Shannon Dumani in Gangs of London, as well as in River, See How They Run, Chloe and Roadkill.
Read More:
- Obsession ending explained: What happens to Anna and William?
- Netflix's Obsession fails in what it sets out to do as an erotic thriller
- Obsession's Richard Armitage explains "guilt" he felt filming thriller
- Richard Armitage reveals all about Obsession: 'Let's not be British about it'
- Who is Charlie Murphy? Meet Obsession and Happy Valley star
- Charlie Murphy discusses 'empowerment' of sexual role in Obsession
- Richard Armitage on Obsession: 'I knew it would be intense before I read the script'
Obsession is available to stream on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
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