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''Ordinary Lies'' is a
British television
Regular television broadcasts in the United Kingdom started in 1936 as a public service which was free of advertising, which followed the first demonstration of a transmitted moving image in 1926. Currently, the United Kingdom has a collection ...
drama series that was first broadcast on
BBC One
BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, p ...
on 17 March 2015. The six-part first series, written by
Danny Brocklehurst
Danny Brocklehurst (born June 1971 in Hyde, Cheshire) is an English screenwriter and playwright. He has won both BAFTA and Royal Television Society writing awards. He was featured in the writers' section of the ''Broadcast magazine'' Hot 100 ...
, is set in a car showroom. The second, also in six-parts, is set in the warehouse of a sports goods company based in
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
. The series executive producer is
Nicola Shindler
Nicola Shindler (born 8 October 1968) is a British television producer and executive, and founder of the independent television drama production company Quay Street Productions, having founded and run Red Production Company from 1998 to 2020. S ...
.
The series was commissioned by
Charlotte Moore for the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
. In Australia, the series premiered on
BBC First
BBC First is an entertainment subscription television channel featuring comedy, crime, drama and film programming, originating from UK and mostly from the BBC. The channel is wholly owned and operated by BBC Studios. The channel began rolling ou ...
from 25 July 2015.
Plot
Series 1
JS Motors, a car dealership in
Warrington
Warrington () is a town and unparished area in the borough of the same name in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, on the banks of the River Mersey. It is east of Liverpool, and west of Manchester. The population in 2019 was estimat ...
, employs a number of 'ordinary' people, each with dark secrets. As each episode unravels, it becomes clear how quickly lies can escalate with shocking consequences.
Series 2
Coopers Outdoors, a Sports Goods Company based in
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
, has a number of workers who each hold a dark secret. As each episode unfolds, and each characters story is revealed, it becomes clear just how fast secrets can be revealed and the shocking aftermaths that can follow.
Cast
Main cast
Series 1 (2015)
*
Max Beesley as Mike Hill, co-owner and boss of the company, who is having an
affair
An affair is a sexual relationship, romantic friendship, or passionate attachment in which at least one of its participants has a formal or informal commitment to a third person who may neither agree to such relationship nor even be aware of i ...
with Beth
*
Jo Joyner
Joanne Mary Joyner (born 24 May 1977) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Tanya Branning in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' and Mandy Carter in Channel 4 drama ''Ackley Bridge''. Since 2018, she has starred as Luella Shakesp ...
as Beth Corbin, deputy manager, whose husband has been missing for a year
*
Michelle Keegan
Michelle Elizabeth Keegan (born 3 June 1987) is an English actress, known for her roles as Tina McIntyre in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' and Sergeant Georgie Lane in the BBC drama series '' Our Girl''. Keegan also starred as Tra ...
as Tracy Shawcross, a receptionist who becomes involved with
drug trafficking
A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via insuffla ...
*
Sally Lindsay
Sally Jane Lindsay (born 8 July 1973) is an English actress and television presenter known for her roles as Shelley Unwin in the long-running ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', Lisa Johnson in the Sky One comedy series '' Mount Pleasant'' an ...
as Kathy Kavanagh, Mike's secretary who becomes dissatisfied at her husband's
inability to
have sex
*
Shazad Latif
Shazad Latif (born Iqbal Amin; 8 July 1988) is a British actor, who starred as Tariq Masood in the BBC TV series '' Spooks'', Clem Fandango on '' Toast of London'', and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in ''Penny Dreadful''. In 2017, he was cast as Chi ...
as Rick Ahmed, a mechanic who has sex with Mike's 15-year-old daughter, Ruby (episodes 1—4)
*
Jason Manford
Jason John Manford (born 26 May 1981) is an English comedian, presenter, actor and singer.
