Desmond’s stars Norman Beaton as Desmond Ambrose, Carmen Munroe as Shirley Ambrose, and Gyearbuor Asante as Matthew, set in a Peckham barber shop.
Main cast
- Desmond AmbroseNorman BeatonMain
- Shirley AmbroseCarmen MunroeMain
- MatthewGyearbuor AsanteMain
- MichaelPatricia WilkieMain
- PorkpieRobbie GeeMain
- TonyTony AnholtMain
- SeanJustin PickettMain
- GlenGary BeadleMain
- BeverleyGeoffrey WhiteheadMain
Supporting cast
- Mama AmbroseMona HammondSupp
- LeeDerek GriffithsSupp
- MaxRam John HolderSupp
Guest & voice
- Mr. JohnsonRudolph WalkerGuest
- SheilaDonna LyntonGuest
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About this cast
Desmond’s is a British sitcom about a Guyanese family running a barber shop in Peckham, London. The show ran for six series on Channel 4 from 1989 to 1994, focusing on the interactions of Desmond Ambrose, his wife Shirley, and their family and customers.
FAQs
Who plays Desmond in Desmond’s?
Norman Beaton portrays the lead character Desmond Ambrose.
What is the barber shop called in Desmond’s?
The barber shop is simply called ‘Desmond’s’, located in Peckham, South London.
How many series of Desmond’s were there?
There were six series broadcast from 1989 to 1994.
Who played Shirley Ambrose?
Shirley was played by Carmen Munroe.
Was Desmond’s filmed in front of a live audience?
Yes, it was recorded at the London Studios with a live audience, typical of British sitcoms of the era.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026