Better Manincludes an entertaining and talented cast in its unusual depiction of a popular singer’s career. Directed by Michael Gracey,Better Manfocuses on the life and career of British singer, Robbie Williams, during his time as a member of the popular boy band, Take Thatand his eventual success as a solo performer. The movie also focuses on the different relationships Williams had with his family members and the struggles he faced with mental health and drugs before he was able to overcome his demons and revive his career in the late 2000s.
Released in theaters in 2024,Better Manwas released to high praise for its portrayal of the highs and lows of Williams’ career. The movie was also praised for its casting, soundtrack, andthe decision to portray Williams as an anthropomorphic chimpanzeeamong humans;Better Manreceived a record-breaking 16 award nominations at the 2025 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, including Best Film. The other characters inBetter Manhelp bring Williams’ story to life and the movie includes an impressive team of actors that help the movie jointhe rankings of the best music biopics ever made.
Robbie Williams as Himself (Voice)
Date of Birth: July 17, 2025
Character:Better Man’s protagonist, Robbie Williams, lives in Stoke-on-Trent, England with his parents and grandmother. He struggles with confidence growing up and has difficulty connecting to his father. Williams has a loving relationship with his grandmother, who encourages him to follow his dreams. After his parents split up,Robbie decides to become a singer and lands a spot in the boy band, Take That. After a slow start, the five members of the pop group eventually rose in popularity, leading to Williams achieving the fame he wanted, but also struggling with self-doubt.
1999
2004
2005
2013
Gangsta Granny
Flavio Flavoli
Actor: Robbie Williams began his career as a member of the British boyband, Take That, in the early 1990s, before launching a solo career in 1996. Some of his popular songs include “Angels,” “Let Me Entertain You” and “She’s The One.”He has released 12 solo albums between 1997 and 2019, six of which have been listed in the top 100 biggest-selling albums in the United Kingdom (viaBest Selling Albums). Outside of music, Williams has served as a judge on the UK version ofThe X Factorand has several acting credits, includingThe Magic RoundaboutandGangsta Granny.
Jonno Davies as Robbie Williams (Chimpanzee Form)
Date of Birth: July 10, 2025
Actor: British actor Jonno Davies started his career on stage, portraying Alex DeLarge in the stage production ofA Clockwork Orangebetween 2014 and 2015. He had a small role in the British medical drama series,Casualty, before landing his first movie role in 2014’sKingsman: The Secret Service.Davies has had guest appearances in the popular British shows,HollyoaksandHolby City,and starred as Tobias in the drama series,Hunters, alongside Al Pacino.
2014
2014-2015
2016
2020
2022
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
Bertie Tank
Character: InBetter Man,Robbie Williams is depicted as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee, interacting with a human cast.InBetter Man’strailer, Williams stated that he “didn’t see himself as others saw him.” In interviews, the director, Michael Gracey, revealed that the decision to portray Williams as a chimpanzee was inspired by Williams’ description of himself as “a performing monkey” (viaBBC). Throughout the movie, the chimpanzee version of Williams was portrayed by Jonno Davies in a performance capture suit, with added CGI in the movie.
Steve Pemberton as Peter Williams
Date of Birth: August 19, 2025
Actor: Steve Pemberton is a British actor and comedian who began his career as a member of the sketch comedy team,The League of Gentlemen, in 1995. He received recognition for his roles in the popular comedy series,BenidormandPsychovilleand made guest appearances inDoctor WhoandHorrible Histories. Among his accolades,Pemberton won a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2019, for his work in theBritish anthology series,Inside, No. 9. He is set to appear in a stage production ofInside No. 9in 2025.
1999-2002
2007-2014
2008
2009
2014-2024
Inside No. 9
Various Characters
Character: Throughout the movie,Robbie Williams has a conflicting relationship with his father, Peter. Robbie describes his father as “well-enamored by the stars of the day” and he strives to make his father proud of him. While there are some occasions where Peter supports his son, as seen through his teaching Robbie to sing, he also emotionally hurts his son, which affects Robbie’s confidence as he grows up. Peter eventually leaves the family, further upsetting Robbie, who keeps hold of Peter’s old possessions, as a way to keep his father close to him.
Kate Mulvany as Janet Williams
Date of Birth: July 12, 2025
Actor: Kate Mulvany is an Australian actress who has won awards for her work in multiple theater productions, includingRichard IIIandEvery Brilliant Thing. She has also won Sydney Theatre Awards for her work as a writer for the stage productions,MedeaandThe Harp in the South. Outside of theater, Mulvany has starred in several Australian movies, includingThe MergerandHow to Make Gravy,and had roles in American drama movies includingThe Great GatsbyandElvis.In 2020,Mulvany received an OAM for her work in the performing arts.
