Comedian Lisicki and singer songwriter Holdsworth were partners in the \u201990s, and the founders of DAN, the disabled people\u2019s Direct Action Network.<\/p>\n
Together they went on to play a fundamental role in the creation of the Disability Discrimination Act, granting disabled people equal rights in law.<\/p>\n
Their story is now being told with actors Ruth Madeley and Arthur Hughes stepping into their shoes, along with some cameos from real life members of DAN.<\/p>\n
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Then Barbara Met Alan and the real people they are portraying.<\/p>\n
Then Barbara Met Alan cast: Ruth Madeley and Arthur Hughes star<\/strong><\/h2>\nRuth Madeley plays Barbara Lisicki<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Ruth\"]( "\\"\"Ruth\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Ruth with Barbara<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Dragonfly Film & Television Productions Ltd – Photographer: Samuel Dore<\/i><\/span><\/div>\nWho is <\/strong>Barbara Lisicki<\/strong>? <\/strong>Barbara Lisicki is a comedian and disability rights activist, who was a founder of DAN, the disabled people\u2019s Direct Action Network, in the \u201990s along with her then-partner Alan Holdsworth. The group handcuffed themselves to busses, picketed businesses that denied access to disabled people and eventually embarked on a plan to bring Westminster to a standstill, in an effort to grant disabled people equal rights in law.<\/p>\nWhere have I seen Ruth Madeley before? <\/strong>Madeley has had roles in series including Fresh Meat, Outnumbered, Cold Feet and Save Me Too. She appeared in Brexit: The Uncivil War<\/a>, which starred Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings, and was nominated for a BAFTA for her role in BBC Three\u2019s Don\u2019t Take My Baby. Madeley leapt to prominence for her role in Russell T Davies\u2019<\/a> Years and Years.<\/p>\nArthur Hughes plays Alan Holdsworth<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Arthur\"]( "\\"\"Arthur\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> BBC\/Dragonfly Film & Television Productions Ltd – Photographer: Samuel Dore<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nWho is Alan Holdsworth? <\/strong>Alan Holdsworth is a singer songwriter and was a founding member of DAN, along with his then-partner Barbara. Holdsworth coined the term<\/a> \u2018Piss on Pity\u2019 which became a rallying cry for the disability rights movement. He also goes by the name Johnny Crescendo, which is his musical alter-ego.<\/p>\nWhere have I seen Arthur Hughes before? <\/strong>Hughes is re-teaming with writer Jack Thorne<\/a> in Then Barbara Met Alan, having previously been in his Channel 4 film Help<\/a>. He is also known for his role in Netflix series The Innocents<\/a>.<\/p>\nPhillipa Cole plays Sue<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Then\"]( "\\"\"Then\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Phillipa Cole (back row, right) in Then Barbara Met Alan<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Dragonfly Film & Television Productions Ltd – Photographer: Samuel Dore<\/i><\/span><\/div>\nWho is Sue? <\/strong>Sue seems to be based on Sue Elsegood<\/a>, a member of DAN since its formation. She worked closely with Barbara and Alan in their fight for accessible public transport and disability rights in the law.<\/p>\nWhere have I seen Phillipa Cole before? <\/strong>Cole has appeared in Holby City<\/a> and Coronation Street, as well as short film Amputee. Last year she was the in the Michael Sheen, Nathalie Emmanuel Christmas film Last Train to Christmas<\/p> Liz Carr plays herself<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Who\"]( "\\"\"Who\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> BBC<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nWho is Liz Carr? <\/strong>Liz Carr was one of the original members of DAN, joining the group at the age of 20. As part of her disability rights activism she confronted Ken Clarke with a wheelbarrow, concrete and a challenge to build a ramp at his surgery, and also handcuffed herself to busses with the rest of the group. Carr said playing herself in the film was \u201csurreal\u201d and \u201calso a huge wonderful trip down memory lane, not least because a whole gang of the original activists played themselves as extras in the protest crowd scenes.\u201d<\/p>\nWhere have I seen Liz Carr before? <\/strong>Carr is best known for her long-running role as Clarissa Mullery in Silent Witness<\/a>, but has also appeared in The Witcher<\/a>, Devs<\/a> and the BBC\u2019s adaptation of Les Mis\u00e9rables.