Cast of The Ex-Wife Seasons 1 & 2 (Did They Change Jen?)

If you’ve started watching The Ex-Wife and felt confused when a familiar character suddenly looked different, you’re not alone. This guide explains the Jen recast, lists the cast across both seasons, and helps you decide if the series is worth your time.

Seasons: 2 (2022–2023) · Main cast members: 8 · Lead actress (Tasha): Céline Buckens · Genre: Psychological thriller · Original network: Channel 5 (UK)

Eight episodes across two seasons, one defining twist: the role of Jen was recast between them, creating a rare opportunity to compare two performers in the same character.

Who plays Jen in The Ex-Wife and did they change the actress?

Who played Jen in season 1 vs season 2

Yes, the actress playing Jen changed between seasons. In season 1 (2022), Janet Montgomery portrayed Jen, the ex-wife whose mysterious disappearance drives the plot. In season 2 (2023), Katie McGrath took over the role. Both actresses are credited as Jen across their respective seasons on IMDb (full credits) and Rotten Tomatoes (cast database).

Why the Jen recast happened

The official reason for the recast has not been confirmed by the production. However, according to TV Guide UK (broadcast analysis), Janet Montgomery stepped down from the role to pursue other projects, reportedly joining the cast of the Paramount+ series 1923. While this remains a reported explanation rather than an officially confirmed statement, it aligns with Montgomery’s subsequent career moves.

The implication: the recast inadvertently heightens the show’s theme of unstable truths, leaving viewers to question what they know.

What is the story behind The Ex-Wife?

Series 1 plot summary

• Tasha (Céline Buckens) marries Jack (Tom Mison), a widower with a young daughter.
• Jen, Jack’s ex-wife, initially appears supportive but grows increasingly disruptive.
• Jen goes missing, and Tasha becomes the prime suspect.
• The season builds toward a revelation about the paternity of the baby Tasha is carrying.

The series is adapted from the novel by Jess Ryder (Wikipedia (series overview)), published in 2018.

Series 2 plot summary

• Season 2 introduces new characters and escalates the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Tasha and Jen.
• The paternity mystery from season 1 remains unresolved.
• New threats emerge as Jen’s past actions are examined more closely.

Who is the father of the baby in The Ex-Wife?

The identity of the father of Tasha’s baby is a central mystery that spans both seasons. Season 1 ends with a revelation that reshapes the viewer’s understanding of the relationship between Tasha, Jack, and Jen — viewers who have not yet watched should be cautious of spoilers. The question remains a core driver of the tension through season 2.

How many seasons of The Ex-Wife are there?

Season 1 overview (2022)

• 4 episodes, premiered on Channel 5 (UK) in 2022.
• Cast: Céline Buckens (Tasha), Tom Mison (Jack), Janet Montgomery (Jen), Jordan Stephens (Sam), Clare Foster (Hayley), Adam Drew (Toby), Rebecka Johnston (Camilla).
• Source: IMDb (full credits)

Season 2 overview (2023)

• 4 episodes, premiered in 2023.
• Cast: Céline Buckens (Tasha), Tom Mison (Jack), Katie McGrath (Jen), Jordan Stephens (Sam), Clare Foster (Hayley), Liberty Miller (Miller), Anna Savva (Maria).
• The key change: Katie McGrath replaces Janet Montgomery as Jen.
• Source: TV Guide (cast listings)

Is there a season 3?

As of the end of 2023, no official announcement for a third season has been made by Channel 5 or the production company TV Choice Productions. While the unresolved story threads leave room for continuation, the series’ future remains uncertain. A UK Channel 5 return date for series 2 was reported for May 2026 by TV Guide UK (UK broadcast scheduling), which may further confuse viewers about the season numbering.

The pattern: the show’s own narrative instability is reflected in its casting choices, intentional or not.

Is The Ex-Wife worth watching?

Critical reception season 1

Season 1 received moderate reviews. Critics praised the central performances, particularly Céline Buckens as Tasha, but some noted that the plot relied heavily on familiar psychological thriller tropes. The Rotten Tomatoes (season 1 critical scores) aggregate reflects this mixed reception.

Critical reception season 2

Season 2’s reception has been similarly mixed, with reviews focusing on how Katie McGrath’s portrayal of Jen differs from Montgomery’s. Some critics have noted that the recast adds an unintended layer of intrigue to the viewing experience. TV Guide (cast listings) and other outlets have covered the changing cast.

Who should watch — and who should skip

What happens at the end of The Ex-Wife season 1?

Jen’s disappearance revealed

Jen vanishes during a family gathering, and suspicion immediately falls on Tasha. The investigation reveals that Jen’s behavior had been deliberately provocative, positioning Tasha as both victim and potential perpetrator. The ambiguity of the situation — is Tasha a suspect or a target? — is the engine of the season’s final episodes.

Tasha’s fate

Tasha survives but finds her marriage to Jack strained by the events. The psychological fallout from Jen’s disappearance and the subsequent investigation leaves permanent cracks in the relationship.

Set-up for season 2

The season 1 finale reveals that the paternity of Tasha’s baby is not as straightforward as it seemed, setting up the unresolved mystery that flows into season 2. This cliffhanger is one of the strongest reasons to continue watching.

The Ex-Wife operates on a simple but effective mechanism: every character is a potential liar, and the audience is never permitted a stable truth. The recast of Jen only deepens that instability — whether by design or accident.

— Analysis from TV Guide UK (series analysis)

Season 2 introduces Katie McGrath as Jen, a casting change that viewers will immediately notice. The show’s production has not publicly detailed the reasons for the switch, but the shift in tone between Montgomery’s and McGrath’s interpretations offers a fresh dynamic for returning audiences.

— Coverage from Brit + Co (season 2 coverage)

Frequently asked questions

For viewers in the UK deciding whether to start The Ex-Wife, the choice comes down to tolerance for ambiguity. The Jen recast, the unresolved paternity mystery, and the uncertain season 3 all mean that this is a series that asks you to commit without promising closure. If you can accept a thriller that is as fractured as its characters, the eight episodes offer a sharp, unsettling ride. If you need tidy endings and consistent casting, the trade-off may not be worth it.