Quick answer: The Witness cast is led by Jordan Bolger as André Hanscombe and Max Fincham as Alex Hanscombe, with Neil Maskell, Kevin Eldon, Kerry Godliman, Jon Pointing, James Dryden, Mark Stanley and James Bradshaw in the wider ensemble. The Netflix limited series is based on the aftermath of Rachel Nickell’s murder and focuses on the father and son left at the centre of the case.
If you came from our The Witness Netflix release date guide, this cast article goes one step deeper. The release article covers when it streams and what the story is about. Here, the focus is who plays the central people, why the father-son casting matters and which supporting names shape the investigation around them.
The Witness cast at a glance
| Actor | Role | Why the role matters |
| Jordan Bolger | André Hanscombe | Rachel Nickell’s partner and Alex’s father, placed at the emotional centre of the drama. |
| Max Fincham | Alex Hanscombe | The older version of Rachel’s son, whose childhood trauma gives the story its personal weight. |
| Jahsaiah Williams | Young Alex | The younger Alex represents the child witness at the heart of the real case. |
| Neil Maskell | DI Keith Pedder | A police figure in the investigation thread. |
| Kevin Eldon | DCI Mick Wickerson | Part of the police and procedural side of the story. |
| Mark Stanley | DS Ivan Agnew | Another investigation-side character in the ensemble. |
| Jon Pointing | DC Nick Sparshatt | Supports the police drama around the case. |
| James Dryden | DC Paul Miller | Adds to the investigating team around the flawed case. |
| Kerry Godliman | June | André’s mother, giving the family side another emotional layer. |
| James Bradshaw | DCI Tony Nash | Listed among the senior police figures in the drama. |
Jordan Bolger as André Hanscombe
Jordan Bolger plays André Hanscombe, the father who suddenly has to protect his young son after Rachel Nickell’s murder. This is the most important adult role in The Witness because the series is not built like a simple crime puzzle. It follows a parent trying to keep a traumatised child safe while grief, media attention and the investigation close in around the family.
That makes Bolger’s casting important. André is not just a witness to the aftermath. He is the emotional anchor of the story, and the drama needs him to carry shock, anger, care and exhaustion without turning the case into sensational television.
Max Fincham as Alex Hanscombe
Max Fincham plays Alex Hanscombe as an older child. The role matters because Alex is the reason the series is called The Witness. He was two years old when Rachel was murdered, and the drama follows how that trauma stayed inside the family long after the headlines moved on.
Netflix also lists Jahsaiah Williams as young Alex, so the story appears to move between the immediate aftermath and later stages of Alex’s childhood. That gives the series room to show how one crime affects a family over time, not only during the investigation.
Neil Maskell, Kevin Eldon and the police roles
The police side of The Witness includes Neil Maskell as DI Keith Pedder, Kevin Eldon as DCI Mick Wickerson, Mark Stanley as DS Ivan Agnew, Jon Pointing as DC Nick Sparshatt, James Dryden as DC Paul Miller and James Bradshaw as DCI Tony Nash. These roles matter because the series deals with a flawed investigation, not just the grief of the family.
For viewers, that means the supporting cast should not be treated as background names. They help show how institutions, pressure and wrong turns shaped the case around André and Alex.
Kerry Godliman and the family side
Kerry Godliman is listed as June, André’s mother. Her role points to the family support system around the central father-son story. In a series this heavy, the family characters are important because they keep the drama close to the people who had to live with the consequences every day.
Who created The Witness?
The Witness was created and written by Rob Williams, with Alex Winckler directing. The limited series comes from STV Studios and is shaped as a serious British true-crime drama rather than a fast, twist-heavy thriller. If you want more titles in a similar mood, our crime thrillers on Netflix, Prime Video and JioHotstar guide is a useful next stop.
Why this cast guide matters before watching
The main thing to know is simple: The Witness is built around André and Alex, not around a detective hero. The cast list tells you what kind of show Netflix is selling. It is a family trauma drama with a police-investigation spine, which makes it very different from lighter weekly streaming options. For more context on the full Netflix drop, check our OTT releases this week guide.
FAQ
Who plays André in The Witness?
Jordan Bolger plays André Hanscombe in The Witness.
Who plays Alex in The Witness?
Max Fincham plays Alex Hanscombe, while Jahsaiah Williams is listed as young Alex.
Is The Witness based on a true story?
Yes. The Witness is based on true events around the aftermath of Rachel Nickell’s murder and the impact on André and Alex Hanscombe.
Where can I watch The Witness?
The Witness streams on Netflix from June 4, 2026.