Everything you need to know about Jamie Dornan's gripping drama The Tourist

Both series one and two are available to stream now!

Author: Alex RossPublished 8th Sep 2024

BBC drama The Tourist has been a huge hit with telly fans – bringing us all the edge-of-the-seat action our evenings just can’t live without. And now with two seasons under its belt, viewers are already crying out for a third.

Thankfully that’s not unrealistic, with lead actor, Jamie Dornan, calling the final episode of season two “open-ended”. But if you’re yet to get stuck into the popular series, here’s a little run-down on what it’s all about.

What is The Tourist?

Series one of The Tourist is a six-part thriller drama which aired on BBC One in 2022. The plot follows a Northern Irish man, played by actor Jamie Dornan, suffering from amnesia following a car accident in the Australian outback.

An epic cat-and-mouse chase unfolds, and Jamie's character later wakes in hospital, hurt, but somehow alive. Except he has no idea who he is. Full of shocking, surprising, funny and brutal turns, The Tourist is set in a world populated by quirky, enigmatic characters and off-beat comedy punctuates high-stakes action.

Before the first season was filmed, Jamie Dornan said of the script: “The Tourist are some of the most exciting scripts I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to go to Australia with such a talented group of people.”

The hit series was written by Harry Williams and Jack Williams, famed for other popular shows such as The Missing and Angela Black.

Is there a second series of The Tourist?

There sure is! Bosses confirmed the show has been renewed for a second series in 2022, with filming taking place in 2023.

In August 2023, bosses released four first look images, getting fans very excited. You can check them out below.

The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


The Tourist series 2


When did series two come out?

Bosses confirmed in December 2023 that the second series would begin on New Year's Day 2024!

On Friday 8th December, bosses released the trailer for the new series, with the caption: 'Home is where the hurt is. Get ready for a BRAND-NEW series of #TheTourist, coming to @bbciplayer from 1 Jan'. (sic)

The cryptic caption referred to the fact the second series was filmed in Ireland.

What channel is The Tourist on?

The Tourist series one aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with series two following the same pattern.

When was The Tourist on TV?

Series one of The Tourist first hit our screens on 1st January 2022, with six weekly episodes.

Series two landed two years later, on 1st January 2024.

How can I watch The Tourist?

Fans can watch series one and two of The Tourist on the BBC iPlayer now.

Who is in The Tourist?

As well as landing Fifty Shades actor Jamie Dornan as the main character The Man, The Tourist series one also featured Line of Duty's Shalom Brune-Franklin, and popular Icelandic actor Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.

Check out the full cast of The Tourist series one below:

Jamie Dornan as The Man/Elliot Stanley

Jamie Dornan, a Northern Irish actor, rose to fame when he scored a leading role in the popular film Fifty Shades of Grey. Going on to feature in the rest of the film series, Jamie has also appeared in a number of successful TV series and films, such as The Fall, A Private War, New Worlds and Once Upon a Time. It comes as no surprise that the actor has received two Irish Film and Television Awards, on top of BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.


In The Tourist, Jamie plays the role of The Man, aka Elliot Stanley - the victim of a car crash, which subsequently leads to him waking up in hospital with amnesia, forgetting his entire identity.

Shalom Brune-Franklin as Luci Miller

An English-Australian actress, you may recognise Shalom Brune-Franklin as Private Maisie Richards from BBC's Our Girl, or DC Chloe Bishop from BBC's Line of Duty. She has also featured in British drama The State, as well as Australian series Doctor Doctor. Shalom has also appeared in multiple theatre performances, landing roles in plays from 2014-2016.


In The Tourist, Shalom plays the role of Luci - a waitress who we meet in the show's explosive opening, as she ushers The Man out of a café just before a bomb goes off. Luci also plays a crucial role in the storyline, as she admits that she knows who The Man is - revealing his identity as Elliott Stanley.

Danielle Macdonald as Helen Chambers

Danielle Macdonald is an Australian actress, famed for her leading roles in the films Patti Cake$, and Dumplin', alongside Jennifer Anniston. She has also featured in huge projects such as Bird Box, with Sandra Bullock, and Netflix's Unbelievable.


Danielle plays the role of probationary constable Helen Chambers in The Tourist. Set with the task of investigating the mystery man who doesn't remember his identity (The Man), Helen is sadly subjected to controlling behaviour by her cruel fiancé, Ethan.

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Billy Nixon

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson is an Icelandic-American actor, as well as producer and screenwriter. He has featured in a whole host of hit TV shows and films, including the likes of Trapped, The Deep, The Minister, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Fantastic Beasts and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (to name a few). He even appeared in a music video for Of Monsters and Men in 2016, lip syncing the lyrics to 'Winter Sound'. It comes as no surprise that Ólafur has therefore picked up his fair share of awards and nominations over the years.


Appearing in The Tourist, Ólafur plays the role of Billy - a mysterious American who lives in the Outback, who attempts to visit The Man while he is in hospital.

Damon Herriman as Detective Inspector Lachlan Rogers

Damon is an Australian actor, famed for TV shows such as Justified, Secret City and Quarry, as well as for his portrayal of Charles Manson in Mindhunter Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Damon has also appeared in multiple music videos, as well as an episode of the hit show Breaking Bad.


