Malpractice series 2: Cast led by Victoria star Tom Hughes, who replaces Niamh Algar in lead role
By Helen Fear |Malpractice was one of THE biggest thrillers of 2023, and it's finally back on ITV1 with a series 2 - albeit with a largely different cast...
The first series starred Niamh Algar as overstretched doctor Lucinda Edwards, who faced an investigation after losing an opioid overdose patient.
Malpractice series 2 introduces psychiatric registrar Dr James Ford, who finds himself caught between an anxious new mother's postnatal check-up and the sectioning of a psychotic patient. It ends tragically, and with an investigation into his conduct.
Here's who plays who in the cast of Malpractice series 2, and where you've seen them before...
Tom Hughes stars as Dr James Ford
Chester-born actor Tom Hughes, 40, stars as psychiatric registrar Dr James Ford, who finds himself under investigation after a shift ends tragically.
Tom is probably best known for playing Albert in the ITV series Victoria, a role he played from 2016 to 2019, opposite his then real-life girlfriend
Jenna Coleman.
He first came to fame as another doctor - this time Dr Harry Ingrams in the BBC One spin-off Casualty 1909. Tom went on to play Jonty Millington in academic drama Trinity, but it was his leading role as Bruce Pearson in the Ricky Gervais film Cemetery Junction that catapulted him to nationwide stardom.
TV roles in Silk, Dancing on the Edge, The Game, and Paula followed. In 2021, he portrayed Kit Marlowe in A Discovery of Witches, before going on to play Thomas Trafford in The English. He's been in dozens of films, too, including The Laureate, Shepherd, and Red Joan.
Most recently, Tom starred as Paul Wentworth in the historical drama Franklin, and Titus in Rupert Penry-Jones drama Those About to Die.
Speaking about the series, Tom said: "I couldn't be more delighted to be playing James and helping bring to life Grace's pertinent and important piece [of writing], which stopped me in my tracks when I read it. I hope the audience, when they see it, are equally as gripped and engaged by it, as I was."
Why isn't Niamh Algar in the cast of Malpractice series 2?
Nail-biting thriller Malpractice first aired in 2023, focusing on fiercely intelligent and hard working A&E doctor Lucinda Edwards. She was faced with an accusation of malpractice after a patient died on her shift.
On the heels of TV dramas like Maternal and This Is Going to Hurt, viewers followed Lucinda as she endured a nightmare shift, which ended up having horrifying consequences for both her – and a patient.
Niamh Algar portrayed Dr Lucinda Edwards in the cast of Malpractice, whose fate was left uncertain at the end of the series 1 as the tribunal verdict was not shown.
The Irish actress will not be back in series 2 because Malpractice is an anthology show - a series where each season tells a completely separate, self-contained story, with its own set of characters and plot, rather than a continuous storyline.
Much like The White Lotus, Showtrial, and Black Mirror, Malpractice will tackle a brand new story - although some characters will return.
Helen Behan returns as Dr Norma Callahan
Irish actress Helen Behan, 45, reprises her role of Dr Norma Callahan of the Medical Investigation Unit (MIU). She and Jordan Kouamé's Dr George Adjei are, once again, called in to investigate a doctor accused of malpractice. They are the only two returning characters in Malpractice series 2.
Helen made headlines back in 2011 when she was plucked from obscurity to play Evelyn in Shane Meadows' TV series This Is England '88, and its subsequent sequel This Is England '90. At the time, she was a working as a nurse.
Her role alongside Vicky McClure's character Lol made such a mark that Meadows wrote a role especially for Helen in his 2019 series, The Virtues. A drama set partly in Ireland, The Virtues saw alcoholic Joseph (played by Stephen Graham) return to Ireland to confront uncomfortable childhood memories. Coincidentally, the mini-series also starred Niamh Algar.
Mum-of-four Helen went on to play the daughter of Oscar-winner Glenda Jackson, a woman battling dementia in Elizabeth Is Missing, a BBC adaptation of Emma Healey’s bestselling novel.
Other notable roles include Angela Pitt in Intruder, Tory Snow in The Box, Abigail Ross in Holding, and Older Marian Price in Say Nothing.
Jordan Kouamé portrays Dr George Adjei in cast of Malpractice series 2
The second series of Malpractice sees the return of Jordan Kouamé as Dr George Adjei, who works alongside Dr Norma Callahan at the Medical Investigation Unit (MIU).
The actor is currently playing Reggie Regbo in Dope Girls, and recently portrayed Martin The Gaoler in historical drama Wolf Hall.
Playing George in series 1 of Malpractice was his first ever TV role. He has subsequently appeared in the film Scoop, about Prince Andrew's groundbreaking (and car crash) interview with Emily Maitlis on BBC Newsnight.
Selin Hizli as Dr Sophia Hernandez
Hertfordshire-born Selin, 36, portrays Dr Sophia Hernandez in the cast of Malpractice series 2.
