If you’re a fan of BAPTISTE, you know this thrilling drama series just wrapped up series two on MASTERPIECE (series one aired early last year). Along the way, you may have spotted some familiar faces from other public broadcasting programs we’ve aired. So while MIDSOMER MURDERS is taking a break for pledge, let’s see who’s who on BAPTISTE.
Tchéky Karyo starred in the title role of detective Julien Baptiste. He’s a French actor (born in Turkey) so sadly he’s not appeared really in any British import shows or Masterpiece offerings so there’s not a lot to focus on. About 40 years back, Karyo did have a role as Augustin in the French film The Return Of Martin Guerre and, as it happens, we did air that movie a while back (thinking late 80s/early 90s) so you may have seen him there.
Anastasia Hille played Celia Baptiste, the main character’s wife. Recently, she appeared in Prey as DCI Andrea MacKenzie. A few years ago, she was Andrea Kerrigan in series one of The Tunnel. She’s had guest roles in MI-5, The Bletchley Circle, Red Dwarf and Foyle’s War, among others, but her biggest role may have been as Sybil Cazalet in The Cazalets, a Masterpiece Theatre series from about 20 years back.
Tom Hollander was the featured guest star in series one, playing Edward Stratton, a man looking for his “niece.” Earlier this year, Hollander played Douglas Petersen in Us. About ten years back, he was Duke of Windsor/Prince of Wales in Any Human Heart. A decade earlier, he portrayed Osborne Hamley in Wives And Daughters.
Fiona Shaw was the featured guest star in series two, playing British ambassador Emma Chambers. She was Coleman in Mrs. Wilson, Miss Katherine Greenshaw in Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple: Greenshaw’s Folly and Irma Prunesquallor in Gormenghast.
Barbara Sarafian played Martha Horchner, an old friend of Julien’s. She’s been seen in the last few years as Dokter Helena Gijselbrecht in the Belgian Professor T.
Ace Bhatti was Nadeem. Although not starring roles, you may have seen him as Malik Nadir in DCI Banks, Calvin Sarwar in Shetland or Tom in Grafters.
Claire Calbraith, who appeared as Clare, played Anna Sidhu in series four of Unforgotten. She was Steph Farrow in Home Fires and Jane Moorsum in Downton Abbey.
Trystan Gravelle played Greg. He also portrayed Victor Colleano in Mr. Selfridge.
Jessica Raine was Genevieve. You’ll probably know her as Jane Rochford in Wolf Hall or Jenny Lee in the first three series of Call The Midwife.
Those were the major players, characters and faces from BAPTISTE. No word on a third series but fingers crossed, eh?
Got a face you can’t place from one of the plethora of programs PBS NC airs from the UK? Email me at sparkymac@pbsnc.org and I’ll try to help out.
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