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EastEnders: Dominic Treadwell-Collins Inside Soap interview... (contains spoilers) |
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EastEnders: Dominic Treadwell-Collins Inside Soap interview... (contains spoilers)
When Dominic Treadwell-Collins took control of EastEnders last year, he quickly made massive changes and took some gigantic risks. Nearly a year on, his gambles have paid off and it’s a thrilling time for the show. Here, Dominic tells us what it’s been like for him and his teoam – and what we can expect from the future…
Congratulations on a great year Dominic. What was the first thing you wanted to change when you took over? I really wanted to put some life back into the Queen Vic. It had started to feel a bit stale, and the way I look at it, the Vic is centre stage! We brought in Ronnie and Roxy to breathe new life into the Vic last time I was here, and this time we did it by introducing the Carters. It was a bit scary, because it was a bold decision to bring in a whole new family to play that role – but I’m really delighted with how it’s gone. So you’re pleased by the response to the Carters? I am – it’s been incredible, and the highlight of my time here. I always knew Mick and Linda would be a hit. They were in my head a couple of years before I came back to the show. But it’s been having Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright that made it better than I ever dreamed of. Danny is the king, and Kellie is a soap icon already. It normally takes new families a while to bed in, but the Carters seem to have been loved immediately. The ‘Who Killed Lucy Beale?’ story has captured viewers’ imaginations. How did you decide who’d be the killer? When we first talked about the story, there was one killer – but something didn’t fit right about that person. It was a clever idea, but it didn’t come from the heart. So Sharon Batten (series producer), Alex Lamb (story producer), Manpreet Dosanjh (script producer) and I locked ourselves away in a hotel room to come up with an alternative killer. It feels emotionally right, true and very exciting. From that moment it’s been locked in, and we would not cheat the audience by changing it now. We know that the story will reach its climax during the soap’s 30th anniversary in February. Is it exciting to be getting ready for such a landmark event? We’ve got some plans for the anniversary that we’re working on. That celebration has to be perfect. What I can tell you about Lucy Beale’s killer is that on New Year’s Day, viewers are going to be very clear on who did not do it, The list of suspects will become much, much smaller! Are there any characters who’ve been quiet lately who you’d like to bring back to the forefront of the show? Kat and Alfie have been quiet for a bit, but they’ve got this massive story with the fire and the consequences of that. Also Shabnam’s one to watch. She’s got some amazing stuff coming up and Rakhee Thakrar is a brilliant actress. Viewers will have a much better understanding of Shabnam before long… What made you decide to bring back Stacey? Lacey Turner approached me and said she wanted to come back – and you don’t say no to that! Both of us were here before and wanted to come home to EastEnders. We’re going to let Stacey settle back in, but next year there will be some heavy stuff for her! We were heartbroken by the departure of David Wicks. Was it always the plan for him to leave? Actually, when I arrived, both David and Carol were going to leave in January 2014. But I wasn’t going to let those two get away! So we came up with the story about Carol’s breast cancer, and Lindsey Coulson agreed to stay for it. Michael French then said he’d stay for an extra six months too. You don’t have Lindsey in the cast and not use her to her full potential – that’d be stupid! Are you ever tempted to bring a favourite character back from the dead? I’m not, though I cry every day for the loss of Pat [Evans]. If I were to bring anyone back from the dead, it’d be Pat first. But you can’t do that – it breaks a contract with your viewers. But with Pat Evans – and also Kathy and Cindy Beale – I just think, ‘Why? Why? Why?’. It’s been good to see Aunt Babe get more involved in the day-to-day business of the Square. What’s to come for her? When we announced these characters, we deliberately said Babe was lovely and Stan was dark – and then we twisted it round and turned it on its head. We've now seen a darker side to Aunt Babe, and there’s more to come. When will we finally meet Stan’s ex-wife, the mythical Sylvie Carter? Imminently! We’re on the brink of casting Sylvie now, and she’ll change the Carter family dynamic yet again. She brings with her some meaty stuff for Shirley and Mick – but mostly for Stan. Timothy West is a brilliant actor, and he’s not vain. In fact, he has come up to me to complain that Stan is too nice and he wants to make him more unpleasant! There have been some fun returns from a few old faces, such as Ryan Malloy, Jane Beale and Anthony Trueman. Are you pleased with the response to these? I am – EastEnders needed to be surprising again. I think it had got a little bit predictable, and one of the most important things is to keep doing things like that. Our EastEnders is dangerous and unpredictable – and stay tuned, because the surprises will keep on coming! What’s been your favourite EastEnders scene this year? There was something magical about Johnny