Characters / Still Game

Main Cast

Jack Jarvis (Ford Kiernan)

• Big Guy, Little Guy: Jack is substantially shorter than Victor.

• Caught With Victor's Pants Down: Leading to a case of Mistaken for Gay.

• Dismotivation: When his daughter suggests that he move to Canada. He suffered a similar experience when he and his wife almost moved there years before. Both times it is because he cannot bring himself to leave his friends behind in Craiglang.

• Innocent Bigot: When he and Victor go to the Highlands for New Year, they call the locals "sheep-shaggin' auld bastards." The Highlanders are not impressed.
• Malaproper: Victor pointing out one of Jack's malapropisms is a Once an Episode gag.
• Mistaken for Gay: When Isa sees Jack inspecting a pimple on Victor's backside while spying on them, she immediately assumes that they are engaging in...unnamed activities.
• Must Have Nicotine: When Winston informs Jack and Victor he will have to get his leg amputated due to his smoking habits, Jack attempts to give it up. He fails, missing his pipe so badly he at one point carves one out of a carrot.
• Speaking Like Totally Teen: His poor understanding of "young patter." Even Victor mocks him for this.

Victor McDade (Greg Hemphill)

• Big Guy, Little Guy: The taller of the two men.

• Catchphrase: "That's plenty, Jack."

• Innocent Bigot: When he and Jack go to the Highlands for New Year.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Though Victor can be curmudgeonly and grumpy, he cares deeply for his friends, and is frequently shown to be the most honest of the pensioners.

Winston Ingram (Paul Riley)

• Artificial Limbs: Has to get a wooden leg.

• Dog Food Diet: Almost reduced to it after his benefits are cut.
• The Gambling Addict

• Handicapped Badass: When taking down two robbers pretending to be Policemen.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: To the point that in his rage he headbutts a horse out cold when Stevie the bookie dodges.

• Hypocritical Heartwarming: He despises Isa's jerkass husband Harry to the point that he willingly fakes a relationship with Isa to force Harry away. This is despite the fact half the time he can't stand Isa.
• Jerkass: Winston can often be selfish, petty and aggressive, but he does have a kinder side too. Winston has a certain degree of morality too. Compared to Stevie the Bookie, Winston is a saint.
• Properly Paranoid: Goes mad when he believes Stevie has returned, despite the man claiming he's actually Stevie's brother Frankie, which ends up with him and Tam camping out in the bookie toilets for a night just to prove he is Stevie. Which he is.
• Schemer: Winston frequently comes up with attempts to make money, to varying degrees of success.

Thomas 'Tam' Mullen (Mark Cox)

• Bad Liar: When trying to get out of paying for a pint. Almost always get away with it anyway.

• Faking the Dead: In "Dead Leg", to help Winston.
• Flip Personality: In "Hyper", where an electric shock causes him to become uncharacteristically generous. Another shock soon sends him back to his tight-fisted ways.
• Greed: Tam is willing to deprive a handicapped man of his only means of transportation to win a mobility scooter from him in a game of poker.
• Get A Hold Of Yourself Man: Delivers one of these moments to Winston in 'Drama' when Winston loses his grip on reality after been driven mad by losing 27 grand to Stevie the Bookie

• "It" Is Dehumanizing: Gets a bad reaction when he calls his son "it" on TV.
• It Runs in the Family: His stingyness. He hopes it'll be passed onto his son.

• Laborious Laziness: He admits in "Over the Hill" to developing a very complex system of figuring out days of the year based on what day Christmas is on that year, to justify not buying calendars since 1981. It fails him when he's forced by Winston to prove it works.
• The Scrooge:
  • Like you would not believe—to the point where he actively steals pints of lager from other customers at the Clansman.
  • He's also unwilling to buy a new toaster to replace a barely functional one, and admits he's still using a calendar from 1981.

Isa Drennan (Jane McCarry)

• Cannot Keep a Secret: If Isa finds out a bit of juicy gossip, it is a guarantee that the whole neighborhood will know within an hour.
  • To the point where she at one point gives her word that nobody will be told, only for it to immediately cut to her trying to grab a phone shouting that "the people need tae know!"
• The Dreaded: Played for Laughs. Most people who talk to her usually try some way of escaping having to talk to her, and usually fail.
• Gossipy Hens: Isa's defining character trait.
• Nosy Neighbor: Keeps tabs on her next-door neighbors Jack and Victor at all times.
  • It usually takes a while for Isa to take the hint and not listen in when she's not wanted.
• Sherlock Scan: Is capable of figuring out what Jack and Victor are doing and where they're going based on their clothing and the items they're carrying. At one point she does this without them saying a single word to her.
  Victor: *after Isa leaves* "She's creepy with that."

