List of EastEnders characters (1998)
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The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1998, by order of first appearance.
Lola Christie
Lola Christie | |||||||
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EastEnders character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Diane Parish | ||||||
First appearance | Episode 1565 22 January 1998 | ||||||
Last appearance | Episode 1636 6 July 1998 | ||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||
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Lola Christie is played by
Lola Christie auditions as a singer for Mick's band. Mick is impressed with her singing talents and offers her the job. Mick is attracted to Lola, they start dating, but she is always rushing off without warning and Mick is surprised to discover that Lola has a secret young son named Carl (Stacey Wright; son of Ian) whose father, Neil, had abandoned Lola when she was 5 months pregnant. Mick proves supportive, but Lola eventually leaves Mick and the band when she gets her own recording contract as a soloist.[2]
Creation
At the time, Lola was the highest profile role for actress Diane Parish.[3] The character was a singer in Mick's jazz band; Parish had worked her way through drama school at RADA by doing session singing at a recording studio, though she had never seriously considered singing as a career. Parish has commented, "The only reason I took on the role of Lola was because her storyline wasn't really to do with her singing, that was just incidental. There was a bit of interest at the time – but I have to confess I didn't exactly have Island Records beating my door down with a contract!".[3] In a televised interview in 2020, Parish described the singing aspect of the role as "excruciating", claiming it made her unsuited to play Lola.[4]
Following the end of her initial six-month contract, Parish decided to leave EastEnders. In a 1998 interview she revealed, "I had made a decision that I would stay only six months, whatever happened. But I was tempted to stay longer because it is such a great show and lovely people. Leaving was like ripping away from real friendships – but I'm not in this business to settle down. I get itchy feet and I left to do Picking Up the Pieces which is a real challenge. Being a part of EastEnders is like nothing else, a whole different beast from other shows because practically everyone has watched it at some time and you get to be known wherever you go. I thought that would end when I left, but I still get it even now."[3]
She has since revealed that she found it hard to cope with the fame of being in such a high-profile soap, and in a 2002 interview with the Daily Mirror it was reported that she "hated" her time in the soap so much, that she had no qualms about turning down a long-term contract: "I resented being a 'star' and I resented acting like one. It is cliquey, and once you are in a soap, that is it. The soap just clings on to you. People say: 'Everything you do before a soap and after does not matter.' It is true. EE made me odd. I was bobbing along happily as a jobbing actress, and then EE came along. I found it strange to lose my anonymity. People really believe they own you. They grab you, scream at you. I did not cope well. I became introverted and I stayed in a lot. I felt a bit depressed, too. I felt I had lost something. In the end I just had to get out. I lost the point as to why I was doing the job, and to be perfectly frank it just got messy."[5][6] However, in the same interview, Parish said she would consider returning to EastEnders if they asked her: "I'd handle things better. I love watching it. Jim Branning is fab."[5] Parish did return to the soap in 2006, but playing a completely different character, Denise Fox. On her decision to return, Parish said, "EastEnders was different back then. There was a spotlight on anyone in it – some actors were akin to pop stars. It's calmer now."[7]
Beppe di Marco
Beppe di Marco, played by
Bruno di Marco
Bruno di Marco, played by Leon Lissek, is the patriarch of the di Marco family. He moves to Albert Square with his family after the death of his son. Bruno's wife, Luisa (Stella Tanner) suffers a stroke shortly before Bruno's birthday in July 1998. She recovers but remains frail and in December Bruno and Luisa decide to take a trip to Italy, before it is too late. When they get there they like it so much that they decided to stay.
Gianni di Marco
Gianni di Marco, played by Marc Bannerman, is Beppe di Marco's (Michael Greco) hotheaded younger brother. He works as a chef in the family restaurant, and later becomes manager of the business. Gianni has relationships with several women in Walford, and backs Beppe in various run-ins with Grant (Ross Kemp) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), as the two groups of brothers often have conflicts over several interests.
Luisa di Marco
Luisa di Marco, played by Stella Tanner, is the wife of Bruno (Leon Lissek). She is often troubled by the antics of her grandchildren, and when she sees her youngest granddaughter Nicky (Carly Hillman) kissing Martin Fowler (James Alexandrou), the shock is too much and she suffers a stroke. She recovers but remains frail and in December Luisa and Bruno decide to take a trip to Italy before it was too late. When they get there they liked it so much that they decide to stay.
