The Feud on Channel 5: Thriller cast includes Jill Halfpenny, Rupert Penry-Jones, and Amy Nuttall
By Helen Fear | Fri Apr 04 2025The Feud on Channel 5 is a thriller starring some of our favourite TV actors in the cast - including Jill Halfpenny, Rupert Penry-Jones, James Fleet, and Amy Nuttall.
The six-parter - a story of obsession, paranoia, and fear - also stars Coronation Street legend Chris Gascoyne in his first TV role since leaving the ITV soap.
Like The Au Pair, and The Wives before it, the cast of the thriller is pretty remarkable. So who plays who in the cast of The Feud on Channel 5, and where have you seen them before? Here's everything you need to know...
The Feud on Channel 5 cast: Jill Halfpenny plays Emma Barnett
TV favourite Jill Halfpenny, 49, leads the cast of The Feud as Emma Barnett. A criminal defence solicitor, Emma Barnett enjoys her suburban life on Shelbury Drive with her husband John, and daughter Beth. That is until she decided to have a kitchen extension...
If you're partial to a bonkers C5 thriller like us, then you'll already know that Jill and The Feud co-star Rupert Penry-Jones have previously appeared together in The Drowning (the four-parter is still available to watch on Channel5.com).
Gateshead-born Jill began her acting career at the age of 14, when she played Nicola Dobson in the BBC One children's drama Byker Grove. She went on to star in Peak Practice, Dalziel and Pascoe, Heartbeat, and Coronation Street.
However, Jill is probably most famous for her role of Kate Mitchell in EastEnders - a police officer sent to spy on Phil Mitchell. She went on to take part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, and won the competition with professional Darren Bennett.
Jill starred as drama teacher Izzie Redpath in Waterloo Road, Emma in Mount Pleasant, and Davina in Babylon. In 2019, she portrayed mum Sam in Dark Money, who is horrified to discover her son has been sexually molested. She also starred as Jennifer Robertson in Liar.
Most recently, Jill has found somewhat of a niche in Channel 5 thrillers, starring in The Holiday, The Drowning, and Cuckoo. She also played Roisin in Everything I Know About Love, and Doreen Hill in the crime drama The Long Shadow, based on the devastating crimes of Peter Sutcliffe.
In 2024, Jill Halfpenny played Ann Fletcher in Alibi's eerie drama The Red King. Her many stage roles have included Roxie Hart in the West End musical Chicago.
Rupert Penry-Jones portrays Emma's husband John Barnett
Actor Rupert Penry-Jones portrays Emma's husband John in Channel 5's The Feud. Emma and John have been planning to move, however Emma decides she wants to stay and do a kitchen extension instead. While John is strangely unenthusiastic, Emma goes ahead with it anyway.
London-born Rupert, 54, is perhaps most famous for playing spy Adam Carter in Spooks, a role he played between 2004 and 2008.
Producers brought him in to replace outgoing character Tom Quinn, played by Matthew Macfadyen, but he eventually came to a sticky end when he was blown up by a car bomb.
Rupert is also known for playing Clive Reader in legal drama Silk, DI Joseph Chandler in Whitechapel, and Mr Quinlan in the American horror series The Strain.
Other notable roles include Alex Hay in North Square, Donald Maclean in Cambridge Spies, Thomas Hamilton in Black Sails, and Blake in Stan Lee's Lucky Man opposite James Nesbitt.
Rupert also starred in the superhero film The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the lead role. He played Gotham City Mayor Don Mitchell Jr (albeit briefly).
More recently, Rupert played Toby/Mike in the ITV thriller Our House, and Marsus in Peacock series Those About to Die.
Amy Nuttall portrays neighbour Sonia Spence
Former soap star Amy Nuttall stars as neighbour and friend of Emma and John Barnett. Sonia is thrilled that her friends are staying and having an extension instead. But her husband, Alan, is less so…
Lancashire-born Amy, 42, is probably most famous for portraying Chloe Atkinson in Emmerdale, a role she played from 2000 to 2005.
