Cast
In the March 2011 PBS pledge drive programming special Behind the Britcoms: from Script to Screen hosted by Moira Brooker and Philip Bretherton, the series creator/producer revealed that Jean Simmons had declined the first offer of the role of 'Jean' (which was written with her in mind) due to her reluctance to uproot her sunny life—specifically mentioning her dogs, garden, and family—in California. Dench was later cast after auditioning for the role.
- Jean Mary Hardcastle (née Pargetter) (Judi Dench) — Judith's mother, Penny & Stephen's sister-in-law, Lionel's wife, Rocky's daughter-in-law, Madge's stepdaughter-in-law, and Alistair's mother-in-law,
- Lionel Hardcastle (Geoffrey Palmer) — Rocky's son, Jean's husband, Judith's stepfather & Alistair's stepfather-in-law, and Madge's stepson
- Judith Deacon "Judi" (née Hanson) (Moira Brooker) — Jean's daughter, Penny & Stephen's niece, Sandy's best friend, Lionel's stepdaughter, Rocky's & Madge's step-granddaughter, and Alistair's wife
- Alistair Deacon (Philip Bretherton) — Initially publisher of Lionel's book, then Judith's husband, Jean's son-in-law & Lionel's stepson-in-law, Penny & Stephen's nephew-in-law, Rocky & Madge's step-grandson-in-law
- Sandy Edwards (Jenny Funnell) — Judith's best friend and Harry's wife
- Richard 'Rocky' Hardcastle (Frank Middlemass) — Lionel's father, Jean's father-in-law, Judith's step-granddaughter, Alistair's step-grandfather-in-law, and Madge's husband
- Madge Hardcastle (Joan Sims) — Lionel's stepmother, Jean's stepmother-in-law, Judith's step-granddaughter, Alistair's step-grandmother-in-law, and Rocky's wife
- Penny Johnson (née Hanson) (Moyra Fraser) — Jean's sister-in-law (from Jean's first marriage to David), Judith's auntie, and Stephen's wife
- Stephen Johnson (Paul Chapman) — Penny's husband, Jean's brother-in-law, and Judith's uncle
- Harry (David Michaels) — Sandy's husband
- Harry (Daniel Ryan) — Sandy's husband
- Mrs. Bale (Janet Henfrey) — Hardcastle country home housekeeper
- Lol Ferris (Tim Wylton) — Hardcastle country home gardener
- Daisy: Justine Glenton (1 episode), Zoe Hilson (4 episodes)
Read more about this topic: As Time Goes By (TV series)
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