Nicky di Marco
Nicky di Marco | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Luca di Marco |
Nicoletta "Nicky" di Marco, played by
In 2000, her mother Rosa arranges for some home
Rosa di Marco
Rosa di Marco, played by
Teresa di Marco
Teresa di Marco | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Luca di Marco |
Teresa di Marco, played by Leila Birch, is Rosa di Marco (Louise Jameson)'s eldest daughter and a wild child, despite the fact she has her overprotective, big brothers Beppe and Gianni (Michael Greco and Marc Bannerman) looking out for her.
She first appears at her father's funeral in January 1998, and had recently failed her A-level exams, making her mother suspicious that she had done this on purpose, so she can stay as a waitress in the family restaurant. However, Teresa has higher aspirations than working in the family business, and so gets her own stall on the market.
Teresa also knows how to find trouble. She is caught with drugs by the police, finds out that her bisexual boyfriend
Following her sister
Joe di Marco
Joe di Marco | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Jake Kyprianou |
Duration | 1998–2002 |
First appearance | Episode 1568 29 January 1998 |
Last appearance | Episode 2274 19 March 2002 |
Classification | Luca di Marco |
Joe di Marco is played by Jake Kyprianou between 1998 and 2002. Joe's most notable storyline is being "the focus of a tug-of-love" between his mother and father.
The Italian di Marco family were introduced early in 1998 by executive producer
The di Marcos "landed with an almighty thud in January [1998], turning out in force for the funeral of patriarch Giuseppe", Joe's grandfather.
The majority of the di Marcos stayed in EastEnders until 2000, when a new executive producer,
Storylines
Joe di Marco is the son of
Sandra comes back into Joe's life in 2000. He bonds with his mother, and despite initial hostilities Beppe also welcomes Sandra back into his life.
Beppe's serial womanising has a negative effect on Joe in 2001, when he walks in on his father being seduced by his teacher,
Nicole Moore
Nicole Moore | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Jessie Moore |
Nicole Moore is played by Sara Stephens. She is the mother of
Nicole was in prison, and asks her solicitor if she can see her daughter Jessie whilst in prison. Mark and Ruth initially refuse, but Nicole was granted her wish. Mark and Ruth later hear from their solicitor that Nicole will be released in a couple of weeks time, and will be granted permission to see Jessie once a fortnight. Mark and Ruth are devastated by this, and are forced to face the fact that Jessie may not be with them for much longer.
On Jessie's birthday, Mark and Ruth host a party for her. Nicole turns up at the party, leaving Mark and Ruth furious. However, Jessie is over the moon to see her mother. Mark later asks his solicitor if Nicole was allowed to walk in like that, and his solicitor explains that this should have been done through social services first.
Ruth later takes pity on Nicole the next time she visits, when she explains that she is getting herself together and cannot wait to be reconciled with her daughter. Ruth allows her to visit whenever she likes, things gets heavy and Nicole oversteps the Mark by Kidnapping Jessie but Connor and Mark gets her back Nicole is refused any access to Jessie by losing her to Mark and Jesse but later goes back into a hostel
Eliot Saunders
Eliot Saunders | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Josh Saunders |
Eliot Saunders, played by Lawrence Lambert, is the father of
Hayley Edwards
Hayley Edwards | |||||
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EastEnders character | |||||
Portrayed by | Karin Diamond | ||||
Appears in | Episode 1580 26 February 1998 | ||||
Classification | Former; guest | ||||
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Hayley Edwards, played by Karin Diamond, is the sister of
Jonah Tyler
Jonah Tyler | |||||
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EastEnders character | |||||
Portrayed by | Mark Mooney | ||||
Duration | 1998, 2022 | ||||
First appearance | Episode 1582 3 March 1998 | ||||
Last appearance | Episode 6569 6 October 2022 | ||||
Classification | Former; recurring | ||||
