Only Fools And Horses Miami Twice Cast

Okay, picture this: it’s the late 90s, and I’m huddled on a sofa with my brother, a bowl of cheap popcorn between us. The BBC is about to air a special episode of Only Fools and Horses, and we’re buzzing with that familiar, giddy anticipation. We’d watched Del Boy fall through the bar a hundred times, but this time, the Trotter brothers were heading to Miami.

I remember thinking, “How can they possibly top the chandelier?” And then—bam—the credits rolled and we met the cast of that two-parter. Honestly, it felt like a family reunion with a suntan.

The Core Trio: Back with a Tan

Of course, David Jason was the absolute anchor, sliding back into Derek “Del Boy” Trotter like a hand into a well-worn leather glove. You knew the bloke inside out, but in Miami, there was a new, slightly desperate energy to him. He was a fish out of water in a pastel suit, and it was glorious.

Then you had Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney, looking perpetually bewildered. Even with a Cuban cigar, he was still the little brother trying to keep up. The dynamic between them was so familiar it was like hearing your favourite song—but remixed with maracas.

And let’s not forget Buster Merryfield as Uncle Albert. The old sea dog was dragged along for the ride, and his “during the war” stories suddenly involved alligators. He was the perfect third wheel, providing that grumpy, lovable balance.

New Faces, Big Risks

The genius of “Miami Twice” was the new characters. Roger Lloyd-Pack returned as Trigger, of course, but he was just a brief, hilarious cameo—a taste of home. The real additions were the American characters, and they could have ruined everything if they’d felt too “Hollywood.” But they didn’t.

Take James B. Sikking as the shady General Bullfry. He brought a cold, menacing authority that was totally foreign to Peckham. It was weird seeing Del Boy out of his depth, but Sikking played it straight, which made the Trotter’s incompetence even funnier. Man, that guy could glare.

miami twice : only fools and horses

We also got Raphael Sbarge as the eager young conman “Jumbo.” He was like a young, American version of Del—all flash and no substance. The clash of their two worlds was pure comedy gold, and he didn’t miss a beat.

And how can we ignore Marion Bailey as Raquel? She grounded the whole thing, rolling her eyes at Del’s schemes while secretly loving him. She was the one person who looked genuinely out of place in Florida, and that was the joke.

The Spanish Flu? No, the Miami Heat

Here’s where I have to give a little shout-out to Glyn Houston, who played the original “Man in the Street” before being replaced. He’s a bit of a trivia footnote, but his presence in early drafts was a reminder of how different the episode could have been. The cast we got was just tighter.

I always wondered if the actors felt the pressure. Imagine David Jason, at the peak of his fame, trying to sell a joke about a sunstroke in a foreign country. But the cast’s chemistry was so solid that even a weak gag felt like inside joke. They trusted each other.

One of my favourite side notes: Roy Heather as Sid the barman didn’t go to Miami, but his ghost was felt. In the episode, they mention him, and it’s a tiny nod that reminds you the old world still exists. It’s the little things that make a universe feel real.

Only Fools and Horses: Miami Twice (1991) | MUBI

Why It Works (Despite the Sun)

Let’s be honest: “Miami Twice” is not the best episode of Only Fools. It’s a bit over the top, and the pacing wobbles. But the cast made it something special. They took the familiar and stretched it without breaking it.

Think about John Challis as Boycie. He only had a small part, but his laugh in the Miami heat felt like a victory. And Sue Nicholls as Marlene? Her deer-in-headlights look was a perfect mirror to the audience’s confusion.

I think the real star was the casting director. Finding actors who could mimic the Trotter energy while bringing their own flavor was a gamble. They nailed it. The show could have been a cringe-fest, but instead, it’s a fond memory.

A Final Toast to the Dreamers

So, the next time you watch “Miami Twice,” raise a glass of cheap champagne (or Malibu) to the cast. They took a silly idea—Del Boy in a speedboat—and made it feel like a holiday with your weirdest uncles. It’s messy, it’s dated, but it’s theirs.

And honestly? Seeing Rodney get sunburned while Del tries to sell a timeshare to a mobster is still peak comfort television. The cast brought home to the beach, and sometimes that’s all you need. Cheers, you plonkers.