Ellis episode 3 cast list: Guest stars include former soap stars Charley Webb and Charlie Melo
By Helen FearChannel 5 detective drama Ellis comes to a conclusion this week, and episode three has a cast of famous soap faces.
The third and final instalment of Ellis series 1 sees some popular stars from Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders amongst the guest cast.
Of course, multiple award-winner Sharon D Clarke (MBE no less) leads the cast as DCI Ellis, a tenacious cop who is "parachuted into failing investigations".
Here's everything you need to know about the cast of Ellis series 1 episode 3, and who plays who...
Who plays DCI Ellis?
Actress Sharon D Clarke, 58, portrays dogged detective DCI Ellis in the cast of the Channel 5 detective drama.
You'll know Sharon from the likes of Showtrial, Lost Boys & Fairies, and Mr Loverman.
Holby fans will know Sharon as Lola, a role she played for several years. However her career spans nearly 40 years. Her very first role was playing the Night Nurse in The Singing Detective in 1986. At 58 years old, she's starred in the likes of EastEnders, Silent Witness, Informer, and Doctor Who.
As well as starring in Ellis, 2024 will see Sharon pop up in the Wicked film, opposite Ariana Grande.
Ellis episode 3 cast: Who plays DS Chet Harper?
Andrew Gower, 35, portrays Ellis' sidekick DS Chet Harper. The actor is known for playing Nick Cutler in Being Human, Andrew Mullery in Monroe, Gilbert Hankin in The Village, and Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Outlander.
More recently, he's starred as Ezra Spurnrose in Carnival Row, Sansum in The Winter King, and Jamie in Sherwood.
Allison Harding portrays ACC Alison Leighton
Allison Harding, 60, is the only other significant regular cast member. She plays Ellis' boss ACC Alison Leighton. It's actually only her third ever TV role, having previously played Sal Pucino in one episode of Nova Jones in 2021.
In 2018, she portrayed an ensemble performer in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! She's best known for her roles in theatre.
Ellis episode 3 cast: Who plays DCI Val Cotton?
Soap actress Amanda Drew, 54, stars as DCI Val Cotton in episode 3 of Ellis. Val is the local DCI in the village of Brindleton who surprises Ellis and Harper with a warm welcome
Of course, soap fans will know Amanda for playing the unhinged Dr May Wright in EastEnders. She portrayed the role of 'Mad May' from 2006 to 2008, when she was killed off.
Amanda is also known for playing Janet in Switch, Jacqui Whitehead in Southcliffe, Annie in The Passing Bells, and Cate Gillespie in Broadchurch.
More recently, she's starred as Ms Kane in Gangs of London, CS Cath McLean in The Gold, and Supt Harper Driscoll in Wolf.
American-born Amanda has portrayed Ruth in BBC comedy The Outlaws since 2021.
Rina Mahoney stars as Lydia Green
Actress Rina Mahoney portrays Lydia Green in the cast of Ellis episode 3. Lydia is a local in Brindleton who takes an interest in the disappearance case.
The Bay fans will recognise Rina for playing grieving mum Mariam Rahman in the 2022 series of the Morecambe-based detective drama.
Meanwhile, The Archers fans will recognise her voice as Jess Titchener, a role she's played ever since 2013.
Rina is also known for playing Debbie in Heartburn Hotel, Julie in This England, and Janet Ottinger in Wednesday. In 2022, she portrayed Anisha Bhatti in the final series of Happy Valley.
More recently, she starred as Zelda Gere in COBRA, Laura Ashcattle in Mary & George, and Claire in the Channel 5 thriller Love Rat.
Ellis series 1 episode 3 cast: Charlie de Melo stars as Leo Braxton
Actor Charlie de Melo, 35, portrays Leo Braxton in the cast of Ellis on Channel 5. Charlie is a local gastro pub owner and street food businessman.
After a brief stint in EastEnders as PC Jaz Jones, Charlie joined the cast of Corrie between 2017 and 2022. He portrayed Imran Habeeb in the cast of the ITV soap.
Since leaving the soap, Charlie has appeared as Milo in Still Up, and Charles Banerjee in Doctor Who. This year, he popped up - in more ways than one - as Maud's lover Malhar Verma in Rivals.
Emmerdale's Charley Webb as Abbie Summerfield
Actress Charley Webb, 36, stars as Abbie Summerfield in episode 3 of Ellis on Channel 5. Abbie is one of Rachel's old friends who has inherited her parents' local land for motocross.
Of course, Charley is best known for playing Debbie Dingle in the ITV soap Emmerdale. She joined the soap at the age of 15 and played the role of Cain and Charity's until 2020.
Since then, she's popped up in one episode of Better in 2023, and a 2024 McDonald & Dodds.
In 2023, she portrayed WPC Anna Lawson in the chilling true crime dramatisation The Long Shadow, based on the murderer Peter Sutcliffe and his victims.
Ellis episode 3 cast list: David Sterne as Foster Lang
Veteran actor David Sterne, 78, portrays Foster Lang in Ellis episode 3. Foster Lang is a local old man and ex-teacher who has dementia.
David has been acting for more than six decades. He made his first TV appearance as Brian Hobbs in the soap Crossroads in 1964. He was 22.
He subsequently worked as a jobbing actor for years, appearing in TV series including Horse in the House, Lady Chatterley, Seaforth, and The Choir.
Between 1996 and 1997, David portrayed DCI Frank Uttley in Thief Takers, and later he played Bill Thompson in Down to Earth. Other notable roles include Chief in The Queen's Nose, Professor Dust in The Mysti Show, and Sgt. Edward Macfadden in Holby Blue.
The Detectorist fans will know him as Larry Bishop, a role be played between 2015 and 2015. More recently he starred as Tom Thomas in Sister Boniface Mysteries.
He's been in countless films, including A Knight's Tale, The Wolfman, Never Let Me Go, and The Boat That Rocked.
Who else stars in Ellis episode 3?
Last Tango in Halifax star Josh Bolt portrays DI Archie Dent.
Doctors' Michael Simkins stars as Gerry Rees-Mortimer.
Fortitude's Mark Field plays Kane Harrison.
Poldark's Harry Marcus is Rory Summerfield.
Silk star Shanaya Rafaat portrays Soraya Mansoori.
The Killer Beside Me's Jade Matthew is Rachel Hoffman.
EastEnders' Tama Matheson stars as Oz Hoffman.
Hope Street's Richard Sherwood plays Alex Scanlan.
