What happened to Billie Piper’s co-stars?

By Radio Times

Published: Wednesday, 19 June 2024 at 14:46 PM


ITV2 drama Secret Diary of a Call Girl is enjoying a second wind, courtesy of Netflix.

The series, which was created by Lucy Prebble (Succession, I Hate Suzie) and ran for four seasons between 2007 and 2011, starred Billie Piper as a high-end escort working in London who kept her lucrative double life hidden from her family.

A number of recognisable faces also appeared alongside Piper.

Read on to find out who they played, and what else they went on to star in.

Secret Diary of a Call Girl main cast

Billie Piper played Belle

Billie Piper wearing a suit
Billie Piper.
Samir Hussein/WireImage

Billie Piper starred as Hannah in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, the eponymous ‘call girl’, known as ‘Belle’, who pretended she was working as a legal secretary after graduating from university.

Prior to that, she was known as companion Rose Tyler in Doctor Who. Her CV also includes Penny Dreadful, Collateral and I Hate Suzie. Film roles include Rare Beasts, Catherine Called Birdy and Scoop.

She’s set to appear in the second season of Wednesday, and new series Kaos.

Iddo Goldberg played Ben

Iddo Goldberg wearing all black, standing in front of a black and white backdrop
Iddo Goldberg.
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Iddo Goldberg played Ben, who dated Hannah at university. He managed a bar in London.

He played Freddie Thorne in Peaky Blinders. Other TV roles also include Snowpiercer and Salem. You might also have watched Goldberg in The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Cherie Lunghi played Stephanie

Cherie Lunghi smiling at the camera
Cherie Lunghi.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

Cherie Lunghi played Stephanie, the head of escorting agency Discreet Elite and Hannah’s agent. 

After Secret Diary, she appeared in various episodes of Lewis, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders and Strike. Lunghi was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

Ashley Madekwe played Bambi

Ashley Madekwe wearing a silver bandeau dress, stood in front of a white backdrop
Ashley Madekwe.
Araya Doheny/Getty Images

Ashley Madekwe played Bambi, another escort, who Hannah took under her wing.

Madekwe went on to appear in Revenge, Salem, Tell Me a Story and Dr Death. She also starred in County Lines and The Strays.

Joanna Bobin played Jackie

Joanna Bobin wearing a black dress, having her photo taken in front of a blue backdrop
Joanna Bobin.
Neil Mockford/WireImage

Joanna Bobin played Jackie, Hannah’s sister, who was none the wiser about her sibling’s job. 

You might recognise her from Bridgerton.

James D’Arcy played Duncan

James D'Arcy wearing a grey suit, having his picture taken
James D’Arcy.
Samir Hussein/WireImage

James D’Arcy played Duncan, Hannah’s publisher when she became an author. But their relationship becomes complicated.

You might have watched him in Broadchurch, Agent Carter, Homeland, Red Election and Constellation. He appeared in films Dunkirk and Oppenheimer.

Callum Blue played Alex

Callum Blue dressed in a black suit, having his photo taken
Callum Blue.
Duane Prokop/Getty Images

Callum Blue played Alex, a doctor who was in a relationship with ‘Belle’.

Prior to Secret Diary, his credits included Dead Like Me, Related, The Tudors and The Princess Diaries 2. He went on to star in Smallville and Proof.

Lily James played Poppy

Lily James waving at the MET Gala
Lily James.
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Lily James played Poppy, Stephanie’s daughter. She had no idea what her mother did for a living.

After Secret Diary, she went on to star in Downton Abbey. Her other TV credits include War and Peace, The Pursuit of Love and Pam & Tommy. James’s film credits include live-action Cinderella, Baby Driver, Darkest Hour, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Yesterday, Rebecca, The Dig and The Iron Claw. 

David Dawson played Byron

David Dawson wearing a suit, stood in front of a blue backdrop
David Dawson.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

David Dawson played Byron, an aristocrat who met Bambi while she was working an escort, before falling in love with her.

His credits include Luther, Ripper Street, The Last Kingdom and This Town. Dawson also appeared in film My Policeman.

Gemma Chan played Charlotte

Gemma Chan sat in a black dress smiling
Gemma Chan.
Randy Holmes/Walt Disney Television

Gemma Chan played another of Stephanie’s employees at Discreet Elite.

Her most notable TV role post Secret Diary was Humans. She also appeared in single episodes of Shetland and Death in Paradise. Chan’s film roles include Crazy Rich Asians, Captain Marvel, Eternals, The Creator and Don’t Worry Darling.

Paul Nicholls played Harry Keegan

Paul Nicholls dressed in a white shirt, standing in front of a neutral backdrop
Paul Nicholls.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Paul Nicholls starred as Harry Keegan, a detective who solicited Discreet Elite’s services.    

Prior to Secret Diary, he was best known for EastEnders. Nicholls went on to appear in Holby City, Law & Order: UK and Ackley Bridge.

Toyah Willcox played Gail  

Toyah Willcox wearing a red outfit while performing on stage
Toyah Willcox.
Lorne Thomson/Redferns

Toyah Willcox played Gail, Hannah’s mother. She didn’t know what her daughter did for a living. 

Willcox was an established singer before Secret Diary and continues to perform.

Stuart Organ played Niall

Stuart Organ dressed in a dark suit, looking at the camera
Stuart Organ.
David M. Benett/Getty Images

Stuart Organ played Niall, Hannah’s father who was also unaware of his daughter’s work.

Much of Organ’s CV includes video game voice-overs. He’s also had minor roles in Doctors and Bridgerton.

Secret Diary of a Call Girl is available to stream now on Netflix, Prime Video and ITVX. 

Check out more of our Drama 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.