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Murder Most Puzzling cast: Who stars alongside Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan in 5 series?

Where you've seen the cast before.

Phyllis Logan stars in Murder Most Puzzling holding a cocktail glass in a field

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Published: Sunday, 22 June 2025 at 11:00 am

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Downton Abbey's Phyllis Logan has swapped housekeeping for sleuthing in 5's Murder Most Puzzling, a three-parter based on Parnell Hall's best-selling cosy crime series The Puzzle Lady.

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Logan stars as Cora Felton, the eponymous Puzzle Lady, who is known up and down the land for her crossword puzzles.

So, when a blank puzzle is found on a dead body uncovered in a graveyard, the police turn to her to help them solve the mystery.

"But the eccentric Cora isn’t who she claims to be, and as she throws herself into a murder case that has the town’s residents baffled, she starts to gather allies and enemies in equal measure," reads the official synopsis.

Read more:

Alongside Logan, the cast includes a number of recognisable faces, plus some you might not be familiar with.

Find out more about the major players below.

Murder Most Puzzling main cast: Who stars in 5 series?

For more information about the characters and where you've seen the major players before, read on.

Phyllis Logan plays Cora Felton

Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton aka The Puzzle Lady, standing in a kitchen next to a young girl, wearing a long-sleeved red top and apron, holding a biscuit

Phyllis Logan as Cora Felton aka The Puzzle Lady. 5

Who is Cora Felton? She's famous up and down the land for her crossword puzzles. Shortly after she moves to the market town of Bakerbury with her niece, a detective winds up helping the police solve the murder of a young girl.

Speaking about her character, Logan said: "She’s not great [at detective work] to start with, but by the end of the first episode she decides she’s actually quite good at the sleuthing, and she does eventually manage to help solve quite a few of these strange murders, so she gives herself a pat on the back… even though the police are fed up of her interference!

"I think they might be a bit jealous of the fact she tends to get it right. She starts off in a small way, but then gets right into it and sees crime solving as her forte."

What else has Phyllis Logan been in? She's best known for Downton Abbey, Lovejoy, Another Time, Another Place and Secrets & Lies. More recently, she appeared in The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Shetland, Guilt, Miss Austen and Misbehaviour.

Charlotte Hope plays Sherry Carter

Charlotte Hope as Sherry Carter, lying on a sofa on her front, holding a biscuit

Charlotte Hope as Sherry Carter. 5

Who is Sherry Carter? Cora's niece. Without Sherry, Cora's life would fall apart.

What else has Charlotte Hope been in? Her credits include The Spanish Princess, Game of Thrones, The English Game, Catch Me a Killer and Bancroft.

Alistair Brammer plays Anton Grant

Alistair Brammer plays Anton Grant, sat on a chair, next to a mantlepiece, holding a notebook and pen

Alistair Brammer as Anton Grant. 5

Who is Anton Grant? A tenacious journalist who sometimes oversteps the mark in pursuit of a story.

What else has Alistair Brammer been in? You might recognise him from Casualty, Dalgliesh and Valhalla Project.

Adam Best plays DCI Hooper

Adam Best as DCI Derek Hooper in a grey suit

Adam Best as DCI Derek Hooper. 5

Who is DCI Hooper? He is leading an investigation into the murder of a girl found dead in a graveyard. He reaches out to Cora for help.

What else has Adam Best been in? He's best known for Hollyoaks.

Nick Danan plays DS Sam Brody

Nick Danan as DS Sam Brody., wearing a suit jacket and shirt, stood with his arms folded

Nick Danan as DS Sam Brody. 5

Who is DS Sam Brody? A senior and trusted member of Hooper's team.

What else has Nick Danan been in? He has appeared in Say Nothing and Innocent.

Jack Weise plays PC Danny Finley

Jack Weise as PC Danny Finley, sat in his black uniform at his desk

Jack Weise as PC Danny Finley. 5

Who is PC Danny Finley? He's part of Hooper's team. His boss often gets frustrated with him.

What else has Jack Weise been in? You might know him from The Hardacres.

Richard Croxford plays Mayor Firth

Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth, stood on a stage in front of a mic and lectern, wearing a suit and his mayoral chain

Richard Croxford as Mayor Firth. 5

Who is Mayor Firth? He is the overbearing mayor of Bakerbury, who often clashes with DCI Hooper. Firth would say that the people of the town come first, but he's more concerned about his own reputation.

What else has Richard Croxford been in? He's had roles in Bloodlands and Mrs Wilson.

Amber Mendez-Martin plays Katy Hooper

Amber Mendez-Martin plays Katy Hooper, sat on a. chair in an audience, wearing a school uniform

Amber Mendez-Martin as Katy Hooper. 5

Who is Katy Hooper? DCI Hooper's teenage daughter.

What else has Amber Mendez-Martin been in? This is her first TV role.

Yasmin Seky plays Becky Baidwan

Yasmin Seky as Becky Baidwain, sat in a club, wearing a glittery top

Yasmin Seky as Becky Baidwain. 5

Who is Becky Baidwan? A lawyer. She used to be in a relationship with Anton.

What else has Yasmin Seky been in? You probably know her from Kin.

Conor Sánchez plays Jimmi Potter

Close up on Conor Sánchez plays Jimmi Potter, sat down, looking concerned

Conor Sánchez as Jimmi Potter. 5

Who is Jimmi Potter? The librarian's son. He develops a friendship of sorts with Katy.

What else has Conor Sánchez been in? His credits include Hope Street and Ellis.

Additional Murder Most Puzzling cast includes:

Murder Most Puzzling airs on 5.

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Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

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