After leaving the ITV soap, she starred as Melanie Hughes in Hotel Babylon, before winning the role of Ethel Parks in popular period drama Downton Abbey.
In 2020, she portrayed Winnie Peterson in ITV thriller Liar and, more recently, Lisa Castleton in the brilliant drama Mr Bates vs. The Post Office.
Other notable roles include Caitlin Standing in New Tricks, Phyllis Dalby in All Creatures Great & Small, Sylvia Bassington-ffrench in Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, and Grace Strachan in Chemistry of Death.
Amy recently popped up as Peggy in the Silent Witness series 28 finale, too.
Last year, in 2024, she appeared in the Tim Burton film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice as Jane Butterfield. We hope a role in a film as big as that helped ease the torment in her personal life... Amy Nuttall and her actor husband Andrew Buchan split up before Christmas in 2021 after his reported affair with Better co-star Leila Farzad.
The Feud cast on Channel 5: Ray Fearon stars as Alan Spence
London-born Ray Fearon, 51, plays Sonia's husband Alan Spence - friend and neighbour to the Barnett's. He's not so thrilled to hear about Emma and John's extension plans - but why?
Actor Ray is best known for playing Nathan Cooper in ITV soap Coronation Street, a role he played in 2005 and 2006. Nathan Cooper (previously Harding) was a mechanic at Websters' Auto Centre, and had relationships with Tracy Barlow and Frankie Baldwin during his eventful year on the cobbles.
TV viewers may also recognise Ray from playing Riggs in As If, Malcolm Tumelo in Doctors, and Carlo de' Medici in Da Vinci's Demons.
Other notable roles include Lennie in EastEnders, DCI Sam Power in Above Suspicion, Father John in Snatch, Mr Hanway in His Dark Materials, and Nick in Close to Me. Fleabag fans might recognised him as Hot Misogynist, a role he played in 2019.
More recently, Ray starred as Lester Price in Eve Myles detective drama We Hunt Together, Beres Champion in the family drama Champion, and Silas O'Hagen in Father Brown.
As well as a successful theatre career, including becoming the first black actor to play Othello on RSC main stages for over 40 years, Ray's also been in dozens of films. Not least the recent award-winning Barbie, where he played Dan at the FBI. He also played the voice of Firenze in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Strictly fans might remember he took part in series 4 of the dancing show, alongside professional partner Camilla Dallerup. They came 8th.
Tessa Peake-Jones plays Barbara Abshire
London-born Tessa Peake-Jones, 67, stars as Emma and John's other neighbour Barbara Abshire. Barbara and her husband Derek raise objections to Emma's project, citing their "precious tree" as the reason... Why does Barbara cry whenever she waters it?
Of course, Tessa is something of a TV legend. She portrayed Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses from 1988 to 2003. Raquel was Del Boy's long-term - and long-suffering - partner.
More recently, Grantchester fans will know her as Mrs Maguire, later to become Mrs Chapman. She's been in the Robson Green series since the very beginning in 2014, until the present day.
Tessa has actually been on our screens since 1978, when she played Sonia Jackson in television show Fallen Hero. She was 21 at the time. Other early roles include Elizabeth Cowley in Telford's Change, Angela Horton in The Danedyke Mystery, and Jenny in Charters & Caldicott.
Tessa's other notable roles include Mrs Hunter in the children's show The Demon Headmaster, and Miss Mary Bennet in the 1980 TV adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Between 2009 and 2011, she portrayed Sue Bond in Doctors, before going on to play Evelyn Bowen in Marchlands, Sheila in Unforgotten, and Imelda Cousins in Holby City.
James Fleet portrays Derek Abshire
Staffordshire-born James Fleet, 73, portrays Barbara's husband Derek - who is dead against neighbour Emma and John's extension plans.
