McDonald and Dodds: season 2 cast with Tala Gouveia, and series guest stars – from Patsy Kensit to Cathy Tyson

This weekend (28 February) saw the return of ITV’s much enjoyed murder mystery series, McDonald & Dodds.

Following an enjoyable first series broadcast early in 2020, the series returned for another run of feature-length episodes.

But who stars in the new series, and which famous faces can we expect to see across the three new films?

Here is everything you need to know about it:

What is McDonald & Dodds about?

Set in picturesque Bath, the series pairs feisty DCI McDonald, who has recently transferred from London’s Met Police, with the unassuming DS Dodds, who has been happy in the background for most of his working life.

To McDonald’s surprise they form an unexpectedly effective crime solving partnership.

Each of the standalone films – which are comparable in legnth to a feature you might see in the cinema – tell a different story, each focused on an ever more intriguing murder mystery.

The first part of the new run saw Gordon, Mick, Barbara, and Jackie become the chief suspects after a hot-air balloon trip ended in murder

The second film follows a group of friends who have travelled to Bath for the weekend to celebrate a birthday, but while out on the town, Doreen, Angela, Hilary, Melissa, and Cath get chatting to players from the Bath Eagles Rugby Club, including strapping new signing Dominique Aubert.

A party ensues, but as they nurse their hangovers the next morning, the body of one guest is discovered near a railway tunnel.

Who stars in it?

The new series sees Tala Gouveia (Cold Feet) and BAFTA award winning actor Jason Watkins (The Crown) reprise their roles as the smart and ambitious DCI McDonald and the humble, and quietly brilliant DS Dodds.

Returning cast members include James Murray (Primevil) as Chief Superintendent Houseman and Jack Riddiford (Poldark) as DC Darren Craig, while Lily Sacofsky (Sanditon) joins the team as DC Milena Pachiorkowski.

Who is guest starring in this series?

ITV's crime drama has an unusually strong array of guest stars.

The opening episode of series two saw Rob Brydon, Rupert Graves, Martin Kemp, Patsy Kensit, and Cathy Tyson all appearing alongside Tala Gouveia and Jason Watkins, and the second instalment has more big names popping up.

Sharon Rooney, known for her roles as Rae Earl in My Mad Fat Diary and Dawn in Brief Encounters, plays Doreen, a woman who has organised a weekend away for her best friend’s birthday – and ends up taking an unusual interest in Dodds.

The second film also sees appearances from Joy McAvoy (Two Doors Down), Shelley Conn (Heartbeat), Tomos Gwynfryn, and John Thomson (Cold Feet).

How can I watch it?

The three new McDonald & Dodds films began broadcast on ITV on Sunday 28 February.

The first ‘episode’ was shown at 9pm, and that’s the time the further two parts will be aired. The second instalment will be shown on Sunday 7 March, and the third and final film will be available on Sunday 14 March.

If you’ve missed out on any of the episodes, they will also be made available to stream on ITV Hub.

The first series is available to view via streaming platform, Britbox.