The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024: Soap legend guest stars in the cast
By Helen Fear | Mon Dec 16 2024The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special lands on Channel 5 this Christmas Eve 2024 - and there's a soap legend amongst the cast of familiar faces.
The popular cosy drama returns for its annual festive episode, and Jean White's sleuthing skills are needed when a grisly death ruins the Christmas market in Saint Victoire.
The hour-long episode begins on Christmas Eve, and also sees Judith receive a shocking Christmas card from a former bridesmaid, revealing a disturbing truth about her marriage...
Here's everything you need to know about the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024 cast: Sally Lindsay stars as Jean White
Sally Lindsay, who is also writer and executive producer on the show, returns as Jean White in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024.
Of course, Stockport-born actress Sally is probably most famous for playing Shelley Unwin in Coronation Street, a role she played from 2001 to 2006.
After leaving the ITV soap, Sally went on to play Paula Appleton in Scallywagga, Kathy in Ordinary Lies, and Alison Bailey in Scott & Bailey.
Sally, 51, is also known for playing Lisa in Mount Pleasant, and Kath in Still Open All Hours.
She's also led several Channel thrillers, including Cold Call, Intruder, and Love Rat. Sally is the voice of Halifax the rabbit in animation The World According to Grandpa, and the Clock in puppet show Monty & Co.
Steve Edge portrays Dom Hayes
Staffordshire-born actor Steve Edge, 52, reprises his role as Dom Hayes, Jean's love interest.
Steve is probably most famous for his numerous comedic roles, most notably Billy Dawson in Benidorm.
His first ever TV role was playing Alan in That Peter Kay Thing in 2000. Steve went on to work with comedian Peter Kay again in Phoenix Nights, where he played the character of Alan again.
After small roles on sitcoms such as Cold Feet, Family Business, No Angels, and Peep Show, Steve once again reprised his role as Alan in Max & Paddy's Road to Nowhere.
Other notable roles include David 'Doddsy' Dodds in Mike Bassett: Manager, Bigsy in Scaborough, David Foster in The Reluctant Landlorad, Mr. Styles in Scallywagga, and Terry McConnell in The Cup.
He also played multiple characters in the sketch show Star Stories. Between 2012 and 2013, he starred as Fergie in Starlings, before going on to play the Dad in All at Sea. Happy Valley fans might remember him as Graham Tattersall in the brilliant BBC drama.
More recently, Steve played the straight role of DS Collins in Until I Kill You.
Alex Gaumond stars as Caron
Canadian Alex Gaumond, 46, stars as regular gendarme Caron, the chief of police in Sainte Victoire. It's a role he's played since the first series in 2011.
Singer and actor Alex is perhaps best known for his involvement in West End theatre.
He's also popped up in episodes of Death in Paradise, The Syndicate, Derry Girls, and The Franchise. He's starred in multiple film roles, including The Hustle, My Dinner with Herve, Hampstead, and Miss Saigon 25th Anniversary.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024 cast: Sue Holderness stars as Judith
Veteran actress Sue Holderness stars as Judith in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024.
Of course, London-born Sue is best known for playing the character Marlene in legendary comedy Only Fools and Horses. She played Boycie's notorious wife from 1985 to 2003.
She reprised the role in the subsequent spin-off The Green Green Grass, opposite the late Boycie actor John Challis.
She's actually been on our screens for more than five decades, having first played a receptionist in the TV series Lollipop in 1971. She went on to become a sitcom favourite, appearing in series such as Tightrope, Fly Into Danger, The Sandbaggers, The Brief, Dear John, and It Takes a Worried Man.
Other notable roles include Joan in Revelations, Mrs. Rossi in Still Open All Hours, and Estelle Jones in EastEnders.
Robin Askwith stars as Jeremy
Lancashire-born actor Robin Askwith portrays Jeremy in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024.
The veteran singer, film and TV star is famous for his early roles in On the House, Beryl's Lot, Bottle Boys, and Carry On Girls.
He's also known for his role in the comedy, sex-farce films Confessions of a Window Cleaner, Confessions of a Pop Performer, Confessions of a Driving Instructor, and Confessions from a Holiday Camp.
