Paul Dierden

Paul is Beth Childs' live-in boyfriend, a steady, watchful presence who seems almost too calm when Sarah starts impersonating her missing girlfriend. Ex-military, controlled, quietly protective, he notices small inconsistencies and asks careful questions. He plays the role of concerned partner well — perhaps too well — while something guarded sits behind his eyes.

Dylan Bruce plays Paul as a held breath: warm enough to be believable as a boyfriend, contained enough to make you wonder what he's not saying. The writing uses him as a puzzle piece disguised as a love interest, and Bruce lets suspicion and tenderness occupy his face at the same time without tipping either way.