Manford was a team captain on the Channel 4 panel show ''8 Out of 10 Cats'' from 2007 until 2010 and has presented numerous television shows for the BBC an ...
as Marty McLean, a down on his luck salesman who lies that his wife has died to keep his job
*
Mackenzie Crook
Paul James "Mackenzie" Crook (born 29 September 1971) is an English actor, comedian, director and writer. He played Gareth Keenan in ''The Office'', Ragetti in the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' films, Orell in the HBO series ''Game of Thrones'', ...
as Pete Blythman, a company salesman and former gambler
Series 2 (2016)
*
Matt Di Angelo
Mario Angelo S Constantinou (born 1 May 1987), professionally known as Matt Di Angelo, is a British actor and singer, best known for his role as Dean Wicks in the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders''. He also portrayed Sean Kennedy in the BBC drama s ...
as Robert 'Fletch' Fletcher, a warehouse picker who finds his happy marriage threatened when he reunites with his father
*
Kimberley Nixon
Kimberley Nixon (born 24 September 1985) is a Welsh actor, actress. Nixon is known for her role as Sophy Hutton in the BBC One period drama ''Cranford (TV series), Cranford'', and appearances in various films such as ''Wild Child (film), Wild C ...
as Holly Pryce, Jenna's PA and Neil's girlfriend, who believes everyone lives a more interesting life than she does
*
Rebekah Staton
Rebekah Staton (born 17 June 1981 in Leek, Staffordshire, England) is an English actress and narrator. She is best known for narrating '' Don't Tell The Bride'' and for her roles as Della in '' Raised by Wolves'' and Katy in ''Home''. She has al ...
as Wendy Walker, a
forklift
A forklift (also called lift truck, jitney, hi-lo, fork truck, fork hoist, and forklift truck) is a powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials over short distances. The forklift was developed in the early 20th century by various c ...
driver whose life is turned upside down when her former, abusive girlfriend returns
*
Angela Griffin
Angela Mellissa Griffin (born 19 July 1976) is a British actress and television presenter who has been active on British television since the early 1990s. She is best known for portraying the roles of Fiona Middleton in the ITV soap opera '' ...
as Jenna Moss, general manager, who oversees both the warehouse and sales floors
*
Joel Fry as Billy 'Toke' Tokington, warehouse manager who becomes a crime-fighting
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
at night
*
Con O'Neill as Joe Brierley, Head of Sales who believes his wife is cheating on him and goes to great lengths to prove it
*
Luke Bailey as Ash Driscoll, Coopers' new recruit who embarks on a toxic relationship with recent
divorce
Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union. Divorce usually entails the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the ...
e Ally
* Jennifer Nicholas as Ally, newly divorced call centre worker who catches the eye of Ash
Supporting cast
Series 1 (2015)
* George Bukhari as Fat Jason, a salesman who struggles with his weight
*
Rebecca Callard
Rebecca Jayne Callard (born 3 June 1975) is an English actress and writer.
Early life
Callard was born Rebecca Jayne Atkinson, the only surviving child from her mother Beverley Callard's first marriage to Paul Atkinson. Her parents divorced i ...
as Grace, a young, lonely accountant who has a fling with Marty
*
Belinda Stewart-Wilson
Belinda Stewart-Wilson (born 16 April 1971) is a British actress best known for her role as Polly McKenzie in ''The Inbetweeners''.
Early life
Stewart-Wilson was born on 16 April 1971 in Kensington, the youngest of three daughters of Lieutenan ...
as Alison Hill, Mike's estranged wife
*
Manjinder Virk
Manjinder Virk is a British actress, director and writer. She has appeared in the television series '' Holby City'' (1999), ''Doctors'' (2000), ''The Bill'' (2004), ''The Ghost Squad'' (2005), '' Runaway'' (2009), '' Skins'' (2010), '' Monroe'' ...
as Marianne Morton, a receptionist who had an affair with Beth's husband
* Fisayo Akinade as Ziggy, a mechanic who works with Rick in the workshop
* Cat Simmons as Emma, a company accountant and bride-to-be, engaged to Jez
* Kris Mochrie as Jez, Emma's fiancé
* Cherrelle Skeete as Viv Baxter, a receptionist who becomes involved with drug trafficking (episodes 1—2)
* Erin Shanagher as Katriana McLean, Marty's ailed wife, who he claims to be dead (episode 1)
*
Tony Maudsley
Tony Maudsley (born 30 January 1968) is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke in the hit ITV sitcom ''Benidorm'', a role he played from 2011 to 2018. His other notable credits include Martin in t ...
