The Castaways on Channel 5: Sheridan Smith and Céline Buckens lead the cast as separated sisters
By Helen Fear | Wed Jan 22 2025The Castaways is a new thriller to land on Channel 5, which combines a stellar cast, beautiful location, and central mystery - so there's basically every reason to watch it.
The twisty plot, based on the Lucy Clarke bestselling novel of the same name, follows sisters Lori and Erin as they embark on the holiday of a lifetime in Fiji. But save your jealously... The dream holiday quickly turns into the trip from hell.
Not good for Lori and Erin, but fabulous for us viewers! #sorrynotsorry
Here's everything you need to know about the cast of five-part drama The Castaways, which previously aired on Paramount+ but now lands on Channel 5.
The Castaways cast: Sheridan Smith plays Lori Holme
In The Castaways cast, Sheridan Smith portrays Lori, who is stranded on a dangerous desert island after her plane crashes.
Of course, the actress is well known to TV fans as a result of her roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Cilla, Cleaning Up, Gavin & Stacey, Four Lives, and The Teacher.
Lincolnshire-born Sheridan, 43, has been on our screens since she was 18. That year, in 1999, she appeared in her first TV role, playing a housemaid in the period drama Wives and Daughters. She soon landed a much bigger role, playing Matilda in the Alistair McGowan comedy Dark Ages.
The year 1999 also saw her appear in The Royle Family as Emma Kavanagh. Although she only starred in three episodes, it proved to be quite a significant role.
She went on to play Miranda Locke in Holby City, Sandy Beech in Paul O'Grady comedy Eyes Down, and Cleo Martin in Love Soup. Between 2006 and 2009, she led the cast of Grownsups playing Michelle, and in 2009 she popped up in Benidorm as Brandy.
She's arguably most famous for playing Michelle in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, a role she played between 2001 and 2009, and Ruth 'Rudi' Smith in Gavin & Stacey.
Other notable roles include Rosie in Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything, Charmian Biggs in Mrs Biggs, Cilla Black in Cilla, and Julie Bushby in The Moorside. She's also appeared in dozens of films, including Tower Block, Mr Stink, The Huntsman: Winter's War, Funny Girl, and The Railway Children Return.
More recently, Sheridan has led the cast of several stand-out thrillers and dramas, including Cleaning Up, Four Lives, The Teacher, No Return, and now The Castaways. That's as well as her musical theatre work, and being a mum to son Billy.
Céline Buckens stars as Erin
Actress Céline Buckens portrays Lori's sister Erin Holme in the cast. After the siblings have a huge fight, she does not board the island-hopping flight to their resort.
Brussels-born Céline Buckens, 28, first came to fame in 2011 playing Emilie in the award-winning Steven Spielberg film War Horse.
Between 2017 and 2019, she played Mia in the TV series Free Rein, before going on to portray Sophie Mercer in Warrior, and Kitty Langham in one episode of Netflix sensation Bridgerton.
However, she's probably most famous for playing the complicated Talitha Campbell in Showtrial series 1. More recently, Céline starred as Tasha in nail-biting Channel 5 thriller The Ex-Wife, and Sapphire/Emma in Suspect series 2.
Brendan Cowell plays pilot Mike Brass
Meanwhile, Australian actor and writer Brendan Cowell stars as pilot Mike Brass. He's probably best known for his leading role in the 2024 television series Plum, which he created. The drama is based on his 2021 novel of the same name.
He's also famous for playing Todd in Life Support, Jack Green in Fat Cow Hotel, Tom Jackson in Love My Way, and Mattai the Hebrew in The Borgias.
Game of Thrones fans might recognise him as Harrag, too. Other notable roles include Peter Langly in Press, Harry in The Letdown, Christopher Brennan in The End, and Christopher Brennan in courtroom drama The Twelve.
More recently, Brendan played Duke Ferdinand Richese in Dune: Prophecy. A little bit of trivia, too: the actor dated fellow Australian Rose Byrne for six years until they split in 2010.
Felix is portrayed by actor Lasarus Ratuere in the cast of The Castaways on Channel 5
Fijian Australian Lasarus Ratuere, 39, stars as Felix Vatubua in The Castaways. The actor is probably best known for playing Mick in TV series Ready for This, and Bakanah in Cleverman.
