Little Disasters has just arrived on Paramount Plus and it is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Sarah Vaughan. When new mother Jess takes her baby daughter to the hospital with an unexplained head injury, her best friend and A&E doctor, Liz, has a difficult decision to make.

She must decide whether to report the incident to social service, or give her friend the benefit of the doubt. Her decision becomes the catalyst for a chain of devastating events that throw Jess and her family's lives into turmoil.

The six-part series boasts a star-studded cast and the synopsis continues: "As the threat of police and social services hangs over the family and Jess’ perfect life unravels around her, their friends, Mel and Charlotte, are drawn into the investigation.

"Each of the women harbours judgments about each other, but these ultimately become judgments about themselves, all secretly whispering the same insidious question: am I a bad mother?

"In a desperate search for the truth, everyone comes to question what really happened to Betsey, and what Jess’ family is truly hiding." Here is all you need to know about who is in the cast.

Diane Kruger stars as Jess
Diane Kruger stars as Jess

Jess Carrisford - Diane Kruger

Seemingly perfect stay at home mum, Jess, is played by Diane Kruger, a 48-year-old German actress known for her film roles in Troy and National Treasure.

She also played Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino's war film Inglourious Basterds.

As for her personal life, she is in a relationship with The Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus, whom she met on the set of Sky in 2015.

In November 2018, she gave birth to their daughter.

Jo Joyner plays Liz
Jo Joyner plays Liz

Dr Liz Burgess - Jo Joyner

Liz is Jess's best friend and works in the local A&E department. She is played by Jo Joyner, a 47-year-old English actress.

She is best known for playing Tanya Branning in EastEnders and Mandy Carter in Ackley Bridge.

She is married to Neil Madden and gave birth to fraternal twins in December 2009.

Shelley Conn stars as Charlotte
Shelley Conn stars as Charlotte

Charlotte Hinman - Shelley Conn

Charlotte is a no-nonsense, ambitious corporate lawyer played by Shelley Conn, a 48-year-old English actress.

She is known for her roles as Lady Mary Sharma in the second season of Bridgerton and Jessica Fraser in Mistresses.

Shelley, who lives in London, is married to fellow actor Jonathan Kerrigan and they have a son together, born in 2012.

Mel Quinn - Emily Taaffe

Mel is the youngest of the group and a bubbly ball of energy, played by Emily Taaffe.

Emily is a 41-year-old Irish actress based in South London. Although mostly known for her theatre roles, she has starred in Ripper Street, the BBC's War and Peace, Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.

In the summer of 2016 she married writer Ben Schiffer.

Emily Taaffe stars as Mel
Emily Taaffe stars as Mel

Ed Carrisford - JJ Feild

Ed is Jess's husband and an Oxford-educated corporate highflyer, played by JJ Feild.

John Joseph Feild is a 47-year-old British American actor known for playing Fred Garland in Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke and The Shadow in the North TV adaptations.

He recently played Lev Zubov in the series The Peripheral. The star has been in a relationship with actress Neve Campbell since 2011.

They had a son in August 2012 and in June 2018, they announced they had adopted another son.

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Rob Baird - Stephen Campbell Moore

Rob is Mel's husband who works in the music industry, and he is played by Stephen Campbell Moore, a 45-year-old British actor.

He is best known for starring in the play and film versions of The History Boys, and starring in the sci-fi television series War of the Worlds.

In 2017, he met his partner, actress Sophie Cookson, on the set of Red Joan and they have one child together, born in 2020.

Nick Burgess - Ben Bailey Smith

Nick is Liz's husband and an inspiring secondary school teacher, played by Ben Bailey Smith, a 47-year-old actor, comedian and rapper who goes by the name Doc Brown.

The star, a father of two, played DS Joe Hawkins in Law & Order UK and Lieutenant Supervisor Blevin in Andor.

Ben Bailey Smith plays Nick
Ben Bailey Smith plays Nick


Andrew Hinman - Patrick Baladi

Andrew is Charlotte's husband in the series who works as a lawyer and he is played by Patrick Baladi.

Patrick is a 53-year-old Ennglish actor known for playing Neil Godwin in The Office and Stephen Holmes in the ITV thriller Marcella.

He had one daughter with his first wife, Gemma Walker, and a second daughter with his second wife, Janie Erith.

Lucy Harding - Chizzy Akudolu

Lucy Harding is a social worker in the series who is played by Chizzy Akudolu, a 51-year-old British actress.

Born Andrea Chizoba Akudolu, she is known for her roles in Holby City, Jinx and Stupid!

Viewers may be interested to hear that off-screen, she has a brown belt in karate and is an experienced calligrapher.


DC Steve Rustin - Robert Gilbert

DC Steve Rustin is played by Robert Gilbert, a 37-year-old British American actor who played Yusuf in Killing Eve.

He also starred as Will in Big Mood and Barney Crozier in Bergerac.

The star also releases music under the name Captain Backfire and writes for other artists through publishing house Notting Hill.

His screenwriting and directing debut came in Real Thirsty, starring Bryan Cranston and Joely Richardson.


Little Disasters airs on Paramount Plus on May 22.