Articles Where Are They Now? Sleeper Cast by DJ Forrest

Broadcast 2008

Written by James Moran

Directed by Colin Teague

Sleeper episode introduced us to a new threat to Planet Earth - Sleepers. Living amongst humans, made to think and feel like humans until all information was exhausted. Beth lived a happy life with Mike until the fateful night when two burglars broke into their home and got more than they bargained for. Up until this point, Beth was none the wiser of her special abilities, but the stronger her abilities grew, the further from Mike she would become, until, accepting that there was no possibility of living like a 'proper' human being, she sacrificed herself while holding Gwen Cooper hostage, in the Hub.

Nikki Amuka-Bird

'Beth'

'There's no such thing as aliens.'

Beth was unaware of her Sleeper Agent self until it began to kick in under duress when Jack Harkness applied the Mind Probe device. When the team saw her arm open up, Jack knew that they were in trouble. The arm machinery acted as a communication device to all other agents, and when Beth was taken off the grid, it awoke the rest of the Sleeper Agents who began to put their plans into operation.

Since the episode aired in 2008, Nikki has played Det. Supt Gaynor Jenkins for two episodes of Silent Witness in 2010, playing Simone Campbell for 2 episodes in 2005. Played Samantha Willis for five episodes of Survivors from 2008 - 2010. Played DCI Erin Gray for 5 episodes of Luther from 2011 - 2013.  Played Anna Jackson in Death in Paradise episode The Man with the Golden Gun in 2014, Anna in the TV series Lovesick, played Diomika Tsing in the film Jupiter Ascending in 2015. In the TV series Quarry played Ruth for 8 episodes. played Amadia Kalu QC in The Children Act in 2017.

Nikki played Helen Clay  in Doctor Who episode Twice Upon a Time in 2017. 

Played Grace Morgan for 6 episodes of detective series Hard Sun. Was an A&E consultant in the NHS film To Provide All People. Plays Mrs Steerforth in The Personal History of David Copperfield currently in Post Production (2019) and is currently filming Gold Digger playing Marsha, out in 2019.

Plays Tamasan on the Doctor Who Big Finish audio - The Eighth Doctor - The Time War 2 drama and plays the same character for another Eighth Doctor audio story by Big Finish - The Lords of Terror, part of The Time War series, plus Planet of the Ogrons, In the Garden of Death and Jonah.

Dyfed Potter

'Mike'

'Don't let the police take you. I'm not going to let you go. I don't care what it is. I don't care what... What was that? (Beth has stabbed Mike) What are you?'

Until the burglars broke into their home, Mike was unaware that his wife Beth was anything but human, so it came as a massive shock when she visited him in hospital and fatally wounded him. Most people just bring grapes!

After Torchwood episode Sleeper, Dyfed appeared only once more in 2008 as Dillon for Eastenders episode dated 19th September. I've found nothing online for Dyfed and can only assume he no longer works as an actor.

Doug Rollins

'David'

'It doesn't matter. You can't stop us. We know what your weakness is. We know who you are, Jack Harkness. We know all about you and Torchwood. We got a lot of information before you switched her off. You'll be factored into our plans.'

When Beth was taken off the grid, David’s other self was activated. He became a cold ruthless killer, taking out his wife with whom he’d been having a hearty conversation with prior, and then setting his sights upon Mr Grainger who was a connection he needed for the codes to a secret storage of ten nuclear warheads in a disused coal mine in the cliffs, sealed off in the 1940s, protected by the army.

Even after he stabbed Jack through the heart, it wasn’t enough to destroy the weapons, as soon as the force shield was deactivated, Jack factored a few bullets into his plans, then ran like hell as the bomb he’d removed from his arm, exploded.

Since playing the Sleeper agent in Torchwood, Doug Rollins has played only one other character in a television series - Colonel Patrick Dukes in the daytime medical drama Doctors in 2011, having played Rees Thomas in 2006.

Since then Doug has worked behind the camera as Casting for film short The Double Deal in 2014, Cinematographer for film short Fright Corner in 2017, Producer/co-producer of 2 shorts from 2014 - 2015, Writer of 6 Short films from 2010 - 2017 and Director of 12 Shorts from 2010 - 2017.

Claire Cage

'David's Wife'

'What is that? What's happened to your arm? Hey. Where are you going? David, you're scaring me. What are you doing? What's happening? Come back here. David.'

When you shout ‘Come back here, David’ to your husband who is suddenly acting out of character, you don’t expect him to return, only to snap your neck, do you?

