The captivating and quirky world of Professor Jasper Tempest returns for a fourth season of intricate mysteries and complex character drama. Ben Miller reprises his iconic role as the brilliant but tormented Cambridge University criminologist, whose unparalleled mind for solving crime is both a gift and a curse. This season, the Cambridge police force once again finds itself reliant on his genius to unravel their most baffling cases, from impossibly locked-room murders to crimes with deeply personal ties to the university’s hallowed halls. Yet, for every puzzle he solves, Professor T must confront the equally complex riddles of his own psyche, his strained relationships, and the ever-present shadow of his past.

Alongside the compelling whodunits, Season 4 delves deeper into the personal lives of the entire ensemble. DCI Goswami grapples with the pressures of leadership, DS Winters seeks to step out of the Professor’s shadow, and DC Highsmith continues to prove her mettle. At home, the dynamic between Jasper and his formidable mother, Adelaide, reaches new heights of tension and dark comedy, while his therapy sessions with Dr. Goldberg uncover further layers of the trauma that shaped him. With its signature blend of stylish visuals, intellectual intrigue, and profound humanity, Professor T remains a standout in the crime drama genre.

Meet the Cast of Professor T Season 4

1. Ben Miller as Professor Jasper Tempest

Ben Miller is nothing short of perfection once again in his BAFTA-nominated role as the fastidious, fragile, and ferociously intelligent Professor Jasper Tempest. Miller’s performance is a masterclass in nuance, capturing every minute detail of T’s OCD—from the precise adjustment of his cufflinks to the palpable discomfort of a disrupted routine—while simultaneously conveying the roaring, deductive engine inside his mind. This season, Miller takes the character to new emotional depths as Jasper is forced to confront a case that mirrors his own childhood trauma, blurring the lines between detached analyst and vulnerable victim.

Miller’s ability to balance the character’s acerbic wit with his profound vulnerability remains the show’s cornerstone. His chemistry with Frances de la Tour is electric, their scenes together a hilarious and heartbreaking battle of wills, while his therapeutic breakthroughs with Juliet Stevenson showcase a slow, painful, but hopeful journey toward healing. Miller ensures that for all his genius, it is T’s very human flaws that make him so compelling.

2. Barney White as DS Dan Winters

Barney White returns as the earnest and occasionally exasperated DS Dan Winters, the detective who acts as the crucial bridge between T’s theoretical brilliance and the practical realities of police work. White brings a relatable everyman quality to the role, his patience constantly tested by T’s abrasiveness, yet his unwavering respect for the professor’s mind always shines through. This season, Winters seeks more autonomy, leading to both professional triumphs and humbling missteps that test his confidence.

White’s excellent comedic timing provides much of the show’s levity, particularly in his reactions to T’s social obliviousness. Yet, it’s his portrayal of Dan’s fundamental decency and growing competence that solidifies him as the heart of the police team. His evolving partnership with DC Highsmith adds a new and engaging dynamic to the station’s hierarchy.

3. Sarah Woodward as Ingrid Snares

Sarah Woodward is delightfully dour and fiercely efficient as Ingrid Snares, Professor T’s long-suffering university assistant. Woodward’s performance is a masterwork of deadpan delivery and subtle, simmering frustration, making Ingrid the only person besides his mother who can stand up to Jasper’s demands. Her unflappable demeanor and secret organizational skills are the unsung glue that holds his chaotic world together, and she often proves to be more perceptive than anyone gives her credit for.

This season, Ingrid’s backstory is gently explored, revealing glimpses of a life outside the office that explains her infinite patience and sharp tongue. Woodward’s ability to convey a universe of weariness and loyalty with a single sigh or an arched eyebrow provides a consistent source of warmth and humor, making Ingrid an indispensable and beloved part of the series’ fabric.

4. Frances de la Tour as Adelaide Tempest

The legendary Frances de la Tour is magnificently domineering as Adelaide Tempest, Jasper’s aristocratic and manipulative mother. De la Tour commands every scene she is in, delivering cutting remarks with a velvet-clad iron fist. Adelaide’s love for her son is undeniable, but it is expressed through control and criticism, a dynamic that De la Tour portrays with chilling authenticity and a dash of dark comedy. She is the architect of much of Jasper’s anxiety, yet also his most ferocious protector.

Season 4 sees Adelaide’s grip on Jasper challenged like never before, both by his therapy and by an external threat to the family’s reputation. De la Tour expertly reveals the cracks in Adelaide’s steely façade, hinting at the fears and generational trauma that forged her into the formidable matriarch she is. Her verbal duels with the rest of the cast, particularly Dr. Goldberg and DCI Goswami, are season highlights.

5. Juliet Stevenson as Dr. Helena Goldberg

Juliet Stevenson brings immense warmth, intelligence, and quiet strength to Dr. Helena Goldberg, Professor T’s therapist. Stevenson’s performance is a calming anchor in the storm of Jasper’s mind; she is patient but never a pushover, challenging his defenses with sharp insight and profound empathy. Their sessions are the emotional core of the series, and Stevenson makes Dr. Goldberg’s small breakthroughs with her patient feel like monumental victories.

This season, their therapeutic relationship deepens as they begin to directly confront the root of Jasper’s childhood trauma. Stevenson beautifully portrays the delicate balance of a professional who must maintain boundaries while genuinely caring for her difficult patient. She serves as the audience’s guide into the why of Professor T, and Stevenson makes every revelation feel earned and deeply moving.

6. Sunetra Sarker as DCI Maiya Goswami

Sunetra Sarker is superb as DCI Maiya Goswami, the determined and politically savvy head of the major crimes unit. Sarker portrays Goswami as a natural leader, juggling the demands of her superiors with the unorthodox methods of her star consultant. She brings a grounded authority and a weary compassion to the role, often serving as the moral compass of the team as she navigates the ethical grey areas of their investigations.

Season 4 places Goswami under significant pressure from both inside and outside the force, testing her principles and her resolve. Sarker excels in showing the weight of command, but also the character’s resilience and cleverness in overcoming obstacles. Her dynamic with Professor T has evolved into one of mutual, if begrudging, respect, and their intellectual sparring matches are a consistent thrill.

The Supporting Ensemble

• Douglas Reith provides stellar support as The Dean, the university official perpetually caught between admiration for T’s brilliance and horror at his conduct.

• Rhian Blundell continues to impress as DC Chloe Highsmith, the sharp and ambitious junior detective whose tech-savvy skills and intuition make her a rising star on the team.

• Zoë Wanamaker guest stars as the enigmatic Zelda Radclyffe, a figure from Adelaide’s past whose arrival in Cambridge stirs up long-buried secrets and threatens to destabilize the Tempest family’s carefully constructed world.

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Don’t Miss the Premiere!

Professor T Season 4 premieres Sunday, August 24, 2025, on PBS (check local listings). Prepare for a new set of ingenious puzzles and powerful personal journeys.