The Adultery cast is led by Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai, who play two married parents drawn into a dangerous affair in ITV’s six-part relationship drama. Written by Danny Brocklehurst, the creator of Brassic and writer of Fool Me Once, the series follows two families whose lives become unexpectedly connected when their teenage children start dating.
Alongside Cooper and Garai, ITV’s Adultery stars Shelley Conn, Matthew McNulty, Leila Khan, Johnny Sanpher, James Murray, Charley Webb and Andrew Knott. With familiar actors from Bridgerton, Heartstopper, Emmerdale and The Crown, the drama examines marriage, temptation, grief and the consequences of keeping secrets. Here is the full Adultery cast list, including who plays each character, their relationships and where viewers may have seen the actors before.
Adultery Cast: Full List of Actors and Characters
| Actor | Character | Role in the drama |
|---|---|---|
| Dominic Cooper | Tom Kirkman | Married GP who begins an affair |
| Romola Garai | Beth Brookes | Married mother who becomes involved with Tom |
| Shelley Conn | Hannah Kirkman | Tom’s wife |
| Matthew McNulty | Neil Brookes | Beth’s husband |
| Leila Khan | Jess Kirkman | Tom and Hannah’s teenage daughter |
| Johnny Sanpher | Ollie Brookes | Beth and Neil’s teenage son |
| James Murray | Paul Kirkman | Tom’s brother |
| Charley Webb | Leah Kirkman | Paul’s wife and Tom’s sister-in-law |
| Andrew Knott | Dave | Former husband of Beth’s late friend Ally |
The main characters belong to two families whose relationships become increasingly complicated.
At the centre are Tom and Beth, whose affair develops while their teenage children, Jess and Ollie, are experiencing their first serious romance.
That connection makes the consequences of the adults’ behaviour particularly difficult to contain.
What Is ITV’s Adultery About?
Adultery follows Tom Kirkman, a successful GP whose comfortable family life begins to unravel after an unexpected encounter with Beth Brookes.
Beth is married and struggling with personal difficulties following the death of a close friend.
Despite their different circumstances, Tom and Beth develop an immediate attraction.
There is one major complication: Tom’s daughter Jess is in a relationship with Beth’s son Ollie.
As the two parents become increasingly involved with one another, their decisions threaten the relationships and stability of both households.
The series explores how private choices can affect an entire family, particularly when the people involved have existing responsibilities and complicated personal histories.
Rather than concentrating solely on the affair, the drama examines the emotional consequences for the spouses and children caught up in it.
Its creator, Danny Brocklehurst, has previously worked on dramas that combine family relationships with secrets, conflict and difficult decisions.
Dominic Cooper Plays Tom Kirkman
Character: Tom Kirkman
Family: Husband of Hannah, father of Jess and her younger sisters
Known for: Mamma Mia!, Preacher, Agent Carter, The Gold
Dominic Cooper plays Tom Kirkman, a successful doctor whose outwardly comfortable life hides unresolved personal issues.
Tom is married to Hannah, whom he has known since university, and they have three daughters.
He has built a respectable professional career and appears to enjoy a secure family life.
However, his attraction to Beth exposes problems that have been developing beneath the surface.
Tom also carries memories of his parents’ marriage, which was damaged by an affair.
This history adds another dimension to his decisions.
He understands the potential consequences of infidelity, yet finds himself repeating behaviour that affected his own childhood.
Where have you seen Dominic Cooper before?
Dominic Cooper is an established British actor with extensive television, film and theatre credits.
He first attracted significant attention playing Dakin in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, appearing in both the stage production and the 2006 film adaptation.
He later played Sky in the musical film Mamma Mia! alongside Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.
Cooper returned for the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
His television career includes playing Jesse Custer in the supernatural drama Preacher.
Marvel fans will recognise him as Howard Stark, a character he portrayed in Captain America: The First Avenger and the television series Agent Carter.
Other credits include The Gold, Suspect, My Lady Jane and The Last Frontier.
Why Tom is central to Adultery
Tom’s position as a doctor and family man makes his decisions especially significant.
He is accustomed to being viewed as dependable and responsible.
The affair challenges that reputation while forcing him to confront the difference between his public identity and private behaviour.
His relationship with Beth also creates an uncomfortable connection between two families whose children are already romantically involved.
Romola Garai Plays Beth Brookes
Character: Beth Brookes
Family: Wife of Neil and mother of Ollie
Known for: Atonement, The Hour, Emma, Suffragette
Romola Garai plays Beth Brookes, a married mother whose life has been shaken by the sudden death of her closest friend, Ally.