Other notable roles include Richardson in Terra Nova, Officer Bardo in The Leftovers, Chris in The Tourist, and Felix Spears in Pieces of Her.
More recently, he played Ryan in Irreverant. He's also been in multiple films, including The Brighton Miracle, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, and Ghost in the Shell where he portrayed Ishikawa.
Dominic Tighe portrays Daniel Eldridge
British actor Dominic Tighe portrays Daniel Eldridge in the cast of The Castaways on Channel 5.
He's probably best known for playing Julian Sandford in the Vicky McClure ITVX thriller Insomnia, a role he played in 2024. That same year, Dominic portrayed Julien Horn in the Apple TV+ drama The New Look.
He's no strangers to thrillers, either, having played Steve McAllister in
Uma Thurman's Suspicion, and DS Bob Cooper in A Confession. Other notable roles include Pelham Wingfield in Hotel Portofino, Richard Payne in Next of Kin, and Captain Harvey Smith in Hollyoaks Later.
His film roles have included Coach Brown in The George Clooney drama The Boys in the Boat, and Dr. Egger in Sulphur and White.
The Castaways cast: Charlotte Vega stars as Amber Gordon
Spanish-born actress Charlotte Vega, 30, plays Amber Gordon in the cast of The Castaways.
In Spain, she's perhaps best known for playing Rita Aranda in the Spanish soap El secreto de Puente Viejo. However, she's famous in the UK for portraying Penelope Reyna in Who is Erin Carter?
Other notable roles include Zori in Warrior Nun, Emma Clark in podcast series Blum, and Lucía Márquez in Velvet. In 2014, she starred as Valeria in the Spanish language film El Club de los Incomprendidos, aka The Misfits Club.
Joseph Mydell stars as Jack Bantock
Veteran actor Joseph Mydell, 79, portrays Jack Bantock in the cast of The Castaways on Channel 5. He's been on our screens for four decades.
In the early 90s, he played Cyril in the British TV drama Chancer, before playing Coneybear in Jeeves and Wooster, Officer Lionel Carson in Space Precinct, and Johnny Matovu in Alex Rider.
Death in Paradise fans might recognise him for playing Rodell Weekes in the BBC drama, but other notable roles include Richard Elgar in Strike, and Victor in The Reckoning.
This year, 2025, he plays Professor Raymond Osborne in Leo Woodall action thriller Prime Target. His film roles include Nakitanda in Conclave, Brian in The Son, and Rex in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
The Castaways cast sees Sam Hoare star as Pete
Eton-educated actor Sam Hoare, 43, stars as Pete. He's best known for playing ACC Cassian Pewe in Grace, and Maximillian Howarth in Dalgliesh.
He's no stranger to period dramas, either, having portrayed Lord Hal in Outlander, Arthur St John Hudson in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Gabriel in Knightfall, Matthew Pocket in Dickensian, and Lynn Brother in Jane Eyre.
Other notable roles include Alan Reynott in McMafia, and Mr Kelly in the recent ITV thriller Playing Nice, where he reunited with James Norton once again!
The Castaways on Channel 5 cast list:
Sheridan Smith stars as Lori Holme.
Céline Buckens portrays Erin Holme.
Brendan Cowell as Mike Brass.
Lasarus Ratuere as Felix Vatubua.
Dominic Tighe as Daniel Eldridge.
Charlotte Vega as Amber Gordon.
Joseph Mydell stars as Jack Bantock.
Sam Hoare stars as Pete.
Atlanta's Celeste Dodwell plays Natasha.
Waterloo Road's Katie Shelley plays a young Lori.
Trust's Dugald Bruce-Lockhart stars as Steven Wills.
Wednesday actress Gloria Garcia portrays Mrs Gordon.
Suva City actress Ateca Ravuvu is Detective Tawaki.
The Ex-Wife's James Lailey plays Mr Gordon.
Grafted star Sepi To'a portrays Kaali Halle.
Above Suspicion's Debora Weston stars as Heather Bantock.
Bump star 'Ana Ika plays Tash.
A Spy Among Friends star Alice Barclay is Alice Harbencor.
