The Good Ship Murder series 2: Hollyoaks actor joins cast after shock departure of show favourite
By Helen Fear | Fri Jan 10 2025The Good Ship Murder returns to Channel 5 this January, but series 2 will be embarking without a cast favourite from season 1.
The cosy crime drama is back on our screens with a full series for the first time since it launched in October 2023. Although fans were treated to a standalone Christmas special in December 2024.
The new run welcomes back Shayne Ward and Catherine Tydlesley as fledging romancers Jack and Kate... But who else is in the cast of The Good Ship Murder series 2, and who replaces Claire Sweeney's cruise director Beverley?
Here's everything you need to know.
The Good Ship Murder series 2 cast: Shayne Ward portrays Jack Grayling
Actor and singer Shayne Ward returns as former police detective turned cabaret singer Jack Grayling. Of course, he soon returns to his sleuthing ways when crimes begin to occur on the cruise ship.
Manchester-born Shayne, 40, recently appeared on Strictly Come Dancing 2024. Partnered with Nancy Xu, the pair got voted out in week 8.
He's probably most famous for winning The X Factor in 2005, and his subsequent chart hits, and musical theatre career.
Coronation Street fans will know him as Aidan Connor, a role he played from 2015 to 2018. He subsequently won the Inside Soap Award for Aidan's groundbreaking suicide storyline.
Other notable roles include Kenny Webb in one episode of Doctors, Jimmy in the sci-fi film G-Loc, and Will Stanton in the horror movie The Ascent.
Catherine Tyldesley is Kate Woods
Actress Catherine Tyldesley, 41, stars as fiercely ambitious First Officer Kate Woods. Coronation Street fans will know her as barmaid Eva Price, a role she played from 2011 to 2018.
Catherine and Shayne starred opposite each other as Aidan Connor and Eva Price, where they suffered a doomed love affair. Eva and Aidan were engaged, until she discovered he'd been unfaithful with Maria Connor. Although they did subsequently turn up for their wedding day, dramatic revelations and a fight in a water fountain meant they didn't actually tie the knot.
After leaving the ITV soap, Catherine appeared in the ITV thriller Viewpoint, as well as 15 Days, and Scarborough. Other notable roles include Emma in Trollied, Abi Peterson in Emmerdale, and Psycho Sarah in Scallywagga.
Zak Douglas portrays Jamil Al-Rashid
Actor Zak Douglas stars as Jamil Al-Rashid in the cast of The Good Ship Murder series 2.
Zak has been on our screens since 2016 when he played a soldier in the short film Goodnight My Boys. He went on to portray Aaron Jeffries in several episodes of Doctors, and Kit McKellen in Ridley.
He is perhaps next known for playing Dudley in The Larkins, and Mo Fassi in G'wed. Zak also played Tony Castillo in Vera episode For the Grace of God.
The Good Ship Murder series 2 cast: Ross Adams is Colin Smallwood
Ross Adams, 40, joins the cast of The Good Ship Murder series 2 as Colin Smallwood. The character replaces Claire Sweeney's cruise director Beverley, who has left the show (read more below).
County Durham-born Ross is best known for portraying Scott Drinkwell in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. He played the role from 2015 to 2024.
Scott joined as something of a comedic troublemaker, but was involved in some serious storylines, too. These included his suicide attempt in 2017, following a battle with depression.
In March 2024, Ross Adams announced he'd decided to leave Hollyoaks after nine years in the role. He released a statement saying it was "one of the hardest decisions" he had ever made.
Ross also played Jeff Bowyer in The Gemma Factor, Mickey O'Higgin in Blue Murder, and Troy Miller in Doctors.
Talking about his arrival on set, Shayne Ward said: "The great thing about Ross coming in as well is the way that he plays his character is completely opposite [to Claire]. They're not playing the same character.
"It's exciting that if Claire chooses to come back - and we really hope that she does - it'd be a great storyline for herself and Ross, who is the boss. Ross has come in, and he's a great actor. He's really embodied that character, and you can see that he's going to be instantly loved on the ship."
