Bernard Hill plays Yosser Hughes, Michael Angelis plays Chrissie Todd, and Tom Georgeson plays George Malone in Alan Bleasdale’s classic 1982 BBC drama ‘Boys From the Blackstuff‘.
Main cast
- Yosser HughesBernard Hill1Main
- Chrissie ToddMichael Angelis1Main
- George MaloneTom Georgeson1Main
- Dixie DeanPeter Kerrigan1Main
- LoggoAlan Igbon1Main
Supporting cast
- Angie ToddJulie Walters1Supp
- Miss SutcliffeJean Boht1Supp
- Maureen HughesEileen O’Brien1Supp
Guest & voice
- BrendaKate Fitzgerald1Guest
- Snowy MaloneJohn McArdle1Guest
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About this cast
Boys from the Blackstuff is a landmark 1982 BBC television drama series written by Alan Bleasdale. It follows five unemployed Liverpool men and their families as they struggle with Thatcher-era economic decline, with Bernard Hill’s iconic portrayal of Yosser Hughes becoming a cultural touchstone.
FAQs
Who plays Yosser Hughes in Boys from the Blackstuff?
Bernard Hill plays the iconic role of Yosser Hughes, a desperate unemployed man whose catchphrase ‘Gizza job’ became a symbol of 1980s unemployment.
How many episodes are in Boys from the Blackstuff?
The series consists of 5 episodes, originally broadcast on BBC Two in 1982.
Is Boys from the Blackstuff based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional drama written by Alan Bleasdale, but it realistically portrays the impact of mass unemployment in Liverpool during the early 1980s.
What is the significance of the title ‘Boys from the Blackstuff’?
‘Blackstuff’ is a slang term for tarmac, referring to the road-laying jobs the characters once had. The title reflects their lost livelihoods and the black humour of the series.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026