Another vote here for Hetti Bywater as Lucy. Melissa Suffield was okay but Hetti provided rawness and vulnerability to the character that lacked a little under Melissa, which as mentioned before made her a little 1-dimensional.
I agree Hetti wasn't great in her first few months on screen but she really grew into the role IMO over time, and it's sad that she was killed off because I felt that both the character and actress had brilliant potential.
Honourable mentions to: Jacqueline Jossa, Ben Hardy and Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell, as he is my favourite recast of the character to date.
Oh yes. I had actually forgotten her which proves your point. I don't mind Charlie though.
Charlie seemed to take her facial expressions from the child actress...the wide eyed innocence, the tongue poking out the corner of her mouth, the scowl etc. The child actress really was excellent...shame she left.
Gemma Bissex who took over the role of Clare Devine in Hollyoaks from an actress called Samantha Rowley. She turned the character into a complete super bitch and Clare became one of the most popular characters in Hollyoaks history.
Charlie seemed to take her facial expressions from the child actress...the wide eyed innocence, the tongue poking out the corner of her mouth, the scowl etc. The child actress really was excellent...shame she left.
I'm still on the fence about Rakhee Thakrar's Shabnam. She can be really good and she is growing on me, but the extent of the character's transformation still takes me aback. Zahra Ahmadi's portrayal as a westernised girl in a Muslim family was getting quite interesting in her brief run. It was a shame she quit.
The few women who've been associated with the Masoods in Shabnam's absence - Amira, Afia, even Ayesha - were far far less conservative than new Shabs. Amira and Afia were pretty westernised but not rebellious as how the original Shabnam was portrayed.
Probably controversially, I like James Bye as Martin in EE. I can't remember the previous one TBH so the recast doesn't bother me
I don't know whether the casting department just did a very good job or James B studied James A's work closely but I hear original Martin now in every scene. It's great recasting.
Dexter Walker on H&A, Charles Cottier really made him the loveable character that everyone grew to love and laugh with.
Not a popular opinion but Ben Price on Corrie as Nick, he really gave Nick some character depth and he is a far better actor than Adam Rickitt who was more wooden than a logging truck.
The best ever has got to be the new Martin Fowler. This new guy is utterly captivating and mesmerising with incredible screen presence......sorry I couldn't keep that going.
Ryan Hawley playing Robert on Emmerdale
Kim Medcalf playing Sam on Eastenders
Amanda Clapham playing Holly on Hollyoaks
Jacqeline Jossa playing Lauren on Eastenders. Not a huge Lauren fan, but Jacqueline has at least made the character her own and is not wooden like the previous actress who did play Lauren.
The ones above are the best recasts on soap, in my opinion.
Sorry, but I did not like Hetti playing Lucy on Eastenders. Melissa was the better Lucy as I am concerned.
Can't think of anyone else at the moment.
Comments
The actress who played her as a child was fantastic, but the one after her (and before Charlie) was forgettable IMO. Charlie was a big improvement.
I agree Hetti wasn't great in her first few months on screen but she really grew into the role IMO over time, and it's sad that she was killed off because I felt that both the character and actress had brilliant potential.
Honourable mentions to: Jacqueline Jossa, Ben Hardy and Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell, as he is my favourite recast of the character to date.
Oh yes. I had actually forgotten her which proves your point.
She was.
Patricia Cutts (1974)
Maggie Jones (1974–2009)
Patrica only played Blanche for 2 episodes before Maggie took over due to Patricia committing suicide.
Bobby Beale
Oh yeah. Good call.
I'm trying to think of Brookside recasts but can only think of Katie and Leo?
Brookie recasts Lucy and Gordon Collins
Geoff and Katie Rogers
Hope he stays on for many years
The few women who've been associated with the Masoods in Shabnam's absence - Amira, Afia, even Ayesha - were far far less conservative than new Shabs. Amira and Afia were pretty westernised but not rebellious as how the original Shabnam was portrayed.
But I do wish Zarah had returned as it would make the shock of her conversion more real. This still feels like someone different.
I don't know whether the casting department just did a very good job or James B studied James A's work closely but I hear original Martin now in every scene. It's great recasting.
Not a popular opinion but Ben Price on Corrie as Nick, he really gave Nick some character depth and he is a far better actor than Adam Rickitt who was more wooden than a logging truck.
Hetti as Lucy
Kim as Sam
Kim Medcalf playing Sam on Eastenders
Amanda Clapham playing Holly on Hollyoaks
Jacqeline Jossa playing Lauren on Eastenders. Not a huge Lauren fan, but Jacqueline has at least made the character her own and is not wooden like the previous actress who did play Lauren.
The ones above are the best recasts on soap, in my opinion.
Sorry, but I did not like Hetti playing Lucy on Eastenders. Melissa was the better Lucy as I am concerned.
Can't think of anyone else at the moment.