As much as I love Zainab and Tanya, I really believe that they have no place in the show at this moment in time. There would be no storylines to suit them. They both naturally caame to the end of their arcs and bringing them back now would ruin their characters, imo
Eastenders current cast - what would you change?
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Originally Posted by CherryRose:
“I preferred Tanya and Sharons friendship than Linda and Sharon. I don't know why they haven't tried to pair Linda up with Roxy.”
“I preferred Tanya and Sharons friendship than Linda and Sharon. I don't know why they haven't tried to pair Linda up with Roxy.”
I disagree Sharon & Tanya were false friends but Sharon & Linda works because their upbringings in pubs is similar.
Originally Posted by vaslav37:
“I disagree Sharon & Tanya were false friends but Sharon & Linda works because their upbringings in pubs is similar.”
“I disagree Sharon & Tanya were false friends but Sharon & Linda works because their upbringings in pubs is similar.”
Tanya and Sharon have a similar backgrounds, both brought up working class.
Linda and Sharon are from different generations and are totally different people.
Originally Posted by CherryRose:
“Tanya and Sharon have a similar backgrounds, both brought up working class.
Linda and Sharon are from different generations and are totally different people.”
“Tanya and Sharon have a similar backgrounds, both brought up working class.
Linda and Sharon are from different generations and are totally different people.”
Lol what world do you live in? Sharon is years older than both Linda and Tanya (who are the same age (Kellie Bright was in the running to play Tanya Branning) )
Linda isn't from some aristocracy. She was born and raised in a Canning Town pub until it burnt down and she moved to Watford.
I think Sharon and Linda's friendship is much more realistic than Tanya and Sharon's was. I'm probably slightly biased due to my deep dislike of Tanya.
The only characters who I think are pretty weak are Dexter and Fatboy. I think the cast is very strong at the moment overall . It's a shame Michael French and Charlie Brooks both decided to leave. Bianca had become very stale.
The only characters who I think are pretty weak are Dexter and Fatboy. I think the cast is very strong at the moment overall . It's a shame Michael French and Charlie Brooks both decided to leave. Bianca had become very stale.
Originally Posted by GeekInfected:
“Lol what world do you live in? Sharon is years older than both Linda and Tanya (who are the same age (Kellie Bright was in the running to play Tanya Branning) )
Linda isn't from some aristocracy. She was born and raised in a Canning Town pub until it burnt down and she moved to Watford.”
“Lol what world do you live in? Sharon is years older than both Linda and Tanya (who are the same age (Kellie Bright was in the running to play Tanya Branning) )
Linda isn't from some aristocracy. She was born and raised in a Canning Town pub until it burnt down and she moved to Watford.”
Age wise, its debateable Sharon is the same age as Ian and he is 45. Linda is 36 and Tanya is in-between them both. 10 years can be the difference between brought up with Wham or Take That
I never once implied Linda was upper class, I simply said Sharon and Linda are different people. Sharon is as common as muck and proud, Linda wants to be better than the class than what she currently is. Linda is soft natured, she is quite "outthere" and is quite child like. Sharon is rough and salt of the earth type of east end lady, Sharon is a woman she is mature. They have nothing in common apart from their gender.
Originally Posted by CherryRose:
“Age wise, its debateable Sharon is the same age as Ian and he is 45. Linda is 36 and Tanya is in-between them both. 10 years can be the difference between brought up with Wham or Take That
I never once implied Linda was upper class, I simply said Sharon and Linda are different people. Sharon is as common as muck and proud, Linda wants to be better than the class than what she currently is. Linda is soft natured, she is quite "outthere" and is quite child like. Sharon is rough and salt of the earth type of east end lady, Sharon is a woman she is mature. They have nothing in common apart from their gender.”
