Adapted from the Jacqueline Wilson book series, The Story of Tracy Beaker first hit screens in 2002 and quickly became a children's TV favourite. The series followed the very outspoken, and sometimes rude, Tracy Beaker as she grows up in a care home.
The Story of Tracy Beaker aired on CBBC and since the second series, it was produced and filmed in Cardiff. Locations used include Skomer House in Penarth and Elm Tree House School in Llandaff.
Tracy Beaker has since gone on to feature in multiple spin-off's and Dani Harmer has become synonymous with the role. She recently returned to the character in My Mum, Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls.
But where are the cast of Tracy Beaker now? For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter here.
Dani Harmer - Tracy Beaker
Dani Harmer shot to fame when she played main character Tracy Beaker in The Story of Tracy Beaker. After The Story of Tracy Beaker finished in 2006, Dani returned as Tracy multiple times in Tracy Beaker Returns, The Tracy Beaker Survival Files and, more recently, My Mum Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls.
She has also starred in the BBC One comedy series After You've Gone and her own CBBC sitcom, Dani's House, with spin-off show Dani's Castle. In 2012 Dani took part in Strictly Come Dancing and finished fourth with professional dancing partner Vincent Simone.
Connor Byrne - Mike Milligan
Playing Mike Milligan, who works at the care home and has a close bond with Tracy, was Connor Byrne. Connor is is the longest serving cast member in the Tracy Beaker franchise, having played the role from 2002 to 2019.
Since The Story of Tracy Beaker, Connor has starred in ITV1 soap Emmerdale and most recently appeared in The Beaker Girls in 2023.
Lisa Coleman - Cam Lawson
As well as being known as Jude Korcanik in BBC One medical drama Casualty Lisa Coleman also played Cam Lawson in Tracy Beaker. Cam often attempts to foster Tracy, however this often does not go well.
Lisa has also starred in BBC One soap EastEnders and Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. She is also a volunteer occupational therapist.
Nisha Nayar - Elaine Boyak
Known as "Elaine the Pain" Nisha Nayar played Elaine Boyak. Elaine is a social worker and since The Story of Tracy Beaker has starred in ITV crime drama Rose and Maloney and BBC sci-fi drama Doctor Who.
Her other work includes voiceovers for brands like Nivea, Heinz and Dove. In 2017 Nisha joined the cast of Doctors and in 2021 starred in the Channel 4 drama Before We Die.
Clive Rowe - Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington is another care worker at the home and he left in the final episode of series four. Clive Rowe played Duke and since The Story of Tracy Beaker he has starred in Doctors, Doctor Who, My Family.
Montanna Thompson - Justine Littlewood
“Justine Littlewood, shut your big fat gob!” - It’s safe to say that Tracy loathed Justine growing up. Episode-to-episode, viewers watched as the pair were constantly at odds with one each other.
Actress Montanna Thompson recently returned to the role that made her famous in spin-off series My Mum, Tracy Beaker and The Beaker Girls. Aside from that, she has generally stayed out of the limelight and devoted her time to raising her young son.
Chelsie Padley - Louise Govern
Sweet little Louise was Justine’s best friend and was eventually adopted in series three. She was originally Tracy’s best friend and, as you can imagine, her defection to Justine did not go down well.
Actress Chelsie has now moved away from acting and focuses on fitness. She has a very active social media presence and regularly posts on TikTok and Instagram.
Luke Youngblood - Ben Batambuze
Always there for Tracy at her time of need, Ben was the best friend that everyone wished they had. She wasn’t best pleased when she found out that he still lived with his parents, though… The less said about that, the better.
Luke still acts today and aside from being Ben in The Story of Tracy Beaker, he is known for playing Quidditch commentator Lee Jordan in the first two Harry Potter films. He has also had starring roles in Glee, Queen of the South and Community in the States, where he now lives.
Ben Hanson - Bouncer Plakova
You’ve more than definitely double-took at Ben’s Instagram as he looks world’s away from his Tracy Beaker character. In the series he formed one half of the iconic duo, Lol and Bouncer.
Ben now focuses on fitness, and is the owner of Bearfit, as well as being a qualified personal trainer. His Instagram is full of progress pictures and his full-time job is an estate agent.
Speaking of Lol…
Ciaran Joyce - Laurence ‘Lol’ Plakova
Laurence (‘Lol’ to his friends) was a bit of a Jack the Lad in the original Tracy Beaker series. He could regularly be seen trying to cadge money off the other kids in care and who could forget the episode where he sold the flavoured milk?
Ciaran, himself, is still in the acting game. Over the years he has starred in numerous musicals, including Peter Pan and Aladdin. He’s also featured in TV shows such as Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood and CBBC’s Young Dracula.
Craig Roberts - Rio Wellard
Surprisingly, Craig has become one of the most famous actors in the Tracy Beaker cast. Following his stint on the series, the Welsh actor went on to star in Richard Ayoade-directed film Submarine and received numerous plaudits for his performance.
He has also had starring roles in Being Human, Skins and appeared alongside Winona Ryder and Tim Burton in The Killers’ music video Here for Me. In 2019 he even appeared in the Horrible Histories movie - what range!
Ruth Gemmell - Carly Beaker
Tracy Beaker had the shock of her life in 2004 when she was finally reunited with her mum Carly, who was played by Ruth Gemmell. Over the course of the series Tracy dreamt up various scenarios involving her mum, whom she was convinced was a Hollywood film star.
It turns out that actress Ruth has actually been in films… and lots of TV shows. She can currently be seen as Violet in the popular Netflix period series, Bridgerton. She’s also been in the likes of EastEnders, Penny Dreadful and A Touch of Frost. She reprised her role as Carly in spin off, My Mum Tracy Beaker.
The Story of Tracy Beaker and its spin-off's are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Before that, why not check out some of our other TV nostalgia pieces?
