Exploring the Stellar Cast and Characters of Red Dwarf: The Promised Land

Summary

Red Dwarf: The Promised Land is a highly anticipated feature-length special that reunites the familiar crew in an all-new adventure against the evil cat Rodon.

The special received favorable feedback, effectively capturing the wit and appeal that established Red Dwarf as a standout sci-fi series of the 1990s and a beloved cult classic.

The skilled ensemble, featuring Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn, reprises their iconic characters, resurrecting the beloved personas.

The feature-length special Red Dwarf: The Promised Land brought back the familiar crew for a new and exciting adventure, joined by a few new cast members. Since its start in 1988, this cult classic science fiction comedy series has followed the journey of Dave Lister, a ship technician who is accidentally frozen and wakes up three million years in the future. Red Dwarf, a British sitcom, has captivated audiences over the decades, with seasons in the '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s, and even the 2020 feature-length special, Promised Land. Renowned for its irreverent humor and clever parodying of science fiction themes, Red Dwarf is a unique show that continues to deliver laughs.

In Red Dwarf: The Promised Land, the beloved characters reunite to confront the villainous cat Rodon, who plans to destroy anyone who does not worship him. Praised by critics as a return to its original brilliance (via The Guardian), The Promised Land reminded audiences why Red Dwarf was considered one of the greatest sci-fi shows of the '90s, and why it remains a beloved cult classic today. The special's humor was sharp, effectively reigniting the show's enduring appeal.

Craig Charles As Dave Lister

Chris Barrie As Arnold Rimmer

Craig Charles is a well-known comedic actor who takes on the role of ship technician and famous slacker Dave Lister in Red Dwarf: The Promised Land. Despite his success in this role, Charles has showcased his versatility by playing other memorable characters such as Eugene Buffy in The Governor and the titular character in the short-lived series Captain Butler. UK audiences will also recognize him from his long-running portrayal of Lloyd Mullaney in the popular soap opera Coronation Street, as well as his appearances in various spinoffs and TV specials as this beloved character.

Played by British comic icon Chris Barrie, Arnold Rimmer is the hologram who has always been stuck-up and snooty, and has been a constant nuisance to Lister since he was unfrozen many years ago. Prior to his role as Rimmer in Red Dwarf, Barrie gained fame in some of the greatest British sitcoms, including his portrayal of Rat in the cult classic series The Young Ones. Additionally, Barrie's voice became an iconic part of '80s pop culture as he lent his talents to the puppet-based satire series Spitting Image, where he provided voices for various figures such as Ronal Reagan and Prince Charles, among others.

Danny John-Jules As Cat

Cat, the descendant of Lister's long-lost feline companion, has undergone millions of years of evolution to become a species that embodies both human and cat characteristics. Often characterized by its vanity, Cat is portrayed by Danny John-Jules in Red Dwarf and The Promised Land special. Known for his dynamic performances, John-Jules has also taken on action-packed roles such as Asad in Blade II and Barfly Jack in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Additionally, he had a minor singing role in Little Shop of Horrors and portrayed Officer Dwayne in the murder mystery series Death in Paradise for over a decade.

Robert Llewellyn As Kryten

In Red Dwarf: The Promised Land, the science fiction parody series, Robert Llewellyn returns as Kryten, an android who accompanies Lister, Rimmer, and Cat on their adventures in space. Although he might not be immediately recognizable without his iconic Kryten makeup, Llewellyn has established himself in the entertainment industry through minor roles in sitcoms such as Bottom, where he portrayed Stiles. He also shared the screen with his Red Dwarf co-star Craig Charles in Captain Butler, where he played Admiral Nelson, and showcased his talent as The Professor in the independent film Ashens and the Polybius Heist.

Norman Lovett As Holly

Playing the role intermittently from the first season onward, Norman Lovett portrays Holly, the AI computer interface of Red Dwarf who became a tad unstable during the three million years that Lister was in stasis. Although Lovett was temporarily replaced by Hattie Hayridge for seasons three through five, he has since reprised the part, including in The Promised Land. While Lovett is most renowned for his portrayal in Red Dwarf, he also notably portrayed the Penny Arcade Guy in The Young Ones and took on various characters in the long-running police procedural series The Bill spanning from the 1980s to the 2000s.

Ray Fearon As Rodon

In Red Dwarf: The Promise Land, Ray Fearon takes on the role of Rodon, the leader of a group of wild cats who will stop at nothing to eliminate those who do not worship him as a deity. Fearon's impressive filmography includes notable appearances in major productions such as the live-action Disney reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, where he portrayed Père Robert, and his portrayal of Firenze in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Additionally, he brought life to the character of the Hot Misogynist in Fleabag, and added humor to the FBI agent role of Dan in Barbie. Fearon showcased his talent by portraying Francisco in the 1996 adaptation of Hamlet, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Red Dwarf: The Promised Land Supporting Cast & Characters

Tom Bennett portrays Brother Sol in Red Dwarf: The Promised Land, a cleric who is being pursued by Rodon due to his refusal to worship the despotic feline. Bennett is easily recognized for his role as Miles in the sitcom series A.P. Bio, and he also played Fred in the award-winning music biopic Rocketman.

Mandeep Dhillon portrays Sister Luna, a cat cleric fleeing from Rodon's wicked clutches. Dhillon gained significant recognition for her portrayal of Lt. Garan in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, and she also portrayed Chell in the special 24: Live Another Day. She starred as Sandy in the Netflix series After Life and lends her voice to several characters in the Cartoon Network series Elliott From Earth.

Lucy Pearman portrays Sister Peanut, a cat cleric who was once unable to speak but miraculously gains her voice upon meeting Lister for the first time. Pearman is a talented comedic writer and actor who received acclaim for her role as Milly in Please Help, which earned her a BAFTA. She also showcased her comedic prowess by playing herself in the irreverent comedy miniseries The Train.

Al Roberts takes on the role of Count Ludo, Rodon's loyal sidekick who endures frequent mistreatment from his "master" in Red Dwarf: The Promised Land. While Roberts had a minor role as a librarian in Last Night in Soho, he is primarily recognized for his comedic performances, including his portrayal of Freddie in What We Do in the Shadows and his role as Al in the underrated series Stath Lets Flats.