“Age wise, its debateable Sharon is the same age as Ian and he is 45. Linda is 36 and Tanya is in-between them both. 10 years can be the difference between brought up with Wham or Take That
I never once implied Linda was upper class, I simply said Sharon and Linda are different people. Sharon is as common as muck and proud, Linda wants to be better than the class than what she currently is. Linda is soft natured, she is quite "outthere" and is quite child like. Sharon is rough and salt of the earth type of east end lady, Sharon is a woman she is mature. They have nothing in common apart from their gender.”
and having the same job running a pub and being mothers. usually only having one of those in common is enough for longstanding friendships
I never believed in Tanya and Sharon's friendship. It didn't feel like they were equals. Sharon took on the Jane role of sucking up to Tanya and became just as judgemental and snobby as Tanya and Jane used to be. Even now the writers won't let go of that characteristic because it seems to be something they consider an admirable trait in a person when it really isn't. The last I remember of their friendship Tanya caught Sharon stealing her medication and in the worst acting I've ever seen from Letitia Dean she lied about it. I don't think they had any scenes together after that and Sharon has never mentioned Tanya again.
The friendship with Linda is also rushed but they're on a more equal footing. They've had squabbles and been there for each other. It doesn't feel like the whole friendship is based on snobbery and superiority and it could fall apart at any time like it did with Tanya and Sharon. Having similar backgrounds helps but I just think Linda and Sharon are more positive characters than Tanya. Tanya seemed to bring out the worst in the characters around her. I actually used to like Jane before she started hanging around with Tanya. Their drink fuelled bitching sessions aimed at the other characters really pissed me off.
The friendship with Linda is also rushed but they're on a more equal footing. They've had squabbles and been there for each other. It doesn't feel like the whole friendship is based on snobbery and superiority and it could fall apart at any time like it did with Tanya and Sharon. Having similar backgrounds helps but I just think Linda and Sharon are more positive characters than Tanya. Tanya seemed to bring out the worst in the characters around her. I actually used to like Jane before she started hanging around with Tanya. Their drink fuelled bitching sessions aimed at the other characters really pissed me off.
Originally Posted by soap-lea:
“I wont quote the above its too long but you want them to focus on and you mention bringing tanya branning back but to get rid of Abi? that wouldnt work. you would just have tanya and oscar then? lauren will be off screen on maternity leave and max will be with emma. how is that working on family?
i am sorry I don't agree with the majority of what you posted but think. i know where you are coming from.
all this rubbish aboutbig names, the big names are the likes of ann mitchell, barbara windsor, the actor who plays stan, danny dyer, who have all had huge successfull careers and are household names not the likes of people who have done nothing b4 eastenders but made the character memorable and then left to never be seen again.
as for all this deadwood, they aren't deadwood they are there as support cast and for filler and to bulk up scenes where needed if you didnt have the likes of dexter, lee, tosh, donna, tracy then the show would suffer. you wouldnt get scenes in the arches or in the market very often cos you need those background characters to interact with the ones in the main storyline. like jay and dexter in the arches, we would have to have jay talking/bantering with himself if there was no dexter”
“I wont quote the above its too long but you want them to focus on and you mention bringing tanya branning back but to get rid of Abi? that wouldnt work. you would just have tanya and oscar then? lauren will be off screen on maternity leave and max will be with emma. how is that working on family?
i am sorry I don't agree with the majority of what you posted but think. i know where you are coming from.
all this rubbish aboutbig names, the big names are the likes of ann mitchell, barbara windsor, the actor who plays stan, danny dyer, who have all had huge successfull careers and are household names not the likes of people who have done nothing b4 eastenders but made the character memorable and then left to never be seen again.
as for all this deadwood, they aren't deadwood they are there as support cast and for filler and to bulk up scenes where needed if you didnt have the likes of dexter, lee, tosh, donna, tracy then the show would suffer. you wouldnt get scenes in the arches or in the market very often cos you need those background characters to interact with the ones in the main storyline. like jay and dexter in the arches, we would have to have jay talking/bantering with himself if there was no dexter”
Ah I just have to disagree, big characters can play all of them parts, you just said the small characters can, I'd rather have a cast where every single member is entertaining and enjoyable, and I won't have to dread watching them, it's better than characters like Dexter and Donna etc... They're pointless characters at the end of the day!
