List of Heartbeat Characters - Recurring Characters

Recurring Characters

This section lists other characters who have appeared in more than one episode.

• Jack Deam as Alan Maskell (1992). Local tearaway lad, engaged and later married to Sandra Murray. PC Nick Rowan went out of his way to help Alan—providing references for a bank loan to start a motor repair business, and then supporting him when he was falsely accused of being an accessory to car theft. His wife Sandra lost their child to a miscarriage when Alan was in London, but he returned and they seemed to be reconciled; in their very last scene in the series, Alan walks to her hospital bed and gives her a hug.

• Eileen O'Brien as Susan Maskell (credited as "Mrs Maskell") (1992). Mother of Alan Maskell. Careworn housewife, overburdened with children.

• Barrie Rutter as Walter Maskell (credited as "Mr Maskell") (1992). Boorish husband of Susan Maskell and father of Alan Maskell. A local drunk who does not take care of his family.

• Suzanne Hitchmough as Sandra Maskell, formerly Sandra Murray (1992). Girlfriend, later wife of Alan Maskell. She became pregnant soon after the marriage, but lost the baby to a miscarriage.

• Anne Rye as Angela Hamilton ("Miss Hamilton") (1992–1993). An elderly busybody and local magistrate.

• Rupert Vansittart as Lord Ashfordly (1992–2010). Minor aristocrat. A "get off my land" character, his seat is Ashfordly Hall, an old country house surrounded by a large estate. He complains on occasion about a lack of funds despite being able to employ numerous maids, housekeepers, gamekeepers, gardeners, chauffeurs etc. His first name is Charles and he appears to be a bachelor, though he has at least one son called Rupert (played by Marc Warren, who appeared in one early episode as an arrogant young toff). He also has a sister called Patricia ("Patty") who has appeared a few times, and in episode 12.9 ("Many Splendoured Thing"), he "married" a woman who turned out to already have a husband as well as a criminal past. His valuable assets have made him something of a magnet for local crime down the years and incidents involving poachings or burglaries on his estate have become one of the show's more clichéd storylines. One of his most amusing incidents was when he was sold some magic mushrooms and ran around Aidensfield with a shotgun.

• Successively, "Tramp", "Rosie" and "Boots" as Alfred (1992–2005). A Lurcher dog, originally belonging to Claude Greengrass and inherited by David Stockwell when Greengrass left the series. He became David's constant companion and appeared in numerous episodes. In Christmas episodes he was traditionally dressed up like a tiny reindeer, with fake antlers. After a long and happy life, Alfred finally died of heart failure in episode 15.6 ("The End Of The Road") first broadcast on 30 October 2005.

• Andy Abrahams as unnamed local magistrate (1992–2003).

• Mike Kelly as Malcolm Mostyn (1993). Original proprietor of Aidensfield Garage.

• Dean Gatiss as Graham Blaketon (1993–1994; 4 episodes). Oscar Blaketon’s teenage son, brought up by his mother following his parents’ divorce. Graham first appeared at the beginning of the third series in the episode "Speed Kills" where Oscar is off work watching Graham playing a football game at school. Then Graham appeared again in the episode "Father's Day" where he is arrested for mugging a drug dealer, then again at the end of that series where Oscar tries to spend more time with him but all ends in a row.

• Sue Holderness as Joan Forrester (1993; 2 episodes). Oscar Blaketon’s former wife. Mother of Graham. A very unhappy woman who remained bitter about her divorce from Oscar, blaming him for their broken marriage.

• Russel Boulter as Inspector Crossley (1993–1994; 3 episodes). An officious police inspector, loathed by the Aidensfield police, who conspire to get him sent away in disgrace.

• Melanie Kilburn as Rosie Tinniswood (1993, 1995; 2 episodes), vulgar wife of local villain Terry Tinniswood. The character also appeared in an episode of the 18th series, portrayed by another actress.