Meanwhile, Catherine said: "Ross brings the camp and then some. He's hilarious. I'd watch it just for his run. The run that he does across the ship is everything."
Why did Claire Sweeney leave?
Claire Sweeney, 53, left the C5 series due to a scheduling conflict with Coronation Street, where she plays Cassie Plummer. She previously played cruise director Beverley Carnell in series 1 of the cruise ship crime caper.
Talking about her departure, Shayne said: "To lose Claire was sad for us all. But hopefully not for good. We know that she's deep in the scripts for Coronation Street, and me and Cath have been there.
"We know when you're involved in such big storylines, you're going to be committed to that. So there's always room [for Claire in the cast]. And she's such a character as well for the show, that she is missed."
Of course, Claire is best known for her soap roles. These include Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside, a role she played from 1991 to 2003. The role was her first ever on TV, and quite the explosive one!
More recently, Liverpool-born Claire has played Cassandra 'Cassie' Plummer in Corrie. She is the wayward daughter of Evelyn Plummer and mother of Tyrone Dobbs.
Who plays Jack's daughter Mia Grayling?
Jack's world is thrown into "chaos" by the arrivals of his estranged 18-year-old daughter Mia.
With her parents' divorce looming, Mia is on a mission to reunite them at any cost. And that most definitely means sabotaging Jack and Kate's blossoming relationship.
Mia is played by 26-year-old actress Millie Kent. A relative newcomer, she's played Innes in The Split series 2, India in Netflix film Saltburn, and Valerie Nook in Doctor Who.
A quick stalk of her Instagram page tells us she's good pals with One Day and White Lotus actor Leo Woodall, whom she has acted alongside.
Who else stars in the cast?
Geoffrey Breton portrays Piers De Vreese. He previously played Mark Phillips in The Crown. The actor also starred as a teacher in steamy C5 thriller The Couple Next Door, and Julius Caesar in Ancient Empires.
US actor Greg Canestrari stars as Alessandro Bertoli. He recently played Coach Mitch in The Power.
Australian actress Tamsin Carroll plays Bella Bertoli. She's been on our screens on and off since 1988, and has played Dora Mitchell in Melba, Bonnie in Heartbreak High, and Nicole in three episodes of EastEnders.
Harry Giubileo guest stars as Nick Greenleigh. He popped up in two episodes of Holby City as Harry Carabello, and recently appeared in football drama Famous Old Grouts.
Elena Delia plays Sofia Romano. The Italian actress was actually born in Rome, where the episode is set. She's known for playing Helen Sumner in The Alienist and, more recently, a young Eloise Page in Central Intelligence.
Sicilian-born Mario Opinato stars as Inspector Moretti. He's famous for his roles in Orgoglio, but he also played an assassin in the US soap Days of Our Lives.
Gregory Paul Canestrari also stars as Alessandro Bertolim while Kiza Deen is Frankie Johnson. Kiza is perhaps best known for playing PC Claudia Briant in Doctors, Mariam in Young Wallander, and Lisa Loveday in Hollyoaks.
Lastly, James Barriscale plays Captain Marlowe. The jobbing actor has been on our screens ever since 1996, and has played Vince Foster in The Bill, Desk Sgt John Swift in WPC 56, Jonathan Malnet in EastEnders, Nathan Sallery in Doctors, and Simon in Idris Elba thriller Hijack.
The Good Ship Murder series 2 episode 1 (Rome) full cast list:
Catherine Tyldesley stars as Kate Woods.
Shayne Ward plays Jack Grayling.
Zak Douglas is Jamil Al-Rashid.
Colin Smallwood joins the cast as Ross Adams
Geoffrey Breton is Piers de Vreese.
Millie Kent stars as Jack's daughter Mia Grayling.
Gregory Paul Canestrari portrays Alessandro Bertoli.
Tamsin Carroll stars as Bella Bertoli.
Harry Giubileo plays Nick Greenleigh.
Elena Delia portrays Sofia Romano.
Mario Opinato is Inspector Moretti.
James Barriscale plays Captain Marlowe.