I would keep everyone and centre more storylines on Kat and Alfie and Denise and Patrick and less on the Carters, Mitchell or Beales.
I'd let Kat and Alfie win big on the Lotto or Euromillions, enough to pay for Kat to go to America and get really good cosmetic surgery done on her scars and for Alfie to buy a brand spanking new shiny black Ford Capri complete with personalised number plates, a brand new leather coat, cowboy boots and of course brand new wonderful jazzy shirts and new leopard print attire for Kat and then they will buy the Carters out of the Vic and be back where they belong imo!
Aleks is barred of course!
I'd let Kat and Alfie win big on the Lotto or Euromillions, enough to pay for Kat to go to America and get really good cosmetic surgery done on her scars and for Alfie to buy a brand spanking new shiny black Ford Capri complete with personalised number plates, a brand new leather coat, cowboy boots and of course brand new wonderful jazzy shirts and new leopard print attire for Kat and then they will buy the Carters out of the Vic and be back where they belong imo!
Aleks is barred of course!
Originally Posted by Doctor Bench:
“No offence but how on earth are the 25 - 35 year olds (especially Dean and Stacey) classed as middle aged? And I'd hardly put Max in the upper middle aged category given he's barely a year or two older than Tina.”
“No offence but how on earth are the 25 - 35 year olds (especially Dean and Stacey) classed as middle aged? And I'd hardly put Max in the upper middle aged category given he's barely a year or two older than Tina.”
Middle age is 50. That's obvious.
Originally Posted by RetroMusicFan:
“Keep the Carters and Kat and Alfie, the Mitchells, Beales, Denise and Patrick and sack all the others!”
“Keep the Carters and Kat and Alfie, the Mitchells, Beales, Denise and Patrick and sack all the others!”
Don't sack Queen Stacey
Originally Posted by lou_123:
“Don't sack Queen Stacey”
“Don't sack Queen Stacey
”
I was only kidding, I wouldn't sack anybody but she would have to realise that Kat and Alfie are in charge and not her!
Quite predictably, this thread has already become an opportunity to just slag characters off - but I would point out that the overall cast is probably as strong now as it's been in several years. It's certainly a vast improvement on the situation when DTC took over and there's plenty of strong characters in there capable of carrying storylines on their backs. In particular, the revival of the older generation from just two years ago has been remarkable. Similarly, there feels like there's a lot more heritage in the show now than just a few years back, which is a good thing.
I would say that the Masood's still feel pretty weak, that Roxy appears to serve no solid purpose at the moment, and that there's a few too many of the younger generation at a loose-end.
I would say that the Masood's still feel pretty weak, that Roxy appears to serve no solid purpose at the moment, and that there's a few too many of the younger generation at a loose-end.
The cast has been going from strength to strength this year. Apart from Tosh all the new characters are OK through to great, and the returns have made sense (apart from Stacey, but I can forgive them that as she is a great character). I suspect we're going to lose 2 or 3 before long, but I won't name names.
Roxy may not do a lot but she is a perfect foil for her sister and I'd rather we kept them both. A Zainab return would be welcome and they really need to give some thought to bringing in someone for Denise, and I don't mean the awful Kim.
Roxy may not do a lot but she is a perfect foil for her sister and I'd rather we kept them both. A Zainab return would be welcome and they really need to give some thought to bringing in someone for Denise, and I don't mean the awful Kim.
Originally Posted by lou_123:
“Ah I just have to disagree, big characters can play all of them parts, you just said the small characters can, I'd rather have a cast where every single member is entertaining and enjoyable, and I won't have to dread watching them, it's better than characters like Dexter and Donna etc... They're pointless characters at the end of the day!”
