Bonekickers

Dr Ben Ergha

With a cool head on his shoulders and a diplomatic temperament Ben is a brilliant archaeologist and Gillian’s right hand man. He is her closest friend and most loyal ally. When Gilly throws a glass of champagne into some fusty academic’s face it is Ben who stops her getting the sack.

Ben was born in London. He has traced his family back to Ghana via Trinidad. He is passionate about his West African roots and was drawn to study archaeology through a desire to know more about history.

Ben’s rational approach and pragmatic mind are often just what is needed on some of the team’s more obscure searches. He’s smart and astute and often knows the answers although he secretly wishes that Gillian didn’t always think of him as ‘Mr Practical’. He admires her leaps of faith even though they’re not always in territory that makes him feel entirely comfortable. Maybe, just maybe, the spark that was once between Ben and Gillian at University will one day be reignited.

Adrian Lester

Adrian Lester has extensive credits across theatre, film and television. His television work includes playing Matthew in the Emmy Award-winning drama Teaching Matthew for the BBC, also leading the team as Mickey in three series of the popular BBC drama Hustle directed by Bharat Nalluri. Other dramas include Afterlife, Ghost Squad, Silent Witness, Being Human and Storm Damage directed by Simon Cellan Jones.

His film work has included Primary Colors, The Day After Tomorrow, Love's Labours Lost and As You Like It (both directed by Kenneth Branagh), Maybe Baby and Scenes of a Sexual Nature. Most recently he's starred in Doomsday, directed by Neil Marshall and Case 39, alongside Renee Zellwegger, which are both awaiting UK release.

Adrian has performed extensively on stage, and is best known for his performance in Company directed by Sam Mendes and the title roles in Henry V for the Royal National Theatre directed by Nick Hytner and Hamlet for Theatre Bouffes Du Nord, directed by Peter Brook.

Adrian plays Dr Ben Ergha in Bonekickers, a forensic expert who brings an objective understanding to the team's explorations.