The Good Ship Murder season 2 cast react as Beverley star quits series

Since its debut in 2023, The Good Ship Murder has been a fan-favourite, earning a renewal for a second season and getting its own Christmas special. But as the Channel 5 series looks ahead to the new release, fans will notice a significant change in the cast line up.

Claire Sweeney, who portrayed cruise director Beverley in the first season, will not be returning due to scheduling conflicts with Coronation Street. Instead, Hollyoaks actor Ross Adams will fill her absence.

Speaking to the press about Sweeney’s departure, co-stars Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley, empathised with her decision and expressed hope for her eventual return.

Claire Sweeney chose to depart from the Channel 5 series due to scheduling conflict with Coronation Street

Cast members Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward expressed hope to see the star back in the ship for future seasons

Shayne, who plays singer Jack Grayling, said: “To lose Claire was sad for us all. But hopefully not for good. We know that she’s deep in the scripts for Coronation Street, and me and Cath have been there.

“We know when you’re involved in such big storylines, you’re going to be committed to that. So there’s always room [for Claire in the cast]. And she’s such a character as well for the show, that she is missed.”

READ MORE: Coronation Street’s Catherine Tyldesley addresses soap return saying ‘they’ve asked me to go back’

Shayne also had praise for Adams’ addition to the cast, saying: “The great thing about Ross coming in as well is the way that he plays his character is completely opposite [to Claire]. They’re not playing the same character.

“It’s exciting that if Claire chooses to come back – and we really hope that she does – it’d be a great storyline for herself and Ross, who is the boss 1736355488. Ross has come in, and he’s a great actor. He’s really embodied that character, and you can see that he’s going to be instantly loved on the ship.”

The Good Ship Murder follows Jack and Kate as they solve mysteries on board of a Mediterranean cruise ship

Catherine, who stars as the ship’s First Officer Kate Woods, echoed Ward’s enthusiasm: “Ross brings the camp and then some. He’s hilarious. I’d watch it just for his run. The run that he does across the ship is everything.”

READ MORE: Catherine Tyldesley teases ‘never say never’ about Coronation Street return

The second season of The Good Ship Murder is set to premier on Channel 5 on Friday, 10th of January, with weekly episodes available to stream shortly after broadcast. The cast list includes:

Shayne Ward as Jack Grayling.

Catherine Tyldesley as Kate Woods.

Zak Douglas as Jamil Al-Rashid.

Ross Adams as Beverly Carnell.

Geoffrey Breton as Piers de Vreese.

Vincent Ebrahim as Capt Gregory Jennings.

Charlie Hardwick as Brenda Donnelly.

Nigel Betts as Tony Donnelly.

Nikolai Tsankov as Yuval Goldmann.

Ricci Jean Philippe as Pascal Lavigne.

Richard Pepper as Nathan Graelish.

Karen Henthorn as Maureen Weaver.