Breeders

Chris Addison is a multi-Emmy® and DGA Award winner.Co-creator of Breeders with Martin Freeman and Simon Blackwell, Addison is well-known as an acclaimed stand-up comedian, writer, actor and director. In recent years, Addison has moved behind the camera, directing the BAFTA®-winning The Thick of It for the BBC; served as an Emmy-winning executive producer, Emmy-winning supervising producer and Emmy-nominated and DGA Award-winning director on HBO’s Veep; and made his feature debut with MGM’s The Hustle, starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson.&nbsp;Other directing credits include ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat and USA’s Playing House.As an actor, Addison’s most recognized role was as “Oliver Reeder” for all four seasons of the multiple award-winning The Thick of It and as “Toby Wright” in the Academy Award®-nominated feature In the Loop. Addison also appeared in three episodes of the BBC’s Doctor Who; Sky’s Trying Again, which he also co-created with Simon Blackwell; The Look of Love alongside Steve Coogan; and three seasons of Channel 4’s Skins.Involved with the Royal Opera House, he wrote for and performed in L’Étoile and introduced Dmitri Shostakovich’s The Nose. Addison hosted Sky’s Glyndebourne Opera Cup with opera singer Danielle de Niese.Addison has written two books and has been twice nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award (formally the Perrier Award) for his stand-up comedy, nominated for a British Comedy Award for his acting and won a Radio Academy Award for a BBC Radio comedy series.

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Chris Addison is a multi-Emmy® and DGA Award winner.

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Chris Addison | Breeders on FX

Chris Addison | Co-Creator, Exec. Producer| Breeders on FX

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Having faced some big challenges in the last decade or so, "Paul," portrayed by Martin Freeman,&nbsp;is finally at peace with his job, with Ally and with his children. That’s until Luke announces that he’s about to become a teenage father. Now, Paul has to somehow prepare his son to be a dad, and a better one than he was at that. All this while having to acknowledge the advanced age and needs of his own parents.

Martin Freeman headshot wearing a green shirt and sitting by a window.

"Ally," portrayed by Daisy Haggard, is a woman struggling with turning 50. She does not want to be hired just to tick a box. The news of her imminent grandmotherhood does not help. Ally grapples with supporting her children as they enter adulthood and take life-changing first steps, while also trying to find her own place in the world.

Daisy Haggard headshot wearing a gold necklace with a white shirt and black jacket.

"Luke," portrayed by Oscar Kennedy, is 18, in a long-term relationship with Maya and about to become a father. Stuck between becoming an adult with responsibilities and an anxious child who wants his parents to make all the big decisions for him, Luke looks to Paul and Ally for answers they cannot give.

Oscar Kennedy headshot wearing a brown jacket with shearling lining.

16-year-old "Ava," portrayed by Zoë Athena, has left religion behind and thinks she’s too serious for fun. When she meets the charismatic Holly, she is dazzled and excited and soon takes her nervous first steps into a relationship with her. When Ally and Paul try to show that they’re relaxed about Ava’s new girlfriend, Ava doesn’t want them to be — she wants her new relationship to be a huge deal.&nbsp;

Zoe Athena headshot wearing pig tails in her hair and resting her chin on her hands

"Leah," portrayed by Stella Gonet, is now divorced from Alex but is as glamorous and self-absorbed as ever. She reacts with pragmatism to the news of Luke’s baby, remembering what life was like for herself as a young mother with Ally. Leah is alone and happy, and her only fears are being put in a care home or accidentally getting married again.

Stella Gonet headshot wearing a silver chain necklace and a beige top

"Jim," portrayed by Alun Armstrong, is firmly back with Jackie and happily ensconced in his new life at the sheltered accommodation. He is, however, very aware of the passing&nbsp;of time and the challenges he may have to face in the near future. For Jim, though, these challenges are not to be feared, as they are his chance of redemption.

Alun Armstrong headshot wearing a plaid shirt with a burgundy vest.

"Jackie," portrayed by Joanna Bacon, is happy with her life at the sheltered accommodation. She has tried to put Jim’s affair behind her and muddle along with their old dynamic. For Jackie, the realization that something is wrong with her health doesn’t mean a trip to the doctor’s office but rather a decision to let the future remain unknown.&nbsp;

Joanna Bacon headshot wearing a butterfly top with a blue sweater.

"Darren," portrayed by Patrick Baladi, is still Ally’s business partner but gets himself into hot water by touting Ally’s “old age” as a trump card in getting work. Unlucky in love so far in life (after leaving Karen for a second time), Darren is hoping he’s finally met the one, Siobhan, if she’s not scared off by his terrifying twins.&nbsp;

Patrick Baladi headshot wearing a blue paper crown and tugging at his ear with his fingers.

"Maya," portrayed by Deepica Stephen, is Luke’s 18-year-old girlfriend and mother to his unborn child. Maya is a confident young woman, sure about the decision they’ve made to have the baby, but there’s an underlying fear that she is still just a child herself. Coming from a family similar to the Worsleys, she understands the use of humor as a way of communication.

Deepica Stephen headshot wearing a red and white polka dot top.

"Holly," portrayed by Jessie Williams, works as a hairdresser, paying her way through college. She gives cheap cuts to the residents of Jim and Jackie’s sheltered housing complex, and this is where Ava meets and immediately falls for her. Holly is charismatic, ambitious, funny and positive. Jim especially likes her because she puts bets on for him at the bookmakers.

Jessie Williams headshot wearing a light pink hoodie and puffer jacket.

Simon Blackwell headshot in wool blazer with navy button down and light grey background

Jon Thoday headshot in light blue button down with bright light shining on half of his face, with black and white background

Richard Allen-Turner headshot in black shirt and black bomber jacket with peach colored background

Rob Aslett headshot in light blue denim button down with light peach background

David Martin headshot in light blue plaid checkered button down with light peach background

Toby Welch headshot in black puffer jacket with headphone hanging around his neck, standing in front of white house

Michael Wiggs headshot in white button down with minimalist icon pattern, standing in front of trees and plants