Melissa

Melissa is a gripping drama that follows award-winning war correspondent Guy Foster, portrayed by Tim Dutton, as he attempts to heal from the devastating loss of his first wife. Seeking solace and a fresh start, Guy boards a cruise headed to Cape Town, where he encounters the enigmatic and alluring Melissa McKensie, played by Jennifer Ehle. Melissa is a sophisticated and captivating PR professional, traveling with a lively group of media friends, whose vivacity contrasts with Guy's somber demeanor.

As the cruise unfolds, Guy finds himself irresistibly drawn to Melissa's charm and mystery. Their whirlwind romance culminates in a sudden proposal of marriage from Melissa, sparking hope and passion between them. However, beneath the celebration lies an undercurrent of suspense and danger. A series of sinister events begins to shadow the voyage; an elderly widower mysteriously falls overboard, and in Cape Town, the bodies of a middle-aged couple are discovered under suspicious circumstances.

Amidst the mounting tension, tragedy strikes when one of Melissa's close friends is brutally murdered, casting suspicion squarely on Guy. The situation escalates to a harrowing climax when Melissa herself is found dead, with Guy discovered beside her bloodied body. This intense and suspenseful narrative explores themes of love, loss, and betrayal, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they unravel the truth behind the chilling murders aboard and ashore.

Full Cast of Melissa

Jennifer Ehle as Melissa McKensie

Jennifer Ehle

Melissa McKensie
Jennifer Ehle delivers a compelling performance as Melissa McKensie in the TV series 'Melissa,' showcasing her remarkable ability to portray complex emotions with subtlety and depth. Compared to her previous roles, such as Elizabeth Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice,' where she balanced wit and charm, Ehle brings a more introspective and nuanced interpretation to Melissa, highlighting her versatility as an actress. A fascinating trivia fact is that Jennifer Ehle is the daughter of renowned actress Rosemary Harris, which adds a legacy of performing excellence to her already impressive career.
Tim Dutton as Guy Foster

Tim Dutton

Guy Foster
Tim Dutton played a pivotal role in the TV series 'Melissa,' where he portrayed a complex character that showcased his versatility beyond his earlier work. Known primarily for his roles in British dramas and comedies, Dutton's performance in 'Melissa' stood out as it allowed him to delve into more nuanced emotional territory, demonstrating a depth that contrasted with his previous, often lighter or more straightforward roles. This role marked a significant point in his career, highlighting his ability to handle challenging material and broadening his range as an actor.
Julie Walters as Paula Hepburn

Julie Walters

Paula Hepburn
Julie Walters played a pivotal role in the TV series 'Melissa,' where her performance was lauded for its depth and authenticity. Critics and audiences alike praised her ability to bring nuanced emotional layers to her character, making her portrayal both relatable and compelling. What made her performance unique was her masterful balance of strength and vulnerability, which added a profound human element to the narrative. A lesser-known fact about her involvement is that during filming, Walters improvised a key emotional scene that was so powerful it was retained in the final cut, illustrating her creative influence on the show.
Adrian Dunbar as Graeme Hepburn

Adrian Dunbar

Graeme Hepburn
Adrian Dunbar played a compelling role in the TV series 'Melissa,' delivering a performance that was widely praised for its depth and nuance. His portrayal was unique due to his ability to convey complex emotional undercurrents with subtlety, setting his character apart in a richly woven narrative. A lesser-known fact about Dunbar's involvement is that he contributed to shaping some of his character's dialogue, bringing an authentic voice that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Bill Paterson as DCI Cameron

Bill Paterson

DCI Cameron
Bill Paterson played a pivotal role in the TV series 'Melissa,' where his portrayal was widely praised for its depth and authenticity. Critics highlighted his ability to bring nuanced emotional layers to his character, setting his performance apart from others in the series. What made his work unique was his subtle use of body language to convey internal struggles, adding a compelling dimension to the narrative. A lesser-known fact about his involvement is that Paterson improvised one key scene, which was so impactful that it was kept in the final cut, showcasing his creative influence beyond the scripted material.
Michael Angelis as D.I. Kilshaw

Michael Angelis

D.I. Kilshaw
Michael Angelis played a pivotal role in the TV drama 'Melissa,' where he portrayed a complex, emotionally nuanced character that differed from his more commonly recognized roles. This performance showcased his versatility as an actor, allowing him to delve into deeper psychological layers, contrasting with his earlier, often more straightforward roles. 'Melissa' stood out in his career by highlighting his ability to handle intense dramatic material, broadening his artistic range and earning critical praise that complemented his previous work on popular series like 'The Liver Birds' and his narration on 'Thomas & Friends.'
Gary Cady as Don Page

Gary Cady

Don Page
Christopher Ryan as Les Maurice

Christopher Ryan

Les Maurice
Hugh Quarshie as George Bond

Hugh Quarshie

George Bond
Andrew Schofield as Charlton Ffoulkes

Andrew Schofield

Charlton Ffoulkes
Gary Bleasdale as Statto

Gary Bleasdale

Statto
Faith Edwards as Bonnie Foster

Faith Edwards

Bonnie Foster
David Ross as Dr Selwyn Swanton

David Ross

Dr Selwyn Swanton , Selwyn-Swanton
Nigel Pegram as South African Doctor

Nigel Pegram

South African Doctor
Neville Phillips as South African Priest

Neville Phillips

South African Priest
Clarence Smith as Stevie Charleston

Clarence Smith

Stevie Charleston
John Ringham as Norman

John Ringham

Norman
Yuri Stepanov as Leo the Driver

Yuri Stepanov

Leo the Driver
Ben Miles as Editor

Ben Miles

Editor
Terence Harvey as Awards Presenter

Terence Harvey

Awards Presenter
Christopher Adamson as 1st Hood

Christopher Adamson

1st Hood
Jamie Foreman as 2nd Hood

Jamie Foreman

2nd Hood
Lionel Blair as Himself, Party Guest

Lionel Blair

Himself, Party Guest
Pat Cash as Himself, Party Guest

Pat Cash

Himself, Party Guest
Willie Thorne as Himself, Party Guest

Willie Thorne

Himself, Party Guest
Morgan Deare as American Reporter

Morgan Deare

American Reporter
Jonah Russell as Young Policeman

Jonah Russell

Young Policeman

Diana Weston

Hope Magenta

Alice Brighton

Physiotherapist

Joan Hooley

Physiotherapist

Kevin Rooney

John Paul Bird

Laura Davenport

Francesca Morris

Paul Henry

Removal Man

Pat Jennings

Himself, Party Guest

Victor Ubogo

Himself, Party Guest

Ian St. John

Himself, Party Guest

Yuri Stepanov

Leo the Driver

Giles Watling

Gangster at Airport

Crew of Melissa

Full backstage crew list →