Zoe Tate
Zoe Tate | |
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Emmerdale character | |
Noah Dingle |
Zoe Tate is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Leah Bracknell. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 12 December 1989. Zoe was involved in many major storylines during her time on the soap, including the deaths of her father Frank (Norman Bowler) and brother Chris (Peter Amory), the betrayal and departure of her stepmother Kim (Claire King), coming out as lesbian and a battle with schizophrenia. Zoe became the first lesbian character in a British soap opera when she came out in 1993.[1][2][3] She departed on 22 September 2005.
Casting and characterisation
Two years after graduating from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and having only done theatre and commercial work, Bracknell was cast in the role of Zoe.[4] Bracknell initially signed a nine-month contract and she thought that was how long the job would last.[5] She also stated: "I'd only ever been to Leeds once before, and I'd never really watched Emmerdale. It was strange, going from the dole with no money, to having a proper job."[5] Bracknell made her first appearance as Zoe on 12 December 1989.[6]
In March 2005, Bracknell announced she was to take a nine-month break from Emmerdale.[7] A reporter for the BBC said she would leave in the autumn following a dramatic storyline involving Zoe.[7] Bracknell said "I am looking forward to spending some time with my family and having the opportunity to pursue other projects. I will also be finishing my teaching diploma in yoga which is something I am passionate about."[7] Series producer Kath Beedles said she wished Bracknell all the best and looked forward to welcoming her back in the future. Beedles added that Bracknell had made "a huge contribution to Emmerdale's ongoing success."[7] Despite initial reports that it would be a temporary break, Bracknell never returned to Emmerdale.[8] The actress died in September 2019.[9]
Development
Zoe arrived in the village a month after her father, Frank (Norman Bowler), stepmother Kim (Claire King) and brother Chris (Peter Amory) moved into Home Farm.[10] Chris and Zoe's mother, Jean, died of cancer.[10] Originally studying to be a veterinary surgeon, Zoe later started a veterinary practice in Emmerdale. In his 2002 book, 30 Years of Emmerdale, Lance Parkin noted that Zoe stuck up for what she believed in and was committed to animal rights and welfare.[6]
Parkin described Zoe as "charitable and reasonable compared with the other Tates".[6] He said while Zoe had a romantic streak, she also had a dark side, which often saw her become moody and angry.[6] Bracknell said of her character in 2005: "She was very unpredictable which I liked. She wasn't a victim but she had lots of problems to deal with and at the same time she could be very Tate-like, ruthless and sometimes violent."[11]
Sexuality
In early 1993, Zoe decided that she wanted more from her friendship with
Schizophrenia
Zoe was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2002.[14] According to Bracknell, this was the Emmerdale storyline she was most proud of portraying, "[b]ecause it dealt with a particular area of mental health and we did it over a relatively long period of time – about ten months – so there was a lot of research involved and the story was ongoing and changing. We had to get the nuts and bolts right and also it wasn't just about how it affected her [Zoe] but also the effect on her family."[11]
Storylines
Zoe's family move to Beckindale, while she is at university studying to be a veterinary surgeon. Following her graduation, Zoe also moves to the village and finds employment at a surgery in Hotten. Zoe helps deliver
Zoe sets up a veterinary practice with
Zoe is sectioned and diagnosed with schizophrenia. She also discovers she is pregnant, with no idea how it happened, and she considers having an abortion. After seeing the baby during a scan, Zoe changes her mind and decides to put the baby up for adoption instead. Zoe later chooses to keep her baby and she gives birth to a daughter named
Chris commits suicide and frames Charity for murder. Charity becomes aware that Zoe knows the truth and tries to seduce her. However, this does not change Zoe's mind and she testifies that Charity killed Chris. Charity is found guilty and sent to prison. She later gives birth to Zoe's nephew,
Effie reveals her feelings for Zoe and shortly before she is due to stand trial, Zoe plans to run away with her and the children. At the airport,
When James (now Alexander Lincoln) returned in 2019, he and Paddy talked about vets and his reason he wanted to be a vet was down to Zoe's days as a vet.
Reception
For her portrayal of Zoe, Bracknell received a nomination for Most Popular Actress at the 8th National Television Awards in 2002.[15] The character's last episode was an hour-long special that aired on 22 September 2005[16] and was watched by 8.58 million viewers.[17] In 2006, Zoe's departure from the show was named Best Exit by The British Soap Awards.[18]
Emmerdale received praise for the way it handled Zoe's sexuality. The
The Sunday Mail's Steve Hendry described Zoe as the "wealthy, lesbian vet [...] who brought more misery to the Dales than an outbreak of foot and mouth."[21]
References
- ^ "How do soap operas reflect a changing Britain?". BBC. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- AfterEllen.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Deen, Sarah (6 October 2016). "Emmerdale's Zoe Tate Leah Bracknell reveals she has terminal lung cancer". Metro. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ Fletcher, Rebecca (12 October 2002). "I never take my work home". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ a b Granditer, Wendy (1–14 February 2003). "'I'd hate Zoe to find too much happiness – I'm hoping something supremely weird happens to her next!'". Inside Soap. No. 244. pp. 42–44.
- ^ a b c d Parkin 2002, p.134.
- ^ a b c d "Emmerdale star to take yoga break". BBC News. 26 March 2005. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- The People. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ "Emmerdale actress Leah Bracknell dies aged 55". BBC News. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ a b Hayward 1997, p.80.
- ^ a b Lewis, Katy (21 November 2005). "From Brother to Lover!". BBC. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- ^ "Sleep with me Archie!". Inside Soap (7). Attic Futura (UK) Ltd: 22. March 1993.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Arnold, Richard (July 1993). "Archie's going to be gutted!". Inside Soap (11). Attic Futura (UK) Ltd: 43.
- ^ a b "Zoe Goes From Mad to Worse". Daily Mirror. 15 October 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- ^ "National TV awards: 2002 shortlist". BBC News. 15 October 2002. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ "Emmerdale tops ITV 50th ratings". BBC News. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. (No permanent link available. Search for relevant dates.)
- ^ Wilkes, Neil; Green, Kris (21 May 2006). "In Full: British Soap Awards winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
- ISBN 9780826487858.
- Logo. Archived from the originalon 18 August 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
- ^ Hendry, Steve (20 August 2006). "Trevor's on my train of terror". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
Book references
- ISBN 978-0-233-05068-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7528-1043-0.