Robert Glenister stars in the hit Welsh drama The Light in the Hall: Still Waters season 2 on Channel 4. The actor leads the cast for the second series, which returns after more than three years since the first season aired.
A Fresh Narrative for Season 2
Unlike the first series, which focused on a mother grieving her daughter's murder, the new season explores a completely different story set in the fictional Welsh town of Llanemlyn with an entirely new ensemble cast. The synopsis reveals: "A controversial plan to expand the reservoir reignites long-buried tensions." The story spans two timelines, beginning in 1995 when activist Llyr Owen dies in a bombing and his cousin Rhys is jailed for the crime. Thirty years later, Rhys returns home to a community again divided by protest. Trainee journalist Caryl becomes drawn into the story, uncovering hidden truths and secrets that have shaped the town for decades.
Robert Glenister's Role
Robert, 66, portrays Robert Davies in the latest series. He appears alongside Sian Reese-Williams, Mark Lewis Jones, and Nia Roberts, among others. The actor is best known for his roles in Hustle (2004–2012), Spooks (2006–2010), Sherwood (2022 and 2026), and most recently A Thousand Blows (2025).
Robert's Famous Family
Robert is not the only celebrity in his family. His brother is Philip Glenister, 63, best known for playing DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC's Life on Mars and its follow-up Ashes to Ashes. Philip's other credits include DCI William Bell in State of Play and Reverend Anderson in Outcast. Most recently, he appeared in the second series of After the Flood as Jack Radcliffe.
Philip recently discussed his celebrated family on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. Both Philip and Robert's father, John Glenister, was a renowned television director who passed away in 2024 at age 92. He directed shows including The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Emma, Rumpole of the Bailey, Play for Today, Dennis Potter's 1971 Casanova biopic, Marie Curie, A Touch of Frost, Alan Plater's On Your Way, Riley, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and A Bit of a Do.
Philip's Reflections on Acting
Presenter Alan Titchmarsh remarked: "Philip, your dad is a famous director, John Glenister, very well known. With your brother as well, Robert, doing acting as well, was it a foregone conclusion?" Philip responded: "Not for me! Robert knew he wanted to act from a very early age, he did theatre locally. I always thought I would be in the industry but I always thought I'd be behind the camera a bit like the old man, you know. I'm still working on it but it never quite worked out like that!" He added: "It was terrible. Having one actor in the family is better than having two. My dad, because he knew the ups and downs of the industry and everything, when I told him I'd been offered a place at drama school, he went, 'Oh no!'"
The Light in the Hall series two is available to watch on Channel 4.