Carter coming out to his father, Mick. It still makes me cry when I watch it. It touched a lot of people, and when soaps are firing on all cylinders, they can actually change the world a little bit. And finally, what should we be keeping an eye out for? Oh, there’s loads to come! I’ve got an amazing team around me – when I came back to the show, I brought in some new, young, angry writers with me. I also brought in some older writers who were on the show before, and so all these people want to get their voices heard. That makes it a very exciting place to work. You ask… Dominic answers your questions… What’s the deal with Stacey’s key? I’m not telling you, Rachel! Everyone keeps asking me about the key, but all in good time. I’ve talked to Lacey Turner about it more now, but I’m still keeping her in the dark as well. Believe me, we’ve got a big plan for the key! Everyone’s been speculating on who killed Lucy Beale. Have you enjoyed hearing their wild theories? I did at first, but now I hate it! The hardest thing is when people have thrown their theories at me and they’ve got it right. It’s so difficult to keep your cool and pretend not to care. My mum has tried to get it out of me, but I didn’t even tell her! When will we see Nasty Nick again? It’ll be soon – and it’s wonderful to have him back. I think Nick is the original soap villain, and this time Charlie and Yvonne are part of his story. I’ve promised that I’d deliver the ultimate Nasty Nick story, and that’s what we’ll do! When will Mick find out that Shirley is his mum? All I can say is, it’ll come out at the worst possible time! It’s going to get messy for the Carters, especially after Dean rapes Linda. It’s difficult to cover, but it’s a very important issue to tackle and this story has the potential to make it a real difference to people’s lives. Did you know that Aleks would turn out to be so brilliant? He makes me laugh! I had no idea he’d be so good! We wanted to bring in a character to reflect the diversity of London, and to represent the Eastern European community. Also, the original thinking with Aleks was to have a nod to Tricky Dicky and those kind of characters. But I never knew how funny he and Roxy would be together. What can we expect from EastEnders this Christmas? Christmas is going to be amazing, Louise! I was here the year that the Brannings watched the DVD reveal of Max and Stacey’s affair, and I still think it’s the benchmark for me. So this year, Christmas will be shocking and very dark. It’s edge-of-your-seat stuff. I’m hoping it’ll be a real classic! Will we be seeing less of Max now that Jake Wood is competing in Strictly Come Dancing? No way. Jake Wood is in EastEnders, first and foremost, and we’ve got a lot to do with Max. He’s got some big stuff coming up, especially in his relationship with DC Summerhayes. You won’t be seeing any less of him – and anyway, Strictly is only filmed over the road! Source: Inside Soap 20th-26th September 2014 |
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#2 |
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Thanks for this.
Interesting how he has admitted they switched Babe and Stan's characters around. A lot of us on here suspected that had been the case. |
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#3 |
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Much appreciated James. A very interesting read. Thank You
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#4 |
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I really like DTC but i suspect he favours certain characters over others.
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#5 |
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Quote:
I really like DTC but i suspect he favours certain characters over others.
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#6 |
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Quote:
I really like DTC but i suspect he favours certain characters over others.
Actually, most bosses in general really. |
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#7 |
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I'm so glad Carol has stayed with the show! I hope she doesn't leave.
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#8 |
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Oh so they've decided to make Stan the nice character and Babe the dark character? Didn't know that, thought it was just going to be a phase!
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#9 |
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Pretty good interview and I liked the responses/info on the whole but I don't like the Dean raping Linda story at all!
Aleks is funny? Well his dancing certainly made me laugh! He should do it in front of Alfie! I think its a shame they are going to let the cat out of the bag on Shirley being Mick's real mum. I think it would be better to keep that under wraps as the whole Carter set up is based on a rock solid family and letting that out of the bag is just going to ruin that or has the potential too. I take it, it will be this revalation that leads onto messed up Dean raping Linda. Alfie should be given a job with Sharon I think. |
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#10 |
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Ta for posting. Interesting that Lindsey was originally going to leave before the cancer plot was put to her - I wonder how long she'll be persuaded to stay put for now...
