Out There: Martin Clunes plays against type in ITV crime drama also starring A-lister's son
By Helen Fear | Fri Jan 17 2025Out There stars Martin Clunes in his first TV role since leaving Doc Martin more than two years ago, and he's joined by a very familiar face in the cast.
TV favourite Martin leads the cast of the gritty new ITV drama which hopes to shine a light on the real-life issue of county lines drug dealing.
In the six-part series (which starts on Sunday, January 19, 2025), a rural community comes under threat, and a farmer is forced to examine his moral compass...
When Nathan's son unwittingly becomes involved in county lines drug dealing, the worried father is "forced to do a deal with the devil to protect his family, his land and his livelihood".
Here's who plays who in the cast of Out There on ITV1 and ITVX...
Martin Clunes stars as Nathan Williams in the Out There cast
Surrey-born actor Martin Clunes, 63, plays Welsh farmer Nathan in the cast of Out There on ITV. Widower Nathan is a man who will stop at nothing to protect his son from county lines drug-dealing. And the character is a far cry from many of Martin's previous roles.
Of course, Martin is arguably one of Britain's favourite TV actors. He's been on our screens since 1983 when he first popped up as Lon in four episodes of Doctor Who opposite Peter Davison's Doctor.
He went on to play Nigel Crabtree in No Place Like Home, and Henry in another family drama, All at Number 20. After playing Barmy in Jeeves and Wooster, and Pilbeam in Gone to the Dogs, Martin won the role that would catapult him to primetime security.
From 1992 to 2014 (on and off), Martin played Gary in the popular sitcom Men Behaving Badly. Further leading roles followed, including playing William Shawcross in romcom William and Mary, and Reggie in the Reggie Perrin reboot, between 2009 and 2010.
He is probably most famous for playing Dr. Martin Ellingham in ITV comedy drama Doc Martin, a role he played from 2004 to 2022.
Other notable roles include Sir Pitt Crawley in Vanity Fair, Warren in the 2019 comedy of the same name, and DCI Colin Sutton in the Manhunt. He's been in films, too, including Shakespeare in Love, Saving Grace, Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?!, and Goodbye Mr Chips.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis portrays Nathan's son Johnny Williams
Young actor Louis Ashbourne-Serkis portrays Nathan's 15-year-old son Johnny in the ITV drama. Johnny reconnects with an old friend called Rhys, but discovers he's now a local drug dealer. When Rhys tricks Johnny into running drugs for him, Nathan steps in...
Actor Louis, 20 in real life, is no stranger to the limelight. He's been acting since he was a child and has very famous parents.
He first appeared in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012 as a young Hobbit. Fans of the show will know that his dad Andy Serkis played the creepy Gollum in the film.
But Andy Serkis isn't Louis' only famous relation. His mum is British actress Lorraine Ashbourne, star of Sherwood, After the Flood, and the forthcoming Riot Women.
Louis went on to star as Tommy Cork in Endeavour, Girev in The Queen's Gambit, and Robert in six episodes of Tom Hardy drama Taboo.
Other notable roles include playing Douggie Archer in SS-GB, and Sheridan Smith's son Noah in No Return, in which he character was accused of sexual assault.
His film roles have included playing Andy in the Yorkshire based Jennifer Saunders movie Allelujah, Alex in 2019's The Kid Who Would be King, and Young Hatter in Alice Through the Looking Glass. Louis also voiced Bhoot in the Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (directed by his dad).
Mark Lewis Jones is Caleb Williams
Actor Mark Lewis Jones, 60, stars as Nathan's brother, security guard Caleb Williams. And unlike Martin, he doesn't have to fake a Welsh accent, as he's from Rhosllanerchrugog (try saying that after a few shandies).
Mark is well known to TV viewers. He has been popping up all over the place for the past few decades, not least opposite The Crow Girl actress Eve Myles in Keeping Faith. He portrayed brooding Steve Baldini from 2017 to 2021.
Other big roles recently have included Gruffudd Prosser in The Red King, Glynn in The Way, Andrew Morley in Bodies, and Charles Hullighan in Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning.