• Karen Meagher as Inspector Murchison (1994; 7 episodes). Inspector Crossley's equally officious replacement.

• Julia Lane as Christine Ferguson (1994; 6 episodes). Dr James Radcliffe’s receptionist. She was very protective of Dr Radcliffe and initially hostile towards his partnership with Kate Rowan.

• Lucy Robinson as Jennifer Radcliffe (1994; 3 episodes). Dr James Radcliffe’s young daughter.

• Emelye Robinson as Susan Radcliffe (1994; 2 episodes). Dr James Radcliffe’s young daughter.

• Lesley Nicol as Rita Stirling (1995; 3 episodes). Local woman who helped Kate Rowan on her return from hospital with her baby, shortly before Kate's death.

• Jenny Agutter as Susannah Temple-Richards (1994, 1996; 2 episodes). Upper-class local woman who was convicted of accidentally killing her husband.

• Harry Beety as Joseph Walker (1995; 9 episodes). Elderly local character; Rita Stirling's father.

• Diane Langton as Ruby Rowan (1995–97; 6 episodes). Nick Rowan’s mother. A feisty East-Ender, she came to Aidensfield to help look after baby Katie Rowan after Kate Rowan’s death. She made an unsuccessful play for Oscar Blaketon and also unsuccessfully tried to persuade Nick to return with her to London. A colourful and lively character, whom George Ward had a huge crush on.

• William Ash as Joe Norton (1995; 2 episodes). Local teenage criminal. He sabotaged the village in the opening of the fifth series, and burned down the caravan of an old, travelling lady. He returned in the end of the fifth series when he suddenly died of a drug overdose.

• Mark Addy as "Norman" (1995–96; 2 episodes). Claude Greengrass's nephew. Arrived in the fifth series, showing his dart skills, resulting in Greengrass arranging a local darts match for high stakes which they unfortunately lost. Returned for a one-off appearance in the sixth series.

• Mary Healey as Mrs Watkins (1996; 4 episodes). Headmistress of Aidensfield Primary School and Jo Weston’s boss. In episode 6.4 the school signboard shows her as "Mrs A. Watkins", but she was referred to as "Janet" in episode 6.6 and the initial on the sign was later changed to "J".

• Elizabeth Bennett as Joyce Jowett (1996–2009, 16 episodes). Local councillor, recently widowed in her first appearance. A formidable and opinionated lady who likes to have her own way. She insists on being addressed as "Councillor Jowett", as she very firmly tells anyone who dares to call her "Mrs. Jowett". She is a friend of Oscar Blaketon and the two appear to have a deeper though mostly unexpressed affection for each other. In one episode she is shown working as a head librarian.

• Kenneth Cranham as Charlie Wallace (1996; 2 episodes). Crooked local haulier to whom PC Ventress owed gambling debts.

• Bernard Gallagher as Graham Weston (1996–1997, 10 episodes), father of Jo Weston. He was much more happy about Jo's marriage to Nick than his wife, and he actually liked Nick very much as a son-in-law. His wife's death in the seventh series hit him very hard. He left Aidensfield to spend his retirement years visiting countries in the far east which he went to during the war.

• Wanda Ventham as Fiona Weston (1996–1997, 4 episodes), mother of Jo Weston. She was vehemently opposed to Jo's marriage to Nick Rowan, believing that he was not good enough for her daughter. She died of a brain haemorrhage shortly before the wedding took place.

• Simon Molloy as DI Shiner (1992, 1997–2006; 20 episodes). A keen CID boss, who is called out when something big is happening in Aidensfield.

• Dominic Rickhards as Steve Adams (1997; 5 episodes). Son of a local farmer who formed a brief relationship with Gina Ward after offering to help her out behind the bar at the Aidensfield Arms. They split up after he began overreaching himself and challenging her authority to run the pub.

• Carol Royle as Lady Patricia Brewster (1997–2003; 4 episodes). Sister of Lord Ashfordly and occasional visitor to Ashfordly Hall. An unhappy woman with an alcohol problem and a failed marriage to a rich American.

