Connect with us


TV

Eastenders (BBC-1 1985, Leslie Grantham, Ross Kemp)

Published

on


Soap Eastenders is set in the East End borough of Walford (Postcode E20). Focal figures in the shows early years were the Fowler family led by the indomitable Pauline and the her put upon husband Arthur (who would later have a nervous breakdown in spectacular fashion) and their kids Mark and Michelle. Pub landlord Den (Dirty Den as he became known) and his brassy wife Angie quickly became the focus of most of the media attention lavished on the show in its early days. Den and Angie’s daughter Sharon was best friends with Michelle Fowler who happened to get herself pregnant by Sharon’s father.

Other important characters from the shows early years included Dot Cotton and her evil son Nick, Pauline’s Mum Lou and the elderly Ethel Skinner, local GP Dr Legg, Pauline’s brother Pete Beale and his family (wife Kathy and son Ian). Asian shopkeepers Saeed and Naima Jeffrey and Turkish cafe owner Ali Osman provided the ethnicity.

During the early ‘Den and Angie’ years the show was incredibly popular beating all comers. Since Den’s departure (being ‘hit’ by gangsters) there has always been a ‘hard man’ type character in the show with the brutish Grant Mitchell ruling the roost at the Vic for many years.

Eastenders has never been shy of tackling the big issues, Aids, murder, teenage pregnancy, cancer and even euthanasia have all had an airing on the show. The show is most probably the most depressing of the UK soaps (although Brookside runs it a close second).

Advertisement

During its most popular spell several of the stars even had hit singles (Anita Dobson with a vocal version of the theme tune and Nick Berry getting to number one with Every Loser Wins).

First episode broadcast 19 Feb 1985 and on 19 February 2010 a special live episode was broadcast as part of a long running storyline involving the characters of Arnie Mitchell who was murdered by Stacey Slater.

Over the years there have also been various spin offs and “bubbles” aired on TV – these have been Civvy Street, Dot’s Story, Eastenders: E20, M.I.T, Pat And Mo, Perfectly Frank and Ricky and Bianca.

There were also two direct to video stories (a few of the soaps experimented with these in the late 90’s but it was a fad quickly over) these were The Mitchells – Naked Truths and Slaters in Detentions (these were both around the hour long mark).

Advertisement

Meanwhile Eastenders Revealed was an occasional BBC-3 series going behind the scenes of the show.

production details
UK / BBC-1 / x30 minute episodes / Broadcast 19 February 1985 – continuing

Creators: Julia Smith, Tony Holland / Theme Music: Simon May

Key cast members have included:-
BILL TREACHER as Arthur Fowler
LESLIE GRANTHAM as Den Watts
ANITA DOBSON as Angie Watts
WENDY RICHARD as Pauline Fowler
SUSAN TULLY as Michelle Fowler
DAVID SCARBOROUGH as Mark Fowler(1)
TODD CARTY as Mark Fowler(2)(-September 2002)
GILLIAN TAYLFORTH as Kathy Beale
ADAM WOODYATT as Ian Beale
LETITA DEAN as Sharon Watts
JUNE BROWN as Dot Cotton
JOHN ALTMAN as Nick Cotton
GRETCHEN FRANKLIN as Ethel Skinner
PAM ST CLEMENT as Pat Wicks/Evans
TOM WATT as Lofty
LINDA DAVIDSON as Mary Smith
MIKE REID as Frank Butcher
SOPHIE LAWRENCE as Diane Butcher
SID OWEN as Ricky Butcher
DANIELLA WESTBROOK as Sam Mitchell
ROSS KEMP as Grant Mitchell
STEVE McFADDEN as Phil Mitchell
MARTINE McCUTCHEON as Tiffany
LINDSAY COULSON as Carol Jackson
DEAN GAFFNEY as Robbie Jackson
MICHAEL FRENCH as David Wicks
NICK BERRY as Simon Wicks
PATSY PALMER as Bianca Butcher
MICHAEL GRECO as Beppe Di Marco
MARC BANNERMAN as Gianni Di Marco
CARLY HILLMAN as Nicky Di Marco
LOUISE JAMESON as Rosa Di Marco
LEILA BIRCH as Teresa Di Marco
SHAUN WILLIAMSON as Barry Evans
JAMES ALEXANDROU as Martin Fowler
TAMZIN OUTHWAITE as Melanie Healy
DANIELA DENBY-ASHE as Sarah Hills
NATALIE CASSIDY as Sonia Jackson
MARTIN KEMP as Steve Owen
NADIA SAWALHA as Annie Palmer
LUCY SPEED as Natalie Price
JOE ABSOLOM as Matthew Rose
CRAIG FAIRBRASS as Dan Sullivan
DEREK MARTIN as Charlie Slater
LAILA MORSE as Mo Harris
ELAINE LORDAN as Lynne Slater
JESSIE WALLACE as Kat Slater
KACEY AINSWORTH as Maureen Slater
MICHELLE RYAN as Zoe Slater

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

BMF Starz BMF Starz
News26 mins ago

BMF, March 29, 2024, Starz, “The Battle of Techwood”

BMF: The Battle of Techwood, the fifth episode of Season 3, finds the Flenory brothers, Meech (played by Da’Vinchi) and...

Who Won Jeopardy! and Final Answer Who Won Jeopardy! and Final Answer
News27 mins ago

Jeopardy! Recap, Winner and Today’s Final Answer, Thursday March 28, 2024

In today’s episode of Jeopardy!, three contestants took the stage for the Invitational Tournament. We were introduced to Monica Thieu,...

The Bold and the Beautiful The Bold and the Beautiful
News57 mins ago

The Bold and the Beautiful, March 29, 2024, CBS

The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for Friday March 29, 1.30pm on CBS reveal a dramatic confrontation between Steffy Forrester...

News1 hour ago

Sarah Paulson, Dev Patel, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, March 29th, 202, NBC

Actress and producer Sarah Paulson appears on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 29, 2024, alongside actor...

News1 hour ago

Series Premiere, Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, March 29, 2024, HBO

HBO’s new comedy documentary series, Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, ushers viewers into the multifaceted world of Jerrod’s life with a...

Real Time with Bill Maher Real Time with Bill Maher
News1 hour ago

Jonathan Haidt, Fareed Zakaria, Real Time with Bill Maher, March 29, 2024, HBO

HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher continues to showcase thought-provoking interviews and discussions in its twenty-second season. The upcoming episode,...

America's Backyard Gold America's Backyard Gold
News1 hour ago

America’s Backyard Gold, March 29, 2024, Discovery, “Big Dollar Beaches”

Discovery Channel’s America’s Backyard Gold takes an exciting twist as Dave Turin takes viewers on an insightful journey into the...

Gold Rush: White Water Gold Rush: White Water
News2 hours ago

Gold Rush: White Water, March 29, 2024, Discovery, “Fred Hurt Forever”

Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush: White Water presents an emotional and dedicated episode titled “Fred Hurt Forever,” airing on March 29th,...

ITV1 Title Card ITV1 Title Card
News2 hours ago

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, 30 March 2024, ITV1

Set in her beautiful Cotswolds home, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen sees the legendary cook share her favourite recipes, as well...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News3 hours ago

Bargain Hunt, 1 April 2024, BBC One, “Asian Special”

In a special Asian-focused episode of Bargain Hunt, presenter Roo Irvine delves into some of the program’s most remarkable finds...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News1 day ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News1 day ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News1 day ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News1 day ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News1 day ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Popular