The Crow Girl, a detective series based on a Scandinavian bestseller, launches on Channel 5 this week. Starring Eve Myles as DCI Jeanette Kilburn and Katherine Kelly as Dr Sophia Craven, the ensemble cast also includes Dougray Scott, Victoria Hamilton, Lee Boardman, Charles Dale, Chloé Sweetlove, and Elliot Edusah. The drama initially premiered on Paramount+ in January 2025 but is now available to Channel 5 audiences for the first time. In an unconventional scheduling decision, the first series broadcasts on Channel 5 while the second season simultaneously launches on Paramount+.
Plot Synopsis
A synopsis for the first season reads: "When the bodies of unidentified young men start to show up around Bristol, beaten and full of the anaesthetic Lidocaine, police face mounting pressure and little evidence as they hunt the killer." As more bodies surface—including a child missing for over 10 years—the killer edges closer to home, starting a race against time to untangle a web of secrets.
Eve Myles as DCI Jeanette Kilburn
Eve Myles takes the lead role as DCI Jeanette Kilburn. The Ystradgynlais-born actress is best known for playing Ceri in the BBC's Belonging, a role she held for nine years from 2000. She is equally acclaimed for her depiction of Gwen Cooper in Torchwood, having first appeared in a Doctor Who episode. From 2017, she played Faith Howells in Keeping Faith, and her other notable roles include Claire Ripley in Broadchurch, Lauren Grey in You, Me and Them, and Alice Sinclair in Hijack.
Katherine Kelly as Dr Sophia Craven
Katherine Kelly portrays the prime suspect's psychotherapist, Dr Sophia Craven. Most viewers know her from playing Becky Granger on Coronation Street between 2006 and 2012. Since then, she has appeared in dramas such as The Fields of Blood, Liar, Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, and Mr Bates vs. The Post Office. In 2025, she appeared as Jo Conran in In Flight and Sheridan McCoid in The Hack.
Dougray Scott as DI Lou Stanley
Dougray Scott plays Jeanette's partner DI Lou Stanley. He is recognised for portraying DI Ray Lennox in Irvine Welsh's Crime, as well as roles in Soldier Soldier, Hemlock Grove, Batwoman, and Vigil. He also appeared in Mission Impossible: II and most recently starred in Summerwater and Sherlock and Daughter.
Victoria Hamilton as Superintendent Verity Pound
Victoria Hamilton has appeared on screen for over three decades, with early roles in Pride and Prejudice (1995) and Persuasion (1995). She played Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in The Crown (2016–2017) and has starred in Doctor Foster, Life, Unforgotten, and Slow Horses. Most recently, she appeared in the third series of Channel 5's The Teacher.
Lee Boardman as David White
Lee Boardman is known for playing villain Jez Quigley in Coronation Street (1997–2000). His other credits include DI George Morris in Bancroft, Jay Newman in The Five, and roles in Da Vinci's Demons and The Madame Blanc Mysteries.
Charles Dale as Brian Cole
Charles Dale is best recognised for playing MacKenzie 'Big Mac' Chalker in Casualty (2007–2016) and Dennis Stringer in Coronation Street (2000–2002). He has also appeared in The Lakes, Sherwood, Unforgotten, and The Pembrokeshire Murders.
The Crow Girl also features Chloé Sweetlove as Madeleine, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva as Amar, Clara Rugaard as Victoria Burkeman, and Elliot Edusah as DC Mike Dilliston. The series airs on Channel 5 at 9pm on Monday, July 20.