“Ah I just have to disagree, big characters can play all of them parts, you just said the small characters can, I'd rather have a cast where every single member is entertaining and enjoyable, and I won't have to dread watching them, it's better than characters like Dexter and Donna etc... They're pointless characters at the end of the day!”
big character or the main characters/lead cannot play all parts. when you do plays at school do they not have a supporting cast? when you go to panto/the theatre they all have the leads and supporting cast.
all tv shows have some kind of supporting cast as do soaps. you can't have main characters in every scene. the actors would be overworked and the storylines they were doing would be lost.
i.e linda has just been raped do you really expect her to be in all the pub background scenes being jolly and serving or popping up in the arches with jay to give him advice on lola/abi? the impact of linda's storyline would be immediately lost
I would get rid of
Cora - She doesn't quite work as a character, her granddaughters function without her anyway and her daughters have all gone. They don't seem to know what to do with her and she remains in limbo
Dexter - I cannot find anything likeable or interesting about this snivelling mummy's boy.
Fat boy - He just doesn't fit in, he has no family and his friendships with Alfie and Tambo does not ring true
Whitney - I feel that this character has grown very tired, she goes around in cycles now and has lost her purpose now Bianca has gone
Lee - I find him extremely cringeworthy, he reminds me a lot of Corries Kirk even though he supposed to be the stud of the square
Tosh - I think once her current storyline has finished she should leave. She has no family and has an unlike able personality
Donna - I have nothing against this character, she just does not have any family or friends on the square and they have made her unsociable so she just doesn't fit in
I think the Moon/Slaters need some proper direction, they had grown very tired in the Vic but I do not think they work well on the market mainly because they have all been on the Markets previously. I think they need a new business to be in charge of, like a taxi company.
I would bring back
Steven Beale - once Ian and Jane have reunited he should return
Vicky - Sharon needs family and it would be great to have two of the original babies back in the show
I would introduce
Paul Coker - Les and Pam need someone they can fawn over and who can include them in storylines
Kim's husband and his family - Bring him in with a couple of kids, a daughter who can befriend Nancy and a son too
Kush's family - Not too many, perhaps a mother and a sister
Cora - She doesn't quite work as a character, her granddaughters function without her anyway and her daughters have all gone. They don't seem to know what to do with her and she remains in limbo
Dexter - I cannot find anything likeable or interesting about this snivelling mummy's boy.
Fat boy - He just doesn't fit in, he has no family and his friendships with Alfie and Tambo does not ring true
Whitney - I feel that this character has grown very tired, she goes around in cycles now and has lost her purpose now Bianca has gone
Lee - I find him extremely cringeworthy, he reminds me a lot of Corries Kirk even though he supposed to be the stud of the square
Tosh - I think once her current storyline has finished she should leave. She has no family and has an unlike able personality
Donna - I have nothing against this character, she just does not have any family or friends on the square and they have made her unsociable so she just doesn't fit in
I think the Moon/Slaters need some proper direction, they had grown very tired in the Vic but I do not think they work well on the market mainly because they have all been on the Markets previously. I think they need a new business to be in charge of, like a taxi company.
I would bring back
Steven Beale - once Ian and Jane have reunited he should return
Vicky - Sharon needs family and it would be great to have two of the original babies back in the show
I would introduce
Paul Coker - Les and Pam need someone they can fawn over and who can include them in storylines
Kim's husband and his family - Bring him in with a couple of kids, a daughter who can befriend Nancy and a son too
Kush's family - Not too many, perhaps a mother and a sister
Originally Posted by vald:
“The cast has been going from strength to strength this year. Apart from Tosh all the new characters are OK through to great, and the returns have made sense (apart from Stacey, but I can forgive them that as she is a great character). I suspect we're going to lose 2 or 3 before long, but I won't name names.