as Ralf Kavanagh, Kathy's husband (episode 3)
*
Edward MacLiam
Edward MacLiam (born Edward Wilson in 1976) is an Irish actor, known for his roles as Greg Douglas in the BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I ...
as Niall, Kathy's
sex buddy (episode 3)
*
Holly Earl
Holly Earl (born 31 August 1992) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Zoe in ''Cuckoo'', Kela in '' Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands'', Agnes in the Channel 4 TV series ''Humans'' and Nita Clements in the BBC medical dram ...
as Ruby Hill, Mike's 15-year-old daughter who becomes involved with Rick (episode 4)
*
Ellie Haddington
Ellie Haddington (born 17 February 1955 in Aberdeen) is a British actress with a career spanning over 40 years.
Early life and education
Haddington was born in Scotland. She trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School from 1975 ...
as Gina Corbin, Beth's mother-in-law and Dave's mother (episodes 5—6)
*
Shaun Dooley
Shaun Dooley (born 29 March 1974) is an English actor, narrator and voice-over artist.
Early life
Dooley was born in Barnsley in Yorkshire. He studied at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester between 1992 and 1995.
Career
Dooley's fir ...
as Dave Corbin, Beth's estranged husband (episode 6)
Series 2 (2016)
*
Jill Halfpenny
Jill Halfpenny (born 15 July 1975) is an English actress. Her notable roles include Rebecca Hopkins in ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' (1999–2000), Kate Mitchell in BBC One soap opera ''EastEnders'' (2002–2005), Izzie Redpath in '' W ...
as Belinda Brierley, Joe's wife, whom he believes is
cheating
Cheating generally describes various actions designed to subvert rules in order to obtain unfair advantages. This includes acts of bribery, cronyism and nepotism in any situation where individuals are given preference using inappropriate cr ...
on him (episode 1)
*
Griff Rhys Jones
Griffith Rhys Jones (born 16 November 1953) is a Welsh comedian, writer, actor, and television presenter. He starred in a number of television series with his comedy partner, Mel Smith. Rhys Jones came to national attention in the 1980s for h ...
as Patrick, Fletch's father, whom Fletch believes walked out on him as a child (episode 5)
*
Elen Rhys
Elen Rhys (born September 2, 1983) is a Welsh actress, known for her roles as Gwen in the 2011 film ''Panic Button'' and Miranda Blake in the BBC drama ''The Mallorca Files
''The Mallorca Files'' is a British police procedural television dra ...
as Caz, Fletch's wife, who reignites the relationship between Fletch and his father
*
Gareth Pierce
Gareth Pierce (born 19 February 1981) is a Welsh actor and musician who has appeared in various television series. In 2020, he began portraying Gavin Moss in BBC Radio 4's ''The Archers'' and became the second actor to play Todd Grimshaw in ...
as Karl Shelvey, a
call centre
A call centre ( Commonwealth spelling) or call center (American spelling; see spelling differences) is a managed capability that can be centralised or remote that is used for receiving or transmitting a large volume of enquiries by telephone. ...
worker who is best friends with Ray
*
Noel Sullivan
Noel Sullivan (born 28 July 1980 as Noel John Hayes) is a Welsh singer and actor. He was a member of the British pop group Hear'Say. Like the other members of the group, he won his part through the talent show '' Popstars''.
Early life
Sulli ...
as Neil, forklift driver and Holly's current boyfriend
* Ian Davies as Ray, a call centre worker who is best friends with Karl
* Ella Peel as Chrissy, a young girl whom Toke takes into his care (Episode 3)
*
Elinor Crawley as Sarah-Jane, a PA appointed by Jenna following Holly's departure
*
Aled Pugh
Aled Pugh (born May 1979) is a Welsh actor who has worked extensively in television roles and movies in both Welsh and English medium. He is best known for playing Bobby Gittins in the Sky One series '' Stella'', and Gerwyn Parri in the long-run ...
as Lenny, a warehouse picker who is connected to a local gang of thugs (episode 4)
Episodes
Series 1 (2015)
Series 2 (2016)
References
External links
*
* {{BBC programme
2015 British television series debuts
2016 British television series endings
2010s British drama television series
2010s British workplace television series
BBC high definition shows
BBC television dramas
Television series by Red Production Company
English-language television shows
Television shows set in the United Kingdom
2010s British workplace drama television series