The Royle Family

as James Randolph "Jim" Royle

Misanthropic, cynical, and selfish, Jim is a slob who spends his days sitting in his armchair, watching television doing as little as possible, and enjoys announcing his visits to the lavatory. Jim is an impatient miser and regularly mocks his family, in particular his son Antony and his mother-in-law Norma, when not judging celebrities on television. Jim's outbursts are often accompanied by his critical catchphrase, "my arse!" On occasions he shows a more understanding side, especially when his family needs emotional support. Jim has shown himself to be a big music fan. Often knowledgeable about songs, he will sing song lyrics that fit in to conversation. He is also able to play the banjo and does so on special occasions and at the request of his family.

as Barbara Royle (née Speakman)

Barbara is Jim's long-suffering wife. She lives for her family, and her caring nature is often exploited by her husband Jim and their daughter Denise, who let her do almost everything for them. Despite this, she is often shown to be more friendly, polite, compassionate, and level-headed than her husband. Barbara works part-time at a bakery, and for a time is the only member of the family who holds down a job. The stress of her life causes her to have a breakdown during Series 2. Johnston and Tomlinson previously played a married couple, Sheila and Bobby Grant, in Liverpool-based soap Brookside.

as Denise Best (née Royle)

Jim and Barbara's firstborn child and only daughter is extremely lethargic, entitled, selfish and apathetic. Before meeting Dave, Denise was engaged to a man named Stewart, but called off the engagement. She marries Dave in the first series, and they have two children, David and Norma, though she rarely looks after them, instead passing her duties on to everyone else. Jim also used to mock her for only serving her husband rudimentary dinners such as Dairylea cheese spread on toast and spaghetti hoops. Denise is known for her heavy reliance on cigarettes. She and Barbara love smoking, and often fill the ashtray. Denise is sometimes verbally abusive to her younger brother Antony, regularly leaving him to babysit her children; she and her father often force him to brew tea for the family. However, there are scenes of Denise being friendly and loyal to those close to her. Sometimes she will stick up for Antony, Nana, or Cheryl if other characters ridicule them, and in an intimate scene in "The Queen of Sheba," she promises Nana that she will make her funeral fun, which she does.

as Antony James Royle (1998–2010)

Jim and Barbara's second child and only son. The family generally treats him like a dogsbody, ordering him to answer the door, make tea, and babysit his nephew and niece. He is the only family member besides Barbara who actually does any work, around the house or otherwise. Jim, Denise, and Dave constantly mock him, and he is surprised in one episode when Denise sticks up for him and Jim shows him a lot of support. Although he was originally unemployed with little prospects, the 2006 special revealed that Antony had become a successful businessman and no longer lives in Manchester. He gets engaged to girlfriend Emma after she gets pregnant and they have a son named Lewis, but they separate and he starts dating a girl named Sarah. In 2009 he is in a relationship with Saskia, who falls pregnant in early 2010 and goes into labour on Christmas Day after he proposes.

as David "Dave" Best

Denise's boyfriend and later husband Dave is initially depicted as a 'jack the lad' cheeky chappy and later portrayed as slow, lethargic, and indolent, perhaps because he works full time and is the sole carer for his and Denise's children. He is shown to be generous and good-natured, often putting up with Denise's selfish lifestyle. He is often Jim's sidekick and takes Jim's side when he argues with Barbara or Denise. Denise often takes advantage of Dave, leaving him to change nappies and comfort their children when they get upset. Denise and Dave announced that she was pregnant, and she later gave birth to baby David, and later in the series, Denise announced another pregnancy and later had a baby girl, whom she named Norma after Barbara's mother. Dave previously dated Denise's enemy, Beverley Macca, which Antony often mentions to annoy Denise. In the later series specials, Dave is portrayed as a dim-witted loafer.

The Royle Family: The Complete 1st Series – 8 November 1999.

The Royle Family: The Complete 2nd Series – 6 November 2000.

The Essential Royle Family ( exclusive) – includes Series 1, episode 2, Series 2, episodes 4, 5 & 7 (released 2000).^[43]

The Royle Family: The Complete 3rd Series – 19 November 2001.

The Royle Family: The Complete 1st Series / The Complete 2nd Series / The Complete Third Series box set – 19 November 2001.

The Very Best of the Royle Family – 25 November 2002. (see DVD section for episodes).

at BBC Online

at BBC Online

at British Comedy Guide

at epguides.com

at IMDb