The cherished historical drama Heartbeat, set against the idyllic backdrop of North Yorkshire, had an impressive run of 18 years under its belt and was produced by Yorkshire Television, pre-merger with ITV.
Adapted from the Constable series of novels written by Nicholas Rhea, this 1960s-set drama saw a star cast that included Niamh Cusack, Bill Maynard and Tricia Penrose, and was brought to television by the collaborative efforts of Johnny Byrne, Keith Richardson and Gerry Mill.
Debuting on our screens on April 10, 1992, and wrapping up on September 12, 2010, Heartbeat gave audiences an extensive look into the lives of Ashfordly and Aidensfield denizens through a total of 372 episodes over 18 seasons.
More than just a time capsule of the era, the show delved into the workings of both local law enforcement and medical staff.
Now, more than 30 years post-Heartbeat’s launch, stars like the illustrious Celia Imrie have taken their talents to Hollywood hits. In contrast, Nick Berry, notable for penning the show’s opening theme, left the limelight to focus on his family life.
As reported by Express.co.uk, we look back at the diverse paths undertaken by the Heartbeat alumni – from treading the boards on Strictly Come Dancing to navigating legal disputes.
Nick Berry
Prefacing his tenure on Heartbeat as PC Nicholas Rowan, Nick Berry captured viewers’ attention as Simon ‘Wicksy’ Wicks on the iconic BBC soap EastEnders. He joined close on the heels of EastEnders’ premiere in 1985 and after half a decade, he tipped his hat farewell in a “open to return” exit plot in 1990.
After leaving Heartbeat in 1998, the father-of-two starred in both The Mystery of Men and BBC’s seafaring drama, Harbour Lights. Subsequent to his roles between 2001 to 2003 alongside Stephen Tompkinson from Wild at Heart in the gritty crime series In Deep, Nick stepped away from the limelight to tend full-time to his children, Louis and Finley, shared with his wife Rachel Robertson, whom he has been married to for three decades.
In a candid chat with The Daily Mail in 2011, he reflected on his career break: “I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don’t do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven’t really missed it.”
Adding, “While I’d never say never, I’m genuinely happy as I am.”
Nick Berry eventually quit acting to look after his two teenage children
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Niamh Cusack
Niamh Cusack graced our screens as Dr Kate Rowan in Heartbeat from 1992 until 1995. Following her decision to leave the show due to her pregnancy with Bridgerton star Calam Lynch, she went on to feature in ITV’s medical drama Always and Everyone, in addition to an episode of Agatha Christie’s Marple.
More recently, Cusack’s outstanding talents have won her parts in series such as Father Brown, BBC’s Death in Paradise, and the Sky Original Brassic. Alongside her noteworthy television presence, the celebrated Irish actress, who is wed to Game of Thrones actor Finbar Lynch, has thrived on the stage.
Her theatrical portfolio includes playing Rosalind for the Royal Shakespeare Company in As You Like It (1996) and Serafina Pekkala in His Dark Materials at the Royal National Theatre.
Niamh Cusack has previously appeared in Death in Paradise and Brassic.
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Celia Imrie
In 2023, she spearheaded the first significant revival of Polly Stenham’s two-act play, That Face at London’s Orange Tree Theatre.
Veteran Hollywood actress Celia Imrie played the small but memorable role of Sylvia Langley in Heartbeat in 2002.
After her stint on the show, the Calendar Girls star went on to secure roles in the British comedy series After You’ve Gone, Julian Fellowes’ four-part Titanic series and most recently, Netflix’s The Diplomat. In 2005, Celia bagged the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in Acorn Antiques: The Musical!
She has also performed in Hay Fever, King Lear and Harold Pinter’s Celebration.
Alongside a glittering TV and theatre career, the 72 year old has film credits in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel as well as the Bridget Jones franchise. She is set to reprise her role as Una Alconbury in the forthcoming sequel, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
It was also recently revealed that Celia will be playing Joyce Meadowcroft in the film adaptation of Richard Osman’s best-selling Thursday Murder Club series. Mark Jordon is most recognised for his role as PC Phil Bellamy on Heartbeat.
Celia Imrie has won roles in Calendar Girls and Bridget Jones’s Diary since appearing in Heartbeat.
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Mark Jordon
After starring in the role for 15 years, the Oldham-born actor left and took up cameo roles in Casualty, Doctors and Hollyoaks. In 2014, Mark joined Emmerdale as former soldier Daz Spencer and remained a series regular until January 2019.
He was axed from the ITV programme after being accused of assaulting a pensioner in a pub in July 2018 but was later found not guilty of unlawful wounding and assault by beating after a seven-day trial.
A year later, he and his former soap co-star Laura Norton, 41, announced they were expecting their first child.
The couple have a son named Jesse and a daughter Ronnie, who was born in November 2022. His most recent acting credit came last year when he appeared as Ray Wood in an episode of the TV mini-series, The Long Shadow.
Mark Jordon starred at PC Phil Bellamy on Heartbeat for 15 years
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Bill Maynard
Former actor Bill Maynard was known for his role as Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in Heartbeat between 1992 and 2000. After leaving the show, the late star reprised his character in the ITV spin-off series, The Royal, before appearing as Cecil in the two-part drama, The Moorside.
Following a period of ill health, Bill passed away in March 2018 at the age of 89.
Bill Maynard died in at the age of 89 in March 2018.
(Image: (Image: ITV))
Joe McFadden
Glasgow-born actor Joe McFadden gained nationwide recognition in 2007 after portraying PC Joe Mason on Heartbeat. After the long-running series ended in 2010, he appeared in Casualty before taking on the role of Raffaello ‘Raf’ di Lucca in Holby City.
In 2017, the 48 year old won the coveted Glitterball Trophy alongside professional dancer Katya Jones on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. As well as appearing in numerous film and TV projects, Joe is a prominent name in the theatre world.
In 2019, he played Oliver Harcourt in the UK Tour of The House on Cold Hill, followed by an appearance in The Rocky Horror Show the next year.
Joe McFadden has gone on to star in Holby City and Strictly Come Dancing
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William Simons
The late Welsh actor William Simons remained committed to the series Heartbeat, from its debut in 1992 to its finale in 2010, portraying PC Alf Ventress for nearly two decades.
William passed away in London, aged 78. A spokesperson said at the time: “He worked as an actor for six decades and was of course best known for his role of ‘Alf Ventress’ in the highly popular Heartbeat in which he appeared for eighteen series, and also Inspector Fox in Inspector Alleyn.”
“More importantly, he was the most wonderful, lovely, warm, kind human being and anybody who ever worked with him or knew him will be devastated.”
William was only absent from three episodes of Heartbeat during the entirety of its run
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Tricia Penrose
Tricia PenroseTricia Penrose holds the record for the longest-serving female cast member on Heartbeat, having portrayed Gina Ward continuously for 17 years.
In 2003, she reprised her role in the spin-off series, The Royal. Tricia has also made appearances in the TV drama Justice, participated in Celebrity Big Brother and the defunct ITV series Sing If You Can.
She has also competed in Celebrity MasterChef, Pointless Celebrities and Who’s Doing the Dishes?
Tricia Penrose completed stints on Celebrity Big Brother and Pointless Celebrities after Heartbeat.
(Image: (Image: GETTY))
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