The BBC has yet another high-octane drama [1] to keep us on the edge of our seats this autumn. Roadkill, from Line of Duty [2] director Michael Keillor, is a new political thriller putting Westminster under the microscope. Starring Hugh Laurie, the four-part series, which kicked off on Sunday, 18 Oct, is set to explore the messier side of politics — think sabotage, sex scandals, and shady deals.
The story follows fictional MP Peter Laurence (played by Laurie), a forceful and charismatic politician with his eyes on the ultimate political prize — a top position in government. On a high from a landmark win in a newspaper libel case, Laurence is quickly brought down to earth when a series of personal and professional revelations that threaten his future are dug up by his enemies. Speaking about the series, Laurie commented, "Roadkill is a political drama about the price of success in the political realm, what it demands of the people who do it, and those around the person who does it. It's pretty unforgiving."
So who will be joining lead actor Hugh Laurie in what we expect will be our new TV obsession? Meet the main cast of Roadkill ahead.
Hugh Laurie as Peter Laurence
Hugh Laurie stars as Peter Laurence, a cabinet minister with high political ambitions. Describing his character [3], Laurie said, "The story is in some regards about the price he is prepared to pay to get to the top position and the price that he forces everyone else to pay, principally his family but also those who pledge their loyalty to him."
Best known for his lead role in the longstanding and award-winning US series House, Laurie has also recently appeared in The Personal History of David Copperfield [4], The Night Manager, and Veep.
Helen McCrory as Dawn Ellison
Peaky Blinders [5] actor Helen McCrory stars as fictional Prime Minister Dawn Ellison. Speaking of her role [6], she said, "Dawn's problem with Peter is that she doesn't recognise him, and because she doesn't recognise him, she doesn't realise how dangerous he is."
Roadkill viewers will most likely recognise McCrory from her roles in MotherFatherSon, the Harry Potter [7] franchise, and Skyfall [8].
Pippa Bennett-Warner as Rochelle Madeley
Pippa Bennett-Warner plays the high-flying barrister fighting in Peter's corner as his lawyer, that is until she receives a mysterious phone call from an anonymous contact claiming to have damning information on the case.
The actress has most recently appeared in Gangs of London [9], MotherFatherSon (in which she appeared alongside her Roadkill costar Helen McCrory) and Harlots [10].
Sarah Greene as Charmian Pepper
You'll recognise Irish actor Sarah Greene from her role as Connell's mum in the hit BBC3/HBO series Normal People [11]. In Roadkill, Greene plays the newspaper reporter at the centre of Laurence's downfall. When Charmian learns her story on the MP's tax dodging has not only cost the newspaper £1.5 million in damages but her job, too, she resolves to dig deeper and bring to light the truth about the minister's wrongdoings.
Patricia Hodge as Lady Roche
Lady Roche sits at the head of the newspaper that Charmian Pepper writes for as proprietor. With £1.5 million in damages to pay for the libel case Laurence brought against the paper, Lady Roche fires Charmian.
Hodge's TV acting credits include comedy series Miranda and A Very English Scandal, but she has also done a fair amount of stage acting, earning her an Olivier award.
Iain de Caestecker as Duncan Knock
Iain de Caestecker described his character in the shows as, "young and a bit arrogant." He plays Duncan Knock, special advisor to Peter Laurence. But as we see from the first episode, he's not always got Peter's best interests in mind as he tries to make his way up the political ladder, too.
The actor has had a number of different roles in TV, including Coronation Street and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D [12].
Olivia Vinall as Julia Blythe
Playing the Prime Minister's private secretary is English/Belgian actress Olivia Vinall. She's the PM's eyes and ears, and nothing gets past her. Vinall's role in Roadkill follows a number of supporting roles in BBC dramas, including Apple Tree Yard, Doctor Who, and The Woman in White.
Danny Ashok as Luke Strand
Working closely with Rochelle on the Laurence case is junior barrister Luke Strand, played by actor Danny Ashok. Danny has recently appeared in Strike: Lethal White and Cobra, as well as Deep Water, The Five , and The Dumping Ground.
Katie Leung as Margaret Moore
It's been over 10 years since we first met Leung as Cho Chang, Harry's first girlfriend in the Harry Potter [13] series. Her character in Roadkill makes only a brief appearance in episode one of the series, but we have a feeling we're going to see more of her as the show continues. After all, it is Margaret who tells barrister Rochelle that she has some damning information that could upend Peter Laurence's whole career.