The Good Ship Murder series 2: Emmerdale legend guest stars in cast of final episode set in Athens
By Helen FearThe Good Ship Murder series 2 is approaching its final voyage, this time arriving in Athens - and there's a rather famous Yorkshireman joining the cast of the Channel 5 show...
In episode 7 of the cosy drama, a stolen artefact tied to true love becomes the centrepiece of a heist that leaves a security guard dead.
As Jack and Kate investigate, tensions are high between them. Rumours of Jack's kiss with Cassie spark chaos, with Jamil feeling betrayed and Kate questioning everything.
Meanwhile, Jack takes the fall for Jamil during an incident, risking his career to save his friend. And with Jack's future on the line, Kate must decide whether to let misunderstandings keep them apart or fight for the man she loves.
Here's everything you need to know about the guest cast of The Good Ship Murder series 2 episode 7, set in Athens (Friday, February 14, 2025).
Duncan Preston stars as Hugo Lawrence-Bately in the cast of The Good Ship Murder series 2
Yorkshire-born Duncan Preston, 78, guest stars in the cast of The Good Ship Murder series 2. He plays Hugo Lawrence-Bately in episode seven, the final episode of the series.
Of course, Emmerdale fans will know the actor as Doug Potts in the ITV soap. He portrayed the (mostly) comedic character from 2007 to 2020.
But Duncan is also known for his work with Victoria Wood, including his role of Clifford in the soap opera parody Acorn Antiques. He also starred as Stan in the heartwarming sitcom Dinnerladies.
Other TV roles include Ken Paradise in Love & Marriage, Jonathan Haslam in the sitcom Surgical Spirit, and the role of Kevin's dad in Harry Enfield and Chums. He's also starred in Emmerdale's rival soaps, too!
Duncan played DS Todd in EastEnders in 1987, and Dennis Stokes in Coronation Street in 2004. He’s also known for his extensive theatre work.
More recently, the actor portrayed Enoch Sykes in All Creatures Great & Small, William Fleming in Midsomer Murders, DI Johnny Campbell in Silent Witness.
Who was Doug Potts in Emmerdale?
Doug Potts was a long-running character in the ITV soap, who first appeared in 2007. He left in 2011 after three years in the soap, and returned in 2014 after a three year break.
From 2014 until 2020, actor Duncan Preston continued to play the role. However, he left in 2020.
Doug was first introduced back in 2007 as the father of Laurel and her sister, Caroline Swann. He and his wife at the time, Hilary, arrived in the village to visit Laurel and her husband Ashley.
Doug and Hilary later got a divorce and Doug embarked on a relationship with Brenda, after spending a long time with Diane Sugden.
In 2018, Doug was left devastated when his friend Gerry Roberts was killed in the Grange B&B. Gerry was killed by Dales serial killer Lachlan White.
Why did Doug Potts leave Emmerdale? Will be return?
Weed-smoking Doug eventually left the Dales to start a new life in Australia. He first travelled there for the funeral of Sandy Thomas, father of Laurel's late husband Ashley.
While there, he fell in love with the country and decided to move there for good.
In early February 2020, the Thomas family were devastated to hear Ashley’s father Sandy Thomas had passed away in Australia. They travelled to Australia for his funeral and Doug didn’t want to leave.
When they returned home a few weeks later, he told Laurel that Betty Eagleton had offered him Sandy's old apartment and he wanted to move there.
Doug did have doubts but eventually decided to go. On February 27 2020, Doug left his life in Emmerdale for new adventures in Australia. He left poor Brenda behind, and their relationship promptly ended! Less G'day mate, and more hooroo…
Actor Duncan Preston quit the soap after nearly 13 years so take on new roles. At the time, they said there are "no plans" for his return.
However, the character wasn’t killed off. So the door is still open and fans may well see Doug Potts again!
The Good Ship Murder cast: Janice Connolly portrays Janice Evans
Birmingham-born actress Janice Connolly, 71, stars as Janice Evans in The Good Ship Murder episode 7, set in Athens.
Janice is perhaps best known as a stand-up comedian, who has toured the UK regularly as her alter-ego, the Stockport housewife Mrs Barbara Nice.
She is also famous for her work with Peter Kay. Janice starred as Holy Mary in Max & Paddy's Road to Nowhere, and Phoenix Nights.
Other notable roles include Carol Sykes in Dead Man Weds, Inga in Thin Ice, Mazel in So Awkward, Sheila Wheeler in Corrie, and Governor Burn in Man Like Mobeen.
Between 2022 and 2024, she played Rosie Colton in Doctors.
The Good Ship Murder series 2 episode 7 - Athens - full cast list:
Shayne Ward stars as Jack Grayling.
Catherine Tyldesley plays Kate Woods.
Zak Douglas is Jamil Al-Rashid.
Ross Adams portrays Colin Smallwood.
Bex Smith stars as Cassie Grainger.
Geoffrey Breton is Piers de Vreese.
Kiza Deen stars as Frankie Johnson.
Duncan Preston portrays Hugo Lawrence-Bately.
Janice Connolly stars as Janice Evans.
It's a Greek Thing actress Yulie Archontaki - who was born in Athens - stars as Melissa Makri
The Bill's Andreas Karras as Nikos Pepi
Costantinos Pastronidis as Christos Biros.
