It's pretty obvious that Sylvie Carter will be arriving to Albert Square soon.

Who do you think will be cast as Sylvie?

I did think Sylvia Syms or Sheila Hancock...

will Sylvie be a guest or a future regular?

Someone who Shirley looks like apparently

I really hope she doesn't turn up.
Far too many Carters now

Sheila Hancock...

I reckon she will only be coming in for a guest stint. Seems to me Babe is her carer and that she could be possibly dying. Typical family reunion before she pops her clogs. Freeing up Babe to move into the Vic and be their full time cook.

Shelia has already played one iconic EE role so she won't be coming back to play another anytime soon. imho.

She played Steve Owens mother.

Sheila Hancock was in it before as Steve Owens Mum. Doubt they cast her as someone else.

Good choice

It wouldn't surprise me if Sylvie is cast as a regular but not sure if Sheila Hancock would want a permanent role.

From the phone call I got that vibe too.


Do you read the replies? Shelia has already played a pretty important role in EastEnders.

I wouldnt call her iconic, by any means

thinking about it I guess she may be dying hence Babe's move to the Square.

The incest kiss is regarded as one of EEs most controversial, not to mention most complained about, moments so I think that pretty much puts her up there in lights.

Controversial doesnt mean Iconic.
Tony King and Trevor Morgan both done controversial things which caused complaints and i like them both but class them as Iconic no way.

Never gonna happen, but my dream choice would be Vanessa Regrave. She just oozes the look of a strong, fierce matriarchal figure, and bears a resemblance to Shirley!

Imagine Timothy West and Vanessa Redgrave at loggerheads on-screen! She'd probably never do soap though.

Shelia and Steve's image was on the front page of nearly all UK newspapers and magazines plus it made national news broadcasts.

Shelia's image is too linked to that for her to turn up and play someone else.


I think she may have made a good Syliva but she is remembered too much for snogging the face off her son.

Eileen Atkins would be brilliant imo, it'd would never happen though (although I suppose a guest stint isn't outside the realms of possibility.)

I'd laugh if she turns up soon as I've realised that's better than trying to explain that a character's personality/writing is more important than their surname, I'm going to save repetition for those who want to repeat "the Carter show" over and over (and over.)


I do like this idea though, I think her dying would provide more drama than her just turning up. Glenda didn't really work out did she, after the whole abandonment issue was addressed she just felt like a spare part.

Sheila Hancock and Polly Perkins could both be believable as a lookalike mother for Shirley, shame they've both been in it before - one too notably and the other too recently.

Polly Perkins would have been ideal!! so much more than Sheila!

What a shame! perhaps DTC will surprise us with another ace casting

Vanessa Redgrave would be amazing casting but would she do it?

Maybe they could coax the formidable and phenomenal Glenda Jackson out of Parliament for an episode or two to give Shirley a good tongue lashing like she did Thatcher

Probably not Then again, I'd never thought Timothy West would do soap!

Is this the final carter or is there more to come