Peter Beale
Peter Beale | |||||||
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EastEnders character | |||||||
![]() Thomas Law as Peter Beale (2023) | |||||||
Portrayed by |
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Duration |
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First appearance | Episode 926 16 December 1993 | ||||||
Classification | Present; regular | ||||||
Introduced by |
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Spin-off appearances | The Queen Vic Quiz Night (2020) | ||||||
Crossover appearances | Emmerdale (2021) | ||||||
![]() Dayle Hudson as Peter Beale (2020) | |||||||
![]() Ben Hardy as Peter Beale (2013) | |||||||
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Peter Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders and he is played by Thomas Law. Peter makes his first appearance in episode 926, originally broadcast on 16 December 1993. Peter has been played by seven actors since being introduced in 1993. Francis Brittin-Snell portrayed the role from 1993 to 1996, followed by Alex Stevens from 1997 to 1998 and Joseph Shade from 1998 to 2004. James Martin took over and played the role from 2004 to 2006. He was played by Thomas Law from 2006 until 2010, when the character departed the series. In April 2013, it was announced that Peter would return, played by Ben Hardy who made his first appearance on 7 June 2013.[1] Hardy announced his departure from the role in November 2014, making his final on-screen appearance on 24 February 2015.
In December 2019, it was announced that the character would be returning, played by Dayle Hudson. Peter returned on 18 February 2020, during the show's 35th anniversary week.[2] In June 2022, it was announced that the character had been axed, and Hudson’s final scenes aired on 14 July 2022.[3] Peter made an unannounced return in the episode broadcast on 22 June 2023, with Thomas Law reprising the role. It was confirmed he will be making a permanent return to the show and his return aired on 22 August 2023.[4]
Peter’s storylines have included being involved in a car accident, a turbulent relationship with
Storylines
![]() | This section's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (June 2022) |
1993–2010
Peter and his twin sister
Peter is injured in a fair ground collapse in June 2004 but is saved from the wreckage by Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) and his son Dennis Rickman (Nigel Harman). Ian meets Jane Collins (Laurie Brett) at this fair and Lucy and Peter struggle to bond with Jane due to Ian's past relationships, but Ian's aunt, Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard), convinces them to give her a chance. In May 2007, Ian and Peter go camping with Phil and his son, Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones). On the drive home, there is a car accident and Peter and Ben are trapped in the car. Ben is conscious but Peter is knocked unconscious. Peter and Ben are rescued by Phil.
A budding athlete, who is Peter's PE teacher, tells Ian that Peter could compete in the
At a party, Peter meets
Peter is annoyed when his father assumes Lucy will get better GCSE grades than him. They both get good grades but Lucy's are exceptionally better. As the family celebrate, they are interrupted by
2013–2015
Peter (now Ben Hardy) returns to Walford when Ian invites him to the opening of his new restaurant, Beale's. He learns that Lucy took control of Ian's businesses when Ian had a mental breakdown. Ian wants his businesses back and tricks Lucy into signing everything back to him; Peter confronts Ian but forgives him. Peter is shocked when his half-sister Cindy Williams (Mimi Keene) arrives and wants her to return to Devon because she aware of his secret, but she chooses to remain with the Beales. Peter later tells Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) that his friend Gaz died while they were swimming because he pushed him to go further out to sea. Peter did not tell Gaz's family the details of what happened and this angers Lola, but they later start dating when she forgives him. Ian tells Peter that he is lying about witnessing Max Branning (Jake Wood) tampering with the car that injured Carl White (Daniel Coonan) and Phil, and Carl is blackmailing him to testify against Max and keep him locked up. For Lauren's sake, who is now a recovering alcoholic, Peter tries to get Ian to tell the truth and turns against Carl, resulting in a beating. Ian is stopped from testifying when he is kidnapped by Phil and Max, who have learned the truth. When Peter and Lola go public with their relationship, Phil and Ian reluctantly accept it and Peter moves in with Lola and her grandfather, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). In April 2014, Ian makes the discovery that Lucy has been taking cocaine and, in an attempt to reach out to her, tells her that she is his favourite, but Peter overhears and storms off, upset. The same night, Lucy is murdered (see Who Killed Lucy Beale?), devastating Peter and Ian, who begin searching for the truth.