Beth is struggling with grief and increasingly questioning the direction of her life.
Her marriage to Neil has its own difficulties, and she feels burdened by the responsibilities and expectations placed upon her.
When she meets Tom, she experiences an attraction that challenges her understanding of herself.
Their connection becomes more complicated when she discovers that Tom is the father of her son’s girlfriend.
Beth’s storyline explores personal freedom, guilt and the consequences of putting individual desires ahead of family responsibilities.
Where have you seen Romola Garai before?
Romola Garai has enjoyed a varied career across film, television and theatre.
She played the older Briony Tallis in the acclaimed 2007 film Atonement, which starred Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.
Her television work includes the BBC drama The Hour, in which she played television producer Bel Rowley.
She also starred in the 2009 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma.
Other credits include I Capture the Castle, Vanity Fair, The Crimson Petal and the White, Suffragette and Betrayal.
In 2025, Garai won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Years.
What makes Beth different from a conventional affair storyline?
Beth is not presented simply as someone seeking excitement outside her marriage.
Her grief, dissatisfaction and changing sense of identity influence her decisions.
That doesn’t remove the consequences of her actions, but it gives the character motivations beyond a straightforward romantic attraction.
The relationship with Tom forces Beth to confront difficult questions about what she wants from life and how her choices affect others.
Shelley Conn Plays Hannah Kirkman
Character: Hannah Kirkman
Family: Tom’s wife and mother of their children
Known for: Bridgerton, Liar, Gen V, Little Disasters
Shelley Conn plays Hannah, Tom’s wife.
Hannah is recovering from a period of ill health and trying to regain a sense of normality.
She has spent years building a family with Tom, but begins to recognise that something has changed in their relationship.
Although she senses a growing distance between them, she cannot immediately identify the cause.
Her storyline explores trust, vulnerability and the difficulty of recognising problems within a long-established marriage.
Where have you seen Shelley Conn before?
Shelley Conn is particularly recognisable for playing Lady Mary Sharma in the second season of Netflix’s Bridgerton.
Mary is the mother of Edwina Sharma and stepmother of Kate Sharma, whose arrival in London becomes central to the season’s romantic storyline.
For more on that role, see MarkMeets’ complete Bridgerton cast and character guide.
Conn has also appeared as DI Vanessa Harmon in Liar and Dean Indira Shetty in Gen V, the spin-off from The Boys.
Her other credits include Little Disasters, Mistresses, Terra Nova, Strike Back and Party Animals.
Why Hannah’s character matters
Hannah represents the perspective of a partner whose life may be transformed by decisions made without her knowledge.
Her recovery from illness adds another layer to the emotional circumstances of the marriage.
The series uses her experiences to examine how trust can deteriorate even before a betrayal is openly acknowledged.
Matthew McNulty Plays Neil Brookes
Character: Neil Brookes
Family: Beth’s husband and Ollie’s father
Known for: Misfits, The Terror, The Jetty, After the Flood
Matthew McNulty plays Neil Brookes, Beth’s husband.
Neil runs his own business and considers himself a hard-working family man.
However, he is facing legal difficulties that place additional pressure on the household.
His drinking also creates problems in his relationships.
While Neil concentrates on his own concerns, he fails to recognise how emotionally distant Beth has become.
His storyline highlights how financial worries, personal habits and poor communication can damage a marriage.
Where have you seen Matthew McNulty before?
Matthew McNulty has appeared in numerous British television dramas.
He played Seth in the superhero comedy-drama Misfits and Lieutenant Edward Little in the historical horror series The Terror.
He also appeared in Cleaning Up, starring Sheridan Smith.
Other credits include The Paradise, The Mill, Domina, The Rising, After the Flood and The Jetty.
McNulty’s experience in character-driven dramas makes him a familiar face for viewers of British television thrillers.
What role does Neil play in the story?
Neil’s legal problems create an existing source of tension before Beth’s affair develops.
His difficulties also influence their son Ollie, who is dealing with his own relationship while worrying about the family’s future.
Neil’s character demonstrates how the consequences of adult decisions can extend beyond a marriage.
Leila Khan Plays Jess Kirkman
Character: Jess Kirkman
Family: Daughter of Tom and Hannah
Known for: Heartstopper, Crookhaven
Leila Khan plays Jess Kirkman, Tom and Hannah’s teenage daughter.
Jess has taken on considerable responsibility at home while her mother has been unwell.