James is famous for playing The Vicar of Dibley's bumbling Hugo Horton. Hugo was a dim-witted but very lovable Dibley resident, who appeared in the Dawn French comedy until the show ended in 2020.
Actor James has actually been on our screens since 1979, when he played Ian in the TV series The Omega Factor. He worked as a jobbing actor for years, appearing in Grange Hill, Dempsey and Makepeace, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, Boon, and The Advocates.
In 1994, James played Michael Trant in Robbie Coltrane crime drama Cracker, before going on to portray William Smith in Underworld, Ashley Parkerwell in Spark, Frank Robertson in Brotherly Love, and Hilary Tipping in legal drama Chambers.
In 2008, James starred as Frederick Dorrit in Charles Dickens adaptation Little Dorrit, before portraying Robbie Sloane in Corrie in 2010.
Other significant roles include Neil in Big Bad World, Carter in Partners in Crime, Reverend Wakefield in Outlander, Lord Hawthorne in Indian Summers, and Chris Lowe in Unforgotten series 3.
More recently, James has portrayed Reverend Stephen Bellasis in Belgravia, King George III in Bridgerton, Judge Fang in Dodger, Squire Allworthy in Tom Jones, and Ernest in Beyond Paradise.
Larry Lamb stars as Emma's dad Terry in The Feud cast
Middlesex-born actor Larry Lamb, 77, stars as Emma's dad Terry in the cast of The Feud on Channel 5.
When Emma refuses to change her mind about the extension - despite mounting criticism - she makes a questionable decision to get her planning permission rushed through, involving her estranged wheeler-dealer father Terry...
Gavin & Stacey fans will know Larry best as Gavin's dad, Michael 'Mick' Shipman, a role he played between 2007 and 2024 - when the final ever episode aired over Christmas.
Larry is also famous for playing villain Archie Mitchell, the father of Ronnie and Roxy, in the BBC soap EastEnders. Her first arrived in Albert Square in 2008, and became involved in some pretty Machiavellian storylines.
He set fire to the Vic, manipulated Peggy, and plotted to financially cripple the Mitchell clan. Archie was subsequently killed off (by Stacey Slater) in a huge murder story line at Christmas 2009.
Larry has been on our screens for 50 years, having made his first appearance in 1975 in the TV movie Horse Latitudes. Significant early roles include Joey Fox in Fox, Matt Taylor in soap opera Triangle, and Don Castillo in Christopher Columbus.
Between 1992 and 1993, the actor portrayed Albert Sweet in comedy Get Back, before going to play Terry Dunning in Annie's Bar, Simon Hughes in Supply & Demand, and Thomas a' Beckett in Cathedral.
Other notable roles include George Garvey in James Nesbitt drama Murphy's Law, Jonathan Fox in The Bill, Tommy Sutherland in Love & Marriage, and Ted Case in New Tricks.
More recently, he'd played Dennis in the very good C5 thriller The Inheritance, Rhys in Curfew, Dickie Masters in Whitstable Pearl, and Sir Martin Wright in Conflict.
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell portrays PC Gallagher
Northern Irish actress Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, 38, stars as PC Gallagher in The Feud cast.
Jamie is best known as Michelle Mallon in Derry Girls, a role she portrayed from 2018 to 2022 across all three series. She's one of the many Derry Girls stars who are doing very well for themselves, including Saoirse-Monica Jackson, who is currently appearing in This City is Ours.
Jamie's first ever TV role was in the youth drama 6Degrees. She portrayed Eva Maguire between 2012 and 2015.
Other big roles include Shelly O'Keith in the Unwanted podcast series, voicing Yard in the animated Lloyd of the Flies, and Rose Gill in prison drama Screw. She's been in several films, including I Told my Mum I was Going on an RE Trip, Doing Money, Redeeming Love, and Unwelcome.