Introduced by | Mike Hudson (1998) Kate Oates (2022) | ||||
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Jonah Tyler, played by Mark Mooney, is a former associate of
Louise Raymond
Louise Raymond, played by
Josie McFarlane
Josie McFarlane, played by
Kim McFarlane
Kim McFarlane | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Mick McFarlane |
Kim McFarlane, played by Krystle Williams, first arrives in
Kim attends Walford High School and soon becomes friendly with local girls
In 2000, Josie is deported back to Jamaica for forgetting to renew her
Fred Fonseca
Fred Fonseca, played by
Carrie Swann
Carrie Swann | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Holly Atkins |
Duration | 1998–1999 |
First appearance | Episode 1673 24 September 1998 |
Last appearance | Episode 1763 13 April 1999 |
Classification | Former; recurring |
Carrie Swann, played by Holly Atkins, is an artist and friend of
Mel Owen
Melanie "Mel" Owen, played by
Billy Mitchell
Billy Mitchell, played by
Lilly Mattock
Lilly Mattock, played by
Jamie Mitchell
Jamie Mitchell, played by
Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams is the daughter of
Gina Williams
Gina Williams | |||||||
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EastEnders character | |||||||
Portrayed by | Nicola Cowper | ||||||
Duration | 1998–1999, 2007, 2014 | ||||||
First appearance | Episode 1693 10 November 1998 | ||||||
Last appearance | Episode 4844 25 April 2014 | ||||||
Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||
Introduced by |
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Gina Williams, played by
Gina is seen again in September 2007. Ian visits her as he suspects that she has been harassing him by pretending to be his deceased wife Cindy and sending malicious emails and packages. He enters her house without permission and is shocked to see that Gina has made a shrine to Cindy on her living room wall. Gina greets Ian from behind a shotgun, but she then assures him that both she and her deceased sister have put the past behind them. Ian is concerned when Gina says she regularly "converses with" her deceased sister, who had even told her to expect Ian's visit. Ian accuses Gina of stalking him and is not convinced when she denies responsibility. He advises her to seek professional help. He is later kidnapped by the real stalker: Cindy's eldest son, Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell). Ian's wife Jane (Laurie Brett) becomes frantic, and when Gina arrives in Walford to give Ian a photo of Cindy Jnr, Jane accuses Gina of terrorising Ian and they nearly come to blows, however they are stopped by Steven's paternal grandmother Pat Evans (Pam St Clement).
Gina returns on 25 April 2014, after Ian calls her to come to
Lisa Fowler
Lisa Fowler, played by
Liam Butcher
Liam Butcher, played by Sonny Bottomley from 1998 to 1999, Jack and Tom Godolphin from 1999 to 2000, Gavin and Mitchell Vaughan in 2000, Nathaniel Gleed from 2002 to 2004,
Steve Owen
Steve Owen, played by
Saskia Duncan
Saskia Duncan | |
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EastEnders character | |
Portrayed by | Deborah Sheridan-Taylor |
Duration | 1998–1999 |
First appearance | Episode 1718 31 December 1998 |
Last appearance | Episode 1738 15 February 1999 |
Classification | Claudia Fielding |
Saskia Duncan, played by Deborah Sheridan-Taylor, arrives in Walford in December 1998 as the obsessive ex-girlfriend of new
On e20's launch night, Saskia breaks into Steve's office and kisses him. As Mel storms out of the room, it is revealed that Saskia had been pregnant with Steve's baby - but had an abortion when he said he that he didn't want it. Saskia blames him for "making her kill the baby". When Steve tries to throw her out of the office, she attacks him with a champagne bottle and attempts to strangle him with his tie. It is at that moment when local resident Matthew Rose (Joe Absolom), who works in the club as Steve's employed DJ, walks in the altercation. He promptly tries to separate Saskia from Steve, but she hysterically fights him off and goes for Steve again. Steve reaches for the nearest object, an ashtray, and gives Saskia a brutal blow to the head, killing her instantly. Steve and Matthew then bury her body in Epping Forest.