She has helped care for her younger siblings and has experienced pressures that many teenagers do not face.
Her relationship with Ollie offers an opportunity to enjoy a more ordinary teenage life.
However, neither Jess nor Ollie initially understands the complicated connection developing between their parents.
Where have you seen Leila Khan before?
Leila Khan is best known for playing Sahar Zahid in Netflix’s Heartstopper.
The series follows a group of teenagers navigating friendship, relationships and identity.
Khan joined the production after securing the role through an open casting process.
She has also appeared in Crookhaven and a Death in Paradise Christmas special.
Her appearance in Adultery gives her a prominent role in a more adult-focused family drama.
Why Jess is important to the storyline
Jess and Ollie’s relationship is one of the main reasons the adults’ affair carries such serious consequences.
The teenagers are developing their first romantic connection while their parents risk undermining the trust between both families.
Jess also has responsibilities at home, making the potential breakdown of her parents’ marriage particularly significant.
Johnny Sanpher Plays Ollie Brookes
Character: Ollie Brookes
Family: Son of Beth and Neil
Known for: Adultery
Johnny Sanpher plays Ollie Brookes, Beth and Neil’s teenage son.
Ollie is experiencing his first serious romantic relationship with Jess Kirkman.
The couple are enthusiastic about their future together and unaware of the attraction developing between their parents.
However, Ollie is also worried about his father’s forthcoming court case.
His home life is already under pressure, making the prospect of further family problems especially difficult.
Where have you seen Johnny Sanpher before?
Adultery marks Johnny Sanpher’s first credited television role.
He joins an ensemble featuring several established British actors, including Dominic Cooper, Romola Garai and Shelley Conn.
His character plays a central part in the relationship connecting the two families.
Why Ollie and Jess matter
The teenagers’ romance provides a contrast with the adults’ affair.
Jess and Ollie are beginning a relationship, while Tom and Beth risk damaging existing marriages.
Their connection also raises the emotional stakes because the actions of their parents could affect a relationship that neither teenager has chosen to complicate.
James Murray Plays Paul Kirkman
Character: Paul Kirkman
Family: Tom’s brother and Leah’s husband
Known for: The Crown, Primeval, Masters of the Air
James Murray plays Paul Kirkman, Tom’s brother.
Paul’s life is considerably less settled than Tom’s apparently respectable existence.
Their different personalities and circumstances provide another perspective on the Kirkman family.
Paul’s own marriage is experiencing difficulties, adding to the series’ wider exploration of troubled relationships.
Where have you seen James Murray before?
James Murray has appeared in numerous British and international television productions.
His credits include Primeval, Cucumber, Suspects, The Crown and Masters of the Air.
He has worked across crime drama, historical productions and science-fiction television.
How does Paul fit into Adultery?
Paul provides a contrast to his brother’s carefully maintained public image.
While Tom appears to have a stable career and family life, Paul has more obvious personal problems.
The relationship between the brothers also broadens the drama beyond the central affair.
Charley Webb Plays Leah Kirkman
Character: Leah Kirkman
Family: Paul’s wife and Tom’s sister-in-law
Known for: Emmerdale, The Long Shadow, Better
Charley Webb plays Leah Kirkman, Paul’s wife.
Leah is dealing with difficulties in her own marriage and has begun to question her husband’s behaviour.
She turns to Hannah for advice as her suspicions develop.
Her storyline creates another connection between the women in the Kirkman family.
It also reinforces one of the drama’s central themes: relationships can be affected by secrets long before the truth becomes clear.
Where have you seen Charley Webb before?
Charley Webb is best known for playing Debbie Dingle in ITV’s long-running soap Emmerdale.
She joined the programme in 2002 and became one of its most recognisable performers.
Debbie’s storylines involved complicated family relationships, romantic difficulties and dramatic personal conflicts.
Since her time on Emmerdale, Webb has appeared in productions including Better, The Long Shadow, McDonald & Dodds and Ellis.
Why Leah’s role adds another dimension
Leah’s concerns about Paul mirror some of the uncertainty Hannah experiences in her marriage to Tom.
The two women approach their relationships from different circumstances but share the experience of questioning whether they fully understand their partners.
Their connection adds another layer to the drama’s portrayal of family relationships.
Andrew Knott Plays Dave
Character: Dave
Connection: Former husband of Beth’s late friend Ally
Known for: Gavin & Stacey, The History Boys, Protection
Andrew Knott plays Dave, the former husband of Beth’s close friend Ally, whose death has had a significant effect on Beth.
Dave and Beth have an uneasy relationship.
Their disagreements concerning Ally’s home create further difficulties during an already emotional period.
His character adds another source of conflict to Beth’s life outside her marriage and her relationship with Tom.
Where have you seen Andrew Knott before?
Andrew Knott began acting as a child, appearing in the films The Secret Garden and Black Beauty.
He later appeared in The History Boys, alongside Dominic Cooper.
Television viewers may recognise him as Dirtbox in Gavin & Stacey.
His other credits include Casualty, Time, Ackley Bridge, The Walk-In and Protection.
Why Dave matters to Beth’s story
Beth’s grief is an important part of her emotional state when the drama begins.
Dave’s connection to Ally keeps that loss present in her everyday life.
Their disagreements also demonstrate that Beth is facing several personal pressures at the same time.
Adultery Family Relationships Explained
One of the most important details in Adultery is the relationship between the two households.
The story becomes more complicated because the parents and children are connected romantically in different ways.
The Kirkman family
- Tom Kirkman: Married to Hannah and father of Jess and her younger sisters.
- Hannah Kirkman: Tom’s wife, recovering from ill health.
- Jess Kirkman: Their teenage daughter, who is dating Ollie.
- Paul Kirkman: Tom’s brother.
- Leah Kirkman: Paul’s wife.
The Brookes family
- Beth Brookes: Married to Neil and mother of Ollie.
- Neil Brookes: Beth’s husband, whose legal difficulties are affecting the family.
- Ollie Brookes: Their teenage son, who is dating Jess.
How the two families become connected
Jess Kirkman and Ollie Brookes are already in a romantic relationship when their parents become involved with one another.
Tom and Beth’s attraction therefore threatens more than their respective marriages.
It also places the teenagers’ relationship at risk and creates the possibility of conflict between two families who have become closely connected.
This unusual arrangement provides the central tension of the series.
Who Wrote ITV’s Adultery?
Adultery was created and written by Danny Brocklehurst, an established British television writer known for drama, comedy and adaptations.
His previous credits include Brassic, Fool Me Once, The Stranger, Shameless and Ten Pound Poms.
Brocklehurst has developed a reputation for stories involving complicated personal relationships, secrets and characters whose decisions have consequences beyond their immediate circumstances.
His work on Fool Me Once brought him further international attention through Netflix.
Adultery approaches suspense through family relationships rather than relying entirely on a conventional crime mystery.
Who directed Adultery?
The six-part series was directed by Will Sinclair and Daniel O’Hara.
Sinclair directed the first three episodes, while O’Hara directed episodes four to six.
The production was made by Poison Pen Studios in association with ITV Studios.
The series was filmed in and around Manchester, with additional filming locations in the North West.
Why Adultery Is More Than a Conventional Affair Drama
The premise of two married people beginning a secret relationship is familiar television territory.
What distinguishes Adultery is the way its central relationships overlap.
Tom and Beth are not strangers whose lives can remain separate.
Their teenage children are already romantically involved, while both households have existing problems.
Hannah is recovering from illness.
Neil faces legal difficulties.
Beth is grieving the death of a friend.
Jess and Ollie are navigating their first serious relationship.
These circumstances create a story in which an affair has consequences for people who are already emotionally vulnerable.
Marriage, grief and responsibility
The drama examines whether personal unhappiness can explain, although not necessarily excuse, decisions that hurt others.
Beth’s grief and Tom’s unresolved family history influence their actions.
Meanwhile, Hannah and Neil must deal with difficulties of their own.
Rather than presenting every character as entirely innocent or entirely responsible, the story explores the complicated motivations behind their behaviour.
The influence of class and social expectations
The two families also come from different circumstances.
Tom’s successful medical career and comfortable home contrast with the pressures facing Neil and Beth.
The difference in their lifestyles becomes another source of tension.
The series uses these contrasts to examine how personal expectations and social circumstances affect relationships.
Where Can You Watch Adultery on ITV?
Adultery premiered on ITV1 on Sunday 25 October 2026.
The six-part series is also available to stream on ITVX.
Viewers can watch the episodes through the broadcaster’s streaming service without waiting for the remaining television broadcasts.
In Scotland, the series is also available through STV Player.
Watch the series: Adultery on ITVX
The ITVX listing includes all six episodes.
How Many Episodes of Adultery Are There?
There are six episodes of Adultery, each running for approximately an hour in its television broadcast slot.
The drama follows the developing relationship between Tom and Beth and the increasingly serious consequences for their families.
| Episode | Main story development |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Tom and Beth meet, beginning an unexpected attraction |
| Episode 2 | Family circumstances bring them together again |
| Episode 3 | Their relationship develops further |
| Episode 4 | Neil’s legal problems create additional consequences |
| Episode 5 | Tensions involving the teenagers and their families escalate |
| Episode 6 | The truth threatens to change both households |
The series is designed as a continuing story, so watching the episodes in order is recommended.
Other British Dramas to Watch If You Enjoy Adultery
Viewers who enjoy relationship-driven dramas with complicated characters may also appreciate other British television productions.
Bridgerton explores romance, family expectations and social pressures in a very different historical setting. Shelley Conn appears in its second season, and MarkMeets has also published a Bridgerton season two cast interview.
Suspect is a psychological crime drama featuring James Nesbitt and a series of intense character confrontations. Read MarkMeets’ coverage of the Channel 4 drama Suspect and its cast.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story examines marriage, relationships and personal responsibilities within a period-drama setting. MarkMeets has a separate feature exploring the Queen Charlotte cast and their characters.
For viewers interested in emerging performers, MarkMeets has also highlighted 12 rising stars to watch in 2026, covering the next generation of television and film talent.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Adultery Cast
Who stars in ITV’s Adultery?
The leading actors are Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai, supported by Shelley Conn, Matthew McNulty, Leila Khan, Johnny Sanpher, James Murray, Charley Webb and Andrew Knott.
Who plays Tom Kirkman in Adultery?
Dominic Cooper plays Tom Kirkman, a married GP who becomes romantically involved with Beth Brookes.
Who plays Beth Brookes in Adultery?
Romola Garai plays Beth Brookes, a married mother struggling with grief and difficulties in her personal life.
Who plays Tom’s wife Hannah?
Shelley Conn plays Hannah Kirkman. The actress is also known for playing Lady Mary Sharma in Bridgerton.
Who plays Beth’s husband Neil?
Matthew McNulty plays Neil Brookes, a businessman whose legal troubles are putting pressure on his family.
Is Charley Webb in Adultery?
Yes. Former Emmerdale actress Charley Webb plays Leah Kirkman, the wife of Tom’s brother Paul.
Who plays Jess in Adultery?
Leila Khan plays Jess Kirkman, the teenage daughter of Tom and Hannah. Khan previously appeared in Netflix’s Heartstopper.
Who plays Ollie in Adultery?
Johnny Sanpher plays Ollie Brookes, the teenage son of Beth and Neil. Adultery is his first credited television role.
Is Shelley Conn from Bridgerton in Adultery?
Yes. Shelley Conn, who played Mary Sharma in Bridgerton, portrays Hannah Kirkman in the ITV drama.
Who plays Paul Kirkman?
James Murray plays Paul Kirkman, Tom’s brother. Murray has previously appeared in Primeval, The Crown and Masters of the Air.
Who plays Dave in Adultery?
Andrew Knott plays Dave, the former husband of Beth’s late friend Ally.
Who wrote Adultery on ITV?
The series was created and written by Danny Brocklehurst, whose previous credits include Brassic, Fool Me Once and The Stranger.
How many episodes are in Adultery?
The ITV drama consists of six episodes.
Is Adultery available on ITVX?
Yes. All six episodes are available to stream on ITVX.
Where was Adultery filmed?
The production was filmed in and around Manchester, with locations elsewhere in North West England.
Is Adultery based on a true story?
ITV presents Adultery as an original fictional drama created by Danny Brocklehurst. It has not been announced as an adaptation of a particular real-life case.
Is there an Adultery series two?
As of November 2026, ITV has not announced a second series. The first series consists of six episodes.
Adultery Brings Together an Established British Television Cast
ITV’s Adultery features a combination of experienced television actors and emerging performers.
Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai lead the story as Tom and Beth, while Shelley Conn and Matthew McNulty portray the spouses whose lives are threatened by their affair.
Leila Khan and Johnny Sanpher provide the younger perspective as Jess and Ollie, whose relationship connects the two families.
Supporting performances from James Murray, Charley Webb and Andrew Knott broaden the story beyond its central couple.
With Danny Brocklehurst behind the scripts, the six-part drama combines romantic attraction with family conflict, grief and questions about personal responsibility.
For viewers wondering who is in the Adultery cast, the series offers plenty of familiar faces from British television, alongside newer performers taking on significant dramatic roles.
All six episodes of Adultery are available to stream on ITVX.
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