Red Eye season 2 cast: New and returning actors in ITV thriller
Jing Lusi has found a new co-star – and he's an icon of British crime drama.
Jing Lusi is back as DC Hana Li for another season of Red Eye on ITV1 and ITVX, but there's a new co-star by her side in the latest episodes of the hit thriller.
Viewers will remember that Harlan Coben favourite Richard Armitage co-led the first chapter, playing alleged murderer and medical doctor Matthew Nolan on a hijacked extradition flight to China.
The character's role is reduced to a surprise guest appearance in Red Eye season 2, with Martin Compston (Line of Duty) stepping in as Hana's next uneasy ally for a high-stakes story inside London's US Embassy.
Reflecting on her time with the two actors, Lusi told The Hollywood Reporter: "It was quite easy in some ways, because Richard and I had never met before, and Hana and Nolan had never met before. And so you get to play so much for real.
"With Martin, it was a bit more complicated. As an actor, I was such a fan of his work anyway, because of Line of Duty, so it was coming in a little bit like a fan girl. And then because our characters have a history, you're trying to make sure that you're on the same page about that."
Lusi added: "You're trying to pitch it right, as opposed to coming in completely cold with someone that you personally don't know and that your character doesn't know. We had to do a bit more work prepping for it."
Compston is joined by a handful of other new recruits, but Red Eye season 2 also brings back some familiar faces, including Lesley Sharp as cool-headed MI5 boss Madeline Delaney and Jemma Moore as Hana's once-estranged sister Jess.
Read on for our full guide to the Red Eye season 2 cast and characters.
Red Eye cast: New and returning actors
Here's an overview of the key players in Red Eye season 2 – read on for more details on each character and the actors playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Jing Lusi as Detective Hana Li
- Lesley Sharp as Madeline Delaney
- Martin Compston as Clay Brody
- Jemma Moore as Jess Li
- Robert Gilbert as Supt. Simon O'Brien
- Tom Forbes as Fox
- Cash Holland as Ruth Banks
- Jonathan Aris as John Tennant
- Steph Lacey as Megan Campbell
- Nicholas Rowe as DSEC Alex Peterson
- Trevor White as US Ambassador Ronald Tillman
- Isaura Barbe-Brown as DCM Cece Redding
- Danusia Samal as Captain Sarah Wright
- Guy Williams as Air Marshal John Johnson
Jing Lusi plays Hana Li
Who is Hana Li? A detective constable for the Metropolitan Police. In the first season, she had to escort a British man on an extradition flight to China, after he was implicated in a suspicious death. The fateful voyage was sabotaged, exposing an international conspiracy that made headline news.
In season 2, the dust has settled on that particular story. But Hana is drawn into danger once again when a bomb threat is made against a plane carrying the director-general of MI5, while a welcome party for the new US Ambassador to the UK also goes horribly awry – but who is responsible for all this chaos?
Where have I seen Jing Lusi before? Lusi is probably best known for her roles in feature films Crazy Rich Asians and Heart of Stone, plus gritty Sky drama Gangs of London and goofy Netflix comedy Man vs Bee. She broke out in the cast of soapy medical drama Holby City, where she played Dr Tara Lo-Valentine.
Lesley Sharp plays Madeline Delaney
Who is Madeline Delaney? Madeline is the director-general of MI5. In the first season, she was a reassuring voice on the ground, who helped Hana get through her nightmare flight in one piece. However, the shoe is on the other foot in this second chapter as Madeline is on an imperilled journey thousands of feet in the air.
At the time that season 1 released, Sharp told RadioTimes.com: "Madeline is fighting fires on several fronts in a really controlled and mindful way. She's not someone who loses it easily, she's very good at keeping it together." That certainly continues to be true in this sequel.
Where have I seen Lesley Sharp before? One of British TV's highly recognisable faces, Sharp's credits include Scott & Bailey, The Full Monty, Bob & Rose, Afterlife, Before We Die, Paranoid and Playing the Field. Earlier this year, she had a memorable supporting role in comedy-drama film Pillion, which won Best British Independent Film at the recent BIFAs.
Martin Compston plays Clay Brody
Who is Clay Brody? Clay is a figure from Hana's past. They were once in police training together, but his irresponsible behaviour cost her – and she is still yet to forgive him. Having spent years apart, they cross paths again as Clay becomes security boss at the US Embassy in London.
Speaking to Radio Times magazine, he opened up about replacing Richard Armitage as Lusi's co-star on Red Eye.
"They are big shoes to fill because he's a big fella, and he's a bona fide movie star – I loved The Hobbit movies," said Compston, referencing Armitage's role as Thorin Oakenshield in the JRR Tolkien adaptations. "Plus, the first series was a massive success."
He continued: "But it's my job to try and take it to the next level, to make it bigger and bolder."