In 2024, Mark put in a moving performance as Donny's abused dad Gerry in Baby Reindeer.
Star Wars fans might know Mark Lewis Jones for playing First Order Captain Moden Canady in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. But he's been in multiple other films too. These include Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Troy, Rebecca, and The Good Liar.
Other notable roles include Dale Jones in This Life, David Ancrom in The Knock, and Arthur Brownlow in The Infinite World of HG Wells. Between 2000 and 2001, he portrayed Des Davies in court drama The Bench. Several years later, he played Sgt. Ray Lloyd in Murder Prevention, and another copper – DI Russell Bing – in 55 Degrees North!
Stella fans will know him as Rob Morgan in the comedy series. In the past decade, he's been in many of the top TV shows. He starred as Gerry in National Treasure, Dylan in Living a Lie, and General Pikalov in Chernobyl. He is also known for being the voice of Letho of Gulet the King Slayer in The Witcher 2 and 3.
In recent years, Mark has played Iwan Bevan in The Accident, Kinney Edwards in Gangs of London, Tom Christie in Outlander, and Father Martin in The Pact. We told you he was in everything!
Gerran Howell stars as Rhys Simpson in the cast of Out There
Welsh actor Gerran Howell portrays county lines drug dealer Rhys Simpson. Gerran looks 12, but is actually 33.
He's probably best known for playing Vladimir Dracula in Young Dracula, a CBBC television series that aired between 2006 and 2012.
Between 2011 and 2015, the former child actor played Ernesto in The Sparticle Mystery, before moving on to portray Jack in Emerald City.
Gerran has also starred as Kid Sampson in the George Clooney-led Catch 22, Leo Newman in Suspicion, and Father Luton in McDonald & Dodds.
More recently, he starred as DC Simon Evans in the cast of BBC One's Ludwig, and Dr Dennis Whitaker in The Pitt.
Eiry Thomas stars as PC Jane Crowther
Welsh actress Eiry Thomas portrays PC Jane Crowther in the cast of ITV thriller Out There.
Swansea-born Eiry, 56, is a Welsh speaker, and has starred in plenty of Welsh dramas including Mwy Na Phapur Newydd, her first ever TV show in 1990, Pobol y Cwm, Pen Talar, Enid a Lucy, and Cyswllt.
Over the course of her 35 year career, Eiry has played Cheryl Cates in courtroom drama The Bench, opposite her Out There co-star Mark Lewis Jones. In fact, the pair also appeared in Keeping Faith together... Eiry played relentlessly unpleasant DI Susan Williams. The actors also appeared in The Pact together.
Eiry's other notable roles include Mrs Williams in The Indian Doctor, Lisa Howell in Stella, Mrs Probert in Rillington Place, Catrin in Living a Lie, and Greta Collinson in The Accident.
More recently, she portrayed Mrs Parks in DI Ray series 2, and Anna Harvey in Cleddau.
Michael Obiora plays Scott Foley
London-born Michael Obiora, 38, plays Scott Foley in Out There. He started out as a child star of Grange Hill, playing Max Abassi between 1998 and 2002.
Michael went on to portray Nathan Morley in The Bill, Gunner Jackson Clark in army drama Bombshell, and Ellis in several episodes of EastEnders.
Between 2006 and 2009, he starred as Ben Trueman in the glossy drama Hotel Babylon, opposite The Wives' Tamzin Outhwaite.
He subsequently went on to play staff nurse Lloyd Asike in Casualty. Other notable roles include Pete in Misfits, Max Cordero in Fortitude, Nas Stone in Snatch, and Errol Minty in Luther.
More recently, he starred as Dutch in Sexy Beast, a TV series of the famous 2000 Ray Winstone film.
Michael Elwyn stars as Owen Thomas in the cast of Out There
Glamorgan-born actor Michael Elwyn stars as Owen Thomas in the ITV thriller. At 82, he's been on our screens for more 60 years.
