Trigger Point season 4 kicks off on ITV1 and ITVX over the Bank Holiday weekend, and it looks set to be another death-defying ordeal for Lana Washington (Vicky McClure) and her squad.
The team behind the series has teased a "Mad Max-style" lorry chase in the first episode, that pushes the very limits of what they thought possible from a British TV drama.
Producer Jed Mercurio explained: "I was so enthusiastic about it even from those initial conversations, because I understood what it could be. Even though it's something you usually see in big movies I felt there was a template for doing it on a scale that we could achieve, that would create tension and thrills."
McClure teased: "There's a race against time with a lorry going through the capital with a bomb in the back. Lana has to rip her way through the side of the lorry with a knife, and then she's got a short amount of time to find the device and diffuse it while Hass [Nabil Elouahabi] is driving.
"It's such an exciting scene, and it happens so early on – if that was the only stunt in the series you feel that would have been plenty, but it's just the beginning."
The broader plot of Trigger Point season 4 has been kept largely under wraps so far, with ITV stating only that London will be targeted by a team of "professional mercenaries". Jonas Armstrong's mystery character is suspected to be involved, but that's just speculation for now.
If you need a reminder of the key players in Trigger Point, as season 4 premieres on ITV1 and ITVX, read on for your full guide to the new and returning cast.
Trigger Point season 4 cast: New and returning
Here's a brief overview of the key players in Trigger Point season 4 - read on for more detailed profiles on each character and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Vicky McClure as Lana Washington
- Nabil Elouahabi as Hass Rahim
- Natalie Simpson as DS Helen Morgan
- Maanuv Thiara as DI Amar Batra
- Kerry Godliman as Sonya Reeves
- Julie Graham as Commander Nia Quentin
- Michael Balogun as Andy Oldfield
- Jonas Armstrong as Sebastian Pinchbeck
Vicky McClure plays Lana Washington
Who is Lana Washington? Lana is an explosives officer (or 'EXPO') for the Metropolitan Police.
Previously, she brought a deadly terror campaign to a close, for which her lover was found to be responsible. Then, in season 2, an anarchist group started targeting London's elites in a bid to bring down the current status quo. In season 3, she had to stop an attacker with a personal vendetta from picking off his victims one-by-one.
Along the way, she has lost close colleagues and loved ones, with the weight of that grief and her stressful work clearly taking a toll. She battles PTSD, for which she is currently receiving professional support.
"We'll see Lana trying her best to get a grip on things; she's going to therapy and balancing that with her job," said McClure of her character's season 4 journey.
"She's very capable but she's also not in great shape – she's doubting herself, which is very dangerous in that job, you have to be certain when dealing with bombs because the stakes are as high as they can be."
McClure continued: "I've always loved how fearless Lana is, and even though we'll see moments where she does feel fear, she will never show face. If she's going down it will be with a battle."
What else has Vicky McClure been in? McClure is best known these days for playing DI Kate Fleming in BBC One thriller Line of Duty, a role she has portrayed since 2012. Prior to that, she collaborated with Shane Meadows on This Is England and its three television sequels. Most recently, she has appeared in ITV's Without Sin, Channel 4 one-off drama I Am Nicola and Prime Video's young adult series Alex Rider.
Who is Danny? Danny is Lana's right-hand man in the 'expo' squad.
In season 1, he was a relatively new recruit to the Metropolitan Police, who was forced to step up his responsibilities earlier than expected after the tragic death of Lana's previous partner and close friend, Joel Nutkins (Adrian Lester).
Since getting married at the end of season 2, Danny has been questioning whether he wishes to continue in such a dangerous line of work, especially considering the numerous personal losses that he and Lana have already endured.
For now, the idea of transferring to another unit has been placed on the back-burner.
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"His idea of leaving to become a detective is probably still floating in the air at home," explained Shango. "He recently got married and has been weighing up the dangers of the job. But ultimately he has decided that his path is to stay with Lana and the team.
"He feels such loyalty to them, and bomb disposal is not your average job – they save a lot of lives and their bond is greater than a normal group of colleagues. It means a lot to Danny that the team wanted him to stay."
He added: "It fills him with confidence because he feels it's a reflection of his contributions at work."
Kerry Godliman plays Sonya Reeves
Who is Sonya Reeves? Sonya is an employee of the Bomb Data Centre, a department of the counter-terrorism unit at New Scotland Yard, whose expertise lies in the chemicals and equipment used to manufacture explosives.
She works closely with Lana, who she considers a personal friend as well as colleague, often reaching out when her cases are at their most emotionally exhausting.