In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Compston teased his action sequences, saying: "All that talking into your wrist, touching your ear, I love that stuff. I grew up watching Indiana Jones and James Bond movies and other action movies.
"I mean, I am only in my early 40s, but you don't know how much longer you can get those types of roles. So, you've got to try and enjoy it when they come."
Where have I seen Martin Compston before? Compston is probably best known for playing Steve Arnott in BBC One's smash-hit crime drama Line of Duty, which is now confirmed to be returning for a seventh season. Other recent shows include Traces, Vigil, The Rig and Fear.
Jemma Moore plays Jess Li
Who is Jess Li? Hana's half-sister and a budding investigative journalist. The pair had a fallout after Jess used a casual dinner conversation with Hana to write an article about the police, but their relationship recovered over the course of the first season.
Where have I seen Jemma Moore before? Moore has had roles in Lockwood & Co, Silent Witness and Two Doors Down.
Robert Gilbert plays Supt. Simon O'Brien
Who is Superintendent Simon O'Brien? Supt. O'Brien is Hana's boss at the Metropolitan Police, although she frequently disobeys his orders.
Where have I seen Robert Gilbert before? Gilbert has recently appeared in Paramount Plus drama Little Disasters and UKTV's detective reboot Bergerac. Other notable credits include Channel 4 sitcom Big Boys, comedy-drama Big Mood (no relation), and hit spy thriller Killing Eve.
Tom Forbes plays Fox
Who is Fox? A suspicious individual, who appears to be involved in the plots against Madeline and the US Embassy.
Where have I seen Tom Forbes before? Forbes has recently appeared in UKTV's hit detective series Bookish, plus Candice Carty-Williams's dramas Queenie (on Channel 4) and Champion (on BBC One). Earlier this year, he guest starred in Lynley.
Cash Holland plays Ruth Banks
Who is Ruth Banks? An MI5 employee, who has previously worked closely with Madeline Delaney.
Where have I seen Cash Holland before? She has appeared in Apple TV's wacky comedy The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, plus Sara Pascoe's BBC sitcom Out of Her Mind.
Steph Lacey plays Megan Campbell
Who is Megan Campbell? A colleague of Ruth's at MI5, who has also been a trusted ally of Madeline.
What else has Steph Lacey been in? She appeared as Robyn in Lux, a memorable episode from the latest season of Doctor Who, with other credits including ITV's Maryland and Netflix's Stay Close.
Trevor White plays Ronald Tillman
Who is Ronald Tillman? The new US ambassador to the UK. He is anxious to make a positive start in his high-profile role, but events are transpiring against him.
What else has Trevor White been in? The British-Canadian actor recently appeared in Paramount Plus original The Crow Girl, opposite Eve Myles and Katherine Kelly. Other credits include Industry, I Hate Suzie and The Durrells.
Jonathan Aris plays John Tennant
Who is John Tennant? Delaney's "closest rival in MI5, whom she beat to get the top job". In season 1, he challenged her every decision in a highly antagonistic manner – it remains to be seen whether their working relationship has improved in the time elapsed.
Where have I seen Jonathan Aris before? Most recently, he's appeared in Sky's Amadeus, ITV's The Hack and the Disney Plus epic Andor, where he played a galactic senator in the dying days of democracy. You might also recognise him from Sherlock, The End of the F***ing World, Lucky Man and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.
Nicholas Rowe plays Alex Peterson
Who is Alex Peterson? An associate of Madeline's at the Ministry of Defence. He is trapped aboard her rigged flight home to London.
Where have I seen Nicholas Rowe before? Recently, he portrayed television journalist and broadcaster Jeremy Paxman in ITV's factual drama The Hack. Other notable credits include The Outlaws, The Killing Kind, A Spy Among Friends and The Crown.
Danusia Samal plays Captain Sarah Wright
Who is Captain Sarah Wright? A veteran of the Royal Air Force, who is aboard Madeline's targeted flight.
Where have I seen Danusia Samal before? Samal is probably best known for her role as Lady Antonia Svenska in Hulu's acclaimed period comedy The Great. More recently, she's appeared in The Serial Killer's Wife, Gangs of London and The Hack.
Richard Armitage plays Matthew Nolan
Who is Matthew Nolan? A doctor who is accused of manslaughter following a trip to China for a medical conference. The investigation into his case formed a major pillar of the first season, but he does not return for the second.
Where have I seen Richard Armitage before? Armitage is a favourite of Harlan Coben, appearing in Missing You, Fool Me Once, Stay Close and The Stranger. You might have also watched Armitage in Obsession, The Hobbit films, Spooks, Robin Hood, Hannibal and Berlin Station.
Red Eye season 2 premieres on ITV1 and ITVX on New Year's Day 2026.
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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.
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.
