Bend It Like Beckham 15 years on: Inspiring women's football

Ben MundyNewsbeat reporter
News imageGetty Images Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley and Shaznay Lewis at the Bend It Like Beckham premiereGetty Images

Football movie Bend It Like Beckham is now more than 15 years old.

You would be wrong for thinking Keira Knightley's career is the only one to be launched by the 2002 film.

"That was the film for girls to watch to inspire them to play football," says England's Alex Greenwood.

It certainly inspired the 23-year-old. Her country takes on France in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017 on Sunday.

News imageBBC News Alex GreenwoodBBC News
England defender Alex Greenwood

The Liverpool defender caught up with Newsbeat shortly before flying to the Netherlands.

"I love that film," says Alex. "I mean I watch it back now and it's a little bit cringe but it was the film to watch."

News imageGetty Images Parminder and Jonathan in 2002Getty Images
Parminder Nagra and Jonathan Rhys Myers starred in the film

Bend It Like Beckham follows the daughter of Punjabi Sikhs in London, who is obsessed with football.

Her parents ban her from playing because she is a girl, but she joins a local team anyway, and they go on to win the league.

News imageGetty Images David Beckham looked back in 2002Getty Images
Here's how David Beckham looked back in 2002

We know what happened to Keira, but what about the rest of the 2002 cast?

Parminder Nagra

News imageGetty Images Parminder NagraGetty Images

Bend It Like Beckham was Parminder's big break, starring as Jesminder 'Jess' Kaur Bhamra.

She went on to star in hit US medical drama ER, and has appeared in a wide range of films and TV shows, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., NCIS: Los Angeles and Postman Pat: The Movie.

She has an eight-year-old son called Kai from her previous marriage to photographer James Stenson.

News imageGetty Images Parminder went on to star in ER. Here she is in a white coat to prove it.Getty Images
Parminder went on to star in ER. Here she is in a white coat to prove it.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

News imageGetty Images Jonathan Rhys Meyers todayGetty Images

The Irish heartthrob played Jess and Jules' football coach, Joe.

He's gone on to act in major films, including Match Point, Vanity Fair and Mission: Impossible III.

News imageGetty Images Jonathan in Tudor garb as Henry VIII with co-star Sam NeilGetty Images
Jonathan in Tudor garb as Henry VIII with co-star Sam Neil

He played King Henry VIII in the hit TV series The Tudors, and slave owner Tom Lea in last year's TV remake of Roots. He won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 2005 TV show Elvis.

He has a baby son called Wolf, with his wife Mara Lane, an actress and producer.

Shaznay Lewis

News imageGetty Images Shaznay LewisGetty Images

Before taking on the role of footballer Mel in Bend It Like Beckham, Shaznay had a successful music career as part of girl band All Saints.

Their hits included Never Ever, Black Coffee and Pure Shores.

News imageGetty Images Shaznay's been back on tour with All SaintsGetty Images
Shaznay's been back on tour with All Saints

After a brief solo career, she reunited with Melanie Blatt, Nicole and Natalie Appleton to bring out the 2006 comeback album Studio 1. They split up again, but came back together last year for the album Red Flag, and have been touring.

Shaznay's also written songs for girl band Stooshe, and the original Sugababes line-up, Mutya Keisha Siobhan.

She's got an 11-year-old son called Tyler-Xaine, and seven-year-old daughter named Tigerlily, with husband Christian "Storm" Horsfall, a dancer.

News imageGetty Images Alex Greenwood in action against Portugal in Euro 2017Getty Images
Alex Greenwood in action against Portugal in Euro 2017

So that's where some of the cast are. But could there be a new line-up?

"If we go to the Euros and win it that will create a story," Alex Greenwood tells Newsbeat. "Then make a film about it."

Three more England wins and that could become a reality.

"Yeah, absolutely… Bend It Like… Greenwood, anyone?"

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