Unforgotten has returned to ITV, featuring Sinead Keenan in her second year as DCI Jess James, alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar as DI Sunny Khan. The new season kicks off with a spine being discovered in Whitney Marsh, marking the start of a fresh case for Jess and Sunny's team at Bishop Street CID.

Four potential suspects - Juliet, Melinda, Asif, and Marty - all harbour secrets, but Jess and Sunny welcome the challenge amidst their own personal turmoil. Analysis reveals the remains are relatively recent, suggesting the body was dismembered before being placed there.

Armed with this knowledge, Jess and Sunny ramp up their investigation, anticipating more grisly findings nearby. Here's all you need to know about who is joining the cast.

Melinda Ricci - MyAnna Buring

The new season also introduces us to Melinda Ricci, a complex character and one of the main subjects in the murder inquiry, who works as a political commentator. She is portrayed by Swedish-born actress MyAnna Buring, known for her roles in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn and The Witcher.

Now residing in North London, she is a mother to a son born in 2017. On joining Unforgotten, she expressed her admiration for the show and its cast, saying, "I love Unforgotten, it’s fantastic and brilliant and I am obviously huge fan of Nicola (Walker) and Sanjeev (Bhaskar), so it was amazing to watch their chemistry. And then Sinéad (Keenan), when she came in it was just fantastic to see."

Asif Syed - Elham Ehsas

Asif Syed, portrayed by Elham Ehsas, is an Afghan who takes pride in the life he's built in the UK. As the series begins, we see him assisting someone significant to him.

Ehsas, a writer, director and actor, is recognised for his roles in The Kite Runner, Young Wallander and War Machine. Speaking about his experience with the Unforgotten scripts, he said: "Unforgotten is such a sweetheart of television. The script and the series, especially in Chris [Lang's] writing, has always had its pulse on what's happening in the . It's always drawn from events around us and puts it through a narrative that makes us think, makes us question the world that we live in, which is a sign of great writing."

Marty Baines - Maximilian Fairley

Maximilian Fairley, a graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, makes his television debut in Unforgotten as Marty Baines. Marty is an Autistic man living with his mother and recovering from a traumatic event that happened during the pandemic.

Prior to this, Fairley starred in a short film titled Guanilo's Island. The neurodiverse actor shared: "I’ve been a fan of Unforgotten since it first came out in 2015, I’d watch it every week with my parents. So to end up on it has been incredibly surreal. Marty in particular has been superbly written by Chris Lang and is a depiction of an autistic individual which I don’t feel has been explored quite so in-depth on TV before, so to be trusted with the part has been a real honour."

Juliet Cooper - Victoria Hamilton

Victoria Hamilton, a 53 year old English actress renowned for her theatre career, portrays Juliet Cooper in Unforgotten. Juliet is a formidable character not to be trifled with, but she struggles when her teenage daughter gets into trouble at school.

Hamilton's television credits include Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion and Mansfield Park. She is married to Mark Bazeley and they have two children.

Dot Baines - Michele Dotrice

Michele Dotrice, a 76 year old English actress famed for her role as Betty Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, portrays Marty's mother, Dot Baines. She's also recognised for her performances in The Old Curiosity Shop and Chintz.

Born into an acting family, her parents were actors Roy Dotrice and Kay Dotrice. She was married to actor Edward Woodward from January 1987 until his passing in November 2009, and they share a daughter.

Steve James - Andrew Lancel

Andrew Lancel, a 54 year old TV and theatre actor, producer and director, brings the character of Steve James to life. He's best known for his roles as Dr. Andrew Collin in Cardiac Arrest, and DI Neil Manson in The Bill.

Lancel is married to Louise Edge and they have two children.

Patrick - Emmett J Scanlan

Emmett J Scanlan, a 46 year old Irish actor, plays Patrick, Melinda's fiancé who has been left disabled from the waist down after a terrible car accident. Scanlan is known for his roles as Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks and his appearances in The Fall and Peaky Blinders.

He is married to actress Claire Cooper and they have three children.

Leanne Balcombe - Georgia Mackenzie

Georgia Mackenzie returns as pathologist Leanne Balcombe. The 51 year old British actress is known for her roles in Outlaws, Hot Money and Catwalk .

She met her husband, actor Richard Coyle, while filming Up Rising together in 1999. They were married in 2004 and divorced in 2010.

Kate - Kate Robbins

Kate is portrayed by 66 year old actress and singer Kate Robbins, famed for her song More Than in Love during her stint on the soap Crossroads. She's also recognised as the mother of actress and comedian .

DS Murray Boulting - Jordan Long

DS Murray Boulting, a member of Jess and Sunny's dedicated police team, is played by 51 year old London actor Jordan Long, known for his roles in Prime Suspect: Tennison and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

DS Fran Lingley - Carolina Main

Carolina Main, a London-born actress celebrated for her performances in Blood and Temple, reprises her role as DS Fran Lingley.

DC Karen Willets - Pippa Nixon

Pippa Nixon, a 45 year old English actress renowned for her theatre work and TV appearances in Midsomer Murders and Grantchester, returns as DC Karen Willets.

The ensemble cast also includes Oliver Lansley as Gabriel, Jane Jeffery as Buxton, Paul McQuaid as Dr Clacy, Ahmad Sakhi as Hassan, Samir Arrian as Abdul, Aimie Atkinson as Maya, Adrian Rawlins as Paul Merrick, Jennifer as Claire, Pixie Davies as Taylor Cooper, Philip Buck as Geoff, Katherine Kinglsey as Vita, Sharif Dorani as Omar, Phaldut Sharma as Ram Sidhu, and Roger Dipper as Waiter.

Unforgotten airs on ITV on February 9 at 9pm.