Daddy Issues cast: Who stars alongside Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey?

Where have you seen the stars before?

Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey as Gemma and Malcolm. They are sat awkwardly next to each other, with David looking directly into the camera while Aimee is looking away

BBC/Fudge Park Productions/James Stack

Published: Thursday, 15 August 2024 at 8:00 am

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When 24-year-old Gemma agrees to a random hookup in an aeroplane toilet in BBC comedy Daddy Issues, she's just looking for a bit of mindless, no strings fun. But the hairdresser gets far more than she bargained for when she discovers that she's pregnant a couple of months later.

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And if that's not enough to contend with, her flatmate moves out unexpectedly, leaving her to pay all of the rent, which she definitely can't afford.

Enter Malcolm, Gemma's recently-divorced dad, who moves in with her, even though she's been avoiding him of late, and causes chaos, at least to begin with. But against the odds, their new arrangement proves to be the best thing for their relationship.

The cast is lead by Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey, alongside a number of faces you'll recognise, and some you might not be familiar with.

For more information about who's in the cast, read on.

Daddy Issues cast

For more information about the characters in Daddy Issues and where you've seen the actors who play them before, read on.

Read more:

Aimee Lou Wood plays Gemma

Gemma (Aimee Lou Wood), standing in a cafe, looking directly at the camera

Aimee Lous Wood as Gemma. Fudge Park Productions/James Stack

Who is Gemma? A "hedonistic" 24-year-old who finds out she's pregnant after hooking up with a fellow passenger in an aeroplane toilet. With money tight and fearful of being alone, she reaches out to her dad for support.

What else has Aimee Lou Wood been in? She's best known for Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education. Her CV also include Channel 4 series Alice & Jack, and films The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Living and Seize Them!.

David Morrissey plays Malcolm

David Morrissey as Malcolm, sat in a pub with a drink, surrounded by balloons

David Morrissey as Malcolm. Fudge Park Productions/Matt Squire

Who is Malcolm? Gemma's "hapless" dad. He's broken-hearted after his wife took their life savings and left him. Malcolm moves in with his daughter after her flatmate moves out unexpectedly.

What else has David Morrissey been in? You might have watched him in The Walking Dead, historical fantasy series Britannia, ITV true crime drama The Long Shadow, BBC One's Sherwood and political thriller State of Play.

Arian Nik plays Xander

Arian Nik as Xander, sat in Gemma's living room, looking at her

Arian Nik as Xander. Fudge Park Productions/Matt Squire

Who is Xander? A pharmacist who comes to Gemma's rescue when she can't pay for a takeaway coffee after losing her card. There's instant chemistry between them.

What else has Arian Nik been in? You might know him from ITV supernatural mystery thriller Passenger and ITV comedy Count Abdulla.

Sharon Rooney plays Catherine

Sharon Rooney as Catherine, sat across a table with her dad in prison

Sharon Rooney as Catherine. Fudge Park Productions/Matt Squire

Who is Catherine? Gemma's sister. She's in prison after paying someone to push her boyfriend off a fire escape.

What else has Sharon Rooney been in? She's best known for E4 comedy-drama My Mad Fat Diary. You might also know her from BC surveillance drama The Capture, BBC thriller The Control Room, ITV drama Finding Alice, Dave sitcom Zapped and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.

David Fynn plays Derek

David Fynn as Derek, wearing a black hat and waistcoat.

David Fynn as Derek. Fudge Park Productions/Matt Squire

Who is Derek? Malcolm's housemate before he moves in with Gemma. Derek's recently separated from his wife and now hates all women.

What else has David Fynn been in? He has appeared in period drama Belgravia: The Next Chapter, BBC comedy-thriller Am I Being Unreasonable? and sci-fi comedy Avenue 5.

Taj Atwal plays Cherry

Jasmine sat outside on a terrace, talking on the phone

Taj Atwal as Cherry. Photographer Steffan Hill / Channel 5 Television / Story Films

Who is Cherry? Someone Gemma used to know. The pair reconnect and bond over pregnancy and motherhood.

What else has Taj Atwal been in? She's appeared in Line of Duty, Death in Paradise, Channel 4 comedy Hullraisers, Channel 5 drama Cold Call, BBC One's The Syndicate and Sky comedy Stella.

Sarah Hadland plays Rita

Sarah Hadland plays Rita, standing in the hair salon, smiling

Sarah Hadland as Rita. ,Sarah HadlandFudge Park Productions/James Stack

Who is Rita? Gemma's boss at the hair salon. Rita is a functioning alcoholic who fancies Malcolm.

What else has Sarah Hadland been in? She is best known for starring as Stevie in Miranda and is a contestant in the 2024 season of Strictly Come Dancing.

Tom Stourton plays Ben

Tom Stourton as Ben, sat on Gemma's couch with a worried expression on his face

Tom Stourton as Ben. Fudge Park Productions/Matt Squire

Who is Ben? The father of Gemma's baby. After their initial encounter, he disappears from her life.

What else has Tom Stourton been in? He has appeared in Horrible Histories, Channel 4 comedy Stath Lets Flats and BBC Three sitcom Siblings.

Susan Lynch plays Davina

Susan Lynch plays Davina, sat on an orange sofa, looking at the camera

Susan Lynch as Davina. Fudge Park Productions/James Stack

Who is Davina? Gemma and Catherine's mum. She's currently in Canada after leaving their dad.

What else has Susan Lynch been in? You might know her from Sally Wainwright's Happy Valley, Save Me starring Lennie James, ITV crime drama Unforgotten and medical drama Monroe, among others.

Additional cast includes:

Daddy Issues will air on BBC Three at 9pm on Thursday 15th August, and on BBC One at 9.30pm on Friday 16th August. It will also be available to stream on iPlayer from 15th August.

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Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

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