known actors (including Laurence Harvey (I) (qv),  James Booth (I) (qv) and Anthony Newley (qv)) turned down the  title role due to the then taboo subject matter of abortion. Despite  having played "Alfie" on Broadway, Terence Stamp (qv)  categorically declined to reprise the role on film, thus giving his  good friend and then roommate Michael Caine (I) (qv) the  breakthrough role of his career.