Benedict Cumberbatch won’t be the only familiar face in Sky Atlantic and Showtime’s new drama, Patrick Melrose.
The Sherlock actor is joined by big-name actors who you may recognise from Call the Midwife, The Crown, The Matrix, Poldark and Luther – to name but a few.
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The five-part drama is adapted from the books by Edward St Aubyn. It introduces us to Cumberbatch’s Melrose, a troubled heroin addict with seemingly endless money and a whole heap of childhood trauma.
Here are the characters you need to meet – and where you’ve seen the actors before:
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Patrick Melrose
Who is Patrick Melrose? Childhood trauma has translated into full-blown drug addiction for Patrick Melrose. When we first meet him, he’s an aristocratic and funny young man with seemingly limitless funds, a generous supply of heroin, and a couple of girlfriends on the go. But beneath his privilege and his hedonistic behaviour lies a deep pain stemming from his relationship with his cruel and monstrous father.
What else has Benedict Cumberbatch been in? Everything. Benedict Cumberbatch starred as detective Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock and Alan Turing in The Imitation Game; he plays Doctor Strange in the Marvel movies. His other credits include The Child in Time, Black Mass, 12 Years a Slave and Parade’s End. On stage he has starred in Hamlet and Frankenstein.
Prasanna Puwanarajah plays Johnny Hall
Who is Johnny Hall? Patrick Melrose’s best friend. He, too, is an addict: the two of them connect because they find refuge and solace in drugs and feel they’re both trying to escape their worlds. Their relationship is based on wit and humour, but also on honesty and affection. When Patrick hits rock bottom it is Johnny who is there to pick him up.
What else has Prasanna Puwanarajah been in? The actor recently played James in Doctor Foster. He has also appeared in You, Me and the Apocalypse, Critical, Silk and Cold Feet.
Harriet Walter plays Princess Margaret
Who is Princess Margaret? A far cry from Vanessa Kirby in The Crown, this older Princess Margaret is caustic and cruel. In episode three she attends the birthday party of Bridget Watson Scott’s noble husband, Sonny.
What else has Harriet Walter been in? Guest star Harriet Walter actually starred in The Crown, playing Winston Churchill’s wife Clementine Churchill. Her other screen credits include Sense and Sensibility, Law & Order: UK, and Downton Abbey.
Pip Torrens plays Nicholas Pratt
Who is Nicholas Pratt? David Melrose’s old Etonian friend Nicholas is the one who breaks the news to Patrick about his father’s death. He’s a ghastly reminder of Patrick’s awful dad, a man he he admired for his sheer disdain and snobbery. Filled with aristocratic pomp and eloquence, he is a relic of Patrick’s old world and reappears constantly in his life.
What else has Pip Torrens been in? He’s best known for his recent scene-stealing role as Tommy Lascelles in The Crown. Other appearances have included Cassel in Versailles, Cary Warleggan in Poldark and Herr Starr in Preacher.
Jessica Raine plays Julia
Who is Julia? On-again off-again lover Julia is one of Patrick’s closest friends. She appeals to his hedonistic and cynical side and enjoys her wild youth. Julia can be cool, sardonic and extremely cutting.
What else has Jessica Raine been in? Call the Midwife fans will remember Jessica Raine as original midwife Jenny Lee. Since then she has starred in Wolf Hall, Fortitude, Jericho and The Last Post.
Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Eleanor Melrose
Who is Eleanor Melrose? As heiress to a cleaning fluid business, Eleanor comes from one of the richest families in America and has endless wealth. But years of abuse from her husband left her numb, taking refuge in alcohol and drinking herself into a stupor. David Melrose’s viciousness prevented her from acting as a mother to Patrick or offering him any protection. Now, she’s free – but her escape from the family home left Patrick alone with his father when he needed her most.
What else has Jennifer Jason Leigh been in? As Daisy Domergue in Quentin Tarantino movie The Hateful Eight, Jennifer Jason Leigh achieved critical acclaim and nominations at the Oscars, Baftas and Golden Globes. Since then she has starred as Elsa Gardner in Atypical and Chantal Hutchens in Twin Peaks. Her other projects have included Miami Blues, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Single White Female and Weeds.
Hugo Weaving as David Melrose
Who is David Melrose? Despite being born into the English aristocracy and raised with snobbish notions about “old money” and inherited wealth, David Melrose was penniless until he met his wife Eleanor. Everything he owned came from her nouveau riche family. A former cavalry officer and doctor and a promising composer, he ended up doing little of note with his life. Instead he chose to drink his days away at his stately residence in France, taking pleasure in cruelty and inspiring fear and humiliation in others – particularly his wife and child.
