Breeders

"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.

Career Highlights

Daisy Haggard is a BAFTA®-nominated actress and writer.&nbsp;Haggard created, co-wrote, starred and produced the much loved and critically acclaimed BBC/Showtime comedy-drama series&nbsp;Back to Life. She plays protagonist “Miri Matteson,” who returns home after eighteen years in prison and attempts to integrate back into her old life, alongside Adeel Akhtar and Geraldine James, with Adrian Edmondson joining season two. The first season hit screens in 2019 and the second aired in 2021 and received enormous critical and audience response.&nbsp;Haggard received a BAFTA Television nomination for her turn as “Ally” in the FX/Sky comedy series Breeders.Other television credits include the standout roles of “Myra Licht” in Episodes (BBC/Showtime) opposite Matt LeBlanc and Tamsin Greig, Uncle (BBC), Black Mirror (Netflix) and&nbsp;Ballot Monkeys (Channel 4). Haggard has just wrapped on Boat Story (BBC), the next highly anticipated television series from Two Brothers Pictures.No stranger to the stage, her theater credits include the lead role of “Becky” in&nbsp;Becky Shaw&nbsp;at the Almeida Theatre,&nbsp;You for Me for You&nbsp;at the Royal Court Theatre and most recently&nbsp;Consent&nbsp;by Nina Raine at the National Theatre.

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Ally is struggling with turning 50. The news of her imminent grandmotherhood does not help.

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

Daisy Haggard as Ally in Breeders on FX

Daisy Haggard as Ally | 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.

"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

Chris Addison headshot in light yellow and blue checkered flannel with dark navy 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

Daisy Haggard as Ally | Breeders on FX

Breeders

Career Highlights

Martin Freeman
as Paul / Co-Creator / Executive Producer

Daisy Haggard
as Ally

Oscar Kennedy
as Luke

Daisy Haggard as Ally | Breeders on FX

Daisy Haggardas Ally

Oscar Kennedyas Luke

Daisy Haggard
as Ally

Oscar Kennedy
as Luke