What else has Kerry Godliman been in? Godliman is known for her collaborations with Ricky Gervais, having played supporting roles in both Derek and, more recently, After Life. Though she began her career in comedy, Godliman has taken on dramatic roles before, appearing in Lennie James crime thriller Save Me and Channel 4's Adult Material.
Nabil Elouahabi as Hass Rahim
Who is Hass Rahim? Hass is a member of Lana's team, who briefly replaced her as squad leader in season 1 after she went on an extended leave of absence. They remain friendly colleagues, with their light banter and roasting clearly masking a genuine respect they have for one another.
Teasing season 4, Elouahabi said: "Across the series we're actually going to show more of [Hass's] vulnerability, which has been so interesting to explore. There's a bit of a crack in his armour and he starts making contact with some of his nerves.
"It's been really interesting because Hass has always been the solid one, he's known to be cool as a cucumber, but I've really enjoyed showing a different side to him."
What else has Nabil Elouahabi been in? Elouahabi has appeared in several films like Ali G Indahouse and The Sum of All Fears, but Eastenders viewers will recognise him as Tariq Laroussi, a role he had from 2003 to 2005. He has also more recently starred in Our Girl, Breeders, Time, The Tower and Blue Lights.
Natalie Simpson as DS Helen Morgan
Who is DS Helen Morgan? Helen is a detective for the Metropolitan Police, who first appeared in the second season. She was in a romantic relationship with Thom Youngblood (Mark Stanley), an ex of Lana's, and this caused friction between them – particularly after his untimely death.
They have managed to move on as colleagues, but their working relationship remains challenging. In season 4, Helen could prove a genuine danger as trouble in her home life imperils her loyalty to the team.
"She hasn't been given the promotion she wanted, and she has watched DCI Batra move up the ranks, even though they were basically peers," explained Simpson. "So she's feeling overlooked, tired and wobbly.
"She's a bit wary of Lana, who she still finds very difficult to work with because she's so unpredictable, whereas Helen likes to do things by the book. I don't want to spoil anything, but there is a lot going on for Helen in her personal life that will be revealed as the series goes on."
What else has Natalie Simpson been in? Aside from her stage roles, Simpson has starred in Outlander, the TV miniseries adaptation of Les Misérables and in North Sea Connection.
Maanuv Thiara plays DCI Amar Batra
Who is DCI Amar Batra? DCI Batra is Lana's direct boss, who has risen up the ranks in recent years. In the past, they have had strong disagreements about how to approach their sensitive cases, but in season 4, they will have found a more healthy way of working.
"He has settled into his promotion now, and he is running the show," explained Thiara. "Last year, he clashed with Lana a lot, and he was doubting many of his decisions because he was unsure of his footing.
"But he reconciled with Lana and feels like he belongs now. He's feeling confident and at the beginning of the series we find him dealing with an urgent lorry chase. He's completely across it and he feels good in himself."
Julie Graham plays Commander Nia Quentin
Who is Commander Nia Quentin? A new addition for season 4, Commander Quentin is a senior police official who oversees the activities of the Met's EXPO squad. But while Lana has previously clashed with figures of authority, she finds an immediate kinship with Nia that proves a welcome change of pace.
"Nia and Lana have a very similar mindset, so there's not a battle between them," explained McClure. "That's rare, given that Lana is usually battling the powers that be, so it's nice for her to find somebody she feels is on her side and respects her skill set, woman to woman.
"They're able to work in harmony. Nia's story is very interesting, I can't say too much but people will be absolutely gripped by it."
What else has Julie Graham been in? Graham currently stars in BBC One crime drama This City is Ours. Her other credits include Shetland, Ridley, Payback, Time and Benidorm.
Michael Balogun plays Andy Oldfield
Who is Andy Oldfield? Another new addition for season 4, Andy is a police colleague of Commander Quentin.
What else has Michael Balogun been in? Balogun played Harry Summers in the second season of BBC drama Sherwood. His other credits include Doctor Who, Top Boy and Vera.
Jonas Armstrong plays Sebastian Pinchbeck
Who is Sebastian? No details have been disclosed about Sebastian prior to broadcast, but it appears that he may be the chief antagonist of the season.
What else has Jonas Armstrong been in? Armstrong rose to fame in the title role of the BBC's cult favourite Robin Hood series. Later credits include Ripper Street, The Bay, Hollington Drive and After The Flood.
Who is Eddie? Eddie is a therapist helping Lana to manage her PTSD.
Trigger Point is available to stream on ITVX.
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