In The Flesh - character biographies

18 years old. Kieren’s always been a bit different...

In his first life, he was into everything alternative: music, books, counter-culture in general. He committed suicide five years ago, when his best mate (or was it more?) Rick died in Afghanistan. Kieren rose from his grave during the night of the Rising, and as an untreated zombie, hunted the living with Amy Dyer. He was eventually treated and sent back to his home village of Roarton, where he was forced to face up to his family, a hostile community and the terrible things he did in his untreated state.

We re-join Kieren nine months on, planning to get the hell out of Roarton… but the truth of the matter is, he’s running away from himself. Will he ever be able to accept himself as undead? And can he escape before he’s caught in the cross-fire as two worlds collide?

Quote: “Who’d want someone like me?”

Luke Newberry - as well as starring in In The Flesh, Luke has had supporting roles in Lightfields, Sherlock, Mrs Biggs, Quartet, Anna Karenina and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Amy Dyer

Kooky and irrepressible, Amy Dyer is determined to make the most of her second life...

In their untreated states, Amy and Kieren were hunting partners – before they were treated and reunited in Roarton, fast becoming best friends. However, Amy was disgusted by the living’s treatment of PDS Sufferers, and at the end of series one left Kieren to join an Undead Liberation Army commune.

Amy returns to Roarton in series two with charismatic Undead Prophet disciple – and ‘beau’ - Simon Monroe. She’s still the wonderful, sunny Amy we know and love, but she has a more serious edge these days… and privately is concerned about her health. Is she developing immunity to Neurotriptyline?

Quote: “It’s fate Kieren Walker. Everything happens for a reason. You’ve got to start believing that.”

Emily Bevan - In addition to In The Flesh, Emily has had roles in Russell Howard’s Good News, The Thick Of It, Phone Shop and St. Trinian’s.

Jemima Walker

When Kieren died, Jem filled the void by fighting in the Rising…

She was flooded with emotions when her brother returned from the dead: denial, anger, mistrust… and joy. Not that she showed it at first. It took time for Jem to accept Kieren back into her life, but when we re-join the siblings in series two, they have become firm friends.

Now ex-Human Volunteer Force soldier Jem has another battle on her hands… she’s returned to school to take her GCSEs. On top of this, she’s haunted by her experiences during the war, but is too proud to tell anyone. Will Jem ask for help before it’s too late?

Quote: “I can’t put a bullet through me mock exams. Unfortunately.”

Harriet Cains - In The Flesh was Harriet’s first major TV role, since series one, she’s also had parts in Doctors and Hollyoaks Later.

Philip Wilson

Philip is determined to climb the greasy pole of power, but he’s hiding a damning secret.

When we’re reunited with parish clerk Philip, he’s still Vicar Oddie’s lapdog, striving to become a big fish in a small pond. However, the arrival of MP Maxine Martin gets him hot beneath the tweed collar: could she be his ticket to a glittering career in Westminster?

Philip is ostensibly a pillar of society and in the past has taken a very public anti-PDS stance. But behind closed doors, he’s less than squeaky clean. In such a prominent public position, can Philip keep his private life private?

Quote: “You can only pretend for so long and then you’re back stuck with yourself.”

Stephen Thompson - In The Flesh was Stephen’s first major TV role, since series one, he’s also had parts in Casualty, Father Brown and Doctors.

Gary Kendal

Ex-HVF soldier Gary has a serious Undead chip on his shoulder...

Gary was a hero during the Rising, but has now been reduced to poaching rogue rabids in the woods and bringing them – unharmed – to the GP surgery. He rails against a world gone mad, where the living are expected to rub shoulders with ‘rotters.’ At least something good came from his time in the Human Volunteer Force though: his friendship with Jem Walker. But does Gary want more?

The arrival of Pro-Life MP, Maxine Martin, heralds good news for Gary – finally a politician who talks some sense. As Maxine increasingly takes Gary into her confidence, giving him more responsibility, he’s dismayed to discover Roarton faces grave danger…

Quote: “We saved the world once. You’d think that were worth summit.”

Kevin Sutton - As well as starring in In The Flesh, Kevin has appeared in Waterloo Road, The Syndicate and Doctors.

Maxine Martin

Pro-Living MP Maxine Martin is determined to put the Undead of Roarton back in their place…

Maxine Martin is the fiery, switched-on Victus MP who erupts into the village in episode one and refuses to go back to Westminster. Born – but not bred – in the village, Maxine is shocked to witness the living and undead mixing freely in the birthplace of the HVF and resolves to stay and restore order.

In contrast to Vicar Oddie, Maxine is professional and convincing in her views: PDS Sufferers are only one missed dose from becoming rabid – the living must be protected. However, when Maxine’s mask slips, we realise there is more to her hatred of PDS Sufferers than meets the eye.

Quote: “The PDS Sufferer in your home, in your shop, in your pub, is one missed dose away from ripping your head apart.”

Wunmi Mosaku - New cast member Wunmi has also starred in Dancing On The Edge, Truckers and I Am Slave, amongst others.

Simon Monroe

ULA disciple Simon is on a mission of Undead liberation...

Charismatic Simon Monroe, one of the 12 disciples of the Undead Prophet, enters Roarton with a besotted Amy Dyer. Outwardly, he’s on a mission to liberate PDS Sufferers, urging them to make the most of their second lives. He’s not afraid to make waves in Roarton to achieve his goal, and before long the village’s undead population are seduced by his charms. But Kieren has his doubts…

The ULA have been linked to fatal attacks on the living… does Simon have a more sinister side? And does he have an ulterior motive for being in Roarton?

Quote: “The Undead Liberation Army is about protecting The Redeemed from the Living. Because no one else will.”

Emmett J Scanlan - In The Flesh newcomer Emmett has also starred in The Fall, and is well-known for his role of Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks.

Steve & Sue Walker

Will Kieren’s parents ever be able to accept the truth about their son?

Sue and Steve have had a lot to contend with in recent years... first their son Kieren killed himself, before rising from the dead as a zombie, being treated in a PDS clinic and returned to the family home. Daughter Jem has had her fair share of problems too, having joined the Human Volunteer Force during the Rising and initially rejecting her brother’s unconventional homecoming.

However, nine months – and some intensive therapy – down the line and the Walker family is back on track. Steve and Sue are on edge about the political extremism in the outside world, but are enjoying the newfound harmony under their roof. However, can it last?

Quote: Steve: “I’m just letting it all hang out. Saying what I feel.”

Steve Cooper - In addition to starring in In The Flesh, Steve has had roles in The Mill, Scott and Bailey and Coronation Street.

Marie Critchley - Marie has also featured in South Riding, Line Of Duty and The Accused.

Vicar Oddie

Religious zealot Vicar Oddie hasn’t signed up for Undead tolerance...

After the disappointment that the millennium didn’t herald the End Times, Vicar Oddie became bitter and turned to drink. This sadness was further compounded by the death of his wife Helen.

The Rising of the dead made Oddie a man re-born. He formed the HVF with Bill Macey and relished becoming the rock of Roarton. However, now the war has been fought, Oddie is sickened to see PDS Sufferers back in the community, mixing with the living. He’s desperate to bring Roarton back from the brink…

Oddie believes that when the First Risen are destroyed, there will be a Second Rising which will herald the return of the ‘worthy’ dead – he’s hoping to welcome back Helen soon.

Kenneth Cranham - Kenneth has starred in feature films such as Layer Cake, Hot Fuzz and Valkyrie, as well as a plethora of TV roles.

Quote: “If you drug a wolf, it does not stop being a wolf. It’s docile for a while. And when the drugs wear off... IT TEARS YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!"