The Long Call: cast of ITV drama series starring Ben Aldridge, trailer, what it’s about and when it’s on TV

Ben Aldridge is to star in the latest screen adaptation of author Ann Cleeves’ work, ITV’s The Long Call.

The drama is based on her book by the same name, revolving around Inspector Matthew Venn.

The four-parter will be shown across consecutive nights, making it the perfect bingeable murder mystery.

Here’s everything you need to know, ahead of the series debut.

What is The Long Call about?

The Long Call is a murder mystery which revolves around detective Matthew Venn, played by Ben Aldridge (Our Girl, Fleabag).

Venn returns to where he grew up, the small community of Barum Brethren in North Devon, which he left aged 19 to pursue university and live without hiding his sexuality.

His arrival with his husband Jonathan (Declan Bennett, EastEnders) is not only to grieve the loss of his father, but also to head up a murder investigation after a man is found dead on the beach on the same day as his father’s funeral.

Aldridge said of his role on the series: “I’m delighted to be playing Matthew Venn, a brilliantly unorthodox detective who audiences will see solving a gripping and intricate case, whilst simultaneously surmounting a deeper, more personal mystery within himself.

“It’s a poignant and complex journey of self-discovery and sexual and religious identity, which navigates the tension between pride and shame.”

Venn works closely with DC Jen Rafferty (Pearl Mackie, Doctor Who; Twice Upon a Time), a single mother of two teenagers who moved to Devon from London to escape historic trauma.

The pair attempt to solve the murder of victim Simon Walden, while also uncovering old wounds from their own past.

Matthew’s return forces him to readdresses his broken relationship with his mum, Dorothy (Juliet Stevenson), who never accepted his sexuality or lack of faith. The murder case will open up old wounds, and Matthew will ultimately uncover a deadly secret in order to expose the killer.

Author Ann Cleeves said of Aldridge: “Ben was the actor who read the audio book even before the TV show was commissioned.

“I love his pared-back, restrained narration. He’s worked on the novel as well as the script, and so he understands the character in depth. No author could wish for more.”

This is the third novel by Cleeves to be adapted for screen by Silverprint,  the production company behind BBC series Shetland and ITV’s Vera.

Who is in the cast of Long Call?

Alongside Aldridge, Bennett, Mackie and Stevenson, there are a number of other supporting roles in the series.

Matthew and Jen are joined on the case by DC Ross Pritchard, played by Devonshire-born actor Dylan Edwards.

In his role, he plays a junior detective and has a bit too much excitement about the case as its the most enthralling thing to happen in the area for a while.

Martin Shaw (Inspector Goerge Gently) and Anita Dobson (wife of Queen’s Brian May) feature as church elder Denis Stevenson and his wife, Grace. The pair welcome Matthew into the community, but soon it becomes apparent that Denis is controlling and coercive, his wife struggles to escape him and is subdued by fear.

The Split star Siobhán Cullen stars as Caroline Reasley, one of two flatmates of murder victim Simon. Her other flatmate is Gaby Chadwell, played by Aoife Hinds (Derry Girls).

Gaby is pregnant with Simon’s baby and doesn’t get the chance to tell him before his tragic death.

Caroline is comforted after the murder by her boyfriend, Ed Raveley (Amit Shah; The Courier).

The series also stars Alan Williams (The Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati) as Maurice Craddle and Sarah Gordy (The A Word) as his daughter, Lucy. The pair play locals who are caught up in the murder of Simon.

When is The Long Call on TV?

The Long Call begins on ITV at 9pm on Monday 25 October.

The episodes run back to back across four nights, concluding on Thursday 28 October.

The full series will also be available on BritBox and ITV Hub from Tuesday.