The Feud's Nick Hewitt is portrayed by Alex Macqueen
Surrey-born actor Alex Macqueen, 51, plays Emma and John's oddball neighbour Nick Hewitt.
Nick can be a bit of a pain, and loves sticking his nose in... He becomes worried that the noise of the builders is going to affect his sleep, and that the increased traffic will cause issues on the street. And so, he uses his obsession with CCTV to keep an eye on goings-on...
Alex Macqueen is perhaps best known as a comedic actor, having played Julius Nicholson in The Thick of It, Neil's Dad in The Inbetweeners, and Edmund in Hunderby.
A jobbing actor for years, he subsequently won the role of sarcastic consultant anaesthetist Keith Greene in Holby City, a role he played between May 2005 and July 2010.
Other notable roles include Captain Justice in The Wrong Door, Barnabus in Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire, Fay's dad in This Is England '88, Martin in Trying Again, and Patrick Jarvis MP in Peaky Blinders.
More recently, he's portrayed Patrick Jarvis MP in Becoming Elizabeth, Tindall in Hijack, and Harold White in Rivals.
Former Coronation Street's Chris Gascoyne stars as builder Lee
Lastly, former soap star Chris Gascoyne will portray brusque builder Lee. Emma calls him in to do her building work and, although he's not particularly friendly, he's cheap and can start immediately (red flag anyone?).
Nottinghamshire-born Chris, 57, previously played Peter Barlow for over 20 years on and off in ITV soap Coronation Street. He first arrived as Ken's son in 2000, and left the soap in 2023. He was the seventh actor to portray the role.
That year, ITV confirmed that Chris Gascoyne would be leaving the soap to pursue other acting projects and to spend more time with his family. The Feud is his first acting role since leaving the cobbled streets of Manchester.
Chris has been on our screens since 1984 when, as a teenager, he played Jud in Murphy's Mob. He went on to portray Barry Kent in the TV series The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, and its sequel The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole.
Other notable roles include Mike Williams in Starting Out, Barry Forrester in The Locksmith, Fus Tony Rossi in Soldier Soldier, and Al Ware in New Street Law.
Who else is in the cast of The Feud on Channel 5?
Young actress Megan Trower plays Emma and John's daughter Beth Barnett. Megan is a newcomer to our screens, and The Feud is her first ever TV role.
However, she'll soon portray Molly Dixon in Ridley series 2, coming soon to ITV.
Joel Beckett plays prosecution barrister Ian Casey, who comes up against Emma Barnett in court. Of course, actor Joel is famous for portraying Jake Moon in EastEnders - a role he's played on and off since 2004.
He's also best known for playing Lee in The Office, and Mark Richie in Casualty. More recently, Joel starred as Jimmy Wrigley in a 2025 episode of Call the Midwife.
The Feud on Channel 5 full cast list:
Jill Halfpenny stars as Emma Barnett.
Rupert Penry-Jones plays John Barnett.
Megan Trower plays Emma and John's daughter Beth Barnett.
Amy Nuttall is neighbour Sonia Spence.
Ray Fearon plays Sonia's partner and fellow neighbour Alan.
James Fleet portrays Emma and John's older neighbour Derek.
Tessa Peake-Jones stars as Derek's wife Barbara.
Jamie-Lee O’Donnell plays PC Gallagher.
Larry Lamb stars as Emma's dad Terry Dobson.
Alex Macqueen portrays oddball neighbour Nick.
Chris Gascoyne plays builder Lee.
Joel Beckett plays prosecution barrister Ian Casey (in episode 1).
Luke Hammond - aka Hibbert in All Creatures Great & Small - stars as property buyer/Marcus.
Sherelle Armstrong, who played Sasha in Corrie, is the estate agent (in episode 1).
Brassic star Judith Alexander plays the Magistrate (in episode 1).
Newcomer Joel Kai Ali portrays accused Abul Masood.
Patryk Szewczyk stars as Lee's builder pal Pawel.