Navid Harrid (Sanjeev Kohli)

• Asian Rudeness: He's got nothing but contempt for the vast majority of his customers.
• Can't Hold His Liquor: A sip of whiskey has him singing, although this is justified given that he is a Muslim who has never drank before as his religion prohibits it.

• Snark-to-Snark Combat: With Meena. It's implied he actually enjoys their "verbal ping-pong."
• The Nose Knows: At one point lines up a bunch of school kids who raided his supplies, testing their breath to determine just what they stole and how much they owe him.
• They Really Do Love Each Other: He didn't really forget Meena's birthday.
• Unresolved Sexual Tension: With Isa, though this was dropped with the seventh series in 2016.

Boabby The Barman (Gavin Mitchell)

• Breaking the Fourth Wall: In the finale, the very last scene has the camera making it's way into the Clansman, where a now aged Boaby (The only remaining core character left from the first season) greets the audience with his trademark greeting "Well...look who it isnae.." complete with a heartwarming smile as if to say thanks for watching.
• Buttmonkey: Boabby is frequently teased and insulted by his clientele, and if something embarrassing happens to anybody in the series, it is most likely to be him.
• Deadpan Snarker: He always has a put-down ready for Jack and Victor when they walk into the Clansman; however, they nearly always come back with an even wittier put-down.
• Home Porn Movie: Starred in one that eventually made its way into Tam's hands. Most of Craiglang sees it.
• Informed Flaw: Boabby can certainly be insensitive and callous on occasion, but his regulars act like he's the absolute worst. In truth, he often gets far worse than he gives, often seems quite hurt by the comments made towards him, and he goes out of his way on numerous occasions for his regulars.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Though he frequently acts like a Jerkass towards his customers, Boabby actually cares a great deal about their well-being. He seems to be particularly fond of Isa.
• Only Known by Their Nickname: Boabby's real name is Robert Taylor, but he is only ever called Boabby.
• Punny Name: "Boabby" means "Penis". In his very first scene, he corrects Jack and Victor when they call him "Dick". Not that his real name is any better...
• Sole Survivor: The finale shows him, still working the pub in his old age, with none of the regulars alive due to them all being pensioners in their 70s during the series.

Eric (James Martin)

• Dawson Casting: Averted. James Martin is the only one of the regular pensioner cast who plays his own age.
• Killed Off for Real

Recurring Characters

Meena Harrid

• Bilingual Bonus: Meena only speaks Hindi, allowing her to insult the rest of the cast without their knowledge.
• Deadpan Snarker : Perhaps the most foul mouthed member of the cast at that, even Winston cannot outdo her.
• The Faceless : Until her very last moment on camera before she disappears with time.
• Runaway Fiancé: Ran away with Navid before coming to Scotland.

Frances Mullen

• Continuity Snarl: A minor one, but in Series 2, Frances is stated to be a vegetarian, yet seems to eat meat in futures appearances, even having a liking for Chinese pork ribs. This could easily put down to Tam being an unreliable narrator and deliberately lying to ruin Winston's chances of dating her.
• Happily Married: To Tam. Although they still have their problems.
• Hot Librarian: Of the elderly variety. Tam and Winston seem to think so which makes sense considering they're the same age as her.
• Retcon: Frances became the "oldest mum in Britain" in the sixth series; however, her and Tam's son appears to have been retconned out of existence in the newer series. Co-creator Greg Hemphill, who also plays Victor, has lampshaded this in real-life.

Harry Drennan

• Jerkass: Repeatedly cheated on and stole from Isa before leaving her and only comes back to her when he runs out of money, to the point where even Winston, who finds Isa irritating, is willing to pretend to be her romantic partner to drive Harry away for the last time.
• Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: In his first appearance he appears to be trying to reconnect with Isa and make amends. He leaves her sitting in a cafe after he steal her purse and escapes out the bathroom window.
  • He repeats the act of trying to reconnect with Isa in his second appearance, this time to the point he won't take the hint she wants nothing to do with him.
• Never Speak Ill of the Dead: Subverted; after he dies offscreen, the regulars bluntly dismiss him as a vile person and conclude Isa's better off without him.
  Jack: I don't like to speak ill of the dead, but he was a prick!

