The cast consists of mostly
Black British actors. They include:
Main •
Michaela Coel as Arabella Essiedu, a writer •
Weruche Opia as Terry Pratchard, Arabella's best friend and a struggling actor •
Paapa Essiedu as Kwame, Arabella's best friend
Recurring • Marouane Zotti as Biagio, a drug dealer based in
Ostia, Italy, who has a casual relationship with Arabella •
Stephen Wight as Ben, Arabella's flatmate •
Adam James as Julian, Arabella's literary agent •
Natalie Walter as Francine, Arabella's financier •
Aml Ameen as Simon, Arabella's friend who works in the
City of London •
Lara Rossi as Kat, Simon's partner •
Ann Akin as Alissa, Simon's secret lover • Chin Nyenwe as Tariq, David's friend •
Lewis Reeves as David, from Ego Death •
Sarah Niles as Officer Funmi •
Mariah Gale as Officer Beth •
Rebecca Calder as Shirley, a rape victim who meets Arabella at the hospital •
Andi Osho as Carrie, Arabella's therapist •
Fehinti Balogun as Damon, Kwame's love interest • Karan Gill as Zain Sareen, writer from Henny publishing • Samson Ajewole as Malik, Kwame's hookup • Tobi King Bakare as Nicholas, Arabella's brother • Ellie James as Sion, Susy's assistant • Franc Ashman as Susy Henny, Arabella's publisher •
Harriet Webb as Theodora, Arabella and Terry's childhood classmate • Shalisha James-Davis as Loretta, a member of Theodora's support group • Gaby French as teen Theodora •
Danielle Vitalis as teen Arabella • Lauren-Joy Williams as teen Terry •
Pearl Chanda as Nilufer, Kwame's first female hookup • Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Tyrone, one of Kwame's hookups • Tyler Luke Cunningham as Kai, Terry's love interest
Notable guests •
Katherine Jakeways as Jacki •
Juno Dawson as Scarlett •
Kadiff Kirwan as Officer Tom •
Antonia Clarke as Emily •
Vivian Oparah as Bisola •
Jonathan Slinger as doctor ==Episodes==