As well as being the partner of Gavin & Stacey star Alison Steadman, he's more than famous in his own right. He's been in dozens of TV series, from early roles in The Newcomers and Doctor Who, to more recent roles in Casualty, Quiz, and Will.
His first ever TV role was in 1964, when he played Ted Roach in the soap Crossroads Motel. As a jobbing actor, he played significant roles in series such as The Avengers, Doomwatch, The Regiment, The Carnforth Practice, and Triangle.
Between 1996 and 1997, he starred as Montgomery in popular drama The Life, before going on to play Doug Roscoe in No Borders, and Rev. Henry Mills in Bad Girls.
Micheal is perhaps most famous for playing Edward in the BBC One drama Robin Hood, between 2006 and 2007. Other notable roles include Gentile Becchi in Da Vinci's Demons, and Ken in Stella.
More recently, Michael played Charles Moore in Coronation Street, and Lord Simon Staunton in House of the Dragon.
Josef Altin plays Kenny
London-born actor Josef Altin, 41, stars as Kenny in ITV's Out There. He's probably most famous for playing Night's Watch steward Pypar in Game of Thrones. He played the role from 2011 to 2014.
Josey - sometimes credited as Yousef - is also famous for playing Prince Rasselas in Harlots, and Lee in Top Boy.
Other notable roles include Billy in Being Human, Gary in Misfits, Darren in Hum & Her, Christopher Riley in River, and Tyler in Unforgotten.
More recently, he's starred as Thomas Avery in Wolf Hall, and Harvey in the Apple TV+ film Blitz.
Who else appears in the cast?
Natalia Kostrzewa plays Eva Bartosz. The Polish actress recently portrayed Ange Koceski in one episode of Casualty, and Izabella Godek in Netflix's Harlan Coben thriller Fool Me Once.
Carly-Sophia Davies stars as Sadie Simpson. She's a relative newcomer, but did play Becky Burrows in a 2022 episode of Midsomer Murders.
Welsh actress Sharon Morgan stars as Gwen Thomas. She's known for her early roles as Daphne Davies in No Place Like Home, and Rachel Harris in The Magnificent Evans. She's also played Professor Margaret Edwards in A Mind to a Kill, Mary Cooper in Torchwood, Lissie in 15 Days, Nana Flo in Hollyoaks Later, and Esmerelda Dwyer in The Evermoor Chronicles.
Polish actor Marcin Zarzeczny plays Pavel. He recently played Alexei Orekhov in The Agency.
Cat Simmons portrays Robyn. She's known for playing DC Kezia Walker in The Bill, Emma in Ordinary Lies, and Izzy in The Holiday.
Aneirin Hughes is Nigel Hoyle. The Welsh actor is best known for playing Neil Haughton in Judge John Deed, Graham in Young Dracula, Chief Supt Brian Prosser in Hinterland, and Tom Howells in Keeping Faith.
Full cast list for Out There on ITV1:
Martin Clunes stars as Nathan Williams.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis portrays Johnny Williams.
Mark Lewis Jones is Caleb Williams.
Gerran Howell is Rhys Simpson.
Eiry Thomas portrays PC Jane Crowther.
Michael Obiora plays Scott Foley.
Michael Elwyn stars as Owen Thomas.
Josef Altin stars as Kenny.
Natalia Kostrzewa plays Eva Bartosz.
Carly-Sophia Davies stars as Sadie Simpson.
Sharon Morgan stars as Gwen Thomas.
Marcin Zarzeczny plays Pavel.
Cat Simmons portrays Robyn.
Aneirin Hughes is Nigel Hoyle.
Carnival Row actor Waj Ali plays Khalad Rogan.
Moonflower Murders' Amy Griffiths portrays Meg Roberts.
David Broughton-Davies - Sam in I, Dog - plays Gareth.
Hinterland actress Gwen Ellis stars as Doris.
Phil Howe - aka Gareth Bevan in Hollyoaks - portrays Ronnie Burke.
Knightfall's Akin Gazi stars as Cakir.
The Gold actor Silas Carson plays Ersin Turuk.
Garmon Rhys - aka PC Ryan Davies in Hidden - portrays Dan.
