The British television series Benidorm, which aired from 2007 to 2018, built a loyal audience around its rotating ensemble of holidaymakers and resort staff. Across 11 seasons, the show introduced dozens of characters, with several families and recurring personalities forming the backbone of the comedy. Understanding who played these roles — and when they appeared — helps explain why the series remains a cult favourite.
The cast of Benidorm is not a single static list. Different families arrived and departed over the years, and the show’s structure meant that each season brought new faces while keeping a core group of actors. This article breaks down the main actresses, the family units, and the season-by-season changes, based on publicly available cast records from IMDb, Wikipedia, and other sources.
Below you will find a quick-reference overview, followed by detailed sections on the female cast, the family groupings, and a timeline of key cast movements.
Who are the female Benidorm actors?
The female cast of Benidorm includes a range of actresses who portrayed mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and resort employees. Some appeared in nearly every season, while others joined later or left earlier. The table below shows the most prominent female characters and the actresses who played them.
Key actresses including Janine Duvitski, Sherrie Hewson, Elsie Kelly, and others.
The Garvey, Maltby, Dawson, Stewart, Harvey and Conroy families.
Every actor who appeared in Benidorm across all 11 seasons.
Season-specific breakdowns of main and recurring actors.
Key insights about the Benidorm cast
- Benidorm ran for 11 seasons (2007–2018) with a core cast and many recurring guests.
- The female cast includes iconic characters like Jacqueline Stewart (Janine Duvitski) and Noreen Maltby (Elsie Kelly).
- The Garvey family is the central family, with actors like Jake Canuso (Mateo) and Tony Maudsley (Kenneth) as fan favourites.
- Several cast members have passed away, including Kenny Ireland (Donald Stewart) in 2014 and Tim Healy (Alan Maltby) in 2024.
- The show was filmed in Benidorm, Spain, at the Sol Pelicanos Ocas hotel.
| Actor | Character | Seasons | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Canuso | Mateo Castellano | 1–11 | Active |
| Janine Duvitski | Jacqueline Stewart | 1–10 | Active |
| Tony Maudsley | Kenneth Du Beke | 1–10 | Active |
| Elsie Kelly | Noreen Maltby | 1–5, 7–10 | Active |
| Sherrie Hewson | Joyce Temple‑Savage | 4–10 | Retired |
| Kenny Ireland | Donald Stewart | 1–6 | Deceased (2014) |
| Tim Healy | Alan Maltby | 1–7 | Deceased (2024) |
Who is in the Benidorm family cast?
The show’s comedy relied heavily on family dynamics. Several distinct family groups appeared across the series, each with their own lead actresses. Below is a breakdown of the main families and the actors who portrayed them, based on data from IMDb, Wikipedia, and The Sun.
The Garvey family
The Garveys are the central working‑class family. Janice Garvey, played by Siobhan Finneran, appeared in series 1–6 as a main character and returned for a recurring role in series 7. Her daughter Chantelle “Telle” Garvey, played by Hannah Hobley, was part of the cast in series 1–2. Mick Garvey (Steve Pemberton) rounded out the immediate family across series 1–6. Madge Harvey, the cantankerous mother‑in‑law of Mick, was played by Sheila Reid from series 1 to 9.
The Maltby family
Noreen Maltby (Elsie Kelly) appeared in series 1–5 and 7–10, making her one of the longest‑running female characters. Her daughter Pauline Maltby, played by Selina Griffiths, joined in series 4 and remained through series 7–10. Geoff Maltby (Johnny Vegas) was present from series 1 to 9.
The Stewart family
Jacqueline Stewart, portrayed by Janine Duvitski, is one of the most recognised faces of the show, appearing in 73 episodes across series 1–10. Her on‑screen husband Donald Stewart (Kenny Ireland) featured in series 1–7. The Stewarts are known as the “swinger” couple, adding a distinctive layer of humour.
The Garvey family is considered the show’s anchor. According to Wikipedia and The Sun, Janice Garvey (Siobhan Finneran) acted as the sharp‑tongued but caring mother, while Madge Harvey (Sheila Reid) provided the gruff comedy as the mother‑in‑law. The Maltby family brought a loud, meddling dynamic through Noreen and Pauline.
The Dawson family
Introduced in series 8, the Dawsons added a new matriarch: Sheron Dawson (Julie Graham) and her daughter Jodie Dawson (played by Honor Navvy, though some sources list Asia Scotland). Rob Dawson (Josh Bolt) also joined as a male family member. The Dawsons appeared in series 8–10.
The Conroy family
Les Conroy (Tim Healy) and his son Liam Conroy (Adam Gillen) were mainstays from series 3 to 10. Les appeared in 47 episodes, Liam in 44.
What are the Benidorm cast members by season?
Because the cast changed heavily between seasons, a season‑by‑season overview helps track who was on screen and when. The following subsections summarise the main cast additions and departures for each season for which detailed records are available.
Season 3 (2009)
Sherrie Hewson joined the show as Joyce Temple‑Savage, the flamboyant resort manager. The Conroy family (Tim Healy and Adam Gillen) also made their debut this season.
Season 7 (2013)
Tim Healy appeared in his final season as Alan Maltby. Siobhan Finneran returned only as a recurring character after having been a main cast member in seasons 1–6.
