Mike Leigh Director, Writer Timothy Spall Maurice Purley Actor Brenda Blethyn Cynthia Rose Purley Actor Phyllis Logan Monica Purley Actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste Hortense Cumberbatch Actor Claire Rushbrook Roxanne Purley Actor Ron Cook Stuart Actor Lesley Manville Social Worker Actor Elizabeth Berrington Jane Actor Michele Austin Dionne Actor Lee Ross Paul Actor Emma Amos Girl with Scar Actor Hannah Davis First Bride Actor Peter Wight Father in Family Group Actor Gary McDonald Boxer Actor Alison Steadman Dog Owner Actor Liz Smith Cat Owner Actor Sheila Kelley Fertile Mother Actor Angela Curran Little Boy's Mother Actor Linda Beckett Pin-Up Housewife Actor Philip Davis Man in Suit Actor Wendy Nottingham Glum Wife Actor Anthony O'Donnell Uneasy Man Actor Ruth Sheen Laughing Woman Actor Mia Soteriou Fiancée Actor Simon Channing Williams Producer