2018
2020-2023
2024
How to Make Gravy
Stella
Character: Janet Williams is Robbie Williams' mother who recognizes her son’s musical talents at a young age. After her separation from Peter, Janet does her best to ensure her son is loved and cared for as he grows up.; she encouraged her son, then 16, to audition for a place in the group (viaHello Magazine). In the movie, Janet is shown delivering the news to Robbie that he was successful and has landed a spot in the band that eventually became known as Take That.
Alison Steadman as Betty Williams
Date of Birth: June 25, 2025
Actor:Alison Steadman has an acting career across theater, television, and movies that has spanned more than 50 years. She won an Olivier Award in 1993 for her work in the original stage production ofThe Rise and Fall of Little Voiceand was nominated for a BAFTA for her work in the 1986 BBC series,The Singing Detective. Steadman has appeared in multiple movies, includingShirley ValentineandLife Is Sweet,and has starred in several British television shows, includingGavin & StaceyandHold the Sunset. She is currently starring as Sue in the BBC sitcomHere We Go.
1986
1989
2004-2006
2007-2024
2022-present
Here We Go
Sue Jessop
Character: Betty Williams is Robbie Williams' paternal grandmother, who plays a poignant part in Williams' life as a young boy. She was regarded as a warm and caring woman who was adored by her grandson (viaRWDB). After his parents split up inBetter Man, Robbie finds comfort and support from his grandmother and frequently visits her at her home. Robbie confesses his fears to his grandmother about being nothing in life, and Betty assures him “You are enough.“Betty’s death deeply affected Williams and contributed to his addiction problems and mental breakdownas depicted in the movie.
Damon Herriman as Nigel Martin-Smith
Date of Birth: June 27, 2025
Actor:Australian actor,Damon Herriman, has won AACTA awards for his roles in the psychological thriller,The Nightingaleand the black comedy film,Judy and Punch.Herriman rose to international attention for his work in the western series,Justified,and achieved further success for his performance as serial killerCharles Manson inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood.Herriman has also provided voice work in movies, includingPeter Rabbit 2: The RunawayandMortal Kombat. He is set to appear as Quan Chi in the upcoming action movie,Mortal Kombat 2.
2010-2015
2019
2021
2023
The Artful Dodger
Captain Grimes
Character:Nigel Martin-Smith serves as the manager of the band, Take That, and recruits the five boys into the group. ThroughoutBetter Man,Martin-Smith coaches the boys on how to perform and also tells Robbie that he will use the name Robbie Williams, as opposed to his real name, Robert. Martin-Smith predicts that the band members will eventually hate each other, but will become a success and earn money. In the movie, while Robbie does describe Martin-Smith as “an absolute sweetheart,” the two had a difficult working relationship that continued after Robbie left Take That in 1995 (viaIndependent).
Better Man Supporting Cast & Characters
Raechelle Banno as Nicole Appleton: a member of the British girl group, All Saints, who becomes Robbie’s fiancé inBetter Man.Banno appeared as Olivia Richards in the Australian soap opera,Home & Away, between 2015 and 2018 and has since starred inPandoraand100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone.
Tom Budge as Guy Chambers:a singer-songwriter and producer, Chambers forms a music partnership with Robbie Williams after his departure from Take That. Budge has starred in several Australian film productions, includingKokodaandLast Train to Freo.
Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow: one of the five members of Take That, alongside Robbie Williams, who served as a prominent songwriter for the group. Simmance has made guest appearances in the BBC drama,Call the Midwife, and the Netflix series,Anatomy of a Scandal.
8 Best Musical Biopics On Netflix
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Liam Head as Howard Donald: one of the members of Take That, who launched a career as a DJ after the band’s split. Head performed in several amateur musical productions, includingGreaseandLegally Blonde,and made guest appearances as Leo in the drama series,Life of Jess.
Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange:one of the members of Take That, who launched a career as an actor in the late 1990s. Vollenweider made his film debut in 2011’sA Heartbeat Awayand has since appeared as a dancer onThe Masked Singer AustraliaandLord Mayor’s Christmas Carols.
Jesse Hyde as Mark Owen:one of the five boys recruited to Take That inBetter Man,who launched a solo career after the band split in 1996. Hyde appeared as Michael in the 2018 movie,Ladies in Blackand Ronald in 2022’sGolden Delicious.He has also appeared in several short films, includingBuggedandAmir.
Sources:Best Selling Albums,BBC,Hello Magazine,RWDB,Independent
Better Man
Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man explores the life and career of singer Robbie Williams through his own eyes.