• Charlotte Mitchell as Bessie Bellamy (1997–1999; 4 episodes). PC Phil Bellamy's grandmother. Credited as "Granny Bellamy" and referred to as "Ethel" in at least one episode (episode 7.4).

• Stratford Johns as Cyril Isaiah Greengrass (1997, 1998; 2 episodes). Claude Greengrass's brother; scheming and tangling.

• Alan Halsall as Tevor Chivers (1998–1999; 4 episodes) and Stefan Podolchuk as Stuart Chivers (1998–1999; 4 episodes). Local delinquent boys.

• Lesley Clare O'Neill as Doreen Chivers (1998–1999; 3 episodes). Vulgar mother of Stuart and Trevor.

• Keeley Forsyth as Sue Driscoll (1998, 2000; 7 episodes). Short-lived secretary to Sergeant Craddock. PC Phil Bellamy had a huge crush on her, but she considered him just a friend. She apparently later changed her mind, however, and made a one-episode return to the area with the aim of hooking Bellamy – only to lose out to Gina Ward in the competition for his affections.

• Phillippa Wilson as Penny Craddock (1998–1999, 2000, 2002; 7 episodes). Sergeant Craddock’s wife, who left him in the 8th series, and then returned in the 11th series to reconcile with him. They decided to try again and left Ashfordly, and the series.

• Maggie Tagney as Gladys Smethurst (1998–2000; 5 episodes). Assistant to Oscar Blaketon in the Aidensfield village Post Office.

• Oliver Pyrah (1999–2000) and Jack Ferguson (2000–2001) as baby Sam Bolton, son of Nurse Maggie Bolton and Dr Neil Bolton. Born after Neil's tragic death.

• Paul Opacic as Graham Rysinski (2000; 3 episodes). A brief love interest for Maggie Bolton. The two met while Maggie was treating his dying mother.

• Susan Jameson as Edwina Lambert (2000–2001; 2 episodes). Mother of Jackie Bradley (née Lambert). She disapproved of her daughter's marriage to a humble police constable.

• Barbara Bolton as Mrs Kellett (2001–2005; 9 episodes). Lord Ashfordly’s housekeeper.

• William Tapley as Adrian Miller (2001). Businessman whom Jackie Bradley met when defending him against a false charge of indecent assault. The two began an affair and within weeks Jackie left her husband PC Mike Bradley to be with him.

• Richard Lintern as Ben Norton (2004). Lord Ashfordly's estate manager. He married Aidensfield GP Dr Liz Merrick and the pair emigrated to Kenya.

• Tim Brooke-Taylor as Ronnie Smethers (2005, 2008, 2009; 4 episodes). A business associate of Peggy Armstrong.

• Lauren Drummond as Jane Black (2005–2006). Teenage stepdaughter of PC Phil Bellamy.

• Gabriella Dixon as Susan Black (2005–2006). 11-year-old daughter of Debbie Bellamy, sister of Jane and Peter Black and stepdaughter of PC Phil Bellamy.

• Jack Ferguson as Peter Black (2005–2006). Son of Debbie Bellamy and stepson of PC Phil Bellamy.

• Unknown cat(s) as Heathcliff the cat in at least three episodes. Blaketon's cat. Found in a bag in a stream by Ventress (in episode 3.6, "The Frighteners"). After at first appearing hostile towards it, Blaketon kept the kitten for himself. It (or at least a cat brought in to the police station by Blaketon called Heathcliff) later appeared in at least one more episode towards the end of Blaketon's role as Sergeant. Blaketon later says that he once had a cat, but that it ran away once he moved into the post office.

• "Susanna" as Deefer (from "D for dog") (2005/2006–2010). David Stockwell's dog; lives with David and his Aunt Peggy. She was introduced into the series after the death of David's previous dog Alfred (originally owned by Claude Greengrass).