Susan Hampshire OBE originally trained as a classical ballet dancer at a ballet school founded and run by her mother June. At 15 when she became too tall for ballet she turned to acting and an extensive and award winning career in television, theatre and film followed. Her first stage appearance was as Dora in Night Must Fall in repertory - a few years later, she was to play the leading part opposite Albert Finney in the film version. her theatrical career has ranged from musicals to Shakespeare and Ibsen, playing leads amongst others in Follow That Girl, Fairy Tales of New York, The Ginger Man, The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It and Night and Day. Susan won a best actress Emmy Award for her role as Fleur in the highly acclaimed television series The Forsyte Saga, and won the same award in 1971 as Sarah Churchill in The First Churchill and again in 1973 for Vanity Fair playing Becky Sharp. Susan is also well known to audiences for her roles in My Secret Garden, The Grand and the mini-series Coming Home. Her many film credits include Wonderful Life, Monte Carlo or Bust and David Copperfield, as well as a best actress award for her role in Malpertius. In addition to acting Susan has written several books including the highly acclaimed Susan's Story, an autobiographical account of her struggle against dyslexia which she also focused upon for Every Letter Counts - both were best sellers. She was made Honorary Doctor of letters at the City University, London in 1984 and Honorary Doctor of Literature at St Andrews in 1986, Hon D Ed at Kingston University, Surrey and Hon D Arts in Boston, USA in 1994. She was awarded an OBE in 1995.

Alastair Mackenzie was most recently seen by television audiences in the Channel 4 drama Psycho's. His previous television credits include Hamish Macbeth, Phil Kay Feels..., Soldier, Soldier, Lovejoy and Chef plus film roles in Misadventures of Margaret, Down in the City and California. Theatre credits include Agamemnon, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Cymbeline and Four Dogs and A Bone.

Dawn Steele graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in July 1998 with First Class Honours. In the short time since graduating, Dawn has gained a considerable number of film, theatre and television credits. Her television credits include a role in BBC Scotland's Split Second, she has also appeared in Highlander, Haywire, Dreams and Recollection and In Search of Unicorns. Dawn recently completed filming a leading role in Tinsel Town, a new contemporary drama series from BBC Scotland to be seen on BBC TWO later this year. Film credits include Gregory's Two Girls and The Debt Collector. Dawn is currently in rehearsals for the production Medea and Electra for Theatre Babel.

Hamish trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drama. He will be familiar to television audiences for his role as Roger in My Wonderful Life. His film credits include Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis and Martha Meets. In addition, Hamish has a variety of theatre and comedy credits including his own comedy production Hamish Whips It Out for the Edinburgh Fringe and The Tempest, directed by David Pope.

Sandy's recent film work includes BBC Scotland's highly acclaimed film, Ratcatcher, by Lynne Ramsay and Bill Forsyth's Gregory's Two Girls. For television Sandy's credits include BBC Scotland's Life Support and Looking After Jo Jo, and the recent detective drama Second Sight with Clive Owen. In addition Sandy has extensive theatre work including The Architect, Buried treasure, the Riandog production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Sash, directed by Gerard Kelly.