Hope Street returns to screens for its highly-anticipated fifth series and it’s all change in Port Devine, with some new faces set to join the show for an exciting new chapter.
The popular BBC One drama, which first hit TV four years ago, centres on the daily escapades of the local police department of a Northern Irish seaside town.
It all started when a new detective by the name of Leila Hussain (Amara Karan) arrived in Port Devine, which got all the locals talking.
The subsequent series saw corrupt officer Al Quinn (Stephen Hagan) take over from Leila, who departed at the end of the first season, while the third centred on detective Jo Lipton (Karen Hassan) and her romance with PC Callum McCarthy (Niall Wright).
The fourth series saw big cast changes take place, with the departure of a number of favourites – particularly the O’Hare clan including Inspector Finn (Ciarán McMenamin) – which paved the way for the arrival of Inspector Eve Dunlop (Tara Lynne O’Neill).
As Hope Street returns to our screens for series 5, fans can expect not only more story twists and turns but also more cast changes aplenty so let’s take a look at who we will see on our screens this year – and who we won’t.
Who has left Hope Street in Series 5?
Callum McCarthy star Niall Wright
The fifth series of Hope Street marks the departure of star Niall Wright, who played fan-favourite PC Callum McCarthy.
Callum’s exit story has yet to be revealed, though it’s possible that he leaves Port Devine to join Jo in Belfast, given that this was hinted at previously.
In real-life, Niall was filming for upcoming Channel 4 drama A Woman Of Substance while Hope Street’s latest series was in production.
Who is in the cast of Hope Street Series 5?
Cameron Cuffe as Police Constable Donal Gallagher
Krypton star Cameron Cuffe joins the cast as Constable Donal Gallagher, who takes over Callum’s role in his absence.
A well-known local rugby player, Donal is confident and charming but his career was cut short by an injury.
As the newest member of the Port Devine police department, he has a new zest for life – and will soon make his mark. What’s more, he also catches the attention of new doctor Sasha Cookson.
Discussing joining the cast, Cameron said: ‘I can’t stress enough how genuinely kind and warm and funny these people are and how good the atmosphere is on set.
‘I was lucky enough to have friends in common with them and I found it incredibly easy. You discover what your character is there to do and soon feel at home.’
Cameron is best known for his work on Syfy’s Krypton, which was set on the eponymous planet and followed the story of Seg-El, Superman’s grandfather. He also appeared in Florence Foster Jenkins, The Halcyon and Time After Time.
Kerri Quinn as Sergeant Marlene Pettigrew
Former Coronation Street star Kerri Quinn plays Marlene.
As one of the few remaining original characters, Marlene has proven a force to be reckoned with, with her tough no-nonsense attitude resulting in her always getting the job done. She has been on a quite a journey over the past four seasons, coming out and embarking on a relationship with Ash, which sadly ended on the couple’s wedding day.
Last year, she and new Inspector Eve got off to a rocky start but ultimately their friendship – and working relationship – shone through.
‘In a show like Hope Street where it’s swings and roundabouts, this year for me feels a bit more like season one, whereby Marlene is very much front and centre at the police station,’ said Kerri of the upcoming season.
‘She’s helping people put out fires, so not so much of a storyline for Marlene this year, but after the death of Barry and the breakdown of her relationship, her go-to place is to zone in to her police work.’
Kerri has appeared in Derry Girls, Three Families and drama series Come Home. She is likely best known to audiences for her role as Vicky Jeffries in Coronation Street. Vicky was Robert Preston’s secret lover, who fell pregnant with his child while he was seeing Michelle Connor.
Tara Lynne O’Neill as Inspector Eve Dunlop
Tara Lynne O’Neill made quote an impression on Hope Street fans last year when she took over the role of Inspector at the Port Devine Police department, playing newcomer Eve Dunlop.
Eve’s arrival certainly got tongues wagging in the local town – specially as the mystery of missing Shelley was touched upon – but she soon made her mark and proved to be a fan-favourite with viewers of the show.
Tara portrayed Joanne Ryan in EastEnders between 2002 and 2003, and she has also appeared in The Informant, Disco Pigs and Omagh.
Her biggest role, however, is undoubtedly that of Mary Quinn in Channel 4’s Derry Girls.
Niamh McGrady and Aaron McCusker as Nicole and Clint Devine-Dunwoody
Every good serial drama requires a memorable pub landlord and landlady and that’s exactly what Hope Street has in Niamh McGrady and Aaron McCusker, who star as the brilliant Nicole and Clint.
