The Good Ship Murder series 3 sails to Cannes this week, and the guest cast welcomes several soap legends from across Emmerdale, Brookside, and Coronation Street.
The red carpet is rolled out as the ship docks on French Riviera, in town for the night of the premiere of the latest film by infamous film director Werner Altmann. The acclaimed but outspoken director reluctantly chaperones his “muse” – rising star Mimi McQuinn. But he totally fails to protect her, as she is then murdered during the premiere…
Of course, Jack and Kate suspect Werner himself. But there’s also on influential but unscrupulous film critic called Erin Daniels who had a grudge and motive. As did her besotted and feckless son Lucian.
Meanwhile, Jack and Kate navigate their way through various challenges in their new life as a couple… Read on to find out who plays who in the guest cast of The Good Ship Murder series 3 episode 2.
Coronation Street star Ellie Leach plays Mimi McQuinn
Who is Mimi McQuinn?
Mimi McQuinn is a rising starlet, championed by film director Werner Altmann. They arrive together at Cannes film festival with Werner reluctantly chaperoning his ‘muse’. Until she turns up dead that is… Mimi is murdered during the premiere of her new film, but who killed her and why?
What is Ellie Leach famous for?
Manchester-born actress Ellie Leach, 24, is best known for playing Faye Windass in Coronation Street. She portrayed the character between 2011 and 2023. Faye was the adopted child of Anna and Eddie Windass, and her storylines includes being the victim and perpetrator of bullying, contacting her birth father Tim Metcalfe, and accusing Anna of abusing her. She also fell pregnant at 13 and kept it secret from her family.
Her role in The Good Ship Murder is her most significant TV acting role since leaving the ITV soap. Of course, Strictly fans will know she took part in the 2023 series alongside her professional partner Vito Coppola. In fact, the pair won the show, and deservedly so. Ellie has also popped up as a panellist on House of Games, and Loose Women, as well as appearing on soap reality show Drama Queens.
The Good Ship Murder series 3 episode 2 cast: Lesley Dunlop stars as Carole Merryweather
Who is Carole Merryweather?
Carole Merryweather is a long-term passenger on the MSC Virtuosa. She is celebrating a milestone in her life on board the ship.
What TV and film has Lesley Dunlop done before?
Lesley Dunlop’s appearance in The Good Ship Murder cast is another treat for soap fans. The 69-year-old actress, from Newcastle upon Tyne, is most famous for her long-running role in Emmerdale.
She played Brenda Walker in the ITV soap between
Lesley started her in the 70s, appearing in TV series such as A Little Princess, South Riding, Our Mutual Friend, Smuggler, Angels, and Doctor Who. Between Anna Kirkwall in Where the Heart Is.
In real life, Lesley is actually married to fellow Emmerdale star Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard. The soap’s longest standing actor, he appeared in the recent Corriedale episode.
Nicola Stephenson stars as Erin Daniels
Who is Erin Daniels?
After Mimi’s murder in The Good Ship Murder episode 2, Jack and Kate are on the case. They focus their attention on director Werner, and also on influential but corrupt and unscrupulous film critic Erin Daniels. She’s on board the cruise ship with her besotted and feckless son Lucian, both of whom appear to have grudges and motive.
Who is Nicola Stephenson in the cast of The Good Ship Murder episode 2?
Christmas might be over in real life, but some soap fans might think they’re still getting gifts as yet another iconic soap star appears in the cast of The Good Ship Murder episode 2.
Lancashire-born Nicola, 54, made her name playing Margaret Clemence in the Channel 4 soap Brookside. Although she portrayed the role between 1990 and 1994, there was one particular scene that made history. In 1994, Nicola and her co-star Anna Friel shared an on-screen kiss. It was the first time a kiss between two women had aired pre-watershed, and became a symbol of LGBTQ+ progress.
Nicola subsequently went on to play Julie Fitzjohn in the medical drama Holby City, Suzie Davidson in Clocking Off, Jackie Armstrong in City Lights, and Sarah Williams in The Chase. Waterloo Fans will know her as Allie Westbrook.
Other notable roles include Mum in All at Sea, Julie Hubble in The Worst Witch, Renshaw’s Mother in The Walk-In, and Olive Smelt in The Long Shadow. She recently portrayed Cynthia Edmonds in The Hack, and Martha Fitzgibbon in Father Brown.
Brookside wasn’t her only soap role, either. Nicola played Tess Harris in Emmerdale between 2015 and 2016. The teaching assistant had an affair with vet Paddy Kirk. However, she tragically died after being hit by a drunk driver.
Full cast list of The Good Ship Murder series 3 episode 2:
Shayne Ward plays Jack Grayling.
Catherine Tyldesley stars as Kate Woods.
Zak Douglas is Jamil Al-Rashid.
Geoffrey Breton portrays Piers De Vreese.
Ross Adams is Colin Smallwood.
Kiza Deen stars as Frankie Johnson.
James Barriscale returns as Captain Marlowe.
Yuna Shin plays Dr Sharon Tan.
Lesley Dunlop stars as Carole Merryweather.
Ellie Leach guest stars as Mimi McQuinn.
Nicola Stephenson stars as Erin Daniels.
German actor Uke Bosse plays director Werner Altmann in the cast.
The Wives’ Ana-Carolina Klein portrays Simone Reno, Mimi’s drama school rival.
Gene Gurie – aka Thane Hughes in Secret Life of Boys – is Lucian Daniels.
Read more: Catherine Tyldesley opens up on Eva Price’s uncertain future on Coronation Street after return