More recently, he played Ritchie de Vries in Coronation Street. He's also popped up in episodes of Benidorm, Inside No.9, Strike, Casualty, Emmerdale, Doctors, and Hollyoaks.
Sue Vincent plays Gloria
Lancashire-born actress Sue Vincent, who like Sally also writes the show, plays Gloria. Sue has worked with Sally before, too, when both appeared on Mount Pleasant together.
Sue, 56, previously portrayed Margaret in Mount Pleasant, a role she played from 2011 to 2017. Other notable TV parts include Derilee in Shameless, Shannon in Bad Move, Trish in Alma's Not Normal, Erica Thorne in Waterloo Road, and Dolly Fletcher in the Channel 5 thriller Blindspot.
She's appeared in countless other TV series, too, including episodes of The Full Monty, The Worst Witch, Mrs Brown's Boys, Bad Education, and Prisoners' Wives. Sue even played a midwife in multiple episodes of Coronation Street.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024 cast:
Blackadder legend Tony Robinson stars as Uncle Patrick in The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special. He's played the role since series 2, in 2022.
London-born Tony, 78, is most famous for playing the iconic character of Baldrick in multiple series of Blackadder. A nation of TV viewers picture Baldrick's gormless face whenever a turnip is mentioned - his favourite veg.
Other notable roles include Sam Samson in Words and Pictures, The Sheriff in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, Erasmus in Big Top, Alan in My Wonderful Life, and Daddy in Man Down.
He's also known as a presenter, and has presented many historical documentaries, including the Channel 4 series Time Team, and The Worst Jobs in History. He has written 16 children's books.
Who plays Joanna in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries?
Yorkshire-born actress Melanie Kilburn, 68, guest stars as Joanna in the festive episode of The Madame Blanc Mysteries.
Melanie should be very recognisable to soap fans, and those of you who watched the classic cop drama The Bill. Melanie, who has been on our screens for more than four decades, portrayed PC Laura Bryant in The Bill from 2004 to 2006.
She went on to play the recurring role of Reverend Irene Mills in EastEnders. Melanie first appeared as Irene in 2017, and was last seen in Albert Square in 2023.
Coronation Street fans will know Melanie as Evelyn Sykes/Elliott, a role she played on and off between 2000 and 2002.
Other notable roles include Carol Anderson in Soldier Soldier, Jill in Making Out, Charlotte in Moving Story, Lyn Cooper in Down to Earth, Sandra Harrison in Where the Heart Is, and Liz Pullen in Peak Practice.
More recently, she's played various roles in The Emily Atack sketch show, Auntie Win in The Long Shadow, DI Mel Granger in Silent Witness, and Nanna Carson in Granchester.
Who else stars in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special?
Meanwhile, Anglo-French Phillipe Spall plays puppeteer Christian. He recently portrayed a Calais Swordsman in Wolf Hall. Phillipe has also played a Parisian Dog Walker in The Crown, and Hemet in The Witcher.
Pavel Douglas stars as Frederick. The Polish-born actor is perhaps best known for playing Gregory Mantel in EastEnders between 1988 and 1989. Pavel also portrayed Lord Alexander Felsham in Lovejoy, and Chief Superintendent Leo Jackson in Doctors.
More recently, he starred as Adige CEO in Gangs of London, and a neighbour in Industry.
Lastly, Lino Mintoff plays Hans. He's a relative newcomer to the small screen, having previously played De Gamma in Christopher Columbus.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries Christmas Special 2024: Full cast list
Sally Lindsay stars as Jean White.
Steve Edge portrays Dom Hayes.
Alex Gaumon plays Gendarme Caron.
Sue Holderness is Judith Lloyd-James.
Robin Askwith stars as Jeremy Lloyd-James.
Sue Vincent plays Gloria Beauchamp.
Tony Robinson stars as Uncle Patrick.
Phillipe Spall portrays Christian.
Pavel Douglas is Frederick.
Melanie Kilburn plays Joanna.
Lino Mintoff stars as Hans.
