Cast of The Ex-Wife: Full Cast List and Season 2 Recast
Few TV recasts generate as much conversation as the one at the heart of The Ex-Wife; when season 2 arrived in 2025, viewers noticed a new face playing Jen — the ex-wife of the title — and the online speculation began. This guide breaks down exactly who plays who, why the swap happened, and what you can expect from the show’s cast across both seasons.
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller ·
Based on: The Ex-Wife by Jess Ryder ·
Number of seasons: 2 (as of 2026) ·
Lead cast: Céline Buckens, Tom Mison, Janet Montgomery (season 1), Katie McGrath (season 2)
Quick snapshot
- Jen recast from Janet Montgomery to Katie McGrath for season 2 (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle and entertainment magazine))
- Céline Buckens and Tom Mison return as Tasha and Jack (The Hollywood Reporter (industry trade publication))
- Season 2 premiered 10 April 2025 on Paramount+ UK (Good Housekeeping UK (women’s lifestyle magazine))
- Reason for Janet Montgomery’s departure (rumoured scheduling conflict, not officially confirmed)
- Number of episodes in season 2
- Whether season 3 is planned
- July 2024: Paramount+ renews for season 2 (The Hollywood Reporter)
- April 2025: Season 2 premieres on Paramount+ UK (Good Housekeeping UK)
- No official announcement for season 3 as of early 2026
- Fans await confirmation of a third season after season 2’s cliffhanger ending
Four key data points, one pattern: the show hinges on its central relationship triangle, and the recast of Jen is its most talked-about change across both seasons.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Based on | The Ex-Wife by Jess Ryder |
| Premiere | 2022 (season 1) |
| Seasons | 2 |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Season 2 release | 10 April 2025 on Paramount+ UK (Good Housekeeping UK) |
| Jen recast | Katie McGrath replaces Janet Montgomery (Cosmopolitan UK) |
The implication: the show’s identity is closely tied to its lead actress, and the recast marks a deliberate narrative shift into a new phase of Jen’s character.
Did they change Jen in the ex-wife?
Yes — the character Jen, the ex-wife of the title, was recast between seasons. Janet Montgomery played Jen in the first season, while Katie McGrath took over for season 2. A Cosmopolitan UK explainer confirmed the switch, noting McGrath steps into a Jen who has “moved on and is preparing for a second marriage” (Cosmopolitan UK).
Who plays Jen in season 2 of The Ex-Wife?
- Katie McGrath plays Jen in season 2 (BritBox (official streaming service))
- She is best known for roles in Supergirl and Merlin
Who plays Jen in The Ex-Wife?
- Season 1: Janet Montgomery (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Season 2: Katie McGrath (BritBox)
The recast isn’t cosmetic — it signals a new chapter for Jen, who in season 2 is no longer the aggrieved ex but a woman who has rebuilt her life. Viewers who loved Montgomery’s intense portrayal will find McGrath’s version more measured, which changes the dynamic with Tasha and Jack.
The pattern: the show keeps its core mystery engine alive by refreshing its antagonist, and the recast gives season 2 a distinct identity from its predecessor.
What’s the story behind the ex-wife?
The Ex-Wife is a psychological thriller adapted from Jess Ryder’s novel. It centres on Tasha (Céline Buckens), a new wife who suspects her husband Jack (Tom Mison) is still entangled with his ex-wife Jen. The series flips between Tasha’s present-day paranoia and flashbacks to Jen’s perspective — a narrative device that keeps the audience guessing who to trust (BritBox synopsis).
What happened in season one of The Ex-Wife?
- Tasha marries Jack and moves into his home, only to discover disturbing clues about Jen’s presence
- The season builds to a reveal about Jen’s true nature and the lengths she will go to reclaim her family (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Janet Montgomery portrayed Jen as a manipulative but vulnerable figure
What is season 2 of The Ex-Wife about?
- Set a year after the events of season 1, Jen has moved on and is preparing for a second marriage
- Tasha remains haunted by the past, and Jack is caught between two women
- Filming took place in Cyprus, adding a sun-drenched, claustrophobic atmosphere (Radio Times (TV listing and entertainment guide))
Season 2 doesn’t rehash the same formula — it shifts the power dynamic. Jen is no longer the ex lurking in the shadows; she is building a new life, which makes Tasha’s paranoia feel less justified and more dangerous.
The catch: the recast of Jen forces viewers to recalibrate their sympathy. Montgomery’s Jen was a villain; McGrath’s Jen is more ambiguous, making the emotional stakes harder to read.
How many seasons are there of The Ex-Wife?
There are currently two seasons. The first premiered in 2022, and the second dropped on 10 April 2025 on Paramount+ UK (Good Housekeeping UK). No third season has been announced yet, but the show’s streaming performance on Paramount+ may determine its future.
How does season 2 of The Ex-Wife end?
- Season 2 concludes with a major cliffhanger involving Tasha’s discovery about Jen’s new relationship
- Critical threads remain unresolved, leaving the door open for a third season
Because the ending is a key spoiler, we’ll leave the details for you to discover — but the final moments are the subject of much fan discussion on social media and forums.
The implication: the cliffhanger ending ensures that the show’s future is uncertain, but the demand for answers is high.
Who are the actors in season 2 of The Ex-Wife?
The season 2 cast brings together returning actors from season 1 with one major replacement. Here’s the full list of confirmed main cast members.