Saskia's disappearance is investigated by police, and her sister
In 2018, Saskia's murder was brought up by
Others
Character | Date(s) | Actor | Circumstances |
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Paynter | 9 April | Raymond Brody | |
Karen | 10 July | Paula Jane Ulrich | A waitress who ) if would like some food with their beers. She is credited as Waitress. |
Charlie | 10-11 July (2 episodes) | Francois Brunet | A person who sells Desune Coleman ).
|
Dr. Coucher | 13 October 1998– 24 January 2003 (6 episodes) | Philip Brook | Mark Fowler's (Todd Carty) doctor. Coucher tells Mark his CD4 cell counts have risen and has him take a further blood test. The following Summer, Mark sees Boucher again. He later treats Mark when he is brought into Walford General after he collapses due to complications with his HIV. Coucher tells Mark's family that Mark has stopped taking his combination medication. Three years later, Coucher tells Mark his current drug therapy is no longer working. |
Jean | 5 November-25 December | Sarah Flind | A midwife who delivers Bianca Jackson's (Patsy Palmer) newborn baby, Liam Butcher.[31] |
Paramedic | 3 December | Ian Gain | A paramedic who looks after Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon) after she falls down the stairs and suffers a blood clot on the brain. |
Ronnie | 25 December (2 episodes) | Gerard Bentall | A homeless man who Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) gives food to.[32] Later, Dot Cotton (June Brown) and Lilly Mattock (Barbara Keogh) try to convince him to sleep in the Vicarage. He turns up to Pauline Fowler's (Wendy Richard) home for christmas dinner with his dog, Patch. Later, in Giuseppe's restaurant, he is seen playing his violin. Although he is credited as "Homeless Man", he introduces himself as Ronnie.[31] |
Patch | Uncredited |
References
- ^ "Diane Parish plays Denise Wicks". BBC. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- ^ ISBN 0-563-55178-X.
- ^ a b c "So that's where Lola went to". The News Letter. 22 October 1998. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- ^ Seddon, Dan (18 July 2020). "EastEnders star Diane Parish reminisces over "excruciating" Walford role she played before Denise". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: WHY HER 'OSCAR' IS SO SPECIAL FOR BILL'S DIANE". The Mirror. 11 May 2002. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- ^ "YOU'RE NICKED! EastEnders pinch TV cop star Diane for spicy revamp". The Mirror. 10 November 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- ^ "EastEnders Diane Parish on why she won't have more children". The Mirror. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
- ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: FALL AND RISE OF CELEB WRESTLING'S MARC". The Mirror. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "EastEnder Beppe moving on". BBC. 12 February 2002. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "EASTENDERS: 29 January 1998". BBC programme catalogue. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ a b "Farewell my luvvies". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ISBN 0-563-52165-1.
- ^ "ALBERTO SQUARE". Daily Record. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ a b Baylis, Matthew (29 August 2000). "Easy come, easy go". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "EASTEND OF THE ROAD FOR STARS". Daily Record. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "BBC 'supremo' John Yorke hits the Sage". northernmedia.org. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "Axe falls on five EastEnders". BBC. 2 March 2000. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ Hodgson, Jessica (11 April 2002). "EastEnders producer steps up". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ Hyland, Ian (17 February 2002). "Interview Michael Greco: I'm gutted at being axed". Sunday Mirror. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "Outhwaite bows out of EastEnders". BBC. 12 April 2002. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- ^ "WasSandra savaged by that badger called Rosa?". Sunday Mirror. 26 March 2000. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ^ "IT'LL ALL END IN TEARS, TERRY". The Mirror. 4 April 1998. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ "EASTENDERS' CAROL HARRISON TELLS OF FAMILY TORMENT THAT PLAGUED HER CHILDHOOD". The Mirror. 7 September 1998. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ "DAY 2: EASTENDER CAROL TELLS OF JOY AT FINDING HER FAMILY". The Mirror. 8 September 1998. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ "Entertainment: Soaps battle to be World Cup winners". BBC News. 14 July 1998. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Nadia quits Square; She joins exodus from EastEnders". The Mirror. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Jamie Mitchell (deceased) played by Jack Ryder". EastEnders. BBC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Cindy's youngest child to make 'Enders appearance". Digital Spy. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2007.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (18 June 2013). "'EastEnders': Cindy Beale's daughter to join Walford". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ Feinstein, Sharon (29 August 1999). "Lucy Benjamin – I'm so moody it takes a saint to put up with me". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ a b Executive Producer: Matthew Robinson; Director: Paul Annett; Writer: Annie Wood (25 December 1998). "Episode dated 25/12/1998: Part 2". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Executive Producer: Matthew Robinson; Director: Paul Annett; Writer: Annie Wood (25 December 1998). "Episode dated 25/12/1998: Part 1". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.