Tom Kendrick

Tom is the local GP, a trusted, admired and much-liked member of the Kirkdarroch community. He is a doting father to three girls and a seemingly loving husband whose marriage to Kate appears nothing short of perfect.

Tom is played by Broadchurch actor David Tennant.

“To the outside world he’s the perfect father, the perfect husband,” Tennant says of Tom. “He’s popular and admired and people look up to him and his world revolves around that.”

“I read the first episode and was intrigued and compelled by these characters. I didn’t feel like I quite knew what everyone’s story was and that of course makes you want to know what happens next.”

Not wanting to give anything away about where the story takes Tom, Tennant says that the series “will confound you, compel you and surprise you.”

Kate Kendrick

Kate is a beloved local teacher who works at the primary school alongside her best friend, and closest confidante, Jess Milner. Kate has suffered from depression in the past and was supported by Jess as their lives intertwined at work and socially.

Kate is played by The Crown and Mr Selfridge actor Anna Madeley.

She describes Kate as “a warm-hearted soul, a loving mother, a hard worker”, but after the fire you “start to question why she presented so perfectly and how happy her life actually was.”

“Kate has suffered from depression, particularly after the birth of their third child. But she was supported by Tom and the loving community around them. No one on the outside would think much more than that until the real nature of their relationship is thrown into question.”

Jess Milner

Jess used to be a bit of an outsider, someone who could never really settle down. But when she met Steve 6 years ago, she quickly moved to Kurkdarroch and made a home with him and started work at the school alongside Kate. She helps Steve look after his two sons from his previous marriage, who he shares custody of with his ex.

Jess is played by The Good Wife and The Good Fight’s Cush Jumbo.

“When we meet her we realise she is a procrastinator,” Jumbo says. “She isn’t quite sure what she wants out of life and so there is always a slight air of discontentment about her.”

Seeing her best friend Kate’s life as perfect, Jess compares herself to this standard. But after the fire she starts to question everything she thought she knew.

“Aside from Steve, Kate was her only real connection and yet she wasn’t aware of everything that was going on with her. That makes her question whether the friendship was real at all.”

“Do you ever really know the people you think you know?”

Steve Campbell

Steve was born and raised in Kirkdarroch. A police sergeant, he’s previously not had to deal with much crime in the sleepy village. His happy life with Jess is only marred by their struggle to have a child of their own.

Steve is played by The Musketeers and The Bay actor Matt McNulty.

He describes Steve as “very much your guy next door,” but that he’s not comfortable with his emotions, making him “prone to spouts of aggression.”

“He’s never really had to confront his mental wellbeing and his instinct is to be a stoic, practical man who’s strong for everyone else,” McNulty says.

“The tragedy reveals who he is and everything he’s buried. Because of his family, his small boys, because of his sense of masculinity, he really ends up having to look at himself, look at who he really is.”