Career: Following his graduation in 1986, Eccleston spent several years without an acting job, making ends meet as a labourer. He eventually made his professional stage debut at the Bristol Old Vic, and gained plaudits for his first film, Let Him Have It. Major roles in Cracker, Shallow Grave and Our Friends in the North made him an instantly recognisable figure. He's since appeared in such projects as Jude, Hillsborough, Elizabeth, The Others, 24 Hour Party People, 28 Days Later, and The Second Coming. In 2005 he became the ninth official Doctor Who, but quit after one series to avoid being typecast. He's since appeared in Heroes, GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra, Lennon Naked, Accused, The Shadow Line, and HBO drama The Leftovers.

Career: At the age of 18, she moved to London permanently and numerous stage roles followed. She also appeared in the movie December Bride, but it was playing a teenage temptress in A Time to Dance in 1992 that brought her instant media attention. Since then she has starred in Goodnight Sweetheart and Ballykissangel, which established her as one of British TV's best-loved actresses. She's also won acclaim for her work on The Dark Room, Flint Street Nativity, Eureka Street, The Bombmaker, Hearts and Bones, The Silence, 55 Degrees North, Doctor Who and Injustice.

Career: Graham also starred in the TV series Harry and Life Support. However, she became a household name in comedy drama At Home with the Braithwaites. In 2003 she starred in Kay Mellor's steamy series Between the Sheets, and the same year appeared with Martin Clunes in the drama William and Mary (they were reunited years later when she made a guest appearance in Doc Martin). Her film credits include Silent Scream, Nuns on the Run, The Near Room, Preaching to the Perverted, Bedrooms and Hallways and Some Voices. She's also appeared in a revamp of cult 1970s series Survivors, The Bill, and was the best thing about short-lived BBC archaeological drama Bonekickers. More recently, Graham has enjoyed success with a starring role in ITV's period crime drama The Bletchley Circle and the BBC's Shetland.

Career: Armstrong's screen debut came in the classic Michael Caine gangster movie Get Carter in 1971. Other early roles included parts in Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, Softly, Softly and The Sweeney. His many other TV roles include Austin Donaghue in Our Friends in the North, Detective Chief Inspector Frank Jefferson in In the Red, and George Mole in Adrian Mole: The Cappucino Years, alongside Alison Steadman. Film credits include The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), Krull (1983), American Friends (1991), Patriot Games (1992) and Braveheart (1995). He has won countless accolades for his classic stage roles. He is currently best known for playing the role of Brian Lane in popular BBC series New Tricks, a part he played for 10 series.

Career: Specialising in comedy roles, Mackichan has appeared in Brass Eye, Knowing Me, Knowing You… with Alan Partridge, The Comic Strip Presents…, and Nathan Barley. She is best known for starring in Channel 4 sketch series Smack the Pony alongside Fiona Allen and Sally Phillips. On the stage, she has appeared in Joe Orton's farce Loot, Boeing Boeing, and Jumpy. She has also featured in a number of shows on Radio 4, including Doon Your Way, and The Nick Revell Show. More recently, she has starred in Plebs, Toast of London, and Psychobitches.