Since Torchwood episode, Claire has played a series of credited and uncredited roles, from Fiona Grantham in Wire in the Blood, Mum in Life Bites, Submarine as the News Reporter, Sherlock in 2010 as Eddie's Neighbour (uncredited), Gina in Baker Boys, Kat's Mum in The Sparticle Mystery in 2011, Julia Hawke for two parter WIzards Vs Aliens episode Rebel Magic in 2012, and 10 episodes of Casualty as Natalie Fletcher and Meg Collins from 2005 - 2014, continuing the character into Holby City in 2015. In Corrie as Defence Barrister for 7 episodes in 2014. Mrs Davies/Donna for Made in Wales television series from 2011 - 2014, Sophie Mitchell in Waterloo Road in 2015, with several more television series characters before bringing us up to date in 2017 playing Kath in Emmerdale, Marta Maier in Otzi and the Mystery of Time now completed, Bittersweet Symphony currently in post production, as Mary. Anne in Hatchback a film short also in post production and Chariot as Nina Hetherington also in post production.

Claire also directed the It's My Shout: Short Films from Wales TV series: Sherlock Jones this year (2018). Check it out on iPlayer along with the many others from the series of short films for television this year - they're absolutely brilliant viewing.

Also check out our interview with Claire from a few years ago on our Interviews Page.

Sean Carlsen

'Mr Patrick Grainger'

'So, what else happened at school today?'

Patrick Grainger was having a good day up until the doorbell rang. He was catching up with his family as they prepared the table for their evening meal. He was enquiring after his daughter’s day in school before he answered the door. Perhaps he should have had posted on his door: No Cold Callers, No Sleeper Agents!!!

Patrick Grainger was not just the leader of the Council, he was also the City Co-ordinator, the man who takes charge of the city during major emergencies. He carries all the security protocols, which David would need access to.

Not only was Sean in Torchwood, in 2005 he played a Policeman in Doctor Who episode The Christmas Invasion. As well as an actor, Sean Carlsen also narrated The Motown Invasion episode of Legends in 2009. He played Councillor Davies in Stella for three episodes and played a policeman for the teenage drama series Skins in 2011. He's also played an Advocate for the television mini series On the Edge in 2018 and plays Phil in Sisters.

Victoria Pugh

'Mrs Grainger'

'Alex, don't kill your sister. Not before tea anyway. (upon discovering her husband being stabbed in the front hallway) Patrick? Oh, my god, stop it. Get away from him. Oh, no. Please, don't hurt my children. No please.'

Dealing with the usual sibling teasing while setting the table for tea, relatively normal. Dealing with a sleeper agent murdering your husband in full view of the children on your hallway carpet, not something that happens every day!

Victoria Pugh’s television credits began as Mrs Grainger in Torchwood, since then she has appeared as a Young Housewife in Hughie Green, Most Sincerely film for television in the same year. Played Maggie Rees in Hinterland in 2013, a year later as Doctor Cronje in Stella and Eleri Pritchard in Dim Ond y Gwir a year later. Victoria played Gwenda in 35 Diwrnod for 8 episodes before playing DSI Susan Lynn in 2018 mini series Hidden.

Luke Rutherford

'Burglar #1'

'Come on, then. Get back in there. Sit down there. Keep her quiet. Get away. What is that thing? No, please, don't. Don't. Please stop. Stop. I'm sorry!' later 'The woman in the flat, keep her away from me.'

As a burglar I don’t suppose you meet much resistance when you’re burgling a property, and if you do, I would suspect that many of the home owners would value their life over their belongings and probably wouldn’t take matters into their own hands and murder the crooks. So, perhaps on this particular night, Burglar #1 might well have been wise to stay in and watch Question Time.

After playing Burglar #1 in Sleeper, Luke played Tony in 1234, a film about a band in the making, and in 2012 played Mercenary Security #2 in The Dark Knight Rises.

Alex Harries

'Burglar #2'

'I'll get the TV stuff unhooked. Wait, wait. Do you hear that? What's happening? What's going on?'

You never saw Burglar #2 without his mask on, and so you were never going to know just which actor played him, until of course, many years later, when you’re doing a spot of research for an interview and lo and behold you discover Alex Harries of Hinterland and Keeping Faith played him, in perhaps one of his first television dramas.

Did you know that Alex appeared in University Challenge in 2016 as a Contestant?

Check out our interview with Alex from earlier this summer.

Dominic Coleman

'Police Officer'

'Bit weird, this one. Might be one of yours. Nobody saw anything, heard anything, blah, blah, blah. The usual. Don't know why we bother asking anymore. In my opinion, the husband did it. He was looking for trouble, expecting to be burgled.'

Jack Harkness took an instant dislike to the nosey police officer who had his own thoughts of who the culprit really was. Jack couldn’t wait to get rid of him.

Dominic has played a host of different characters since 2008, starting out as the police officer stationed outside Beth and Mike's bedroom door in the Torchwood episode Sleeper. Since then he's played a a Warder in Big Top, in 2009, Colin in Psychoville, PC Collins in My Family in 2010, Cupid L'Amour in Hotel Trubble for CBBC in 2010.

