Character Relationship Map: Been So Long

Characters

• Simone (played by Michaela Coel) — protagonist

  Simone is a smart, self-sufficient single parent living in Camden Town and working at a hair salon. She prioritises her daughter, but feels unfulfilled until meeting Raymond. Her renewed romance is th...

• Raymond (played by Arinzé Kene) — supporting

  Raymond is a recently released ex-convict who works as a street-cleaner. He meets Simone at Bar Arizona, where their flirtation develops into a romance marked by intimacy and uncertainty. He also stru...

• Yvonne (played by Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo) — supporting

  Yvonne is Simone’s best friend, an outgoing woman who believes Simone needs a fuller life after spending a long time without dating. She persuades Simone to go drinking, seeks romance herself, and sup...

• Gil (played by George MacKay) — supporting

  Gil is a young, troubled and volatile man who carries a knife and stalks Raymond. His threatening behaviour forms part of Raymond’s continuing struggle with his past and present circumstances, adding...

• Kestrel (played by Joe Dempsie) — supporting

  Kestrel is Simone’s ex-partner, whose unexpected appearance outside her daughter’s school brings painful memories back into Simone’s life. He re-enters her world in order to get to know the daughter,...

• Barney (played by Luke Norris) — supporting

  Barney runs Bar Arizona in Camden, taking over the venue from his late parent. The bar is an old haunt for Simone and Yvonne and becomes the setting where Simone first meets Raymond, making Barney and...

• Wendell (played by Ashley Thomas) — supporting

  Wendell is described as Raymond’s old friend and as a new father. He belongs to the network of troubled personal connections surrounding Raymond, whose difficulties include issues involving Wendell as...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Simone → Kestrel (Romantic Former Partner) — Their past relationship reopens unresolved pain.

  Kestrel is identified as Simone's ex and re-enters her life outside her daughter's school.

• Simone → Raymond (Romantic Partner) — Their relationship is the central emotional romance of the film.

  Simone and Raymond flirt over draughts, kiss, become intimate, and gradually develop a romance.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Yvonne → Raymond (Social Friend's Partner) — Yvonne's social intervention indirectly connects Raymond with Simone.

  Yvonne supports Simone's attempt to meet men, while Simone's resulting encounter with Raymond becomes central to the story.

• Simone → Barney (Social Bar Patron) — Barney is connected to Simone through the social setting where the romance begins.

  Simone goes to the old haunt Bar Arizona, now run by Barney, where she encounters Raymond.

• Raymond → Barney (Social Bar Patron) — Barney's venue becomes the setting for Raymond's first connection with Simone.

  Raymond meets Simone at Bar Arizona, which is run by Barney, the late owner's son.

• Raymond → Gil (Conflict Stalker And Target) — Gil represents a direct danger from Raymond's troubled past.

  Gil is described as a troubled, knife-wielding young man who stalks Raymond.

• Raymond → Wendell (Social Old Friend) — Wendell connects Raymond to his earlier life and continuing personal demons.

  The plot identifies Wendell as Raymond's old friend and describes Wendell as a new father.

• Simone → Yvonne (Social Best Friend) — Yvonne encourages Simone to re-enter social and romantic life.

  The plot explicitly identifies Yvonne as Simone's best friend and shows them going out together.

Story Analysis

A guarded single parent rediscovers romance while confronting the return of her past and the fears that keep people at a distance.

Plot Progression

1. Camden Nights Begin — Simone maintains a self-sufficient life centered on work and her daughter. Yvonne pushes her to go out, leading them to Bar Arizona in Camden.
2. A Spark Over Draughts — At Bar Arizona, Simone meets Raymond, a recent ex-con working as a street-cleaner. Their flirtation over draughts plants the seed of a romance.
3. Love Finds Its Rhythm — Simone and Raymond move from mutual infatuation to kissing and intimacy. Yvonne also pursues a connection and helps Simone with childcare.
4. The Past Returns — Kestrel, Simone's ex, appears outside her daughter's school and seeks contact with the daughter. His return threatens Simone's relationship with Raymond and strains her friendship with Yvonne.
5. Demons Beneath the Romance — Simone becomes isolated because of her trust issues, while Raymond struggles with Wendell, his past, and Gil's stalking. Their relationship faces pressure from both emotional fear and external danger.
6. A Duet of Openness — A duet between Simone and Raymond in a kebab shop binds their romance. Simone must learn to overcome fear and let people into her life.