Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister)

DCI Gene Hunt believes in good guys, bad guys and using good old-fashioned gut instinct to distinguish between the two. He’s a man of action, but his methods have been curbed by the increasing public suspicion of the police. He grudgingly accepts that some of Alex’s theories may be the future, though she frequently drives him up the wall. At the same time, he’s drawn to her and he cannot quite work out why.

Glenister has also appeared in Cranford and on BBC America in Life on Mars, State of Play, and Vincent.He is currently playing Rupert Galvin in a six-part supernatural television drama, Demons.

Detective Inspector Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes)

Despite her background in psychology, Alex isn’t a cold, clinical dissector of the human heart. She’s warm, witty and relentlessly optimistic. Alex is upfront about her feelings, and has a quirky way of talking aloud to as she’s reasoning things out. With her razor-sharp mind and extensive vocabulary, Gene frequently wonders if she’s swallowed a dictionary. Alex talks to her daughter Molly as that’s the only way she feels close to her. Seeing Molly again is the driving force behind Alex’s attempts to get back.

Hawes has appeared on BBC America in After Thomas, Under the Greenwood Tree, and MI-5. She also played Jane in the hilarious film, Death at a Funeral.

Detective Sergeant Ray Carling (Dean Andrews)

Ray’s the kind of cop who likes it best when he’s using his fists and has no time for Alex’s psychological nonsense. He senses the electricity between Gene and Alex and doesn’t like it one bit. Happy to follow his ‘Guv’ down south, Ray has found ‘80s London to be a place filled with women. With his tight perm, aviator sunglasses and sports sweaters, he regards himself as something of a ladies’ man. The only thing he hates about London is Chris’ preoccupation with WPC Shaz Granger.

Andrews has appeared on BBC America in Life on Mars, Wire in the Blood, and No Angels. He writes his own blog where he reflects on everything from the BAFTAs to a trip to Pakistan. In his spare time, he plays golf and goes fly-fishing.

Detective Constable Chris Skelton (Marshall Lancaster)

Loyal, persistent, slightly hapless Chris has found his niche within force. Since 1973, he has embraced the technological revolution that has come in the form of a clunky computer and Betamax machines. Chris likes being one of the lads, but he also has a softer side, which endears him to Shaz. Chris is eager to learn from Alex and wants to be a good cop.

Lancaster has appeared on BBC America in Life on Mars.