Cast of The Ex-Wife: Seasons 1 & 2 Full Cast

The Ex-Wife Season 2 dropped a casting curveball that left viewers scratching their heads: Janet Montgomery, who played Jen in Season 1, won’t be returning. Instead, Katie McGrath—best known as Morgana from Merlin—slips into the role for the new season. If you’ve been wondering what’s happening with Paramount+’s psychological thriller, here’s everything confirmed so far.

Seasons: 2 · Lead Actress: Céline Buckens as Tasha · Premiere Year: 2022 · Platform: Paramount+ · Key Co-Stars: Tom Mison, Janet Montgomery

Who plays Jen in season 2 of The Ex-Wife?

Katie McGrath takes over the role of Jen in Season 2, marking a notable change from the first season. The Merlin star appears in first-look images released by Radio Times, confirming she portrays Jack’s ex-wife for the new chapter. Janet Montgomery played Jen in Season 1 but is not returning, and sources have not provided a reason for the departure Virgin Radio.

Season 1 actress for Jen

Janet Montgomery was part of the original cast announcement on April 25, 2022, alongside Tom Mison and Jordan Stephens Wikipedia. She portrayed the titular ex-wife whose persistent presence drives conflict between Tasha and Jack. TV Guide describes Jen as “Jack’s ex-wife who won’t leave them alone” TV Guide.

Changes for season 2

The recasting coincides with a 3-year time jump in the storyline. According to Tom Mison’s official site, Season 2 finds Tasha hiding on a Greek island under an assumed name, and Jen’s return three years later likely reshapes the dynamics that defined the first season.

The implication: Katie McGrath’s casting suggests the creative team wanted a different on-screen energy for the character—her background playing morally complex figures like Morgana Pendragon and Lena Luthor indicates Jen may carry more menace in Season 2.

Is there an Ex-Wife season 2?

Yes. The Ex-Wife has been renewed for Season 2 on Paramount+, with streaming scheduled for 2025 Wikipedia. Production began in 2024–2025, as announced on Tom Mison’s official site. The cast was reportedly surprised by the renewal—Céline Buckens told Radio Times, “Honestly, I don’t think either of us anticipated returning.”

Renewal announcement

The Season 2 renewal included the announcement of Katie McGrath as the new Jen, with Virgin Radio first reporting the casting news. The announcement confirmed that Céline Buckens, Tom Mison, and Jordan Stephens would reprise their roles Virgin Radio.

Release details

Season 2 availability is confirmed for Paramount+ UK Radio Times. Season 1 aired on both Paramount+ and My5 in the UK; the second season streams exclusively on Paramount+ Radio Times.

Where did they film The Ex-Wife?

Specific filming locations for The Ex-Wife have not been officially disclosed in available sources. Season 2 plot details indicate the storyline shifts to Cyprus and a Greek island setting for Tasha’s hiding place, but production filming locations remain unconfirmed.

What this means: Without confirmed filming locations, viewers anticipating location-specific tourism content may need to wait for official production announcements or behind-the-scenes features.

Cast of The Ex-Wife season 1

The Ex-Wife premiered October 12, 2022, introducing audiences to a psychological thriller based on Jess Ryder’s novel Wikipedia. Executive producer Mike Benson commented on the ensemble: “We are absolutely delighted Tom, Janet and Jordan have joined the project alongside the brilliant Celine Buckens—our international cast have incredible experience and credits behind them” Wikipedia.

Main cast members

• Céline Buckens as Tasha – the protagonist whose past comes back to haunt her
• Tom Mison as Jack – Tasha’s husband
• Janet Montgomery as Jen – Jack’s ex-wife

Supporting roles

Recurring cast members include Clare Foster, Adam Drew, and Sam Hoare Wikipedia. The four-episode first season was directed by Brian O’Malley, with the script adapted by Catherine Steadman Wikipedia.

The pattern: Season 1 built its tension around a tight ensemble with clear character dynamics—Tasha as the woman in hiding, Jack as the husband caught between two women, and Jen as the persistent ex-wife threat.

Who is Celine Buckens in The Ex-Wife?

Céline Buckens plays Tasha in The Ex-Wife, delivering the lead performance as a woman whose carefully constructed life unravels when her past catches up with her. She previously appeared in films including A Very Long Engagement and the series The Last Kingdom. She was first announced for the main role of Tasha before the official cast announcement Wikipedia.

The catch: Buckens’ casting as Tasha anchors the entire series—her performance largely determines whether the psychological thriller lands or falters, which makes her return for Season 2 the most critical element of the renewal.

Cast of The Ex-Wife season 2

Season 2 brings significant changes alongside the familiar faces. Katie McGrath joins as Jen, bringing her experience from Merlin and Supergirl to the role. The season resumes three years after Season 1 events, with Tasha on the run in Cyprus Radio Times.

New cast additions

Katie McGrath’s casting marks the most high-profile addition to the series. Beyond Merlin and Supergirl, she has played Lucy Westenra in the Dracula series Virgin Radio. Rotten Tomatoes lists the Season 2 cast, though a complete supporting cast list beyond the confirmed names has not been fully released Rotten Tomatoes.

Returning actors

• Céline Buckens as Tasha – returning lead
• Tom Mison as Jack – returning lead
• Jordan Stephens as Sam – Tasha’s friend, returning

The core trio from Season 1 all return for the second season. Season 2 plot details indicate the story involves “shadows of the past haunting Tasha, Jack, and Jen” Tom Mison’s official site.

The implication: With three key cast members confirmed and the addition of McGrath, the show signals it wants to evolve rather than simply replicate Season 1’s formula—the time jump and recast together suggest a deliberate tonal shift. You can find the full cast list for The Ex-Wife seasons 1 and 2 here: The Ex-Wife skådespelare.

Is The Ex-Wife worth watching?

The Ex-Wife offers a contained psychological thriller with a dark premise: a woman’s past catches up with her after she thinks she’s escaped it. The first season delivered four episodes of tension, though critical reception has been mixed. If you’re intrigued by the cast changes and the 3-year time jump, the second season promises to reshape the dynamics that made Season 1 work.

Season 1 reviews

The first season introduced a premise with potential but left some viewers wanting more resolution. Rotten Tomatoes lists Season 2 cast information Rotten Tomatoes, though Season 1 review scores were modest.

Season 2 expectations

The recasting of Jen and introduction of the time jump suggest the creative team wants to evolve the formula. Whether that pays off depends on how the new Jen—played by a proven talent in Katie McGrath—shapes the central conflict.

What this means: The upsides center on creative evolution while the downsides reflect the uncertainty that comes with recasting a pivotal character—fans who connected with Montgomery’s Jen face the most adjustment.

“We are absolutely delighted Tom, Janet and Jordan have joined the project alongside the brilliant Celine Buckens—our international cast have incredible experience and credits behind them.”

— Mike Benson, Executive Producer (Wikipedia)

“Honestly, I don’t think either of us anticipated returning.”

— Céline Buckens, Tasha actress (Radio Times)

Frequently asked questions

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