Played Michael Hunter for Law & Order: UK in 2011, playing a policeman once more for The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff in the same year. He played Jamie for 6 episodes of Heading Out in 2013, was back as a policeman in Paddington in 2014 and Officer Thackery in Up the Women for 2 episodes.

Was the zip wire guy in The Bad Education Movie in 2015. played a variety of different officers for The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret from 2010 - 2016. Was a Priest in Peaky Blinders in 2016, played Mick McKelty in CBBC drama Hank Zipzer from 2014 - 2016, was an officer once again for Porridge (film), returning to play the same officer for the new version of the old sitcom in 2017 for 5 episodes. Played a variety of characters in the long running medical drama Doctors from 2003 - 2017. Played Neville in Trollied from 2012 - 2018.

In Drunk History: UK played Adolf Hitler in 2016. Played a man of the cloth in Death in Paradise in 2017.

He is also the voice of Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter video game The Deathly Hallows Part 1

Currently completed three films/shorts and an untitled production with Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis which will broadcast in 2019. The three other productions I'm assuming will be released either 2018 or next year.

Matthew Arwel Pegram

'Driver'

'Oi f*ckflap. Get back in that car or I'll shove it up your arse.'

When the petrol tanker parked across the two roads blocking the M4 link road, the driver above jumped out of his car and shouted abuse at the paramedic who jumped down from the cab. Naturally he didn’t hang around when he saw why the paramedic had exited the vehicle in the first place. A well placed bomb on the side of the tanker was enough to clear the road in an instant.

Matthew's only credit was as the gobby driver in this episode. There are no other mentions of him anywhere else on the internet.

Derek Lea

'Paramedic'

Sleeper agents can activate at any time, but ideally always best not to wake up just as you’re attending to a roadside incident. The Sleeper stole and drove a petrol tanker to the M4 link road where an underground fuel pipeline ran. It was a special supply for the military, used in emergencies. Placing a bomb on the side of the tanker, he completely destroyed it.

Derek Lea played the Sleeper Agent Paramedic in this episode. The episode was his first role as an actor in 2008. Much of his roles as an actor were for films such as Quantum of Solace of which he was uncredited as Haines' Bodyguard. Much of his acting roles were for security guards police officers and random named characters. Derek Lea is probably better known for his stunts, working as stunt performer, and stunt coordinator, and stunt driver, often uncredited as well as credited, for films such as James Bond from 1995 to 2008. He's worked on Grantchester, Holby City, Rellik, and even Doctor Who from stunt performer from 2005 - 2008, stunt coordinator from 2016 - 2017. He's worked stunts for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: part 2, MI High, The Sweeney (film), Cockneys vs Zombies, Kick Ass 2, and so much more. It's a lengthy credit list and I could be here till the sun explodes - rather like listing off Jack Harkness' lovers list!!!

William Hughes (12 May 1998 - 9 July 2018)

Alex Grainger 

'Have not.'

William Hughes might be better identified as the eight year old Master staring into the Untempered Schism, as the Tenth Doctor talked about Gallifrey and the initiations into the Time Lord Academy to Captain Jack Harkness and Martha Jones, in the episode The Sound of Drums in 2007 and the Masters lament of his childhood in Last of the Time Lords.

William also appeared in the Christmas two parter The End of Time in 2009/2010.

After 2008, William gave up acting to pursue his interest in Boxing, joining the Bonymaen ABC Boxing Gym in Swansea. He won three Welsh titles and became the protege of Enzo Maccarinelli, the Welsh World Champion Boxer, winning a British Championship at the GB Amateur Boxing Championships for Wales, in the 42 kg class in 2011.

He shares a name with the 1930s Welsh Champion boxer William (Billy) "Kid" Hughes.

After celebrating finishing his exams from his first year of studies at Queen Mary University of London where he joined the Elite Athlete Programme in 2017, he took a holiday out to the Greek Island of Corfu, where on the 15th July, he was found alone in his hotel room in Kavos.

He was only 20 when he died.

Millie Phillipart

Grainger's daughter

'Alex has a girlfriend. She's called Jessica.'

When Patrick Grainger enquired after his daughter’s day at school, she casually mentioned that her brother Alex had a girlfriend, to which he vehemently denied.

Millie is the older sister of Lara Phillipart (Small Worlds & Doctor Who: The Idiot's Lantern). After her role in Torchwood in 2008, there is nothing else listed credit wise. However, between 2010 and 2014, Millie attended Swansea University.

NB: I always thought that Millie was the girl pushing the pram that set off the bomb in the telephone communications building, but I’m starting to realise that I’ve perhaps overlooked the one character nobody online pays any attention to. Sorry Millie.

Which leads me to the next question – who was the girl pushing the pram?

By the way, I've only cherry picked from the larger list of credits of some of the cast above. Obviously where there aren’t a lot of credits I’ve listed all that I’ve found, but if I listed every single entry in some, we’d definitely be competing with Jack Harkness on sun explosions.