A writer, producer and actress, Selin is perhaps best known for creating the comedy series Am I Being Unreasonable? with co-star Daisy May Cooper. Selin played Jen, opposite Daisy's Nic, in both series.
Grantchester fans might know Selin best for playing Margaret Ward, a role she portrayed from 2016 to 2017. She is also famous for her starring role in the second and third series of the BBC One drama Land Girls. She played Connie Carter in the 2011 series.
Her very first TV role was playing Fred and Rose West's daughter Mae in the ITV drama Appropriate Adult. Selin - who has a Turkish father - went on to play Sara Waldman in Law & Order: UK, Lucy Packard in Casualty, and Doris Aston in Call the Midwife.
She first worked with good friend Daisy May Cooper in the This Country pilot in 2014, before popping up as Stacey Bell in Luther.
After her starring role as the police junior office clerk in Grantchester, she portrayed Debbie in Mum, and Sasha Thompson in Deadwater Fell.
More recently, Selin played Samantha Wishart in ITVX thriller Six Four, and Karen in Things You Should Have Done.
Zoe Telford as Dr Kate McAllister
Norfolk-born Zoe Telford, 51, portrays Dr Kate McAllister in the cast of Malpractice series 2.
Silent Witness fans will know she recently reprised her role of Chief Superintendent Jane De Freitas in series 28's Homecoming Part 1 and 2. The intuitive character was first seen back in 2015 in series 18's two-handed Sniper's Nest. She was a DCI back then, when a shooter was at large in London.
Zoe has been on our screens since 1993 when she first popped up in The Bill as Helen Shaw. Throughout the 90s, she went on to appear in episodes of Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, and Invasion: Earth. Most notably, she portrayed Roe Germaine in the apocalyptic series The Last Train - also starring The Split's Nicola Walker.
Zoe subsequently played Maggie in the school drama Teachers, Alison Jackman in Absolute Power, Dr. Jane Cameron in The Golden Hour, Abigail Thomas in The Palace, and Nicola Curry in Place of Execution.
Other notable roles include Anna Klein in Criminal Justice, Sandra Rampton in Collision, Marianne Swift in The Thick of It, and Claire Sutton in the rebooted Yes, Prime Minister.
In 2015, she played Bella Cross in the first ever series of brilliant detective drama Unforgotten. More recently, Zoe has portrayed Dr Kitty Gray in The Lazarus Project, the ill-fated Dr. Amber Hurst in thriller Red Eye, and Helen McGuire in Showtrial.
Malpractice series 2 cast: Ace Bhatti portrays Dr Arun Mansoor
Nottingham-born Ace Bhatti, 55, portrays Dr Arun Mansoor in the second season of the malpractice thriller on ITV1.
Line of Duty fans will remember him as Police and Crime Commissioner Rohan Sindwhani, while soap viewers will know him as baddie Dr Yusef Khan in EastEnders.
Soap fans might know that he's also popped up as Jayesh Parekh in Corrie, and Bobby Khan in Emmerdale, too!
Ace is also famous for playing Haresh Chandra in the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures between 2008 and 2011. He's been on our screens ever since 1984, and some of his early roles include Dez in Band of Gold, Dr. Rajesh Rajah in Cardiac Arrest, Zahid in Holding On, and Tom in Grafters.
Other notable roles include DC Johnny Khan in NCS Manhunt alongside The Au Pair's David Suchet, Dave Dhillon in Grease Monkeys, Ash Aslan in New Street Law, and Ash Aslan in The Shadow Line.
More recently, he starred as Nadeem in Baptiste, Nadeem in McDonald & Dodds, and Crawley in Alex Rider. In 2025, Ace portrayed DCI Arun Kapoor, head of the witness protection unit, in the impressive cast of Protection.
He's been in multiple film roles, too, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Bend it Like Beckham, and Last Christmas.
Hannah McClean stars as Rosie Newman
Northern Ireland actress Hannah McClean portrays Rosie in Malpractice, and she's a relative pup compared to some of her well-established co-stars.
In fact, Hannah has only been on our screens since 2013, when she portrayed Sarah in one episode of young adult drama 6Degrees.
After small parts in Josh Widdicombe's comedy series Josh, and Lindsay Lohan series Sick Note, Hannah won the role of Jen Robinson in the brilliant police drama Blue Lights.
Jen worked as a constable in the Belfast police department - thanks to her connections - but was totally unsuited to the job. In series 2, she was working as a trainee solicitor. She'll be returning in the upcoming series 3.
Rick Warden portrays Erik Sawers
Bucks-born actor Rick Warden, 53, stars as Erik Sawers in the cast of Malpractice series 2.
He's probably most famous for playing Mike Taylor in Happy Valley, alongside Sarah Lancashire. Mike was Catherine Cawood's sympathetic boss in the BBC drama.
