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The best characters in soaps - middle-aged women |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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The best characters in soaps - middle-aged women
I was reluctant to say middle aged, but I basically I mean female characters roughly between the ages of 40 and 60
Anyway, don't you agree? It's not an exact science (some favourites are old or young) but overall these seem to provide the better characters. Possibly because they have a lot of experience in terms of acting and their characters have a rich history, yet are still young enough to be central to big storylines. They just have real charm and personality, usually. They make up most of my favourite characters in soaps. I know not everyone will agree with a lot of these choices, but still: Emmerdale - Diane, Val, Viv, Steph, Lesley, Zoe Corrie - Liz, Deirdre, Audrey, Cilla, Hayley The Bill - Sam, Gina, June (Ramani and Jo are the best two imo, and in their mid-30s anyway, so not far behind) Eastenders - well this is something they're lacking. Maybe Yolande (who they never use!) and Jane. Tina is a bit rubbish. Chrissie is kinda young. Family Affairs - Babs, Eileen, Chrissy, Cat, Myra Although the older females are just as good when they get something to do. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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Are Chrissy and Eileen 40?
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Pretty sure Rosie Rowell is in her 40s, and Kazia too. They look VERY good for their age. So does Leah Bracknell.
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NE Scotland
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I wouldnt say Cilla is one of Corries better characters, but I agree with what you're getting at
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#5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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I forgot Eileen in Corrie! She's easily one of their best.
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#6 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazzyjedart
I wouldnt say Cilla is one of Corries better characters, but I agree with what you're getting at
Cilla is definitely a love/hate character. A lot of people hate Steph, too. But both at least stand out. |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Eileen from FA is definitely the best middle aged woman in soap and Pete is the best middle aged man!
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#8 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chubbler
Are Chrissy and Eileen 40?
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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Eileen in Corrie gets my vote every time. I like Diane in Emmerdale and Myra in FA but Corrie's Eileen is a superb character actress and a great comedienne.
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sheffield
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Eileen is my favourite in Corrie. I love most scenes with her and Shaun, thank God they've given her a stoyline and got her sparring with Gail again with her coming off the better. Love her but she is criminally under used.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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Steph and Viv and Emmerdale get my vote, they are great characters with such distinct personalities. I love them both.
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#12 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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eileen in corrie, for sure
also, sally hunter and frankie dean/osbourne (?) in hollyoaks EE - hmm, jane - also, chrissie, cos i'm pretty sure that she is over 40... emmerdale - go diane sugden and viv windsor!!!! |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Jun 2002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drifter
I
Corrie - Liz, Deirdre, Audrey, Cilla, Hayley
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#14 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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janice battersby used to be a brilliant character, but i think she's become a bit stale now...
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#15 |
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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FA's Sadie was great too! Such a shame they got rid of her!
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#16 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SULLA
I bet Audrey would be thrilled to be put in the 40-60 age group.
. Now Gail has got to be early 50s...Janice is another one I love, even though she has very little to do... |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drifter
I was reluctant to say middle aged, but I basically I mean female characters roughly between the ages of 40 and 60
Anyway, don't you agree? It's not an exact science (some favourites are old or young) but overall these seem to provide the better characters. Possibly because they have a lot of experience in terms of acting and their characters have a rich history, yet are still young enough to be central to big storylines. They just have real charm and personality, usually. They make up most of my favourite characters in soaps. I know not everyone will agree with a lot of these choices, but still: Emmerdale - Diane, Val, Viv, Steph, Lesley, Zoe Corrie - Liz, Deirdre, Audrey, Cilla, Hayley The Bill - Sam, Gina, June (Ramani and Jo are the best two imo, and in their mid-30s anyway, so not far behind) Eastenders - well this is something they're lacking. Maybe Yolande (who they never use!) and Jane. Tina is a bit rubbish. Chrissie is kinda young. Family Affairs - Babs, Eileen, Chrissy, Cat, Myra Although the older females are just as good when they get something to do. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Black Country lad in Yorkshire
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drifter
Oh I don't know about that - bizarrely, Sue Nicolls is only eight years older than Helen Worth (Gail) in real life
. Now Gail has got to be early 50s... I don't actually know anyone who hates Steph ( well not the new improved version anyway )
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#19 |
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,354
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The best middle aged woman in soap has got to be the fabulous Eileen Grimshaw. All of Emmerdales lot are fantastic aswell.
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#20 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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I think this is a really good point about where the greatest pleasures come from in soaps. I think you may have put your finger on the real problem with Eastenders.
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#21 |
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: United Kingdom
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Isn't Yolande part of the old group?
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#22 |
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Shetland Islands
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So true. I'm a female character-loving man and all my faves are women...
Family Affairs - Babs Emmerdale - Val Corrie - gotta love Blance EE - Dot |
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#23 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
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I don't think you can put Janice in Coronation St in that age group. I nearly fell off my perch a few years ago when I found out that the actress, Vicky Entwhistle, was younger than me and I'm 39!!
Eileen in Coronation St is fantastic as is Viv in Emmerdale. They are the two stand out characters in those two soaps, but both have a few more, Val and Diane in Emmerdale and Bev and Liz and Deirdre in Coronation St. But traditional soap operas like these have aways had strong women characters in a matriarchical society. Men are more often than not feckless and stupid in soaps. Or feckless and stupid in a lot of cases! |
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#24 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
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The best 3 have to be...
Gina and June from The Bill and Diane from Emmerdale! |
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#25 |
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Join Date: Feb 2005
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I love Gina - and Diane too - she is a great pairing with Val and they truly deserved their double-act nomination at the BSAs !!
Gina, on receiving flowers when the relief found out about her cancer. "Put them in water. Preferably the Thames." One of my fave lines EVA !!! |
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