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Meet the cast of BBC's Traces

Did you spot the Line of Duty alumni in the cast? 

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Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
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Viewers are hooked on BBC One's new crime show TracesThe story follows Emma, a lab technician who searches for answers about her mother's murder, who was killed when she was just seven. 

MORE: Viewers are saying the same thing about BBC's Traces

The series has a pretty impressive cast, so find out more about them - and who they play on the show - here... 

WATCH: Have you watched Traces yet?

Molly Windsor - Emma Hedges

Molly plays the lead character, who is determined to discover the truth about her past and why her mother was killed. You might recognise Molly from BBC's Three Girls, which won her the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress back in 2018. She has also appeared in The Runaways and The Unloved. 

Speaking about working with her on the show, her co-star Martin Compston told Radio Times: "Molly’s a wee firecracker – the girl’s got all the talent in the world. She’s already got a BAFTA – what is she, 22 now?! I was just blown away by her." 

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Laura Fraser - Sarah Gordon

Laura plays Sarah, the director of the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science and Anatomy and a professor of forensic chemistry who encourages Emma to take part in the Massive Open Online Course, which is designed to teach the principles of forensic science using a fictional murder case - in which Emma sees that her own mother is being used as a 'fictional' example.

You may recognise Laura as Kate from A Knight's Tale, as well as Netflix hits Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. 

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Jennifer Spence - Kathy Torrance

The Canadian actress is perhaps best known for Travelers, You Me Her and Supernatural. In the show, Jennifer plays Kathy, a professor of forensic anthropology. 

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Martin Compston - Daniel 

Martin opened up about his role as Daniel to Radio Times, explaining: "He’s just a flip from Steve. The thing with Daniel is, he just seems like a nice guy in a bad situation, and things are getting out of control for him. Whereas Steve’s completely driven by ambition and his own ego, Dan just seems a likeable guy who’s trying to do right by people, so there’s definitely that contrast, which is appealing to play." 

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The actor is of course best known for playing Steve Arnott in Line of Duty, but has also starred in Mary Queen of Scots and The Nest.  

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Laurie Brett - Izzy Alessi 

Laurie plays the mother of Emma's childhood best friend Skye, Izzy, who knows more about her mother's murder than Emma realises, and tells her that her mother was dismembered. Laurie is perhaps best known for playing Jane Beale in EastEndersand also starred in 2020's Deadwater Fell. 

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