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Let's Stop The Recast
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is absolutely disgusted that DTC has recast a legacy character. One of his worst decisions yet, James said at the start of the year he was open to a return one day so all they needed to do was wait. This new guy won't have the Fowler connection as he didn't appear on screen with Pauline and Mark, he'll just be a new character with an old name. If we all band together and let our voices be heard they might realise what a dire decision this is a cancel the recast.
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You're probably right but we can at least try. Hollyoaks canceled a character before he aired because of the public backlash so it might be possible.
We've had some good recasts...Janine, Sam and Ben probably being the most successful.
But we've equally had bad recasts Lucy, Ben (Joshua), Sam (Daniella) and Peter.
Peggy and Mark as well.
I'm sure the new guy will be amazing it's the fact he has no links to the past I'm annoyed about. If Michelle, Grant or Chrissie were recast it would be a different story to DS.
yeah Joshua was awful but Danielle was the original sam. However her recast by kim medcalf was far superior imo
I don't mind Martin being recast if I'm honest but yeah I agree the other 3 could never be recast
a) How do you know he didnt want to return? Maybe the getting the blessing is that they wanted to recast and get a different interpretation of the character and he gave his blessing. They dont say the timing wasn't right for him to come back.
b) Why i bring back Sonia and still have her with Martin offscreen. Why not plan it properly at the time..
Which Ben? I like Harry but I don't think he a difficult job. Charlie Jones was appalling and Joshua Pascoe truly dreadful so anyone new couldn't have been much worse.
I would never count Janine as a recast purely because at that time recasting child actors was the norm. Only Natalie Cassidy managed to last the distance because she was a cut above the rest. Janine had been off screen for three years so her recast was always going to happen once Frank had returned again. Its a similar situation with Mark. David never had the chance to develop the role because of his various problems and then sadly untimely death. So progressing the character on was natural but with Mark EE struck gold as Todd Carty was a household name who seemed destined for EastEnders anyway.
Same for the Peggy recast. I don't even think its worth discussing. Jo Warne was just a guest character who they did nothing with. She only appeared in a handful of episodes if that.
Sam I'm always conflicted about. Danniella is my Sam from my EE era. Kim was an imposter to me. I never believed her as Sam and nor as a Mitchell. I'm convinced the show only kept her on as long as they did because Steve and Bab's had to go on long breaks so they had to relay on her to carry the Mitchell torch. I do think it speaks volumes that the man who recast the role of Sam in the first place, John Yorke, was the one who later insisted Danniella was the one who had to return.
The only thing upsetting for me about Martin being recast is like Sora said. This new guy has no history with Todd or Wendy and I do think that's a shame as it takes away from who the character is supposed to be. We'll have to see how it goes.
The amount of references to him the fact that his Wife and Daughter are all but living on the square and his friend his moving there as well.
Sonia worked since it was a story for Carol not her, not that Sonia has the Gene it can be her storyline, for which they need Martin
I liked Joshua's Ben and the new guy is very much like him. Danielle was the original and should never have been asked back when Kim had been so much better in the part.
OK it's a gamble, but to have Martin back in the show now, when he's needed, it's worth it. We've had endless threads saying how unrealistic it is for Martin NOT to be there at this time. TPTB have taken notice and done something about it.
The new actor will come in and his portrayal of Martin will either be a success or not. Either way, all this fuss will die down and you'll the fact that he's a recast will become a tiny part of the character.
Give the new guy a chance. What if Barbara Windsor, Charlie Brooks, Kim Medcalf, etc etc had had petitions drawn up against them and the BBC had listened?
People who like things just they way they are can't handle it.
Exactly this. Well said.
Stopping the recast at this late stage would be disastrous for EE. It would also be likely to prompt legal action from an actor who has been denied a prominent role in a primetime BBC One show after receiving an employment contract.
The First Peggy only appeared in 10 episodes, Janine hadn't been seen since 1996 when Charlie Brooks took over the role at 16 in 1999 and Kim was fired in favour of Danniella so its not the best comparison to keep bringing her up.
Bizarre and ridiculous post.
I preferred Daniella's incarnation of Sam. She suited her more. I also think Hardy was a good recast.
Completely agree. Of course it is preferable to have the original actor back but if the plot demands the character return they don't have the option to just wait until the actor wants to return, has a gap in his schedule etc. Martin's absence has been almost laughable in its noticeability. Either they needed to not have Sonia come back, say they'd split up to explain why she and Rebecca are around and Martin isn't or they needed to recast him.
Frankly I think they"ve waited long enough to bring him back already.
The very first episode centred around 3 plots - Reg Cox being found dead, Den and Angie's wedding anniversary and Pauline announcing she was pregnant 'ate in life'. That. Pregnancy was Martin - it makes sense they want him back for the 30th anniversary and they can't wait for the actor to become available.