onathan Harvey’s play Beautiful Thing tells the story of London teenager Jamie, who is infatuated with his classmate Ste.
Ste lives with his drug-taking brother and alcoholic father. When he is badly beaten by his father, Jamie’s mum insists he stay at their flat. There is no extra bed, so he has to share with Jamie.
Set on a working-class council estate in Thamesmead, this coming-of-age story was groundbreaking when it was first performed in 1993. In 1995 it was adapted into a film. Initially planned as a TV movie, it was eventually released in cinemas the following year and became a major success.
Since the film’s release, the cast, director and writer have gone on to achieve impressive careers.
Jonathan Harvey – Writer
Jonathan Harvey went on to create numerous television programmes, including the cult comedy Gimme Gimme Gimme and the series Beautiful People, inspired by the life of fashion commentator Simon Doonan.
He has also written multiple plays and books and is a writer on the long-running British TV institution Coronation Street. He is a co-writer of the radio series What Does the K Stand For? which is based on the teenage years of comedian Stephen K Amos.
In the realm of musicals, Harvey wrote the book for Dusty – The Musical and collaborated with the Pet Shop Boys on Closer to Heaven and Muzik. Next year he will open a new play Savage, which is about the life of performer Paul O’Grady who has the drag alter-ego Lily Savage.
Hettie Macdonald – Director
The film was directed by Hettie Macdonald, who has also directed episodes of popular TV series such as Doctor Who, Normal People, Wallander, Law and Order UK, Casualty and Hit & Miss. She has also directed theatre productions in the UK. Her more recent works including the television shows Normal People and Steal.
Scott Neal – Ste
Before Beautiful Thing, Scott Neal, who portrays Ste in the film, had appeared in episodes of London’s Burning, Prime Suspect and The Bill.
He played two different characters in The Bill. The year after Beautiful Thing was released, he joined the show’s permanent cast.
Neal played PC Luke Ashton for two years. In 2002 he returned to the show for another stint, during which his character had a major storyline when it was revealed that PC Ashton was gay. Since leaving The Bill in 2003, he has appeared in Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and EastEnders. Neal is in a relationship with media executive Philip Bourchier O’Ferrall.
Linda Henry – Sandra
Linda Henry, who played Jamie’s mum Sandra, has also had a successful career on British television, including roles as Yvonne Atkins in Bad Girls and Shirley Carter in EastEnders since 2006. In 2022 she took a break from Eastenders, and eventually decided to leave the show completely.
Ben Daniels – Tony
Ben Daniels, who played Sandra’s boyfriend Tony, is one of the most recognisable faces from the cast. He appeared in three seasons of Cutting It and has also featured in The Virgin Queen and The State Within.
He played Adam Galloway in House of Cards, appeared in four seasons of Law and Order UK, received acclaim for his role as Father Marcus Keane in The Exorcist, and portrayed Anthony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon, in The Crown. In 2021, he played Ned Weeks in a West End production of The Normal Heart, and has appeared in the series Interview with the Vampire.
Daniels was in a long-term relationship with fellow actor Ian Gelder, known for playing Kevan Lannister in Game of Thrones. Gelder passed away in 2024.
Tameka Empson – Leah
Tameka Empson, who played the Mama Cass-obsessed neighbour Leah, has also had a successful career. She is part of the comedy trio 3 Non Blondes and appeared in Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful People.
In 2009, she joined the cast of EastEnders, where she plays Kim Fox. In 2025 she was a contestant on The Celebrity Traitors in the UK, she was the second person to be banished from the castle by her fellow faithful.
Glen Berry – Jamie
Before Beautiful Thing, Glen Berry appeared in episodes of Between the Lines, Casualty and Grange Hill.
After the film’s release, he appeared in London’s Burning, The Bill, Trust and Midsomer Murders. He had a recurring role in the series London Bridge and smaller roles in the Australian mini-series My Brother Tom and the film From Hell.
He retired from acting in 2003.
OIP Staff, This post was published in 2022 and was subsequently updated