In The Tourist, Damon plays the role of highly-respected DI Lachlan Rogers, who is the head of Major Crime for the state police involved in the mysterious case of The Man's identity. Also a loyal family man, Lachlan's devotion to his wife and children shine through in his decision making.

Alex Dimitriades as Kostas

Alex Dimitriades is an Australian actor, known for films such as Head On, Ghost Ship and Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. He has also appeared in television series such as The End, Amazing Grace, Heartbreak High and Total Control. No stranger to a BBC One drama, he also appeared in The Cry.


Alex plays the role of Kostas in The Tourist - another mysterious figure in the puzzle that is The Man's true identity. In an unknown way, Kostas appears to be connected to The Man and his accident.

Greg Larsen as Ethan Krum

Greg Larsen rose to fame as the co-creator and director of the sketch comedy series Fancy Boy. A talented writer and performer, he has worked on and appeared in shows such as Get Krack!n, At Home Alone Together, Hug the Sun and We Interrupt This Broadcast.


Greg plays the role of Ethan Krum in The Tourist - Helen's fiancée. Showing controlling and disrespectful behaviour towards Helen, often commenting on her appearance and career, Ethan has been branded the 'true villain' of the show by fans.

Genevieve Lemon as Sue

Genevieve Lemon is known for her roles in shows such as Neighbours, Prisoner, The Young Doctors and Home and Away. She has also appeared in numerous films, including The Piano, Suburban Mayhem and The Power of the Dog.


Her role in The Tourist is Sue - a local woman who allows The Man to stay at her home, which she shares with her husband, as he tries to learn about his forgotten identity.

Danny Adcock as Ralph

Danny Adcock is an Australian actor, known for his many roles in TV, film and theatre. Perhaps best known for his work in shows such as Patrol Boat, Arcade, Prisoner and Home and Away, Danny has also appeared in theatre productions such as The Removalists and A Picasso.


Playing the role of Ralph in The Tourist, Danny's character is the husband of Sue.

Kamil Ellis as Sergeant Rodney Lammon

Kamil Ellis is an Australian actor, known for his roles on TV shows such as Nowhere Boys, Cleverman. The actor has also appeared in shows such as Bushwhacked!, and SeaChange, and following his role in The Tourist starred in Aussie drama series More Than This.


In The Tourist, Kamil plays the role of Sergeant Rodney Lammon - a police officer who, under the instruction of Detective Inspector Lachlan Rogers, is working on The Man's case.

Conor MacNeill

Joining the cast for The Tourist series two is Conor MacNeill, as Detective Ruairi Slater.

Connor is an actor and writer from Northern Island, known for TV series such as Industry, No Offence and The Fall, alongside The Tourist co-star Jamie Dornan.

Olwen Fouéré

Olwen Fouéré also joins the cast for series two, playing Niamh Cassidy.

Olwen is an an award-winning Irish actress and writer/director in theatre, film and visual art. She's known for films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Mandy, The Survivalist and The Northman. She also appeared in an episode of Derry Girls!

Diarmaid Murtagh

Another addition to the series two cast Diarmaid Murtagh, who plays Donal McDonnell.

A fellow Irish actor, Diarmaid is known for films and TV series such as Outlander, Dracula Untold, The Monuments Men, Sons of Liberty and hit show Vikings.

Francis Magee

Francis Magee will also feature in the second series of The Tourist, playing Frank McDonnell.

Francis is known for his roles in TV shows such as EastEnders, Peep Show, No Angels and City of Vice. He has also appeared in films such as Layer Cake, with Daniel Craig, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Zack Snyder's Justice League.

Mark McKenna

Mark McKenna will also join the series two cast, as Fergal McDonnell.

Mark is an Irish actor, most known for his role in hit show One Of Us Is Lying, as well as other Amazon Prime's Wayne. He has also featured in films such as Sing Street and Overlord.

Nessa Matthews

And playing Orla McDonnell is Nessa Matthews.

Nessa has appeared in titles such as Inspektor Jury: Der Tod des Harlekins, HEN and short film Neon.

Jamie Dornan, Greg Larsen and Danielle Macdonald reprise their roles for series two, with Conor MacNeill, Olwen Fouéré, Francis Magee, Mark McKenna, Diarmaid Murtagh, and Nessa Matthews also joining the cast.

Speaking ahead of the show's return, Jamie said: "I’m incredibly excited to continue the story with The Tourist. Harry and Jack Williams are brilliant writers, and I can’t wait for audiences to see how well Ireland and its characters are utilised to keep them guessing as the tale progresses…"

Actress Danielle Macdonald, who plays the role of Helen in the show, also returns as series two sees the pair travel to Ireland to discover Elliot's family history.

She said: "I’m so excited to team up with Jamie again and return for another wild adventure with an amazing cast and crew. Jack and Harry Williams are brilliant story tellers and it’s exciting to see what their minds will come up with next.”

Where was The Tourist filmed?

Series one of The Tourist was filmed out in Australia, with filming locations in Adelaide, Murray Bridge and Flinders Ranges. A number of scenes also took place at Adelaide Studios.

In series two, the show moved to Dublin, Ireland.

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