Better is a critically acclaimed BBC drama series that has taken the world by storm with its compelling storyline and talented cast. It explores the theme of corruption, love and friendship in modern-day London and has become a sensation worldwide. The cast of Better havewon the hearts of many through their outstanding performances in bringing the characters to life.
Better was created by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley. The crime series is about a corrupt police officer who gets a painful moral awakening after her son's death. She attempts to correct all her past wrongdoings, but it only gets worse. The cast of Better television show will impress you with their A-game acting roles.
Cast of Better: Know your favourite stars in the BBC series
Better premiered on 13th February 2023 on BBC and has gained worldwide recognition for its gripping storyline. As the series unfolds leading up to an epic finale, so is the following exceptional cast of Better that keeps viewers engaged.
1. Leila Farzad
- Date of birth: April 16, 1989, London England
- Nationality: British-Iranian
- Height: 5ft 6inches (1.68m)
Lou Slack is a lead character in Better, starring Leila Farzad. She is a former police detective working for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigating police corruption cases.
She is a determined investigator who becomes a key player in the show's central plotline, which revolves around the corrupt police officer, Anne-Marie Richards, played by Aimee-Ffion Edwards.
Leila Farzad plays a crucial role in uncovering the truth about the corrupt practices of the police force and bringing the corrupt officers to justice. She is also known for her roles in other notable TV shows and films, including:
- Innocent (2020),
- Inside No. 9 (2019)
- Killing Eve (2018)
2. Andrew Buchan
- Date of birth: February 19, 1979, Stockport, England
- Nationality: English
- Height: 6 feet (1.83 m).
Col McHugh, a character played by Andrew Buchan in the Better B.B.C. drama series, is the gangster with whom the lead character DCI Lou once made a life-changing deal. He tries to bring down Col, but as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Col is not as virtuous as he first appears, and his true motives are questioned.
Andrew Buchan's portrayal of Col McHugh has been praised for his nuanced performance in all six episodes of the first season, leading to many fans questioning, "Is there a second series of Better?".
Where have you seen Andrew Buchan before? He has been featured in several shows and films, including:
- Broadchurch (2013-2017)
- The Crown (2016)
- Garrow's Law (2009-2011)
- All the Money in the World (2017)
3. Samuel Edward-Cook
- Date of birth: May 28, 1986, London, England
- Nationality: British
- Height: 6 feet (1.83m)
The character Ceri Davies played by Samuel Edward-Cook, portrays the role of DCI Lou's husband. Ceri, a former police officer now a private investigator, works closely as a confidant with Lou Slack as the latter tries to correct her wrongs.
Ceri is portrayed as a reliable and trustworthy ally, providing valuable assistance to Lou in her investigations. If you have watched TV shows such as Black Mirror (2017), The Crown (2019), and Turn Up Charlie (2019), you know of Samuel Edward-Cook's notable performances.
4. Zak Ford-Williams
- Accents: Lancashire(native), American(standard), Northern-Irish
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches
- Gender: Male
Zak Ford Williams is one of the most acclaimed Better actors. He is a rising young star in the film industry with cerebral palsy. However, his health condition did not hinder him from bringing his A-game to the character Owen.
Owen is the beloved son of the corrupt police detective, Lou. Zak is also known for other recent shows, including Mobility (2023) and Wolfe (2021)
5. Anton Lesser
- Date of birth: February 14, 1952, Birmingham, England
- Nationality: British
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.7m).
Vernon Marley is a character perfectly portrayed by British actor Anton Lesser. He is a disgraced former senior police officer whose word in Bradford Prison leads to one prisoner being pushed down the stairs.
In the BBC drama series Better, Vernon plays a key role in the show's central storyline involving police corruption. As the plot unfolds in several episodes of season 1, his loyalty becomes increasingly unclear.
Where else does Anton Lesser appear in the film industry? His acting skills can be seen in other TV shows and films, including:
- Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
- Wolf Hall (2015)
- Endeavour (2012-2022)
- The Crown (2016)
6. Lucy Black
- Date of birth: January 13, 1977, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Nationality: Northern Irish
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m)
Sandy is one of Better BBC cast playing the role of Lucy Black. Sheis a police officer involved in the investigation into police corruption led by Lou Slack. The character portrays a loyal and hard-working member of the police force who's determined to do the right thing, even when it means going against her colleagues.
Lucy Black's portrayal of Sandy's convincing performance has captured the attention of many who question what other TV shows and films she has appeared in. Some of the notable movies/shows that the talented actress is featured in include:
- The Durrells (2016-2019)
- Jericho (2016)
- The Fall (2013-2016)
- The Marine 6: Close Quarters (2018)
7. Ceallach Spellmam
- Date of birth.: November 22, 1995, Stockport, England
- Nationality: British
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (1.8m)
Ceallach Spellman is praised for his Better series character, Donal, a young police officer eager to prove himself and make a difference. He is involved in the investigation into police corruption led by Lou and thus is a crucial player in the fight against corruption.
Ceallach is known for his captivating roles in other TV shows and films. They include but are not limited to the following:
- Waterloo Road (2010-2011)
- Cold Feet (2016-2020)
- Quiz (2020)
- Tomorrow (2018)
8. Garry Cooper
- Date of birth: September 28, 1954
- Nationality: British
- Height: 6 feet 1 inches
Garry Cooper is a British actor born in London, England. The Better series actor plays the character of Bulgey, a senior police officer. Garry is also known for his roles in:
- The Crown (2016)
- The Bill (1984-2006)
- Holby City (1999-2021)
- The Last Emperor (1987)
9. Phil – Gavin Spokes
- Date of birth: January 7, 1983
- Nationality: British
- Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
Phil is a character played by Gavin Spokes in the Better series. He is a police officer involved in the investigation into police corruption led by Lou. He is a loyal member of the police force and has been praised for his ability to bring depth to the character. His other notable roles in TV shows and films include:
- Broadchurch (2013-2017)
- Brexit: The Uncivil War (2019)
- The Mercy (2018)
Cast of Better - Wrapping up
The cast of Better is talented. The phenomenal performances bring the characters to life, making the audience invested in their stories. This is a show worth binge-watching in 2023 for crime drama fans.
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