Pete The Jakey

• The Alcoholic: Both Played for Laughs and Played for Drama. Pete knows more about alcohol than Boabby the Barman. Pete's alcoholism has caused himself plenty of problems like his homelessness.

• The Cobbler's Children Have No Shoes: If his long-lost son is a wealthy man with his own construction company, how did Pete end up remaining homeless?
• Hidden Depths: Invented the beefy bake, and is revealed to have a successful son.
• Killed Offscreen: In series seven, due to the fact that actor Jake D'Arcy died in real life.
• Luke, I Am Your Father: Revealed to be the father in "Who's the Daddy"

• The Tramp

Shug

• During the War: Shug regularly tells long-winded stories about his time serving in the British Army in World War II, much to the annoyance of the others.

• Properly Paranoid: About crime when there's a powercut in Craiglang.

• Super-Senses: Has abnormally good hearing due to his oversized ears. He's nicknamed Shug the Lug for them, and is able to hear Jack and Victor quietly talking about him from the other side of a small river.

Edith

• British Teeth: In addition to many, many other unattractive physical characteristics.
• Ensemble Dark Horse: Popular with the show's fanbase.

Manky Franky

• Jerkass: Is rude and aggressive towards the main characters and doesn't even seem to care when Jack and Victor tell him his elderly neighbor has died.

Peggy MacAlpine

• Jerkwitha Heartof Gold: Occasionally plays the role of the antagonist towards members of the main gang but when she isn't she's quite friendly towards everyone. Unless you're her husband.
• Double Standard:Abuse,Femaleon Male: Her poor treatment of her husband is played for laughs.

Charlie MacAlpine

• Flat Character: Doesn't get any characterization outside of being Peggy's henpecked husband.
• Henpecked Husband: To Peggy who repeatedly insults, belittles and man-handles him.
• The Voiceless: Has yet to receive a single line.

Stevie The Bookie

• Arch-Enemy: To Winston.
• Beardness Protection Program: In order to pretend he's his brother Frankie, he shaves his head. Winston proves he's Stevie by catching him in the act.
• Dirty Coward: Runs off when Winston's winning accumulator bankrupts him. When he returns, he tries to avoid paying the debt by posing as his brother. It doesn't work.
• The Scrooge: The man skips town rather than just pay Winston his winnings. Even when pretending to be his brother, he nearly outs himself by hesitating to hand over some money Winston gets a second time around.

Fergie

• Ascended Extra: Started off as just an unnamed ned until he became a recurring character.
• Aww Look They Really Do Love Each Other: He becomes restless after a year of marriage to Sinead causing him to lust after another woman but stays loyal to her and they decide to work on their problems.
• Butt-Monkey: Jack and Victor get horribly drunk at Fergie's stag party and end up tying him naked to a fence.
• Lower-Class Lout: Starts off as one of the neds on the estate, repeatedly causing mischief and indulging in petty crimes. He gets better after Jack and Victor convince him to go out with Sinead.
• Deadpan Snarker: A scene in which Fergie belittles a councillor opening a leisure centre nearly achieved Memetic Mutation in Scotland.
  Councillor: It gives me great pleasure to be here today.
  Fergie: Naw, it disnae.
  Councillor: With great admiration, I've watched the community of Craiglang grow and flourish.
  Fergie: Naw, ye huvnae.
  Councillor: My father grew up here in Craiglang, and he always had the greatest respect for his home.
  Fergie: Naw, he didnae.
  Councillor: I only wish that he could be here today to see this.
  Fergie: Naw, ye don't.
  Councillor: He would join me in congratulating Craiglang today as we open this wonderful facility. For this building is a magnificent addition to a caring, thriving, forward-thinking community.
  Fergie: Naw, it isnae.

Sinead

• Ascended Extra: Starts off as just a recurring background character before being given a romantic subplot with Fergie.
• Flat Character: Doesn't receive much characterization outside of being Fergie's crush/girlfriend/wife.

Chris The Postie

• Butt-Monkey: Gets repeatedly insulted and humiliated by various characters due to being lazy and apathetic.
• Improbably Low I.Q.: Chris is frequently shown to be rather dim.
• Hidden Depths: He turns out to be a competent painter and decorator. After Jack and Victor horrendously botch the decoration of Isa's flat, he manages to fix it.

Big Arthur

• Recurring Extra: Is a regular in the clansman but isn't given any characterization and has few lines.

Methadone Mick

• British Teeth: His are stained due to years of drug abuse and living rough.
• Hidden Depths: It's been suggested that his loquaciousness is legendary. He's also notably very aware of how internet fame works, to the point of being able to coach Winston in it briefly, despite presumably having no access to the internet.
• Intergenerational Friend Ship: Had one with Pete the jakie before he died apparently. Forms one with the rest of the gang after Pete's will introduces him.
• Recovered Addict:In the Finale, he has cleaned himself up and managed to land a job at the library, taking over from Frances. Now looking far more presentable and approachable.
• Remember the New Guy?: Was friends with Pete for a while before his death even though he was never seen or mentioned until the revival series.

Guest and One-Off Characters

Barbara

Ronnie

• Antagonistic Offspring: Judging by his comments about his son Norman, their relationship is this.
• Berserk Button: The mention of the battleship Bismarck, as it was the one thing that caused him to lose Mastermind.
  Victor: Which boat during World War II was sunk off the coast of-
  Ronnie: BLOODY BISMARCK!
• Idiot Ball: The view of most of Craiglang in regards to the fact he went on Mastermind with World War II ships as his specialist subject, yet forgot the Bismarck.
  Navid: What was his specialist subject?
  Isa: World War II. He lost by one point because he passed on Bismarck.
  Navid: The most famous boat in the war! Tit.
• Sanity Slippage: He has a tendency for this...and to run around in his underwear in public when it happens.

Mrs Begg

Bert Findlay

Stewart Anderson

Vince Gallagher

Protrayed By: David Hayman

• Arch-Enemy: To Winston, who has never forgiven Vince for giving him food poisoning.
• Escalating War: When Winston convinces Jack and Victor (who are minding Navid's shop for him) to open a snack bar in the shop to cheat Vince of business, he retaliates by poisoning the soup they serve, causing numerous people, including Winston to fall sick. In response, Jack, Victor and Winston fill his van with coackroaches and other bugs. Vince promptly snaps and drives his van through the fron of Navid's shop.
• Lethal Chef: He was one when he worked in the canteen at Yarrows Shipbuilders, causing the entire workforce to come down with food poisoning, a fact for which Winston has never forgiven him.
• Neat Freak: Became one after the Yarrows incident.

Big Innes

Portrayed By: Clive Russell

• Big Eater: And how? This man eats a full box of cornflakes with a full pint of milk from a soup pot! Furthermore, he drinks pints 4 at a time.
• Can't Hold His Liquor: Midori is strictly off limits, Boabby found this out the hard way.

• The Dreaded: The local neds are all terrified of him. When they get out of control, Jack and Victor call in Innes to sort them out.

Kevin

Archie

Portrayed By: Sylvester McCoy

A reclusive pensioner who hasn't left his house for decades, who emerges for the first time and moves into Jack and Victor's block when his house is marked for demolition.

• Deadpan Snarker: To a lesser extent than the regulars, but it's noticeable.
• Fish out of Water: He hasn't left his house since 1966, and requires the help of Isa to catch him up.

John McDade

Victor's estranged son.

• Antagonistic Offspring: It's made clear from their interactions that John and his father don't get on that well.
• Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: Though they don't enjoy a close relationship, John did drop everything and travel from South Africa when he thought Victor was seriously ill.
• Both Sides Have a Point: After finding out that Victor lied to him about being seriously ill, a furious John angrily berates his father for dragging him all the way to Scotland on a fool's errand. In response, Victor admits he took it too far, but points out that John hardly ever bothers to contact him, and he was left with no alternative to try and get some sort of communication from his son. The pair admit they were both at fault in that scenario.
• Married to the Job: He lives and works in South Africa, which is implied to be the reason he rarely contacts his father.

Rena

Wullie Reid

Davie

Portrayed by: Robbie Coltrane

The driver of the Craiglang Dial-a-Bus.

• Drives Like Crazy: Not normally, but when he goes off he drives his bus full-tilt across the city and out into the countryside.
• Madness Mantra: When in the grips of his bipolar disorder, tends to sing to himself.
• Mood-Swinger: Normally a perfectly nice and genial fellow, but when set off he goes quite mad.
• My God, What Have I Done?: Snaps out of his manic state when he nearly hits a passing Boabby.
• There Are No Therapists: Having to take time off work from stress, but when he's set off it's pretty clear to everyone he still needs more time, rather than getting back to work right away.
• Trauma Button: "Donuts" sets him off, later explained as being because of stress dealing with his mother, who insists on having donuts. After he's talked down by the regulars, Winston accidentally sets him off again by calling him one.

Molly Drummond

Chris Howden

Thomas

Joe