Roxy may not do a lot but she is a perfect foil for her sister and I'd rather we kept them both. A Zainab return would be welcome and they really need to give some thought to bringing in someone for Denise, and I don't mean the awful Kim.”
“The cast has been going from strength to strength this year. Apart from Tosh all the new characters are OK through to great, and the returns have made sense (apart from Stacey, but I can forgive them that as she is a great character). I suspect we're going to lose 2 or 3 before long, but I won't name names.
Roxy may not do a lot but she is a perfect foil for her sister and I'd rather we kept them both. A Zainab return would be welcome and they really need to give some thought to bringing in someone for Denise, and I don't mean the awful Kim.”
I love Roxy these days, she has really matured and she often helps others out when they need it. It's funny how she and Ronnie have had their roles turned, Ronnie is now the more unstable sister.
I would like to see more scenes between Sharon and Roxy, I think they work well together.
I do agree about Denise, she needs someone half decent for a change.
Originally Posted by Scrabbler:
“I love Roxy these days, she has really matured and she often helps others out when they need it. It's funny how she and Ronnie have had their roles turned, Ronnie is now the more unstable sister.
I would like to see more scenes between Sharon and Roxy, I think they work well together.
I do agree about Denise, she needs someone half decent for a change.”
“I love Roxy these days, she has really matured and she often helps others out when they need it. It's funny how she and Ronnie have had their roles turned, Ronnie is now the more unstable sister.
I would like to see more scenes between Sharon and Roxy, I think they work well together.
I do agree about Denise, she needs someone half decent for a change.”
I don't think Roxy has ever been unstable and I think Ronnie always has. I did find it entertaining watching Roxy trying to be Sharon's friend, but it just doesn't work.
Roxy must be one of the most unrealistic characters on the square. She just does nothing. When she's not onscreen its like she doesn't exist at all. I think her relationship with Glenda was great and should be revisited.
Abi, Dexter, Fat Boy and Tosh should all be written out, IMO.
The probable story of Linda carrying Dean's baby is not working for me; it's stressful rather than entertaining.
They should give Shabham more to do...she's a great character and could be developed well.
Pls don't bring Tanya back. Can't see anything that could be gained by that.
I'd LOVE to see Janine back, having fleeced the honeymooners and re-stocked her bank account. I'd even go so far as to say she could have paid someone to knock off Lucy after she started the competing business.
Not liking the personality transformation of Alfie. He's like a comfortable pair of trousers that got oil stained by a passing lorry.
I'm a Carter fan. Love the family except for Babe. Tina's weak but she's a fun side dish. Just hope they do something dramatic with Mick, especially when Stan leaves & he finds out Shirley's his mum.
Over all, though, this is a really strong & talented cast. Enjoying this bit.
The probable story of Linda carrying Dean's baby is not working for me; it's stressful rather than entertaining.
They should give Shabham more to do...she's a great character and could be developed well.
Pls don't bring Tanya back. Can't see anything that could be gained by that.
I'd LOVE to see Janine back, having fleeced the honeymooners and re-stocked her bank account. I'd even go so far as to say she could have paid someone to knock off Lucy after she started the competing business.
Not liking the personality transformation of Alfie. He's like a comfortable pair of trousers that got oil stained by a passing lorry.
I'm a Carter fan. Love the family except for Babe. Tina's weak but she's a fun side dish. Just hope they do something dramatic with Mick, especially when Stan leaves & he finds out Shirley's his mum.
Over all, though, this is a really strong & talented cast. Enjoying this bit.
Originally Posted by Scrabbler:
“I would get rid of
Cora - She doesn't quite work as a character, her granddaughters function without her anyway and her daughters have all gone. They don't seem to know what to do with her and she remains in limbo
Dexter - I cannot find anything likeable or interesting about this snivelling mummy's boy.
