Well they said she looks like Shirley, so I would cast either Rod Stewart or Barry Manilow

Joan Collins would be brilliant but unfortunately her and Shirley look about the same age so that probably wouldn't work.

If fhey've got to look like Shirl I'd go with Rod Stewart.

Is ZSa zsa coming back? Same actress?

Would Sheila Hancock really be that hard to accept as a different character? I know Steve Owen was a major character and their kissing scene was one of the memorable moments of his tenure on the show but Barbara herself was quite minor otherwise. If I remember correctly, Barbara Owen only appeared in 3 episodes and her last appearance was 13 years ago. Viewers have bought recasts before and even bought the re-recast of Sam (although some didn't) so why not this if it were to happen?

Worzel Gummidge

Brenda Blethyn would be awesome then we would also have Mari and Sadie from Little Voice.

I think if Sheila Hancock wasn't as well-known an actress as she is then it could be viable; there have been plenty of actors who have played minor characters and then returned as somebody else; Linda Henry, Denise Parish and Ann Mitchell, for example. I think the main problem would be how recognisable and known the actress is and how noteworthy - despite being brief - her role as Steve's mum was because of that. It would be a bit like Ian McKellen popping up in Corrie again but as a different character.


Kate O'Mara could work. She might be a bit 'glam' but she does have quite a hard look about her - and it would keep the Bad Girls connection running

I understand what you mean about the Ian McKellan comparison. If she was less prolific, it would be a bit more feasible.

Kate O'Mara is a great suggestion and she actually doesn't look too dissimilar to Sheila Hancock actually.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...baf9becc6.jpeg

She's appeared in quite a few soaps too so despite her fame, I don't think that she'd consider EE to be beneath her.

No she's definetly not the last:
Lee Carter is definetly coming in

Deano Wicks is definetly coming back

Zsa Zsa Carter seems likely to come back atm given the recent twitter activity and onscreen mentions

Linda's mother Elaine also seems likely to put in an appearance but I'd imagine she'd be more of an Aunt Sal recurring kind of character

Then theres Carly, her partner and her son waiting in the wings. Carly could easily come back given her last short stint.

Also a few years down the line I'm sure a secret Carter or two will appear out of thin air, maybe Sylvie or Stan had a child from an affair or maybe Mick had an affair resulting in a child.

Dame Judi Dench.

I really dont want to see Zsa Zsa or Carly back, if this happens then DTC really is building the show up as the Carter show and that is not fair.

I think Sylvie will be a short lived character- I am guessing she is dying and Babe is looking after her.

Helen Fraser - Bodybag from Bad Girls....it has to happen!!

Linda Henry herself was recase from one role to another so Sheila Hancock would work.

Glenda Jackson is stepping down next May so it could work if they wait a while. But I doubt she'd return to acting. Also, she's too Liverpudlian. Ann Mitchell would have been ideal but she's already been cast as Cora (that was a mistake looking at it). I think she would have been MUCH better as Shirley's mum. I can only think of Jane Asher.

I wouldn't seriously expect Glenda to return to acting - especially for EE - just a little pipe dream of mine

I was thinking the same about Ann Mitchell last night. It's a shame she was wasted as Tanya's mother. She would have been brilliant as Shirley's. Dolly Rawlins as Yvonne Atkins' mother would have been gold.

I actually think Brigit Forsyth would be good in the role, she looks like she could be Shirley's mother for a start and I could realistically see her play Babes sister. I bet she and Timothy West would be awesome together.

I hope it's an unknown

I saw this thread and was worried AngieWattsFan had returned. Phew!

Sorry for scaring you. I disnt want to start a new tgread on this.

That's a very unfair description. He wouldn't be building the show up as the Carter show because we have massive storylines with the Beales, with Sharon and Phil, with Patrick and with Carol. To say that it would be 'the Carter show' is nonsense. Obviously, throughout EastEnders history, you have a major family that are at the heart of the Square and now that's the Carters. Before it was the Brannings, then the Mitchells, then the Watts, then the Mitchells, then the Watts, then the Beales. Now it's the Carters. So what? Big deal! Let them expand.

Sooo, we know Sylvie wasn't very nice back in the day, I wonder what she will be like when she eventually does join...

I don't see the problem with big families as long as they are utilised properly. EastEnders has always had one core family - Watts/Beales/Butchers/Brannings/Fowlers/Mitchells and now it's time for the Carter's.
It doesn't worry me what family a character is part of as long as they are decent and well acted.

The only things I'm not sure of is 1. The point of Lee? I think they should have just kept Johnny and Nancy as Mick and Linda's kids and 2. Why Tina seems to be thrust in our faces at every opportunity, is there any s/l going that she hasn't been a part of yet?!

I wouldn't mind seeing Zsa Zsa and Carly as guests now and again but not full time, permanent returns. He's not a Carter but it would be nice for George to come and stay more often too. I mainly want to see Elaine (as a recurring character), Sylvie and eventually, Andy.

Helen Mirren or Joanna Lumley.. ?

Lesley Joseph?

Totally agree, and to think people moaned about the Brannings!

Agreed some real core characters over the last few years have had their episodes reduced heavily to make way for carter time.

The ratings don't suggest they have brought in extra viewers, think the highest episodes have been Lucy murder and funeral