Peter becomes reliant on Lauren for support as she was Lucy's best friend and business partner in a letting agency. A rift forms between him and Lola over his reliance on Lauren over her and they break up when Peter realises he is in love with Lauren and Lola is responsible for the publication of a well-meant article about Lucy that paints her as a rebellious teenager. Lauren rejects his advances as she has recently started dating
Seven months later, a heavily pregnant Lauren returns to Walford and gives birth to her and Peter's son, Louie, named in honour of Peter's deceased great-grandmother, Lou Beale (Anna Wing). She and Louie later go back to New Zealand to be with Peter. In May 2016, Ian's mother Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) contacts Lauren and informs her that Bobby (Eliot Carrington) has brutally attacked Jane, leaving her in a coma. Ian is shocked when Lauren and Louie then return to Walford, with Steven instead of Peter. Lauren reveals that her relationship with Peter ended due to Bobby's secret and she is now with Steven. Later that year, Steven steals equipment, supplies and money from Ian's restaurant. Jane and later Lauren find out about it and Steven admits that he did it to help Peter, who has been getting into debt, drinking heavily and getting into fights since his breakup with Lauren. In February 2018, after the trauma of enduring Abi’s death, Lauren leaves Walford with Louie. Her grandmother Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) later reveals that they have moved back to New Zealand, hinting that Lauren and Peter have reunited. A year later, Kathy tells Ian to tell Peter that Bobby has been released.
2020–present
In February 2020, Lauren's uncle
After Ian disappears, Peter is left in charge of his restaurant, Walford East. He becomes disliked and clashes with his cousin
In June 2023, it is revealed that Peter (now
On New Years Day 2024, Peter is missing Lauren and their son Louie. Ian and Cindy are boring him with board games, so Peter heads to Peggy's to see Gina, Anna, Bobby, Jay, Ben and Callum Highway, whilst his parents head to the Vic. Jay spots a woman looking at Peter. They all encourage Peter to talk to her. They say their hellos and then Peter and the woman go elsewhere to sleep together. When Lauren rings Peter, the woman assumes that Lauren is Peter's girlfriend and says that she has a fiancee. Lauren then lets Peter know over the phone she is coming back to Walford. Lauren's cousin Penny Branning to go with them but plants drugs in Lauren's bag in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the country for her drug dealer Juliette Dubois, however a sniffer dog smells the drugs at the airport and Lauren is arrested. Penny later tells the police that she planted the drugs in Lauren's bag when Peter finds out and tells her to tell the police or he will. Lauren is released and goes to see Louie, Lauren and Peter reminisce about the past and he asks her to stay for longer but Lauren says that Walford reminds her too much of Abi. Penny and Lauren later meets and Penny admits that she planted the drugs in Lauren's bag, Lauren is furious and when she discovers that Peter knew she decides to leave Walford. Just as Lauren is about to leave Walford Whitney and Sonia tell Lauren that Annie is her sister. Bobby goes to see Lauren to convince and is successful in convincing her to make peace with Peter for lying to her and letting her see her angry is more rightly place at Penny rather tha Peter. Peter becomes angry at Penny because she announces that her and Lauren and Louie are moving in together and Peter doesn't want his son in the same house as a drug dealer, however Peter and Penny later get drunk (unknown to Peter Penny fakes being drunk) and clear the air, Peter accepts Penny, Lauren and Louie living together when Penny explains her reasons for the drugs incident.
Lauren and Peter realise they still have feelings for each other. Ian encourages Peter to win Lauren back, while Cindy tells Lauren to only rekindle her relationship with Peter, if she is absolutely sure they will not break up again, for Louie's sake. Uncertain, Lauren rejects Peter's attempts to romance her.
Peter later is supportive of Bobby and Anna relationship and when his mum decides to reconnect with Cindy Williams Jr Peter goes with her for support.