<\/p>\nMat Fraser plays himself<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Mat\"]( "\\"\"Mat\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Photo by Tommaso Boddi\/Getty Images for AT&T AUDIENCE Network<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\nWho is Mat Fraser?\u00a0<\/strong>Mat Fraser is an original member of DAN, and joined having already campaigned for a host of causes including the fight to free Nelson Mandela and the campaign for women\u2019s right to choose abortion. Of his role in the film, Fraser said<\/a> that it \u201cfeels weird, and wonderful. What actor gets to play themselves from 30 years ago?\u201d<\/p>\nWhere have I seen Mat Fraser before?\u00a0<\/strong>Fraser is a musician, actor and writer and has appeared in American Horror Story<\/a>, His Dark Materials<\/a> and Loudermilk. He also appeared in a Silent Witness story (two episodes) alongside Liz Carr in 2020.<\/p>\nThen Barbara Met Alan airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on 21st March 2022. Check out our\u00a0Drama<\/a>\u00a0hub for more news, interviews and features or find something to watch with\u00a0<\/span>our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\nThe latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>\u00a0to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, l<\/strong>isten to the\u00a0Radio Times podcast<\/a>\u00a0with Jane Garvey.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By James Hibbs Published: Friday, 18 March 2022 at 12:00 am The BBC\u2019s Then Barbara Met Alan airs on BBC Two on 21st March 2022 and tells the powerful true story of disability rights activists Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth. Comedian Lisicki and singer songwriter Holdsworth were partners in the \u201990s, and the founders of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":12466,"template":"","categories":[1,5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan.jpg",2000,1332,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-768x511.jpg",768,511,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-1536x1023.jpg",1536,1023,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan.jpg",2000,1332,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By James Hibbs Published: Friday, 18 March 2022 at 12:00 am The BBC\u2019s Then Barbara Met Alan airs on BBC Two on 21st March 2022 and tells the powerful true story of disability rights activists Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth. Comedian Lisicki and singer songwriter Holdsworth were partners in the \u201990s, and the founders of…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/12465"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\""Ruth\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/03\/23690268-low-then-barbara-met-alan-627b1ca.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C414"\" "\\"\"Ruth\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Who is <\/strong>Barbara Lisicki<\/strong>? <\/strong>Barbara Lisicki is a comedian and disability rights activist, who was a founder of DAN, the disabled people\u2019s Direct Action Network, in the \u201990s along with her then-partner Alan Holdsworth. The group handcuffed themselves to busses, picketed businesses that denied access to disabled people and eventually embarked on a plan to bring Westminster to a standstill, in an effort to grant disabled people equal rights in law.<\/p>\n Where have I seen Ruth Madeley before? <\/strong>Madeley has had roles in series including Fresh Meat, Outnumbered, Cold Feet and Save Me Too. She appeared in Brexit: The Uncivil War<\/a>, which starred Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings, and was nominated for a BAFTA for her role in BBC Three\u2019s Don\u2019t Take My Baby. Madeley leapt to prominence for her role in Russell T Davies\u2019<\/a> Years and Years.<\/p>\n Who is Alan Holdsworth? <\/strong>Alan Holdsworth is a singer songwriter and was a founding member of DAN, along with his then-partner Barbara. Holdsworth coined the term<\/a> \u2018Piss on Pity\u2019 which became a rallying cry for the disability rights movement. He also goes by the name Johnny Crescendo, which is his musical alter-ego.<\/p>\n Where have I seen Arthur Hughes before? <\/strong>Hughes is re-teaming with writer Jack Thorne<\/a> in Then Barbara Met Alan, having previously been in his Channel 4 film Help<\/a>. He is also known for his role in Netflix series The Innocents<\/a>.<\/p>\n Who is Sue? <\/strong>Sue seems to be based on Sue Elsegood<\/a>, a member of DAN since its formation. She worked closely with Barbara and Alan in their fight for accessible public transport and disability rights in the law.