Cast of The Ex-Wife season 2
- Céline Buckens as Tasha (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Tom Mison as Jack (BritBox)
- Katie McGrath as Jen (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Jordan Stephens as Sam (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Liberty Miller as Nina (IMDb (crowdsourced film database))
- Anna Savva as Helen (IMDb)
- Clare Foster as DI Harper (IMDb)
- Jake Fairbrother as Ryan (IMDb)
Cast of The Ex-Wife season 1
- Céline Buckens as Tasha
- Tom Mison as Jack
- Janet Montgomery as Jen (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Jordan Stephens as Sam
Why did Janet Montgomery leave The Ex-Wife?
Janet Montgomery’s departure after season 1 has not been officially explained. Industry coverage cited a reported scheduling conflict — she was involved in other projects — but neither the producers nor Montgomery have confirmed this (Cosmopolitan UK). What is clear: the showrunners chose to recast rather than write out the character, suggesting they saw Jen as essential to the series’ future.
Who is Janet Montgomery’s husband?
Janet Montgomery keeps her personal life private; she has not publicly confirmed a husband or partner.
By recasting Jen instead of retiring the character, the makers kept the story faithful to the original book while losing Montgomery’s distinct performance. For viewers who loved Montgomery, the transition takes time; for newcomers, McGrath’s version stands on its own.
Is The Ex-Wife worth watching?
For fans of psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, The Ex-Wife delivers a tightly wound, bingeable experience. Both seasons have received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising the performances and the show’s ability to keep the audience guessing until the final minutes (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregation site)).
Critical reception
- Season 1 holds a solid aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes, with praise for Montgomery’s “chilling” performance
- Season 2 has been described as “more refined” by some outlets, though the recast drew mixed initial reactions
Audience reviews
- Viewer scores on IMDb and social media indicate a dedicated fanbase, with season 2 sparking debate about the recast
- Common praises: tense atmosphere, strong lead performances, addictive plot twists
- Common criticisms: some plot contrivances, the recast jarring for first-season diehards
If you’re the type who hates character recasts, start with season 2 directly — you won’t be comparing McGrath to Montgomery. If you need the full story, power through season 1 knowing that the recast serves a narrative purpose: season 2 Jen is a different person.
The pattern: the show’s binge-ability outweighs the recast controversy. Most viewers who start season 1 finish both seasons, and the cliffhanger ending leaves them hungry for more.
Timeline of The Ex-Wife
- 2022: Season 1 premieres on Paramount+ UK, introducing viewers to Tasha, Jack, and Jen (played by Janet Montgomery).
- July 2024: Paramount+ UK and Ireland officially renews The Ex-Wife for a second season (The Hollywood Reporter)
- July 2024: Filming begins in Cyprus, with Katie McGrath cast as the new Jen (Radio Times)
- 10 April 2025: Season 2 premieres on Paramount+ UK (Good Housekeeping UK)
- 2026: No official news on a third season; fans await an announcement.
The catch: the future of the show rests on audience response to the recast and the cliffhanger.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Jen recast from Janet Montgomery to Katie McGrath for season 2 (Cosmopolitan UK)
- Core cast members Céline Buckens, Tom Mison, and Jordan Stephens return for season 2 (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Season 2 released 10 April 2025 on Paramount+ UK (Good Housekeeping UK)
- Series based on the novel The Ex-Wife by Jess Ryder
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for Janet Montgomery’s departure (reported scheduling conflict, not officially confirmed)
- Number of episodes in season 2
- Whether a third season has been commissioned
- Katie McGrath’s casting details (how long she committed to the role)
“Katie McGrath as Jen (the role was played by Janet Montgomery in the first series) — so if you’ve been following along, be prepared for a new face.”
Cosmopolitan UK
“Paramount+ UK and Ireland have renewed the psychological thriller The Ex-Wife for a second season, with Supergirl’s Katie McGrath stepping into the lead role of Jen.”
The Hollywood Reporter
“Jen has moved on — she is preparing for a second marriage — and viewers will see a different side to her character in the new season.”
Good Housekeeping UK
“Filming for the second season of The Ex-Wife has already begun in Cyprus.”
For anyone debating whether to start the series, the decision comes down to tolerance for recasting. Katie McGrath’s Jen is a distinct take — less overtly menacing, more calculating — which aligns with the show’s season 2 theme of letting go of the past. But if you require character consistency, season 1 might feel more satisfying. For UK viewers streaming on Paramount+, the choice is simple: watch both seasons back-to-back, and judge the recast as part of the show’s evolution rather than a mistake.
tvguide.co.uk, film.investcyprus.org.cy, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch The Ex-Wife?
Both seasons are available to stream on Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland. The series also aired on Channel 5 in the UK.
How many episodes are in season 1 of The Ex-Wife?
Season 1 consists of four episodes.
Is The Ex-Wife based on a true story?
No — it is adapted from the fiction novel The Ex-Wife by Jess Ryder. However, the psychological thriller themes are grounded in real relationship dynamics.
What channel airs The Ex-Wife?
In the UK, the series originally aired on Channel 5 and is available on Paramount+ streaming service.
Who wrote the book The Ex-Wife?
The novel was written by Jess Ryder, a British author known for domestic suspense fiction.
How old is Céline Buckens?
Céline Buckens was born on 9 February 1996, making her 30 years old as of 2026.
Are there plans for season 3 of The Ex-Wife?
As of early 2026, no official announcement has been made. The show’s future likely depends on streaming performance on Paramount+.
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