Those of you who have watched the brilliant Band of Brothers - and, if you haven't, you really should - will know Rick as Harry F. Welsh. While Rome fans will recognise him for playing Quintus Pompey.
Rick has actually been on our screens since 1995, when he played Cocker in the TV movie Loved Up, opposite Shetland's Ian Hart. As a jobbing actor, he went on to appear in TV series such as The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, Doctor Zhivago, No Angels, Apparitions, and Holby City.
Between 2015 and 2016, Rick starred as Ronnie Keane in the Julie Walters period drama Indian Summers. He went on to play Russell Causley in The Investigator: A British Crime Story, and Charlie Simms in Fearless.
In 2019, Rick started playing Ciaran Coulson in Casualty, a role he played on and off for two years. Other notable roles include Dave Dixon in Rules of the Game, Andy Phelan in Trigger Point, Bob Snr in Industry, Arthur Martin in A Spy Among Friends, and Oliver Saxby in The Sixth Commandment.
More recently, Rick starred as Dr Chris Peele in plane thriller Red Eye, Douglas Wiseman in Sister Boniface Mysteries, and Martin Roberts in The Jetty.
Death in Paradise star Tobi Bakare portrays Kwame Essiedu in Malpractice
London-born actor Tobi Bakare, 35, portrays Kwame Essiedu in Malpractice series 2.
Of course, Death in Paradise fans will know him best for playing Sergeant JP Hooper in the BBC detective series, a role he returned to in the recent series 14. He made a guest appearance in episode 1, but only stayed for a short visit.
Tobi played Officer JP Hooper from 2015's series 4 to series 10 in 2021. He popped up in series 13, too, for a brief visit in episode 5. The character left the BBC series in 2021 after accepting a promotion to Sergeant, and being offered the job of Head of the Police Training Programme.
In real life, the actor - like many before him - made the decision to leave the show for the sake of his family and the distance spent filming away from home. He said that filming in Guadeloupe presented challenges for his life with his wife and three young children.
As well as Death in Paradise, Tobi is also known for playing Chuks Akinade in the 2013 series The Tunnel, Walter Woodcock in Outlander, and Jamie in The Smoke. His film roles have included Jamal in Kingsman: The Secret Service, and its sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Who else in the cast of Malpractice series 2?
Seraphina Beh also appears in the cast of Malpractice series 2. She plays Toni Campbell-Brown. EastEnders fans will know her for playing Madison Drake in 2017. She also played Farah in series 3 and 4 of Top Boy.
More recently, Seraphina portrayed Elaine in Crongton.
Stephen Thompson (pictured above) plays Charlie. He's known for playing Philip Wilson in In the Flesh, Davey Sharpe in Jericho, and Magnus Manson in The Terror. He also popped up as Ned in Corrie in 2021.
Amy Marston is Aisleen. She's been on our screens for years, and is known for playing Sylvia Sands in The Hello Girls, Deborah in Rome, Martha Hawkins in New Worlds, and Lydia Vendler in Showtrial series 1.
She recently starred as Miss Murphy in A Kind of Spark, and Young Patricia in Insomnia.
Alistair Brammer portrays PC John Penvell. Dalgliesh fans will know him as DS Daniel Tarrant. The actor is also known for his roles as Dr Max Brant in Valhalla Project, Gold Cloak in House of Dragon, and Jack Diamond in Casualty.
Lastly, Alex Price stars as Ed Newman. He's famous for playing Sid Carter in Father Brown, Sheriff Behan in Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War, and Lord Throckmorton in The Serpent Queen.
Malpractice series 2 full cast list:
Tom Hughes stars as psychiatric registrar Dr James Ford.
Helen Behan returns as MIU's Dr Norma Callahan.
Jordan Kouamé portrays Dr. George Adjei of the Medical Investigation Unit (MIU).
Selin Hizli plays Dr Sophia Hernandez.
Zoë Telford is Dr Kate McAllister.
Ace Bhatti portrays Dr Arun Mansoor.
Hannah McClean stars as Rosie.
Rick Warden portrays Erik Sawers.
Seraphina Beh plays Toni Campbell-Brown.
Amy Marston is Aisleen.
Stephen Thompson plays Charlie.
Tobi Bakare portrays Kwame.
Alex Price stars as Ed Newman.
Alistair Brammer is PC John Penvell.
Joshua Lacey, who played Tattoo Dog in Slow Horses series 4, stars as Will.
Ash Rizi - aka Darius Kazemi on EastEnders - stars as Dr Amit Shafi.
Endeavour actress Jessica Layde is Dr Bernadette Asamoah.
Beggars' Teeth star Romona Lewis-Malley also appears in a supporting role.
Bordeline's Cáilum Carragher stars as Dean.
Mrs Sidhu Investigates' Naana Agyei-Ampadu plays Precious Danso.
Charlotte Mills, who played Branwen in The Letter for the King, is Michelle Dornaway.
Kirsty Averton - aka Violet in The Inside Man - plays Martha.
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