Last season, the couple faced challenges aplenty when it was confirmed that the father of Nicole’s baby was none other than Callum. Clint, however, ultimately decided to support his wife and raise the baby together.
Actor Aaron, as viewers might know, has now joined Coronation Street (and coincidentally makes his ITV soap debut on the very night Hope Street returns to screens in Northern Ireland!) but audiences will be pleased to know that they have another season to enjoy of Clint’s antics, with series 5 having completed filming earlier this year – prior to Aaron’s arrival on the cobbles.
Finnian Garbutt as Ryan Power and Katie Shortt as Brandi McClure
Series star Finnian wasted little time in making an impact when he debuted three seasons ago as the loveable Ryan Power, so fans will no doubt be delighted to hear that he’s back for series five.
Despite Callum’s sad departure, Ryan has found a new friend in newcomer Donal and of course viewers can expect more drama for he and Brandi, who caused quite a stir upon her debut last season.
Star Katie Shortt wasted little time in making an impression as ‘firecracker’ barmaid Brandi – with an ‘i’ – who served up icon from her very first scene.
But her antics towards the end of series four left her not only in trouble with the law but also saw her destroy her relationship with her idol Nicole after she stole her baby.
Ryan, however, thought she deserved another chance and thus popped the question, leaving us wondering just what series 5 has in store for them.
‘She’s done something bad and she pretty much wants to be as far away as possible,’ actor Ryan told us at a press event for the new season. ‘He’s trying to get her to feel comfortable.’
Prior to appearing in Hope Street, both Finnian and Katie previously appeared in Casualty.
Jenn Murray as Doctor Sasha Cookson
Port Devine has a new GP this year in the form of Sasha Cookson.
Sasha, who has taken over her father’s surgery, is direct, straight-talking and she wastes little time in rubbing up some of the locals the wrong way.
Donal, however, finds such a thing rather charming – and it’s not long before sparks begin to fly between the two!
‘I think she has a bit of an edge in that she doesn’t censor herself and says it how it is,’ said star The Lovers star Jenn.
‘It’s quite refreshing, it’s like a cold blast of air. She’s not trying to be pleasing. She’s a really interesting character to play because your default is to be polite and have good manners – mine is. It’s a great part. There are lots of angles to her and some secrets, I suppose. I think it’s always good for an actor to have secrets, even just for yourself and the process. So she’s a gift’.
Marcus Onilude as Luke Jackson
Former Ted Lasso star Marcus joined the cast as Luke Jackson last season. A detective from London who was working out of Belfast prior to his arrival in Port Devine, Luke is the husband of Eve, stepdad to her son Ross, and father to Chloe.
Prior to his starring role in Hope Street, Marcus has appeared in films such as The Batman and How To Train Your Dragon.
RhéAna Kamalu as Chloe Jackson and Jonny Grogan as Ross Dunlop
RhéAna Kamalu is back in series 5 as Chloe, daughter of Luke and stepdaughter of Eve, while co-star Jonny Grogan reprises his role as her stepbrother Ross.
The two made quite an impression on audiences last season, with their dynamic proving one of the show’s best qualities, and they’ll no doubt be at the centre of plenty of drama this year.
Eleanor Methven and Paddy Jenkins as Lois Dunlop and Seamie McCarthy
Tough no-nonsense matriarch Lois Dunlop was also one of the best things that series 4 of Hope Street had to offer so it’s good to know that she’s staying put for series 5.
Paddy Jenkins, whose warm portrayal of Seamie McCarthy made him a fan-favourite, will also be sticking around – despite son Callum’s exit – which begs the question of just what his on-screen alter-ego is staying in Port Devine for?
Can we, perhaps, expect romance to blossom between Seamie and Lois at last?
Where is Hope Street filmed and is Port Devine a real place?
Hope Street is filmed in Donaghadee, Co. Down. Port Devine is not a real place.
Co-creator Paul Marquess, who also worked on Hollyoaks and Brookside, said he was ‘beyond excited to be heading home’ to make Hope Street.
‘Set on Northern Ireland’s stunning coastline, the series is a celebration of local writing, acting and production talent,’ he said. ‘Warm, engaging and funny, Hope Street presents Northern Ireland to the world in a fresh new light.’
Hope Street returns Friday October 1 at 2pm on BBC One or stream the whole series from 7pm on Monday October 27 on BBC iPlayer.
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