Nicholas Lyndhurst plays Gary Sparrow, Dervla Kirwan plays Yvonne Sparrow, and Michelle Holmes plays Phoebe Sparrow in the BBC sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart.
Main cast
- Gary SparrowNicholas Lyndhurst1–6 + 2016 specialMain
- Yvonne Sparrow (née Downes) [1990s wife]Dervla Kirwan1–4Main
- Phoebe Sparrow (née Hargreaves) [1940s wife]Michelle Holmes1–2Main
- Phoebe Sparrow [1940s wife]Emma Amos3–6 + 2016 specialMain
Supporting cast
- Ron WheatcroftVictor McGuire1–6Supp
- Eric Raynor (Yvonne’s father)Michael Troughton1–5Supp
- Mavis (Gary’s mother)Joan Sims1–2Supp
- Detective Inspector (later Chief Inspector) GrimshawChristopher Ettridge1–6Supp
- Mr. Harry (landlord of the pub in 1940s)Christopher Benjamin1–2Supp
- Mrs. BlamireElizabeth Kelly1–6Supp
Guest & voice
- Various (including a time-travel expert, etc.)Oliver Cotton1–2Guest
- Various (e.g. barmaid, etc.)Jacqueline Defferary1Guest
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About this cast
Goodnight Sweetheart is a BBC sitcom that originally aired from 1993 to 1999, blending time travel with comedy. The series follows Gary Sparrow, a man who discovers a portal in East London that allows him to time-travel between the 1940s and the 1990s, leading to a double life with two wives.
FAQs
Who plays Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart?
Gary Sparrow is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Who plays Phoebe Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart?
Phoebe Sparrow (the 1940s wife) was originally played by Michelle Holmes in series 1 and 2, and then by Emma Amos from series 3 onward, including the 2016 special.
Where can I watch Goodnight Sweetheart?
Goodnight Sweetheart is available on DVD and sometimes on streaming platforms like BritBox and Amazon Prime Video (UK).
How many series of Goodnight Sweetheart are there?
The original series ran for six series (1993–1999) plus a one-off special in 2016.
Does Goodnight Sweetheart have a time travel element?
Yes, Gary Sparrow discovers a time portal in a London alley that allows him to travel between 1990s and 1940s Britain.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026