The following is a list of minor characters due to first appear in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2010, by order of first appearance.
[edit] Glenda Mitchell
Glenda Mitchell will be played by Glynis Barber and will make her first appearance in January 2010.[1] On 17 October 2009 it was announced on the EastEnders website that veteran actress Jill Gascoine had been cast as Glenda,[2] the estranged mother of established characters Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy (Rita Simons) and ex-wife of Archie (Larry Lamb), and would appear in 2010.[2]
Of the casting, the show's executive producer Diederick Santer stated: "I'm so looking forward to welcoming the hugely talented Jill to EastEnders. I have a very clear memory of watching C.A.T.S. Eyes every Friday night, while — to the fury of my mother — munching my way through an entire packet of Jaffa Cakes. Jill's character, Maggie Forbes, was always my favourite — tough, glamorous, and exciting — perfect qualities for Glenda Mitchell." On joining the show Gascoine added: "I'm thrilled to be joining the cast [of] EastEnders and I am really excited to be back on British TV."[2]
However, it was announced on 23 October 2009 that Gascoine withdrew from her filming commitments during her first day on set, as she felt that she "lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama".[1] She said "I was so looking forward to playing Glenda but having spent the last 15 years working in America — largely acting in single drama and writing fiction — I felt, on arrival, I lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama. I have tremendous respect for EastEnders and the cast so I didn't want to let the show or my fellow cast members down."[1] The part was subsequently recast to Glynis Barber.[1]
The character is described as "polished, demure, dynamic and assured" — a complete contrast to the nervous and quiet woman the Mitchell family knew previously — and is said to cause a shock when she turns up in Walford unannounced.[2]
[edit] Backstory
Glenda is the estranged mother of Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), and ex-wife of Archie Mitchell. Her backstory was revealed through other characters in the show. Like her sister-in-law, Peggy (Barbara Windsor), Glenda was swept off her feet by the charming Archie and in 1972, they married and had two daughters. However, Glenda, who was once described by Peggy as brash and confident, was a different woman behind closed doors. During her marriage to Archie, she was transformed into a fragile, nervous wreck due to Archie's controlling and abusive ways, as well as his constant philandering. Her one confidant was her eldest daughter Ronnie, but after Ronnie's pregnancy was revealed in 1989, it proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back for Glenda as she helplessly watched as Archie controlled their daughter and as a result, she left him and emigrated to Australia.[3] Since her departure from her daughter's lives, Ronnie has mentioned that Glenda sends them birthday and Christmas cards. Whilst Ronnie keeps hers, Roxy throws them away. Roxy cannot forgive Glenda for abandoning them, but Ronnie is more understanding as she witnessed the change that occurred in their mother.
[edit] References
