The Capture cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the BBC crime drama?

The Capture is a compelling British modern thriller from the BBC. Airing in 2019, the show deals with surveillance politics, deepfake threats, and a fast-paced mystery that neatly packs the narrative.

At the heart of the show, we have a young detective named Rachel Carey, as she enters a world where images cannot be taken as the absolute truth, where facts become negotiable, and every investigation covers a larger conspiracy.

Created by BAFTA-winner Ben Chanan, The Capture is sleek, thrilling, and intelligent, but above it all, the cast is a major reason behind its success.

Here’s a complete guide to the actors who bring its characters to life.

The Capture cast and character guide

As of today, The Capture has a 96% average approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show's first season brought Callum Turner a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.

Here is who brings the characters to life on screen:

Holliday Grainger as DI/DCI Rachel Carey

Holliday Grainger steps in as the lead cast, playing Rachel Carey. The sharp and ambitious DI/DCI is unwilling to surrender under political pressure. She starts off investigative journey with Homicide and Serious Crime, but gets dragged into the darker corners of national security.

Cavan Clerkin as DS Patrick Flynn

Cavan Clerkin takes the stage as Carey's dependable colleague, Patrick Flynn. His presence brings loyalty, groundedness, and reason when surveillance scandals start to spiral.

Ginny Holder as DS/DI Nadia Latif

Ginny Holder joins the cast as Nadia Latif, who becomes an integral part of Carey's team after she climbs the ranks. Her strong suits are analysis and a calm demeanor. These help her tackle crises when the team encounters political pressure and technological warfare.

Ben Miles as Commander Danny Hart

Ben Miles steps into the shoes of Danny Hart, whose decisions are tied to the covert programme known as “Correction.” He is like a senior figure for the team who carries authority and suspicion in equal measure.

Ron Perlman as Frank Napier

Ron Perlman features in The Capture as Frank Napier, a CIA Section Chief. His character is marked by strategy, straightforwardness, and the inability to always be transparent. His involvement signals how the conspiracies extend far beyond British borders.

Lia Williams as DSU Gemma Garland

Lia Williams embodies Gemma Garland, who is very polished but hard to read. The series lingers on her motives, which remain a source of tension.

Nigel Lindsay as DCI Tom Kendricks

Nigel Lindsay takes the stage as Tom Kendricks, a senior police officer navigating institutional pressure. He is placed between political interests and front-line policing, often making him tread uncomfortable territories.

Daisy Waterstone as Abigail Carey

Daisy Waterstone appears as Abigail, Rachel’s half-sister. Abigail softens the series’ harsh edges, grounding Rachel’s life outside the high-stakes world of intelligence.

Peter Singh as DI Phillips

Peter Singh’s DI Phillips becomes increasingly significant across seasons. His later secondment to the CIA reflects how deeply the surveillance conflict spreads.

Series 2 of The Capture aired on 28 August 2022, and a third season has been confirmed by the BBC back in April 2025. The network has just dropped a first look today, creating buzz around the upcoming chapter.

The official Season 3 synopsis reads: