Where are These Lesbians Now: IMAY Edition

Did you know “Imagine Me & You” turns 20 this year? T-W-E-N-T-Y. The 2005 rom-com remains a gold standard for lesbian rom-coms thanks largely to its hugely likeable (and talented – more on that later) cast. I rewatched IMAY again over the holidays, my first rewatch in quite a while. And goodness if it still isn’t charming as all get out. PLUS, 20 years on and this cast has done exceptionally well for themselves? How well?

Here’s a little Where Are They Now, Lesbian Edition for the IMAY cast.

Lena Headey as Luce:

While we all know her as the hottest florist in all of England/The Universe, heterosexual folks know her as Cersei on “Game of Thrones.” Up next up for our florist/queen is period Western drama “The Abandons” from “Sons of Anarchy” honcho Kurt Sutter. While I’m not really a Western drama kinda gal, at least it’s not another “Western drama” from “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan. Plus this one also stars Gillian Anderson, so, yeah. I am watching that.

Piper Perabo as Rachel:

Speaking of Taylor Sheridan, Piper has played an environmental activist on “Yellowstone” for the show’s last two seasons. I am happy Piper is gainfully employed. I am also happy Piper continues to be an outspoken political activist in real life. I just wish she’d join a show I have any inclination to watch. But “Covert Affairs” was fun while it lasted, back in the early 2010s.

Matthew Goode as Heck:

As Heck, Matthew played the extremely rare likeable cis-het white male romantic also-ran. Since then he has remained in constant demand and you’ve seen him in “The Good Wife,” “Downton Abbey” and more recently “The Discovery of Witches.” So, rest assured, Heck’s doing fine, don’t worry about him. I haven’t.

Celia Imrie as Rachel’s mom Tessa:

Am I the only one who regularly confuses Celia with Imelda Staunton? I mean, they even starred in a movie (2017’s “Finding Your Feet”) as sisters – sisters. Anyway, Celia has found herself a regular in several rom-com cinematic universes over the course of her career including “Bridget Jones” 1-4, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” 1-2, and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” Raise a glass of chardonnay to that, ladies.

Anthony Stewart Head as Rachel’s dad Ned:

He will always be Rupert Giles to me. But he is also billionaire asshole Rupert Mannion from “Ted Lasso.” Was IMAY the villain origin story for both Lena and Tony’s careers? Also, you have to think having him called “Rupert” was at least a little homage to our favorite Watcher. Or at least it is in my head.

Darren Boyd as Heck’s bestie Coop:

If you were still harboring any strong feelings about Coop’s essential grossness and creepiness, Darren playing Eve Polastri’s obnoxious and traitorous MI5 boss Frank Haleton on “Killing Eve” may have finally satisfied them. His demise at Eve’s hands felt extremely personal. Extremely.

Sue Johnston as Luce’s mom Ella:

Like you can make a list of British actors credits without multiple “Downton Abbey” mentions? No, you can not. Sue has played Gladys Denker, the lady’s maid for none other than the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley (RIP, Dame Maggie Smith) throughout the series and movies.

Boo Jackson as Rachel’s sister H:

IMAY remains the only feature credit on Boo’s IMDB, but in recent years she has appeared in a series of shorts. I also found her Instagram and she is still a performer and also queer/queer friendly – at the very least. We see you, little rainbow flag.

Vinette Robinson as Rachel’s Work Friend/Bridemaid Zina:

While we haven’t seen her much in the US since, British audiences have seen Vinette in “Waterloo Road,” “Sherlock,” “Black Mirror,” “Doctor Who” and “The Lazarus Project” – fine, I’ve heard of a couple of those.

Sharon Horgan as Rachel’s Other Work Friend/Cranky Bridesmaid Beth:

I am ashamed to say it took me until this winter’s rewatch to realize that perpetually cranky about dating Beth was none other than Sharon Horgan. The prolific Irish actor-writer-director-creator has become a bit of a powerhouse in the past two decades. Her critically acclaimed “Bad Sisters” is on Apple TV+, which makes me cranky because ugh do I also have to subscribe to Apple TV+ now too? I’m thrilled for her success and chuffed (did I use that right, across the pond friends?) it all started with little IMAY. Legit, it was her first film.

Eva Birthistle as Luce’s bestie Edie:

Luce’s super cute bestie who is so gay she’s ecstatic also remains gainfully employed – and as one of the sisters on Sharon Horgan’s “Bad Sisters.” I wonder if they met on IMAY and remained friends all these years and are now culminating that friendship with these sisterly roles. In my own internal cinematic universe, Luce and Rach regularly hang out with Beth and Edie (who became a couple after Beth realized her inability to find a suitable male partner was just latent homosexuality).

So, surprised by anyone 20 years on? Also, 20 years. Sweet suffering Sappho, we’re old. But at least we’re still super super gay – in both the queer and ecstatic senses.