<\/p>\n Where have I seen Phillipa Cole before? <\/strong>Cole has appeared in Holby City<\/a> and Coronation Street, as well as short film Amputee. Last year she was the in the Michael Sheen, Nathalie Emmanuel Christmas film Last Train to Christmas<\/p> Who is Liz Carr? <\/strong>Liz Carr was one of the original members of DAN, joining the group at the age of 20. As part of her disability rights activism she confronted Ken Clarke with a wheelbarrow, concrete and a challenge to build a ramp at his surgery, and also handcuffed herself to busses with the rest of the group. Carr said playing herself in the film was \u201csurreal\u201d and \u201calso a huge wonderful trip down memory lane, not least because a whole gang of the original activists played themselves as extras in the protest crowd scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n Where have I seen Liz Carr before? <\/strong>Carr is best known for her long-running role as Clarissa Mullery in Silent Witness<\/a>, but has also appeared in The Witcher<\/a>, Devs<\/a> and the BBC\u2019s adaptation of Les Mis\u00e9rables.<\/p>\n Who is Mat Fraser?\u00a0<\/strong>Mat Fraser is an original member of DAN, and joined having already campaigned for a host of causes including the fight to free Nelson Mandela and the campaign for women\u2019s right to choose abortion. Of his role in the film, Fraser said<\/a> that it \u201cfeels weird, and wonderful. What actor gets to play themselves from 30 years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n Where have I seen Mat Fraser before?\u00a0<\/strong>Fraser is a musician, actor and writer and has appeared in American Horror Story<\/a>, His Dark Materials<\/a> and Loudermilk. He also appeared in a Silent Witness story (two episodes) alongside Liz Carr in 2020.<\/p>\n Then Barbara Met Alan airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on 21st March 2022. Check out our\u00a0Drama<\/a>\u00a0hub for more news, interviews and features or find something to watch with\u00a0<\/span>our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>\u00a0to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, l<\/strong>isten to the\u00a0Radio Times podcast<\/a>\u00a0with Jane Garvey.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/body><\/html>\n By James Hibbs Published: Friday, 18 March 2022 at 12:00 am The BBC\u2019s Then Barbara Met Alan airs on BBC Two on 21st March 2022 and tells the powerful true story of disability rights activists Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth. Comedian Lisicki and singer songwriter Holdsworth were partners in the \u201990s, and the founders of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":12466,"template":"","categories":[1,5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan.jpg",2000,1332,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-768x511.jpg",768,511,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan-1536x1023.jpg",1536,1023,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/03\/meet-the-cast-of-then-barbara-met-alan.jpg",2000,1332,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By James Hibbs Published: Friday, 18 March 2022 at 12:00 am The BBC\u2019s Then Barbara Met Alan airs on BBC Two on 21st March 2022 and tells the powerful true story of disability rights activists Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth. Comedian Lisicki and singer songwriter Holdsworth were partners in the \u201990s, and the founders of…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/12465"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Arthur Hughes plays Alan Holdsworth<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Arthur\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/03\/23690589-low-then-barbara-met-alan-d687ce8.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C414"\" "\\"\"Arthur\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Phillipa Cole plays Sue<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Then\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/03\/23690379-low-then-barbara-met-alan-869b2f7.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C414"\" "\\"\"Then\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Liz Carr plays herself<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Who\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/20529933-high_res-who-do-you-think-you-are-s17-32c7f15.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Who\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Mat Fraser plays himself<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Mat\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-860047906-328c33d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Mat\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"