Housewife, 49

Downtrodden wife and mother Nella's life takes an unexpected turn for the better after she joins the Women's Voluntary Service office in Barrow-in-Furness during the Second World War. However, her new-found happiness is shattered when her son Cliff leaves to join the troops - provoking a painful confrontation with her husband Will.

• 
  Victoria Wood

  Nella Last
• 
  David Threlfall

  Will Last
• 
  Ben Crompton

  Arthur Last
• 
  Christopher Harper

  Cliff Last
• 
  Stephanie Cole

  Mrs Waite
• 
  Marcia Warren

  Mrs Lord
• 
  Sylvestra Le Touzel

  Mrs Lynch
• 
  Lorraine Ashbourne

  Dot
• 
  Jason Watkins

  Dr Roger Brierley
• 
  Daisy Haggard

  Jill