What else has Hugo Weaving been in? Hugo Weaving is perhaps best known for his roles as Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy and Elrond in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. He also played V in V for Vendetta, and Red Skull in Captain America.
Anna Madeley plays Mary Melrose
Who is Mary Melrose? Patrick’s wife, who he meets at an eventful dinner party in episode three, while Patrick is managing a period of sobriety.
They go on to marry, producing two sons: Robert and Thomas. But while Mary knows of her husband’s childhood trauma and history and does her best to be supportive, the lingering memories and the pressures of parenting and family take their toll.
What else has Anna Madeley been in? This is not the first time Anna Madeley has teamed up with Benedict Cumberbatch: she played Rachel Murray in his series The Child in Time. Recently she starred as Clarissa Eden in The Crown, and on the big screen she appeared in The Mercy. Her TV roles have included Miss Ravillious in Mr Selfridge, Gina Hayes in Secret State, and Lucy in Doctor Foster.
Holliday Grainger plays Bridget Watson Scott
Who is Bridget Watson Scott? Bridget is a social climber and a thrill seeker. When we first meet her she is one of Nicholas’s many younger girlfriends: he appreciates her youth and beauty, and she appreciates his wealth. By episode three she has married into the nobility and is hosting a huge party, attended by Princess Margaret.
What else has Holliday Grainger been in? TV fans are most likely to recognise Holliday Grainger as Robin Ellacott from Strike. She’s also appeared in Cinderella, The Riot Club and My Cousin Rachel, and played Lucrezia in The Borgias.
Tim McMullan plays Sonny Gravesend
Who is Sonny Gravesend? Bridget Watson Scott’s husband, who is a member of the nobility with extraordinary wealth.
What else has Tim McMullan been in? The actor’s credits include Arthur Valentine in Foyle’s War, the Earl de Courcy in Doctor Thorne, and James Reiss in King Charles III.
Sebastian Maltz plays Young Patrick Melrose
Who is Patrick as a kid? We’ll be seeing a lot of young Patrick Melrose as we explore his troubled childhood. Born into privilege and wealth, Patrick grows up in aristocratic circles and lives between the family properties in France and England. But he is traumatised by the abuse of his monstrous father and the complicity of his mother.
What else has Sebastian Maltz been in? This is the young actor’s first screen role.
Indira Varma plays Anne Moore
Who is Anne Moore? Melrose family friend Anne Moore witnessed an awful moment in young Patrick’s life, and it has haunted them both ever since. As a guest of the family all those years ago, she saw that something was wrong – and when she found Patrick shaking at the bottom of the stairs in emotional distress she tried to help. Now she regrets not doing more to protect Patrick as a young boy.
What else has Indira Varma been in? The actress played Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones. She is also known for her role as Zoe Luther in the Idris Elba TV series Luther, and for playing George Duggan in Silk.
Blythe Danner plays Nancy
Who is Nancy? Eleanor Melrose’s younger sister, and Patrick’s aunt. She lives a life of wealth and privilege.
What else has Blythe Danner been in? Blythe Danner has recently appeared in Will & Grace, Gypsy, and Madoff, but over the years her credits have included Meet the Fockers, The Great Santini, and The Prince of Tides. Her daughter is Gwyneth Paltrow.
Celia Imrie plays Kettle
Who is Kettle? Patrick doesn’t have the monopoly on bad parents; his wife Mary’s relationship with her aloof mother is not entirely happy, either. She is only happy to spend time with her daughter’s family if there are freebies on offer, but otherwise is pretty disinterested in her daughter and grandchildren.
What else has Celia Imrie been in? The Olivier Award-winning stage actress has also appeared in Bridget Jones’s Baby, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Our Zoo and Finding Your Feet. Earlier in her career she frequently collaborated with the comic actress Victoria Wood, appearing in Dinnerladies and Victoria Wood As Seen on TV.
Allison Williams plays Marianne
Who is Marianne? When Patrick makes a solo trip to New York to pick up his father’s ashes, his worried and straight-laced girlfriend Debbie decides he needs some company. She fixes him up with a dinner date with her friend Marianne who lives in town. Unfortunately, Patrick is in the middle of a colossal drugs binge and wearing an eyepatch to cover up a nasty infection, and his clumsy attempts to seduce Marianne are not welcomed.
What else has Allison Williams been in? The American actress played Marnie Michaels in the Lena Dunham comedy drama Girls. She was “white girlfriend” Rose Armitage in groundbreaking horror movie Get Out.
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