Season 8 (2015)
The Dawson family (Julie Graham, Honor Navvy/Asia Scotland, Josh Bolt) was introduced. This season also saw the arrival of new recurring characters.
Season 9 (2015)
The Dawson family continued, while several long‑term cast members like Sheila Reid (Madge Harvey) remained. New characters were added to refresh the ensemble.
Season 10 (2016)
Sherrie Hewson’s last season as Joyce Temple‑Savage. Janine Duvitski also ended her run as a regular after this season. Tony Maudsley (Kenneth) departed after season 10.
Season 11 (2018)
The final season brought back many returning favourites, including Jake Canuso, Janine Duvitski (recurring), and Elsie Kelly. No major new families were introduced.
As of 2025, there are no official plans for a Benidorm revival or film. Rumours circulating online have not been confirmed by ITV or any cast members. The series officially ended after season 11 in 2018.
When did the Benidorm cast change over the years?
Key moments in the cast’s evolution are listed below, based on records from IMDb, Wikipedia, and The Sun.
- 2007: Season 1 premieres with main cast including Jake Canuso, Janine Duvitski, Elsie Kelly, Kenny Ireland, Tim Healy.
- 2009: Season 3 introduces Sherrie Hewson as Joyce Temple‑Savage and the Conroy family.
- 2012: Season 6 ends with Kenny Ireland’s final appearance (he died in 2014 from cancer).
- 2013: Season 7 sees Tim Healy’s final season as a regular (he died in 2024).
- 2015: Season 8 brings the Dawson family into the show.
- 2018: Season 11 is the final season; cast includes many returning favourites.
What is confirmed and what is unconfirmed about the Benidorm cast?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Kenny Ireland died in 2014 from cancer. | Rumours of a reboot or film have not been confirmed by official sources. |
| Tim Healy died in 2024. | Some cast members’ current whereabouts are not publicly updated. |
| The show ended after season 11 in 2018. | No official statement on a potential revival has been issued. |
Why did the Benidorm cast contribute to the show’s success?
Benidorm’s enduring popularity is largely due to its ensemble cast of comedic actors. The chemistry between characters like the Stewarts and the Garveys created iconic moments. The show’s setting in a Spanish resort allowed for diverse guest characters. The cast’s ability to blend sharp humour with heart kept audiences engaged for 11 seasons.
Where can you find official information about the Benidorm cast?
The most complete cast lists are available through dedicated film and television databases. IMDb’s full cast and crew page provides a comprehensive list of actors and their episode counts. Wikipedia’s entry for the series also includes a main cast summary with character names. For a fan‑oriented breakdown, the Comedy.co.uk cast page offers detailed listings. A tabloid overview of where cast members are now was published by The Sun in 2021, though its sourcing is less authoritative. Additional behind‑the‑scenes details can be found on the Benidorm Fandom wiki.
“The Garvey family is the show’s central working‑class family, with Janice as the sharp‑tongued but maternal mother.” – The Sun / Wikipedia
“Jacqueline Stewart is a long‑standing main character as part of the swinger couple with Donald Stewart.” – IMDb / The Sun
IMDb
What is the complete Benidorm cast list?
The Benidorm cast spans 11 seasons and includes dozens of actors, with a core group of families and resort staff. The most prominent female cast members are Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline Stewart), Elsie Kelly (Noreen Maltby), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple‑Savage), Siobhan Finneran (Janice Garvey), and Sheila Reid (Madge Harvey). The main family casts are the Garveys, Maltbys, Stewarts, Dawsons, Harveys, and Conroys. For a full list of every actor and character, consult the external sources linked above. For biographies of individual actors, see our article on Chris Coghill – Biography, Age, Partner and TV Shows and David Walliams – Biography, books, and the allegations explained.
Frequently asked questions about the Benidorm cast
Is Benidorm coming back for a new season?
As of 2025, there are no official plans for a new season. The show ended after season 11 in 2018.
Who played the main female roles in Benidorm?
Key female actors include Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline Stewart), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple‑Savage), Elsie Kelly (Noreen Maltby), Siobhan Finneran (Janice Garvey), and Sheila Reid (Madge Harvey).
Why did Kenny Ireland leave Benidorm?
Kenny Ireland left the show after season 6 due to his battle with cancer. He passed away in 2014.
Who is in the Benidorm family cast?
The main family cast includes the Garvey family (Mick, Janice, Chantelle), the Maltby family (Noreen, Pauline, Geoff), the Stewart family (Jacqueline, Donald), the Dawson family, the Harvey family, and the Conroy family.
How many seasons of Benidorm are there?
Benidorm has 11 seasons, airing from 2007 to 2018.
Which actor played Mateo in Benidorm?
Mateo Castellano was played by Jake Canuso. He appeared in all 11 seasons.
When did Sherrie Hewson join Benidorm?
Sherrie Hewson joined the cast in season 3 (2009) as Joyce Temple‑Savage. She left after season 10.
Where was Benidorm filmed?
The show was filmed in Benidorm, Spain, primarily at the Sol Pelicanos Ocas hotel.
Sophie Kendall is Celebrity News Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering celebrity news, public appearances, interviews, red carpet coverage, social media updates and audience-focused showbiz stories.