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The best characters in soaps - middle-aged women


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Old 27-08-2005, 18:34
Drifter
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 18:35
Chubbler
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Are Chrissy and Eileen 40?
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Old 27-08-2005, 18:36
Drifter
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 18:42
Jazzyjedart
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 18:51
Drifter
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I forgot Eileen in Corrie! She's easily one of their best.
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Old 27-08-2005, 18:53
Drifter
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 18:57
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 19:10
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Originally Posted by Chubbler
Are Chrissy and Eileen 40?
In an episode around two weeks ago, Chrissie told Jane that she was 41 or 42 (I can't remember!)
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Old 27-08-2005, 19:12
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 19:15
Claireyellen
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 19:41
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 20:39
PrincessJasmine
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 20:43
SULLA
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Originally Posted by Drifter
I
Corrie - Liz, Deirdre, Audrey, Cilla, Hayley
I bet Audrey would be thrilled to be put in the 40-60 age group. Others have mentioned Elieen. I would also mention Bev.
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Old 27-08-2005, 20:46
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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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Old 27-08-2005, 20:49
MMM2
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FA's Sadie was great too! Such a shame they got rid of her!
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Old 27-08-2005, 21:11
Drifter
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Originally Posted by SULLA
I bet Audrey would be thrilled to be put in the 40-60 age group.
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...

Janice is another one I love, even though she has very little to do...
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Old 27-08-2005, 21:14
alienpanda
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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.
Jane in EE is only 32/33 ish
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Old 27-08-2005, 21:35
SULLA
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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...
Sue Nicholls is 62 this November. Bizarre I agree.

I don't actually know anyone who hates Steph ( well not the new improved version anyway )
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Old 27-08-2005, 22:12
Pete Callan
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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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Old 28-08-2005, 10:09
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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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Old 28-08-2005, 12:12
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Isn't Yolande part of the old group?
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Old 28-08-2005, 14:10
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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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Old 28-08-2005, 16:03
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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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Old 29-08-2005, 15:18
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The best 3 have to be...
Gina and June from The Bill and Diane from Emmerdale!
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Old 29-08-2005, 17:57
soapboyz2005
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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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