They didn't just take it all off; they took over the world. Kinda. Back in 1997, nobody expected a low-budget British flick about six unemployed steelworkers from Sheffield to out-earn Jurassic Park at the UK box office. But here we are, nearly thirty years later, and the cast of The Full Monty remains one of the most beloved ensembles in cinema history. Honestly, it’s a bit surreal to think that Robert Carlyle, who was scaring the life out of everyone as Begbie in Trainspotting, became the poster boy for working-class vulnerability.
The magic wasn't just in the thongs. It was in the faces. You had the desperate Gaz, the self-conscious Dave, and the uptight Gerald. These weren't Hollywood hunks. They were guys you’d see at the local pub, which is exactly why the world fell in love with them. Then, in 2023, Disney+ did the unthinkable and brought the whole gang back for a limited series. Seeing them older, maybe a bit grayer, but still struggling with the same messy reality of British life, hit home for a lot of people.
The Heavy Hitters: Where They Are Now
Robert Carlyle (Gaz)
Robert Carlyle has always been a chameleon. Since playing Gaz, he’s been a Bond villain in The World Is Not Enough and spent years in a gold-scaled face as Rumplestiltskin on Once Upon a Time. In 2026, he's still a powerhouse. Most recently, he's been filming the Netflix drama Toxic Town, dealing with the real-life Corby toxic waste scandal. He’s never really left his roots. In the 2023 reboot, he returned as Gaz, now a grandfather and hospital orderly, proving he can still carry a series on his back.
Mark Addy (Dave)
Dave was the heart of the original film. The scene where he wraps himself in clingfilm to lose weight? Iconic. Mark Addy used that momentum to land huge roles, most notably King Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones. If you haven't seen him as the boisterous, wine-chugging king, you're missing out. Recently, he’s joined the cast of the high-budget prequel series Dune: Prophecy and is set to star in the 2025 film The Choral. He’s definitely not just "the fat guy from Sheffield" anymore.
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The Bittersweet Goodbye to Tom Wilkinson
We have to talk about Tom Wilkinson. He played Gerald, the ex-foreman who was too ashamed to tell his wife he’d been laid off. Wilkinson was the class act of the group. Sadly, Tom passed away in December 2023, shortly after the sequel series aired. It was a massive blow to the industry. He was a two-time Oscar nominee for a reason. His performance in the 2023 series was his final television role, and seeing Gerald one last time felt like a proper goodbye to a legend.
The Rest of the Original Crew
- Lesley Sharp (Jean): She’s been everywhere. From Scott & Bailey to Before We Die, Sharp is basically British TV royalty. In 2026, she's currently working on the reimagined series of Bergerac.
- Paul Barber (Horse): Best known as Denzil from Only Fools and Horses, Barber brought a lot of soul to the character of Horse. He returned for the reboot, showing the heartbreaking reality of an aging man navigating the modern benefits system.
- Steve Huison (Lomper): After the original film, Huison spent years on Coronation Street. In the new series, we see Lomper running a café called "Big Baps" with his husband, which is exactly the kind of evolution we wanted for his character.
- William Snape (Nathan): Remember the kid? Gaz's son who was basically the only adult in the room? William Snape returned as an adult Nathan—now a police officer—in the Disney+ series. It was a nice touch of continuity.
The Hugo Speer Controversy
Not everyone made it through the reboot unscathed. Hugo Speer, who played Guy (the one with the... "talent"), was originally part of the 2023 cast. However, he was fired during production following allegations of "inappropriate conduct" on set. He denied the claims, but his character was written out of the later episodes. It was a messy situation that cast a bit of a shadow over the reunion, especially since Guy was such a fan favorite in the 90s.
Why the Cast of The Full Monty Still Hits Different
Most reboots feel like a cynical cash grab. This one felt different. The reason the cast of The Full Monty works is that they represent a specific kind of resilience. The 1997 film wasn't actually about stripping; it was about the loss of identity when the industry that built your city disappears.
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The 2023 series doubled down on this. It looked at the cost-of-living crisis, the crumbling NHS, and the way the education system is failing kids. When you see Mark Addy’s character, Dave, working as a school caretaker and trying to help a bullied kid, it feels real. It’s not flashy. It’s just human.
New Faces in the Mix
The sequel didn't just rely on nostalgia. They brought in some fresh blood that actually held their own against the veterans.
- Talitha Wing: She played Destiny, Gaz’s teenage daughter. She’s fantastic. She captured that same "chancer" energy that Carlyle had in the original.
- Miles Jupp: He joined as Darren, a somewhat bumbling friend of the gang who brings a different kind of comedic energy to the group.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive back into the world of Sheffield's finest, here is how you should handle your watch list in 2026:
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- Watch the 1997 Film First: Do not skip this. Even if you've seen it, watch it again to catch the subtle character beats that the sequel series calls back to.
- Stream the Disney+ Series: It’s eight episodes. It's grittier than the movie but carries the same humor.
- Follow the New Projects: Keep an eye out for Mark Addy in Dune: Prophecy and Robert Carlyle in Toxic Town. Both are prime examples of how these actors have evolved.
- Check Out the Soundtrack: The original 97 soundtrack is still a banger. From Donna Summer to Tom Jones, it’s the ultimate mood booster.
The legacy of the cast of The Full Monty isn't just about a dance routine in a working men's club. It's about a group of actors who captured a moment in time and proved that even when you have nothing left, you’ve still got your mates. Whether it's 1997 or 2026, that message never really goes out of style.
Next Step: You might want to look into the filming locations in Sheffield if you're planning a "Monty" pilgrimage; many of the original spots like the Regency Cinema (now a club) are still standing.