{"id":16737,"date":"2022-06-10T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T07:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1658320"},"modified":"2022-06-10T09:33:16","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T07:33:16","slug":"my-name-is-leon-cast-who-stars-in-the-bbc-drama","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/my-name-is-leon-cast-who-stars-in-the-bbc-drama\/","title":{"rendered":"My Name Is Leon cast: Who stars in the BBC drama?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Abby Robinson\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 10 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

BBC Two film My Name Is Leon is based on Kit de Waal\u2019s 2016 book of the same name. The story revolves around Leon, a mixed-race boy from Birmingham who spends the first few years of his life in predominantly white spaces. He is taken into care with his baby brother due to his mother\u2019s mental health problems, but fights at every opportunity to rebuild his family.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s during that period that he meets a Jamaican man called Tufty and begins spending time with him and his friends at a local allotment. One day, Leon overhears a passionate debate between the men about how best to combat racial discrimination and the ongoing riots unfolding in the region, introducing him to a world he had previously been separate from.<\/p>

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters in My Name Is Leon.<\/p>\n

Cole Martin plays Leon<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Leon (COLE MARTIN). Douglas Road Productions\/ Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Leon?<\/strong> Leon is the boy at the centre of the film. Him and his baby brother are taken in by a foster carer due to their mum\u2019s postnatal depression, but that doesn\u2019t stop him from trying to bring his family back together.<\/p>\n

Leon is out riding his bike one day when he meets a man called Tufty and the pair form a solid friendship.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Cole Martin before?<\/strong> Martin is a newcomer who appeared in Steve McQueen\u2019s Small Axe: An Education, and he\u2019s also set to appear in Channel 5 thriller Witness No. 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Malachi Kirby plays Tufty<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Tufty (MALACHI KIRBY). Douglas Road Productions\/ Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Tufty<\/strong>? Tufty is a Jamaican man who befriends Leon after the boy follows him to his plot at a local allotment. At first he has no interest in spending time with the kid, but eventually he warms to Leon and becomes his mentor.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Malachi Kirby before?<\/strong> Kirby\u2019s most recent credits include Devils with Patrick Dempsey, Boiling Point<\/a> with Stephen Graham and he also played Darcus Howe in Small Axe: Mangrove<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Monica Dolan plays Maureen<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Maureen (MONICA DOLAN). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Maureen?<\/strong> Maureen is a long-time foster carer who takes in Leon and his brother. She has a solid moral compass and forms a strong bond with him. Maureen, while sympathetic to Leon, always strives to be honest with him, however painful the truth may be.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Monica Dolan before?<\/strong> Dolan recently starred in The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe<\/a>. Her extensive credits also include W1A<\/a> and Alan Partridge, in which she plays Angela.<\/p>\n

Poppy Lee Friar plays Carol<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Carol (POPPY LEE FRIAR). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Carol?<\/strong> Carol is Leon\u2019s mum. She\u2019s a single parent who is unable to look after Leon and his infant brother due to her post-natal depression.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Poppy Lee Friar before?\u00a0<\/strong> You might recognise Friar from In My Skin<\/a> and Ackley Bridge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Olivia Williams plays Sylvia<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Sylvia (OLIVIA WILLIAMS). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Sylvia?<\/strong> Sylvia is Maureen\u2019s sister. She believes Maureen has been in the foster game for far too long and urges her to retire. When Leon turns up, she\u2019s less than thrilled.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Olivia Williams before?<\/strong> Williams\u2019 most recent projects include The Nevers<\/a>, The Father<\/a> and Counterpart.<\/p>\n

Christopher Eccleston plays Mr Devlin<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Mr Devlin (CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Mr Devlin?<\/strong> Mr Devlin can be found tending to his fruit and veg at the same allotment as Tufty. Initially, it\u2019s not clear whether he\u2019s a friend or a foe.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Christopher Eccleston before?<\/strong> Eccleston is best known for Doctor Who<\/a>, The Leftovers, 28 Days Later and Our Friends in the North. His most recent work includes Dodger<\/a>, Close to Me<\/a> and The A Word<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sir Lenny Henry plays Mr Johnson<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Mr Johnson (SIR LENNY HENRY). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Mr Johnson?<\/strong> Mr Johnson is one of Tufty\u2019s friends. They hang out at the allotment together.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Sir Lenny Henry before?<\/strong> Henry is best known for his comedy work, and he also co-founded Comic Relief. His acting credits include Doctor Who, Broadchurch<\/a> and The Syndicate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Elexi Walker plays Desree<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Desree (ELEXI WALKER). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Desree?\u00a0<\/strong>Desree also has her own plot on the allotment. She\u2019s a kind-hearted woman who looks out for Leon.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Elexi Walker before?<\/strong> Walker played a minor role in daytime drama Doctors.<\/p>\n

Leemore Marrett Jr plays Castro<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Castro (LEEMORE MARRETT JR). Douglas Road Productions\/Ben Gregory-Ring<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Who is Castro?<\/strong> Castro is another of Tufty\u2019s friends. He clashes with Johnson about how best to fight back against racism.<\/p>\n

Where have I seen Leemore Marrett Jr?<\/strong> Marrett Jr played Florence Cassell\u2019s fianc\u00e9 in Death in Paradise<\/a> and he has also appeared in Silent Witness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My Name Is Leon will air at 9pm on Friday 10th June 2022 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. While you\u2019re waiting, take a look at our other\u00a0<\/b>Drama<\/b><\/span><\/a>\u00a0coverage, or find out what else is on with our\u00a0<\/b>TV guide<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>\u00a0and get the next 12 issues for only \u00a31. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the\u00a0Radio Times podcast<\/a>\u00a0with Jane Garvey.<\/b><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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