Fat boy - He just doesn't fit in, he has no family and his friendships with Alfie and Tambo does not ring true
Whitney - I feel that this character has grown very tired, she goes around in cycles now and has lost her purpose now Bianca has gone
Lee - I find him extremely cringeworthy, he reminds me a lot of Corries Kirk even though he supposed to be the stud of the square
Tosh - I think once her current storyline has finished she should leave. She has no family and has an unlike able personality
Donna - I have nothing against this character, she just does not have any family or friends on the square and they have made her unsociable so she just doesn't fit in
I think the Moon/Slaters need some proper direction, they had grown very tired in the Vic but I do not think they work well on the market mainly because they have all been on the Markets previously. I think they need a new business to be in charge of, like a taxi company.
I would bring back
Steven Beale - once Ian and Jane have reunited he should return
Vicky - Sharon needs family and it would be great to have two of the original babies back in the show
I would introduce
Paul Coker - Les and Pam need someone they can fawn over and who can include them in storylines
Kim's husband and his family - Bring him in with a couple of kids, a daughter who can befriend Nancy and a son too
Kush's family - Not too many, perhaps a mother and a sister”
“I would get rid of
Cora - She doesn't quite work as a character, her granddaughters function without her anyway and her daughters have all gone. They don't seem to know what to do with her and she remains in limbo
Dexter - I cannot find anything likeable or interesting about this snivelling mummy's boy.
Fat boy - He just doesn't fit in, he has no family and his friendships with Alfie and Tambo does not ring true
Whitney - I feel that this character has grown very tired, she goes around in cycles now and has lost her purpose now Bianca has gone
Lee - I find him extremely cringeworthy, he reminds me a lot of Corries Kirk even though he supposed to be the stud of the square
Tosh - I think once her current storyline has finished she should leave. She has no family and has an unlike able personality
Donna - I have nothing against this character, she just does not have any family or friends on the square and they have made her unsociable so she just doesn't fit in
I think the Moon/Slaters need some proper direction, they had grown very tired in the Vic but I do not think they work well on the market mainly because they have all been on the Markets previously. I think they need a new business to be in charge of, like a taxi company.
I would bring back
Steven Beale - once Ian and Jane have reunited he should return
Vicky - Sharon needs family and it would be great to have two of the original babies back in the show
I would introduce
Paul Coker - Les and Pam need someone they can fawn over and who can include them in storylines
Kim's husband and his family - Bring him in with a couple of kids, a daughter who can befriend Nancy and a son too
Kush's family - Not too many, perhaps a mother and a sister”
Who I would axe-
Dexter, FatBoy, Lee, Tosh, Kim, Billy, Donna & Alfie.
Who I would review-
Abi & Tamwar
Who I would bring back-
Glenda, Steven, Vicki & Zainab.
Who I would introduce-
Paul Coker
Ada & Daphne Fox
A Brother and Nephew/Niece for Cora
Kush's Family
Originally Posted by CherryRose:
“I was unsure of where to place Dean, Stacey, and Tina. So I went for over 65's as older, 40-65 for upper middle, 25-40 for middle, 15-25 for young and under 15 for children.
I wasn't sure how old Tina is but im sure Dean and Stacey are over 25. Max is well over 40.
I wasn't sure if Ronnie was 40 yet either and ive totally missed Billy Mitchell of the list
”
“I was unsure of where to place Dean, Stacey, and Tina. So I went for over 65's as older, 40-65 for upper middle, 25-40 for middle, 15-25 for young and under 15 for children.
I wasn't sure how old Tina is but im sure Dean and Stacey are over 25. Max is well over 40.
I wasn't sure if Ronnie was 40 yet either and ive totally missed Billy Mitchell of the list
”
Tina celebrated her 40th a few months again, and Jake Wood is 42. I just think it's a bit rushed for 15-year-old school kids to be middle-aged and in the same category as 40-year-olds in less than a decade? 35+ maybe.
Originally Posted by Firegazer:
“Middle age is 50. That's obvious.”
“Middle age is 50. That's obvious.”
Who said anything about 50?
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