Cast Biographies

Stephen Mangan

Stephen studied at Cambridge University, where he gained a Master of Arts in Law, and trained at RADA, graduating in July 1994. Early television roles were followed by his breakthrough lead in Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years playing the titular character. As well as a series of cameo roles in TV series, including I’m Alan Partridge and Nathan Barley, Stephen played the lead roles in Annie Griffin’s Edinburgh-set film comedy Festival and wedding comedy Confetti. His role in Channel 4’s Green Wing as Dr. Guillaume Secretan further cemented his comedy credentials. Subsequently Stephen starred in Jane Hall and Never Better for television. His forthcoming projects include the film Bono, Bob, Brian and Me (title TBC).

Stephen’s extensive theatrical work includes roles in Much Ado about Nothing, Noises Off and The Magic Carpet. He recently played the role of Norman in The Norman Conquests at The Old Vic.

Sharon Horgan

Actress, performer and writer Sharon Horgan’s early work included Shoreditch Tw*t, for Channel 4’s Comedy Lab – nominated for a Golden Rose in 2002. Subsequently she appeared in, and contributed to, The Pilot Show, Monkey Dust, Broken News and The Friday Night Project. From 2006 she starred in two series of Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, and went on to co-write with Dennis Kelly two series of the critically-acclaimed, BAFTA nominated Pulling. Recent TV credits include café-based sitcom Angelo’s, written by and starring Sharon. Other appearances include Simon Nye’s Carrie & Barry, Absolute Power and the film Imagine Me & You.

Sharon was joint winner of the BBC New Comedy award for sketch writing in 2001, and won the British Comedy Award for Best Actress in 2008.

Anthony Head

Following his West End debut as Jesus in Godspell, Anthony Head went on to star in many acclaimed stage productions with roles as diverse as Absalom in Peter Shaffer’s Yonadab, Freddy Trumper in Chess, and Frank ‘n’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Throughout the late 70s and 80s he took on many guest roles in TV series including Secret Army, Enemy at the Door, Love in a Cold Climate and Howard’s Way.

Anthony’s early US television work included a guest appearance on NYPD Blue and a season of the ground-breaking series VR5 before he won the role of Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a series that achieved cult status and critical acclaim.

Back in the UK, Anthony demonstrated his diversity as an actor starring in series such as Manchild and Little Britain while continuing to guest star in notable dramas such as Spooks, Reversals and New Tricks. Most recently he could be seen as King Uther in Merlin.

Matthew Holness

Matthew Holness is a British comedian and writer. He grew up in Whitstable, Kent, and studied English at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Holness created the character Garth Marenghi and, along with Richard Ayoade, wrote Garth Marenghi’s Fright Knight in 2000. His follow-up show, Garth Marenghi’s Netherhead, won the Perrier Comedy Award in 2001. In 2002, Holness appeared as Simon the computer nerd in Ricky Gervais’ award-winning comedy The Office. In 2004 Holness created and starred in Channel 4’s spoof horror comedy Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, returning to C4 in 2006 with Man to Man with Dean Learner for which he created and played five new characters. Other TV appearances include Time Trumpet and Casanova.

His short fiction regularly appears in anthologies and magazines. Matthew is currently writing an original screenplay for Film4 and a comedy for BBC Radio 4.

Sara Pascoe

Sara was recently named Time Out’s Rising Star for 2009 as well as coming second in the 2008 Nivea Funny Women Competition. Sara is also an established actress with extensive theatre credits, including playing Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Tallulah in Involution, and Desdemona in Othello.

An experienced sketch performer and improviser, Sara’s comedy theatre credits include Newsrevue, Shakespeare for Breakfast and Breakfast Bedlam, Live! Sara also appears in sketches on www.comedybox.tv and writes regularly for Newsrevue and The Treason Show.

Her sitcom, The Good Guide, is currently in early production after reaching the finals of the sitcom trials at The Soho Theatre.