Welcome To The BBC’s Ridley Road Drama Series

A Dark Corner Of Britain’s Past

Ridley Road is a new sixties-set BBC drama series starring this Sunday and here’s information on the characters in the show…

Written and adapted for television by award-winning writer Sarah Solemani (Barry, Aphrodite Fry), from the critically acclaimed novel by Jo Bloom, Ridley Road is a thriller set against the backdrop of a swinging sixties London we haven’t seen: an East End world where far right fascism is on the rise.

When Vivien Epstein follows her lover into danger and he is caught between life and death, she finds herself going undercover with the fascists, not only for him but for the sake of her country.

Character Biographies

Vivien Epstein (Agnes O’Casey)

Vivien Epstein is a young Jewish woman who, after falling in love with a member of the ’62 Group’, rejects her comfortable middle-class life in Manchester, and joins the fight against fascism in London, risking everything for her beliefs and for the man she loves.

Jack Morris (Tom Varey)

Jack Morris is a young Jewish man who has devoted his life to fighting fascism with the 62 Group. He loves Vivien very much, and seeks to protect her from the dangers of the secretive way of life he has chosen.

Colin Jordan (Rory Kinnear)

Colin Jordan is the leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement (NSM). He is an imposing and forthright activist, who through his fanatical and passionate speeches incites racism and rioting.

Soly Malinovsky (Eddie Marsan)

Soly Malinovsky is a hot headed, sharp-witted cab driver – and leader of the Jewish-led, anti-fascist organisation the 62 Group. Along with his wife and son, and though sometimes at odds with community leaders, his philosophy is to meet the violence of the neo-Nazis with violence of his own – especially as the police refuse to protect the Jewish community.

Nancy Malinovsky (Tracy-Ann Oberman)

Nancy Malinovsky is Soly’s glamorous wife, a smooth operator who plays a crucial role in the 62 Group operations, and takes Vivien under her wing.

Ronnie Malinovsky (Danny Sykes)

Ronnie is Soly and Nancy’s son – clever and committed, he enjoys debating politics with his father.

Liza Epstein (Samantha Spiro)

Liza Epstein is Vivien’s mother, a housewife and traditional woman who wants the best for her daughter. Her life is about to dramatically change when Vivien runs away.

David Epstein (Will Keen)

David is Vivien’s father, a stern man who goes to great lengths to protect his family from the truth of his work.

Roza (Julia Krynke)

Roza is Liza and David’s niece, Vivien’s cousin, and a survivor of the Holocaust. She stays with her aunt and uncle, and pushes her aunt to become more politically engaged.

Barbara (Tamzin Outhwaite)

Barbara is the owner of a Soho hair salon called Oscar’s where Vivien gets a job. She has witnessed racism first-hand towards her mixed-race son.

Stevie (Gabriel Akuwudike)

Stevie is Barbara’s son, a student and anti-racist activist, who is keen to get new hire Vivien involved in his activism. He is often hassled by police due to his own race.

Nettie Jones (Rita Tushingham)

Nettie is Vivien’s landlady in London. Although self-sufficient, she is lonely after her three sons were killed in WWII and is afraid of the pace of the changes happening around her.

Chrissy (Hannah Traylen)

Chrissy is a fashionable young woman who works in Oscar’s salon with Vivien. She always has a kind word, and a bit of gossip, to cheer up colleagues and customers alike.

Lee (Danny Hatchard)

Lee is a member of the NSM, close to Colin Jordan. The NSM is family to him, and he is loyal to Colin even though the feeling might not be mutual.

Elise (Hannah Onslow)

Elise is Lee’s pregnant girlfriend, who is as committed to the cause as him. She befriends Vivien, but she may be more insightful than she appears…