When Secret Diary of a Call Girl first hit screens in 2007, it felt like a jolt of electricity. It was scandalous. It was chic. Billie Piper, fresh off her stint as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who, was suddenly playing Hannah Baxter, a middle-class girl with a very expensive, very illegal secret life. The show was based on the real-life blog and subsequent books by Dr. Brooke Magnanti, who wrote under the pseudonym Belle de Jour. People were obsessed with the double life, the high-end London fashion, and the messy, tangled relationships of the secret diary of a call girl cast. It wasn't just about the sex; it was about the power dynamics of 2000s London.
Looking back now, the casting was surprisingly tight. It captured a specific moment in British television where the lines between "prestige drama" and "soapy late-night fun" were starting to blur. You had seasoned actors rubbing shoulders with newcomers who would eventually become massive stars.
The Unstoppable Billie Piper as Hannah (Belle)
Billie Piper didn't just play Belle; she was the show. Without her specific blend of vulnerability and "don't mess with me" confidence, the series probably would have folded after one season. Piper has always had this knack for making even the most morally gray characters feel like someone you’d want to grab a drink with. She took Hannah—a woman who charged thousands for her time—and made her human.
Since the show wrapped in 2011, Piper hasn't slowed down. She actually pivoted toward even darker, more experimental roles. You might’ve seen her in Penny Dreadful as Lily Frankenstein, which was a wild departure from the streets of London. But her real crowning achievement post-Belle was I Hate Suzie. She co-created that show with Lucy Prebble, who, funnily enough, was the lead writer on Secret Diary. It’s almost like a spiritual successor—equally chaotic, but focused on the fallout of fame rather than sex work. Honestly, Piper is one of those rare child stars who successfully reinvented herself three times over: pop princess, companion to the Doctor, and finally, a powerhouse of British drama.
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Ben and the Will-They-Won't-They
Then there’s Iddo Goldberg. He played Ben, Hannah’s best friend and the "one who got away" (or the one who stayed, depending on how you view that divisive finale). Their chemistry was the heartbeat of the show. While Hannah was busy navigating the high-end escort world, Ben was the grounding force, the guy in the checked shirt who just wanted to watch a movie.
Interesting trivia: Goldberg is actually married to Ashley Madekwe in real life. She played Bambi in the show. Talk about a small world on set. Goldberg has since moved into some pretty heavy-hitting American productions. He was in Peaky Blinders as Freddie Thorne and has a regular role in the Snowpiercer TV series. He’s got that brooding, reliable energy that casting directors love.
The Supporting Players: Bambi and Beyond
Ashley Madekwe’s Bambi was a fan favorite. She started as a sort of protégé to Belle—ambitious, a bit naive, and desperately wanting the life Hannah seemed to have. Madekwe brought a certain spark to the role that made Bambi more than just a sidekick. After the show, Madekwe moved to the States and landed a huge role in Revenge as Ashley Davenport. She’s become a bit of a style icon too, which makes sense given the high-fashion aesthetic of the secret diary of a call girl cast.
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Let's not forget Cherie Lunghi as Stephanie. She was the "Madam," though the show preferred the term agent. Stephanie was all business, ice-cold and impeccably dressed. Lunghi was already a veteran of the British stage and screen when she took the role, and she gave the show a sense of gravitas. She reminded everyone that this was a business, even if it was a messy one.
Why the Cast Worked So Well
The magic of this ensemble was the lack of judgment. Most shows about sex work in the mid-2000s were either incredibly dark or overly moralistic. Secret Diary took a different path. The cast played it straight.
- They treated the "job" like a job.
- The conflict came from personal identity, not just the illegality of the work.
- Every character had a life outside of Hannah’s orbit, making London feel lived-in.
The Surprising Cameos
If you go back and rewatch, you’ll spot some faces that became much bigger later on. David Dawson, who played Byron, went on to star in The Last Kingdom and My Policeman alongside Harry Styles. Even Gemma Chan had a brief appearance. It’s sort of a "who’s who" of British talent before they all went to Hollywood.
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The Legacy of the Show in 2026
Looking at the show through a 2026 lens, it feels like a time capsule. The Blackberry phones, the specific cut of the blazers, the indie-rock soundtrack—it’s peak 2000s. But the performances hold up. The secret diary of a call girl cast managed to navigate a topic that is still controversial today with a level of nuance that was ahead of its time.
Dr. Brooke Magnanti eventually revealed herself as the real Belle de Jour in 2009, while the show was still airing. It added this incredible layer of meta-reality to the whole thing. The cast suddenly wasn't just playing fictional characters; they were interpreting the life of a real woman who was watching them from the sidelines.
What to Watch If You Miss the Crew
If you're feeling nostalgic for that specific vibe, you've got options. Obviously, I Hate Suzie is the first stop for Piper fans. It’s raw and uncomfortable in the best way. For something with that same London grit but more of a period-piece feel, check out Peaky Blinders to see Iddo Goldberg in action.
The show is currently streaming on several platforms like Hulu or Peacock, depending on where you're located. It’s only four seasons, making it a very easy weekend binge. Just be prepared for the fashion—some of those outfits are a loud reminder of what we thought was "cool" fifteen years ago.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Track the Creators: Follow Lucy Prebble’s work. She went from writing Secret Diary to being a massive part of the Succession writing room. The DNA of sharp, biting dialogue is definitely shared between the two.
- Read the Source Material: If you’ve only seen the show, find Dr. Brooke Magnanti’s books. They are much more analytical and less "glamorous" than the TV adaptation, providing a grounded look at the industry.
- Follow the Cast on Socials: Most of the main players are still very active. Ashley Madekwe remains a major fashion influencer, and Billie Piper occasionally shares behind-the-scenes memories of her time as Belle.
The show remains a cult classic for a reason. It wasn't afraid to be polarizing. It gave us a lead character who was unapologetic about her choices, supported by a cast that felt like a real, if slightly dysfunctional, family. Whether you're a new viewer or a long-time fan, the performances remain the strongest reason to revisit the world of Hannah Baxter.