Still can't regain any excitement I may have had for the Lucy plot though. It's probably for me the least intriguing major plotline DTC has set off so far. Even looking forward to the Mick/Shirley reveal more which I still view as the work of fanfiction. |
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#11 |
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DTC's favoritism of Linda and Sharon is so evident, I know producers are allowed favorites but I still don't think he should sacrifice other characters for his faves. I rated DTC at the beginning but I'm starting to become quite disillusioned with his vision. You can tell who he rates and who are being portrayed as second rate characters, to me that's unprofessional for an EP.
The stories I am/was looking forward too are/were: Shirley/Mick reveal and Sylvie's arrival but this all now seems to just be a plot device for Linda's rape. Charlie/Yvonne/Dot/Nick - though this seems to have taken a backseat, again. Masood - Well, I thought he was going to get a big storyline but he has been wasted this year. |
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#12 |
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Quote:
DTC's favoritism of Linda and Sharon is so evident, I know producers are allowed favorites but I still don't think he should sacrifice other characters for his faves. I rated DTC at the beginning but I'm starting to become quite disillusioned with his vision. You can tell who he rates and who are being portrayed as second rate characters, to me that's unprofessional for an EP.
The stories I am/was looking forward too are/were: Shirley/Mick reveal and Sylvie's arrival but this all now seems to just be a plot device for Linda's rape. Charlie/Yvonne/Dot/Nick - though this seems to have taken a backseat, again. Masood - Well, I thought he was going to get a big storyline but he has been wasted this year.
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#13 |
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Glad Carol stayed!
They should hold onto long term characters! |
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#14 |
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Quote:
DTC's favoritism of Linda and Sharon is so evident, I know producers are allowed favorites but I still don't think he should sacrifice other characters for his faves. I rated DTC at the beginning but I'm starting to become quite disillusioned with his vision. You can tell who he rates and who are being portrayed as second rate characters, to me that's unprofessional for an EP.
The whole article is about his love of the Carters, created for Shirley, he even talks about the big meaty s/l coming up for her & co. Linda's storyline have been mostly to do with Mick & the kids, this is her first big storyline just about her. Sharon isn't even mentioned. His not sacrificing anyone, his giving everyone a turn like he promised. |
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#15 |
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Quote:
He doesn't even mention Sharon in this interview; how did you get from that that he favours her?
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#16 |
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Quote:
How?
The whole article is about his love of the Carters, created for Shirley, he even talks about the big meaty s/l coming up for her & co. Linda's storyline have been mostly to do with Mick & the kids, this is her first big storyline just about her. Sharon isn't even mentioned. His not sacrificing anyone, his giving everyone a turn like he promised. I was just saying as an observation and in my opinion. But then maybe I am swayed by his response and his tweets on twitter. I was reading about producers having faves on a different thread and I just went off on a tangent. haha
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#17 |
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Ann Mitchell is such a fine Actress but other than pairing Cora with Stan I have been disappointed in his investment in Cora.
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#18 |
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Quote:
Glad Carol stayed!
They should hold onto long term characters! |
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#19 |
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Quote:
Ann Mitchell is such a fine Actress but other than pairing Cora with Stan I have been disappointed in his investment in Cora.
DTC has done a fab job with her, IMO. She's one of my favourite characters these days, at the start of the year I barely knew who she was.
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#20 |
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Quote:
Thanks for this.
Interesting how he has admitted they switched Babe and Stan's characters around. A lot of us on here suspected that had been the case. |
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#21 |
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What would Lyndsey Coulson have done if she had left anyway? I've never seen her in anything apart from EE so if she has nothing else lined up, why would she want to leave for?
but I bet the Bradley Branning actor regrets his decision to quit? I haven't seen him anywhere either! |
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#22 |
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Interesting that Carol was meant to leave in January, and why she hasn't left now when most of her family has went. Think they've got something else lined up for her, or she'll have a big exit in the anniversary
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#23 |
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When isn't there meaty stuff coming up for Shirley and Mick? DTC is so pleased with Carters popularity that he is overdoing it. They're the Kardashians of Walford.
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#24 |
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No idea, but Love her, and EastEnders are lucky to have her,
but I bet the Bradley Branning actor regrets his decision to quit? I haven't seen him anywhere either! |
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#25 |
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Luv DTC, great interview.
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DTC has done a fab job with her, IMO. She's one of my favourite characters these days, at the start of the year I barely knew who she was.
