Hard Truths (2024): Full list of cast explored in the movie

Hard Truths is a drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh. It is produced by Georgina Lowe and Henry Woolley and executive produced by Daniel Battsek, Jennifer Eriksson, Mark Gooder, Andrew Karpen, and others. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024. It was released in theaters in the United States on December 6, 2024.

The official synopsis of Hard Truths, as per Rotten Tomatoes, reads:

"Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Pansy, a woman wracked by fear, tormented by afflictions, and prone to raging tirades against her husband, son, and anyone who looks her way. Meanwhile, her easygoing younger sister, played by Michele Austin (Another Year), is a single mother with a life as different from Pansy's as their clashing temperaments -- brimming with communal warmth from her salon clients and daughters alike."

Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin star in Hard Truths

1) Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy Deacon

Marianne Jean-Baptiste is seen at the AFI FEST in October 2024 to promote her film Hard Truths (Image via Getty)

Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Pansy Deacon, an abrasive and bitter middle-aged woman prone to frequent outbursts of anger in Hard Truths. She has spent her whole life in service of her family and loved ones. Her reproachful attitude makes it impossible for her to connect with anyone, leaving her feeling isolated and depressed.

Her prominent role was playing the young doctor, Hortense Cumberbatch, looking for her birth mother in Mike Leigh's 1996 film Secrets & Lies. Marianne was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance in the movie.

Her other notable film appearance was in the action-thriller Rumble Through the Dark, starring Aaron Eckhart and Bella Thorne. She starred in the comedy film Peter Rabbit in 2018 and more recently in the romantic-comedy Christmas film Boxing Day in 2021.

The English actress has also played Vivian Johnson in the series Without a Trace, FBI Assistant Director Bethany Mayfair in Blindspot, Sharon Bishop in Broadchurch, Gloria Morisseau in Homecoming, and Hannah in Surface.

2) Michele Austin as Chantelle

Michele Austin as seen at the 34th Gothams Awards in December 2024 (Image via Getty)

Michele Austin plays the hairdresser, Chantelle, Pansy's younger sister, with a wildly different temperament. She is warm and affectionate with others and enjoys a loving relationship with her two daughters.

Michele has appeared as Dionne, alongside Marianne Jean-Baptiste, in the acclaimed film Secrets & Lies. She has also starred in films like The Children Act, What We Did on Our Holiday, The Infidel, etc.

She is best known for her role as Yvonne Hemmingway in ITV's procedural drama series The Bill and Dani Julian in the comedy series Meet the Richardsons. Moreover, she has appeared in the thriller series Boat Story, the medical drama series This Is Going to Hurt, and the dramedy The Last Detective.

3) David Webber as Curtley Deacon

David Webber as seen at the 68th BFI London Film Festival in October 2024 (Image via Getty)

David Webber plays Pansy's husband, Curtley Deacon, in Hard Truths. He is unsupportive of his wife, and his marriage seems on the rocks by the movie's end.

David has had small roles in the long-running soap operas Coronation Street and EastEnders. He played Youssou in the comedy-drama series Grass, John Harrow in the period drama Father Brown, and Pastor Ezra in the comedy-drama series Youngers. His other television credits include the medical drama series Doctors and the sitcom Year of the Rabbit.

Additionally, David has starred in films like The Children Act, Captain Phillips, and Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, among others.

4) Tuwaine Barrett as Moses Deacon

Tuwaine Barrett as seen at the BAFTA NYC Tea Party in October 2024 (Image via Getty)

In Hard Truths, Tuwaine Barrett plays Moses Deacon, Pansy, and Curtley's son. The young man suffers from depression and social anxiety and leads a life devoid of any passion or goals.

Tuwaine Barrett was last seen in the biographical film Back to Black, based on the life of the late singer Amy Winehouse. He has also had roles in such films as The Book of Clarence, The Personal History of David Copperfield, The Last Tree, and Blue Story, among others.

On television, he has acted in 2022's The Witchfinder, along with the crime-drama series You Don't Know Me, the mystery-drama series Silent Witness, and the supernatural series A Discovery of Witches.

5) Ani Nelson as Kayla

Ani Nelson as seen at the 68th BFI London Film Festival in October 2024 (Image via Getty)

Ani Nelson plays Kayla, one of Chantelle's daughters, in Hard Truths.

In 2018, Ani appeared in the comedy series Nate & Jamie. She starred as Nana in Netflix's romantic drama series One Day, starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. She was also featured in the sitcom Ten Percent, the AMC+ miniseries This Is Going to Hurt, and the crime thriller series Temple.

Furthermore, she had a small part in 2017's Crooked House, based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.

Supporting cast

Other supporting cast members of Hard Truths include:

Sophia Brown as Aleisha
Jonathan Livingstone as Virgil
Samantha Spiro as Nicole
Jo Martin as Nurse Salon Client
Ruby Bentall as Doctor
Gary Beadle as an Irate Motorist
Bryony Miller as a Supermarket Customer
Ashna Rabheru as Cashier
Chinenye Ezeudu as a Salon Client
Diana Yekinni as Hairdresser
Diveen Henry as a Supermarket Customer
Llewella Gideon as a Smoking Salon Client
Syrus Lowe as Kayla's Colleague
Naana Agyei Ampadu as Aleisha's Supervisor
Jyuddah Jaymes as Street Boy
Donna Banya as Moses' New Friend
Alice Bailey Johnson as Furniture Assistant
Elliot Edusah as Daniel
Tiwa Lade as Savannah
Felicita Ramundo as Tourist
Yvette Boakye as Salon Client
Hiral Varsani as Dentist
Khali Best as Street Boy

Edited by Toshali Kritika