Channel 4's Hunting Alice Bell is set to get people talking as it tackles themes of mistaken identity, misogyny and destructive online rumour-mongering.
The psychological thriller turns a chilling premise into a modern whodunnit. Alice Bell, a former nurse and accomplice to a notorious serial-killer anaesthetist, is believed to be living in Britain under a new identity. But when Fran Da Silva finds herself accused online of being Alice, her life unravels, and she joins forces with other wrongly accused women to clear their names – though one of them may actually be Alice.
Writer David Baddiel has said Hunting Alice Bell grew out of real-life cases of women who were terrorised after being wrongly suspected of the same thing, with the new drama showing how a crowd can take away someone's identity.
The ensemble pairs Death in Paradise favourite Ralf Little and Shaun of the Dead star Simon Pegg with a cast that also includes Alexandra Roach, Amanda Abbington and Nightsleeper's Rudi Dharmalingam. Broadcaster Cathy Newman and political figures Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart also appear as themselves.
But who's who in Hunting Alice Bell? Read on for a guide to the actors and characters appearing in the drama.
- Alexandra Roach as Fran Da Silva
- Simon Pegg as Dr Jason Nash
- Ralf Little as Graham Hunter
Alexandra Roach as Fran Da Silva
About the character: Fran is the woman at the centre of the story, an ordinary person whose life is upended when she is accused online of being Alice Bell after she takes part in a video for her workplace that quickly gains traction. She joins forces with other accused women to clear their names.
Where you've seen Alexandra Roach before: Roach is a Welsh actress who first drew attention playing the young Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady in 2011. She went on to play Becky in Channel 4's conspiracy thriller Utopia and DS Joy Freers in the police comedy-drama No Offence. Her other credits include Black Mirror, Killing Eve, The Huntsman: Winter's War and The Light in the Hall.
Simon Pegg as Dr Jason Nash
About the character: Pegg plays Dr Jason Nash, a sinister criminal and convicted serial killer who is serving time in prison. Despite his crimes, there are plenty who believe that his girlfriend at the time should be imprisoned for the same amount of time as Jason.
Where you've seen Simon Pegg before: Pegg co-created the sitcom Spaced before co-writing and starring in the Cornetto trilogy of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End. He is also known worldwide as Benji Dunn in the Mission: Impossible franchise, first appearing in Mission: Impossible III in 2006 and returning across the subsequent films, including The Final Reckoning in 2025.
Ralf Little as Graham Hunter
About the character: Little plays Graham Hunter, a man caught up in the mystery surrounding Alice Bell's identity. The role marks one of Little's first major television roles since leaving Death in Paradise.
Where you've seen Ralf Little before: Little first gained attention as Antony Royle in The Royle Family and as Jonny in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. He played DI Neville Parker in Death in Paradise from 2020 to 2024, having earlier appeared as a guest character in 2013.
About the character: Abbington plays Julie, one of the women caught up in the unfolding Alice Bell mystery and who brings Fran into the circle.
Where you've seen Amanda Abbington before: Abbington's breakthrough came as Josie Mardle in Mr Selfridge. She later played Mary Watson in Sherlock, winning a Crime Thriller Award for the role, and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.
About the character: Dharmalingam plays Nick, Fran's husband. Despite online and in-person speculation about his wife, he remains confident in Fran and supports her through this major life upheaval.
Where you've seen Rudi Dharmalingam before: Dharmalingam is a stage and screen actor whose television credits include James Cutler in The Split, Nik Katira in Wakefield, and roles in The Lazarus Project and Great Expectations. He recently starred in the BBC thriller Nightsleeper and Harlan Coben's Missing You.
About the character: Barber plays Vanessa, one of the women being accused of being Alice Bell. She's a suave PR career woman who is well-versed in how to work the media and takes charge of the group's publicity strategy.
Where you've seen Emily Barber before: You may recognise Barber from her roles in The Alienist, Bridgerton, Bodies, Industry and more recently, MobLand.
About the character: O'Rourke plays Ros, one of the women caught up in the online storm surrounding Alice Bell. She's got a gaming background and is the resident tech aficionado.
Where you've seen Toni O'Rourke before: The Irish actress's film credits include Calm with Horses, Wildfire, God's Creatures and Lift. She also co-led the series The Boy That Never Was.
About the character: Charlotte is part of the ensemble of accused women. After some drama in her personal life, she finds herself accused of being Alice Bell.
Where you've seen Christina Bennington before: Bennington is a Northern Irish actress and singer best known for originating Raven in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical and playing Veronica Sawyer in the West End production of Heathers: The Musical. In terms of TV, you may recognise her from The Revenge Club, Nova Jones and Halo.
Supporting cast
Broadcaster and political figures and feature as themselves.
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Hunting Alice Bell premieres on Wednesday 11 November at 9pm on Channel 4.
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