The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 4: Comedian Stephen Bailey joins the cast as gangster John Marsden
By Helen Fear | Mon Mar 31 2025The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 4 continues with episode 3, and another recognisable face pops up as a guest star in the cast - this time Stephen Bailey.
The comedian appears in a rare TV role as John Marsden, a gangster who becomes top suspect in the latest instalment of the cosy crime drama.
This week (Thursday, April 03, 2025), the night watchman at the Ste Victoire library is attacked, and a precious statue is decapitated... Jean must therefore determine who is responsible. Could gangster John Marsden be to blame?
Here's everything you need to know about The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 4 episode 3, including the guest cast list.
What happens in The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 4 episode 3?
In The Madame Blanc season 4 episode 3 - entitled Bad Education - we enter the Ste Victoire library which is lined with shelves of curated books.
At its centre, a glass box holds a small bronze statue of Hathor, the Goddess of Intoxication - which is about to be sent to Paris the next day.
But before that can happen, a masked figure sneaks into the library and attempts to take the statue. Night watchman Thomas struggles with the intruder, during which Thomas is left in a critical condition and the Hathor statue is damaged. Meanwhile, an orange moped speeds away from the scene of the crime...
Is gangster John Marsden somehow to blame?
Who plays John Marsden in The Madame Blanc Mysteries cast?
Comedian, actor and TV presenter Stephen Bailey portrays gangster John Marsden in the cast of The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 4. This comes after Charlie Condou's great performance in episode 2.
John Marsden is a gangster, whose henchman are never far away.
Behind the character, actor Stephen Bailey is far less threatening. The Manchester-born 38-year-old is best known for being a stand-up comedian.
Who is Stephen Bailey? What's he been in before?
Stephen Bailey is stand-up comedian and television presenter, perhaps best known for presenting Celebs on the Farm.
He hosted the show from 2018, and its subsequent 2019 spin-off Celebs on the Ranch. In 2020, Stephen took over as presenter of Takeshi's Castle on Comedy Central.
His role on The Madame Blanc Mysteries is a rather rare acting role. In 2017, he played Maurice in the offbeat comedy Paint Dry, and later portrayed M.C. in Coronation Street for two episodes in 2018.
In 2020, Stephen played a version of himself in The Stand Up Sketch Show. Im the series, established and up-and-coming stand-up comedians performed a surreal reconstruction of their own material.
Stephen is also known from the panel show circuit, and has appeared on Tipping Point: Lucky Stars, Pointless Celebrities, Celebrity Bridge of Lies, The Weakest Link, Celebrity Mastermind, and Would I Lie to You?
Who else appears?
Maltese actor Henry Zammit Cordina stars as library night watchman Thomas. A jobbing actor, he's previously popped up in episodes of Bulletproof, La Farfalla, and Epic Warrior Women.
French actress Payal Jain Venel portrays Suzanne. Payal is a relative newcomer to the screen, and The Madame Blanc Mysteries is her biggest role to date.
Marelyn Pielago is Gaynor. She's also new to TV, having previously only appeared in one episode of the comedy Here We Go.
Tegen Short plays Nellie. She's best known for portraying Matta Ral in sci-fi drama Pandora.
Maltese Anthony Ellul stars as Dr Alagiah. He's known for Das Boot, and Julius Caesar.
Newcomer Lou Busuttil portrays Matteo, while French actor and director Maxime Durande plays the necklace thief.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries regular cast:
Sally Lindsay returns as Jean.
Steve Edge plays Dom.
Alex Gaumond stars as Caron.
Sue Holderness portrays Judith.
Robin Askwith is Jeremy.
Sue Vincent reprises her role as Gloria.
Tony Robinson stars as Uncle Patrick in episodes 2, 4, and 6.
Jacqueline Berces portrays Gendarme Richard in episodes 2, 3, and 6.
Sanchia McCormack is Charlie in episodes 2, and 3.
Djinda Kane stars as Simone in episodes 2, and 3.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 4 episode 3 - Bad Education - full cast list of guest stars:
Stephen Bailey stars as John Marsden.
Henry Zammit Cordina plays library night watchman Thomas.
Payal Jain Venel portrays Suzanne.
Marelyn Pielago is Gaynor.
Tegen Short plays Nellie.
Anthony Ellul stars as Dr Alagiah.
Lou Busuttil portrays Matteo.
Maxime Durande plays the necklace thief.