Casting and development
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9f/Peter_Beale_Actors.jpg/400px-Peter_Beale_Actors.jpg)
Peter was introduced in 1993 along with his twin sister Lucy, and was originally played by Francis Brittin-Snell as a baby and toddler from 1993 to 1996. In 1997, the role was given to Alex Stevens and he played Peter until 1998. Joseph Shade took over until 2004 and James Martin played him from 2004 until 2006. It was announced on 17 August 2006 that actor Thomas Law had been cast as Peter. Law said of the role: "I couldn't believe it when I heard that I got the part, I'm really excited as I am a big fan of EastEnders." He made his first appearance on 31 August 2006.[6] He is described on the EastEnders website as being laid back, and Ian's "golden boy".[7]
In 2007, Peter was part of a storyline which saw him and his father, as well as Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones), involved in a car accident, when the Range Rover they were travelling in crashed into a lake. The scenes cost £1 million to produce, and external scenes were filmed in Surrey over four days, with underwater scenes being filmed in a specially designed stunt tank.[8] The scenes aired on 18 May 2007.[8][9] It was not known to viewers if Peter would survive at the time.[10] Law praised the scenes, calling them "fantastic".[11]
In November 2010, it was reported that Peter would leave EastEnders at the end of the year, with a possible, yet unconfirmed, return for 2011.[12] In storylines, Peter is accused of pushing Glenda Mitchell down her stairs. Law felt that Peter would not be strong enough to do it and it would not be in his character, though he feels backed into a corner.[13] Peter made his final appearance on 24 December 2010.[14] When asked if he could return, Law said, "I don't know. They're leaving the door open. That's all I can tell you."[15]
On 19 April 2013, it was reported that Peter was to return to the series, played by Ben Hardy. He said of his casting: "I'm really excited to be joining the fantastic cast of EastEnders—a show which my family have watched for years. I can't wait to step into the shoes of a character with so much history and am looking forward to getting stuck in."[16] Executive producer Lorraine Newman said, "Ben's a wonderful addition to the EastEnders cast and I am sure he will be popular with the audience. Having Peter back in the Beale fold helps cement the next generation of the Beale clan, a family who exist at the true heart of the show. Ian's wonderful relationship with Denise and the inclusion of Lucy, Peter and Bobby in the household will reinvigorate the clan with vibrancy and energy. I am really looking forward to seeing them all together on screen."[16] Hardy left the role in 2015.[17] A year later, he explained that he decided to leave so he did not regret "not trying for his dreams".[18]
On 18 December 2019, it was announced that Peter would be returning to the show. The role was recast, with Dayle Hudson becoming the seventh actor to portray the character. Of his casting, Hudson said that he was "very excited to see what the future holds for [Peter]". Executive producer Jon Sen added that Dayle is a "talented actor who captures [Peter's] complexity perfectly.[19] Hudson explained that upon returning to Walford, Peter intends to "build bridges" with his family. He stated that the relationship between Peter and Bobby is "always going to be strained", due to Bobby being responsible for Lucy's death, but that it forms an "interesting element in their relationship".[20] He returned on 18 February 2020.
On 22 June 2023, Peter made an unannounced return to the show, with Thomas Law reprising the role. Of his return, Law said that it was "an absolute delight" to come back and that he couldn't wait to "explore the character." Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw added that he was "thrilled to welcome [Law] back to the role of Peter Beale" and that the return would be "nothing less than explosive."[21]
Reception
In May 2009, Executive producer Diederick Santer praised the younger cast of EastEnders, including Law.[22] Stuart Heritage from The Guardian expressed a dislike for Peter in April 2010, saying he should be written out, "before his increasingly spectacular haircut goes power mad and starts to colonise the entire set. Also, his voice has been breaking for what seems like seven full years, so he could probably use his new-found free time to consult a doctor or something."[23]
See also
References
- ^ Director: Ian White; Executive Producer: Lorraine Newman; Writer: Colin Wyatt (7 June 2013). "Episode dated 07/06/2013". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Patterson, Stephen (18 December 2019). "EastEnders spoilers: Shock return for Peter Beale revealed as actor Dayle Hudson takes over the role". Metro. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "EastEnders' Peter Beale to return to Walford alongside Cindy and Ian later this year".
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- ^ "Peter Beale played by Thomas Law". EastEnders. London: BBC Online. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ^ Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (22 November 2010). "Thomas Law to leave EastEnders". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Archived from the originalon 11 December 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- ^ Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ Fletcher, Harry (5 May 2016). "Ben Hardy explains why he had to leave EastEnders for Hollywood and X-Men". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
- ^ Patterson, Stephen (18 December 2019). "EastEnders spoilers: Shock return for Peter Beale revealed as actor Dayle Hudson takes over the role".
- ^ Ellis, Sarah (17 November 2020). ""Peter and Bobby's relationship is always going to be strained," says EastEnders star Dayle Hudson". Inside Soap. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "EastEnders' Peter Beale to return to Walford alongside Cindy and Ian later this year".
- Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 22 April 2011.
- Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 19 April 2011.