<P> The show was created by Colin Bostock - Smith, but written by Bob Larbey, who had co-written The Good Life with John Esmonde . In 2004, As Time Goes By was ranked #29 in Britain's Best Sitcom . </P> <P> The series was produced by Theatre of Comedy Entertainment, in association with DLT Entertainment Ltd. for the BBC . </P> <Ul> <Li> Jean Mary Hardcastle (née Pargetter, previously Hanson) (Judi Dench)--Judith's mother who later becomes Lionel's wife . </Li> <Li> Lionel Hardcastle (Geoffrey Palmer)--Jean's husband and Rocky's son . </Li> <Li> Judith "Judi" Deacon (née Hanson) (Moira Brooker)--Jean's daughter, and Sandy's best friend, later Alistair's wife . </Li> <Li> Alistair Deacon (Philip Bretherton)--Initially publisher of Lionel's book, then Judith's husband . </Li> <Li> Sandy Edwards (Jenny Funnell)--Jean's secretary and receptionist, Judith's best friend and later Harry's wife . </Li> <Li> Penny Johnson (née Hanson) (Moyra Fraser)--Jean's sister - in - law (from Jean's first marriage to David). </Li> <Li> Stephen Johnson (Paul Chapman)--Penny's husband . </Li> <Li> Harry (David Michaels and Daniel Ryan)--Sandy's husband . </Li> <Li> Mrs. Bale (Janet Henfrey)--Hardcastle country home housekeeper . </Li> <Li> Lol Ferris (Tim Wylton)--Hardcastle country home gardener . </Li> <Li> Richard "Rocky" Hardcastle (Frank Middlemass)--Lionel's irrepressible father who owns a country home in the Hampshire Countryside, alongside a vast fortune . </Li> <Li> Madge Darbley - Hardcastle (Joan Sims)--Rocky Hardcastle's wife, 7 years his junior . Due to the death of actress Joan Sims in 2001, two years ahead of the filming of the reunion specials, she is explained away as having become an archaeologist in Egypt . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Jean Mary Hardcastle (née Pargetter, previously Hanson) (Judi Dench)--Judith's mother who later becomes Lionel's wife . </Li>

Who plays stephen in as time goes by