{"id":566502,"date":"2026-07-24T20:14:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T20:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/566502\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T20:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T20:14:12","slug":"granite-harbour-cast-meet-the-returning-stars-and-new-faces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/566502\/","title":{"rendered":"Granite Harbour cast: Meet the returning stars and new faces"},"content":{"rendered":"

Granite Harbour is back for a third run with DCI Cora Mac returning to tackle another complex murder investigation in Aberdeen. The three-part crime drama<\/a> has become a firm favourite since its 2022 launch, combining gritty detective work with the stunning backdrop of Scotland\u2019s Granite City. <\/p>\n

Following two successful outings, the latest season reunites viewers with familiar members of Scotland\u2019s Major Investigation Team while introducing a host of new characters connected to the show’s latest mystery. <\/p>\n

This time, detectives are drawn to the killing of teenager Lisa Sterling, who is found dead at the bottom of a ravine after a birthday party on a prestigious estate. The landowner, Richard Loughty, is charming and seemingly benevolent – but what secrets could he be hiding? <\/p>\n

Soon, Davis and his team find themselves investigating the suspicious death, and the case quickly spirals out of control when they uncover long-buried secrets within the travelling community – and the consequences could have a widespread impact. But who\u2019s involved in the upcoming mystery? <\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n

\"dawn<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

DCI Cora MacMillan (Dawn Steele)<\/p>\n

Holby City star Dawn Steele<\/a> is back as Major Investigation Team boss DCI Cora MacMillan. As ever, Cora oversees the investigation while keeping her team focused as the case grows more complicated by the day. <\/p>\n

But while she\u2019s been accustomed to running her team with an iron fist, Dawn has teased her character might be unrecognisable to some viewers, particularly after DI Mallick\u2019s shocking dismissal in season 2. <\/p>\n

\u201cCora has mellowed and what happened with Mallick last year has brought her closer to her team,\u201d Dawn said<\/a>. \u201cShe really cares about her job.\u201d But there\u2019s also personal turmoil ahead for Cora as she faces a health scare. <\/p>\n

\u201cI loved having the chance to show a more vulnerable side to her. At the same time, she’s under immense pressure to solve the case while also dealing with the SPIS investigation into Mallick’s dismissal.\u201d <\/p>\n

Along with her role as general surgeon Ange Godard in the medical drama, Dawn has made several TV appearances, having previously starred in Monarch of the Glen, Wild at Heart and Shetland. <\/p>\n

\"dawn<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

DC Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson)<\/p>\n

Andor<\/a> and Django actor Romario Simpson reprises his role as Detective Constable Davis Lindo, the former Royal Military Police officer who relocated to Aberdeen. Since arriving in Scotland, Davis has grown into one of the force\u2019s most capable detectives – but the focus now shifts to his personal life in season 3. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s trying to navigate the line between his professional life and a potential relationship, which is something he knows should stay separate from work,\u201d Romario explained. \u201cHe tries to keep those worlds apart, but it\u2019s much harder than he expects.\u201d However, he quickly realises that secrets always have a way of spilling out. <\/p>\n

Season three of Granite Harbour will also see the actor tackle a horrific blaze, but filming the scenes was a highlight. \u201cWorking with live flames was unforgettable,\u201d he said, \u201cFeeling the heat and understanding that, even with all the cameras and safety measures in place, it was very real (and) added so much adrenaline and excitement.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"romario<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

DS Lara \u201cBart\u201d Bartlett (Hannah Donaldson)<\/p>\n

Detective Sergeant Lara Bartlett, better known as \u201cBart,\u201d is also making a comeback with actor Hannah Donaldson reprising her role in Granite Harbour. <\/p>\n

Having mentored Davis since his arrival in Aberdeen, Bart continues to be one of his closest allies as she\u2019s promoted to Detective Inspector. \u201cBart is newly promoted to DI, following DI Mallick\u2019s pending court case,\u201d Hannah shared. <\/p>\n

But not everything is smooth sailing for the new DI. Reeling from the sudden departure of her colleague DI Mallick, she\u2019s also met with scepticism as she takes on her new role. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe long awaited position however is somewhat thwarted by her boss Mac who struggles to trust Bart following Mallick\u2019s dismissal,\u201d Hannah added. \u201cBart is once again caught between towing the party line and trusting the instincts of her partner Lindo, who follows his own instinct better than orders from above.\u201d <\/p>\n

Related: Best LEGO sets<\/a><\/p>\n

\"dawn<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Who has joined the cast? <\/p>\n

Season 3 introduces a fresh collection of suspects, witnesses and local residents whose lives become intertwined with the investigation. Among the newcomers is Alastair Mackenzie as Richard Loughty, a seemingly generous landowner who may know more than he lets on. <\/p>\n

\u201cRichard Loughty is a charming and well-respected landowner who seems to be very charitable to all and sundry, especially the local traveller community who live on his land,\u201d said Alastair. \u201cCracks begin to appear in this charming veneer of his when sketchy things start happening on his estate and, without giving too much away, things go from bad to worse for him.\u201d <\/p>\n

Alastair was particularly thrilled to be reunited with his Monarch of the Glen co-star, Dawn Steele. \u201cWe are very good pals and it was an utter joy to be on set with her again, although we did not have many scenes together. It was very nostalgic too,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\"hannah<\/p>\n

Rachel Smith\/\/BBC<\/p>\n

Veteran actor John Gordon also appears in the show as Chief Constable Alan Willis, who will play a pivotal role in the series as the investigation takes a turn. \u201cI play Chief Constable Alan Willis who is overseeing the investigation,\u201d John said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe case has become politically sensitive because it involves the Traveller community, wealthy landowners and the local community, so there’s a lot of pressure for the investigation to move forward.\u201d <\/p>\n

And there may even be tensions ahead: \u201cHe’s quite tough on the team and doesn’t take much nonsense, particularly from Cora.\u201d Also joining the drama are Ellie Haddington, Bailey Newsome, Jess Douglas-Welsh, and Pennyworth star Ryan Fletcher – but how will they all fit into the unravelling mystery?<\/p>\n

Granite Harbour airs this Friday (24 July) from 8pm on BBC1. <\/p>\n

Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Granite Harbour is back for a third run with DCI Cora Mac returning to tackle another complex murder…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":566503,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[131891,131124,1105,239165,1107,93,61,60,184510,1135,239164,223989,282],"class_list":["post-566502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-digital-spy-features","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-0ce036cb-236c-4faa-8045-282d8f20ce34","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-granite-harbour-cast-meet-the-returning-stars-and-new-faces","tag-sponsored-false","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566502"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566502\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/566503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=566502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}