Mandy Carter (Ackley Bridge)
Mandy Carter | |
---|---|
Ackley Bridge character | |
Episode 31 19 April 2021 | |
Portrayed by | Jo Joyner |
In-universe information | |
Occupation | Headteacher |
Spouses | Steve Bell (husband) |
Children | Oliver (son) |
Relatives |
|
Mandy Carter is a fictional character from the
Prior to her first appearance on the series, Mandy has dedicated several years to starting the school, which has led to her neglecting her marriage and having fun. Joyner has expressed her admiration for Mandy having a good professional life and a messy personal life, since she felt the contradiction is typically seen in great women. Joyner asked writers to explore Mandy's backstory in the
Storylines
Mandy is introduced as the headteacher of the multicultural
When a drunk man is found in the toilets of the school, Mandy affirms that she will handle the situation. The man is revealed to be her abusive father Ray (Ted Robbins), who is claiming to have dementia. She offers to use her savings to put Ray in a residential care home, in order to give her mother Dianne (Lin Blakley) a more peaceful life. Mandy explains to her best friend Emma Keane (Liz White) that her dream as a child was to get a successful job, and save her mother from Ray. Mandy later learns that her parents were lying to her in order to use her money for a camper van to go travelling in.
Sadiq informs Mandy that as a result of his mattress company collapsing, he can no longer afford to fund the school, but pleads to continue as the school's sponsor due to the years of effort he has put into Ackley Bridge. Mandy convinces the school governors to allow Sadiq to stay on as the sponsor rather than be taken over by a trust, but when the placements for the new school year are 36 students down, it means that they lack approximately £250,000 in government funding. Mandy meets with the Valley Trust to discuss the future of the school, but when they cannot guarantee her the safety of staff members' job positions, she initially declines their offer, but later accepts. The trust asks Mandy to continue as headteacher, to which she accepts. Following the Valley Trust taking over the school, a number of employees are dismissed and replaced by new staff members, which Mandy expresses her annoyance with. When the time for Mandy to take her maternity leave arises, she is temporarily replaced by Sian Oakes (
Mandy lets Martin have the role of acting headteacher and later informs him that she has no plans to return as headteacher, only as a teacher. The job is advertised, and Mandy informs Martin that he has received the role. Mandy later tells the staff at Ackley Bridge College that she has received the opportunity to start an all-girls school in Nepal. She explains that the opportunity feels similar to when she started Ackley Bridge College, which leads her to accept. She reminisces with Kaneez on their friendship and leaves.
Development
Upon her casting, actress Joyner described her character Mandy as "hard working", and stated that prior to the
Upon the renewal of Ackley Bridge for a
Speaking about Mandy's marriage with Steve, Joyner stated that in the first few episodes, Mandy and Steve are seen to be "getting on well", but that it becomes "clear that they have had some issues that they've been dealing with from the past", in regards to his former affair with Claire.[3] Joyner noted that despite Steve being Mandy's "rock", she feels resentment towards him due to his history with Claire.[3] She added that Steve is "feeling quite insecure" due to Mandy spending time with Sadiq.[3] Due to this, their relationship has lots of "ups and downs", and when they decide to live apart, they still miss each other.[5] After Mandy and Sadiq have sex, Joyner described Mandy's mindset as having "got even" with Steve.[5] Joyner noted that working with co-star Nicholls, whom she previously worked with on the BBC series Candy Cabs, was "really great", and she deemed herself lucky to work with him again.[3] She added that they "work really well together", and that Nicholls aids the ease of being an on-screen partnership.[3] Joyner was also able to work with former No Angels co-star Sunetra Sarker, and despite Mandy having a small number of scenes with her character Kaneez Paracha, Joyner stated that the decision was "probably for the best", since the two would make each other laugh during filming.[7]
Whilst filming the
Reception
Following the
References
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Archivedfrom the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ Lamacraft, Tess (23 February 2017). "Jo Joyner to play headteacher in new Channel 4 drama The ABC". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Interview with Jo Joyner who plays Head Teacher Mandy Carter". Channel 4. 24 May 2017. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b Hyland, Karen (7 June 2017). "Fan of Waterloo Road? Do NOT miss tonight's new school drama Ackley Bridge". Entertainment Daily. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ackley Bridge: Interview with Jo Joyner who plays Mandy". Channel 4. 29 May 2018. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ a b c Dunn, Gemma (5 June 2018). "Jo Joyner on life after EastEnders, new Ackley Bridge and family". BT TV. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ Wilson, Victoria (30 May 2018). "SPECIAL BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTOSHOOT! Jo Joyner and Sunetra Sarker on the return of Ackley Bridge". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Ackey Bridge: Interview with Jo Joyner who plays Mandy Carter". EastieOaks. 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Archivedfrom the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Ackley Bridge Star Jo Joyner Will Never Say Never to an Eastenders Return!". YouTube. 30 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ Chase, Stephanie (30 July 2019). "Ackley Bridge viewers praise headteacher Mandy after Sian's affair with Cory is exposed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2021.