View Full Version : Lydia Simmonds - Janine's gran
Janine Butcher is set to meet her match when her gran joins EastEnders - played by stage veteran Margaret Tyzack.
She is heading to Albert Square in April to play maternal grandmother Lydia Simmonds.
The pair have been estranged since Janine (played by Charlie Brooks) was a youngster.
Margaret, who has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, has won numerous plaudits for her stage work including a pair of Olivier Awards and a Tony.
The actress, who has starred alongside Dame Helen Mirren at the National Theatre and appeared opposite Dame Maggie Smith in Lettice and Lovage, has also made notable screen appearances.
They include two of Stanley Kubrick's films 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange, and she is known for TV roles in classic series such as The Forsyte Saga and I, Claudius.
Margaret, 79, said: "I am delighted to be joining a great British tradition and a fine company of actors."
Snobbish Lydia ceased contact with her daughter June - Janine's mother - when she ran off with "common as muck" Frank Butcher.
The two generations find they have something in common when they are reunited - a bad reputation which causes people to avoid them.
Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer of the soap, said: "What a coup to have Margaret Tyzack starring in EastEnders. She is an actress of incredible class and talent. Lydia has endless possibilities as a character, and I can't wait to see Janine meet her match."
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Manipulative schemer Janine Malloy has always been mean to people and unpopular with most of Albert Square.
Now it seems her nastiness might run in her genes.
Janine is set to find out she has a lot in common with her gran, when her maternal grandmother Lydia Simmonds arrives in Albert Square in April, played by stage veteran Margaret Tyzack.
They have been estranged since Janine, played by Charlie Brooks, was a young girl, when snobbish Lydia cut off her beloved daughter June, Janine's mother, for running off with Frank Butcher, who she considered to be "common as muck".
Like Janine, Lydia is known in her neighbourhood for being nasty and people do their best to avoid her. Growing old alone in her large, decaying house, Lydia has resigned herself to a life of solitude, only to find herself reunited with her granddaughter
Margaret, 79, said: "I am delighted to be joining a great British tradition and a fine company of actors."
When they are reunited, Janine is shocked to have Lydia back in her life but also intrigued as to where it may lead.
Meeting Janine stirs something in Lydia - is it the memory of her daughter June or does she have more sinister motives?
If she's anything like Janine, it can surely only mean trouble...
Former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has predicted that Margaret Tyzack will be "fantastic" in her new role on the soap.
Last week, it was announced that the veteran stage actress had been cast as Janine Malloy's estranged grandmother Lydia Simmonds, who will appear on screen for the first time later this year.
Show bosses have confirmed that Lydia has a reputation for nasty behaviour among her neighbours, meaning that she will have something in common with Janine when they are reunited.
Writing in her New magazine column, Cassidy commented: "Margaret Tyzack is joining EastEnders as Janine's evil gran. I've seen her in a play before, so I'm sure she'll be fantastic. Although if Janine gets any more evil, I think she'll grow horns!"
The 27-year-old, who played Sonia Fowler on the Walford drama, added that she is looking forward to having a catch-up with her former co-star Patsy Palmer in the weeks ahead. Palmer gave birth to her fourth child Bertie in December.
Cassidy said: "She sent me a lovely text saying she's doing really well… I hope we get round to meeting up soon."
DS
Dutchgirl
22-02-2011, 20:30
Cannot wait it sounds exciting.
EastEnders superbitch Janine Malloy will have a break from dark storylines once her grandmother joins Albert Square, it has been revealed.
Bosses at the BBC soap recently confirmed that Janine is to be reunited with her maternal grandmother Lydia Simmonds, a woman with a reputation for nasty behaviour among her neighbours.
In the build-up to Christmas, fans saw Janine at the centre of a dramatic love triangle alongside husband Ryan and his secret lover Stacey Branning. Since then, she has played a significant role in Whitney Dean's sexual exploitation storyline, sending the troubled teenager off the rails while they were flatmates.
Speaking to Inside Soap, EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood commented: "After the stories she's had lately, it's time for Janine to have some fun, I think.
"We've got Margaret Tyzack with us now, filming her first scenes as Janine's wicked granny Lydia Simmonds. I reckon it's a meeting of the minds - and a glimpse into the future for Janine!"
Meanwhile, Kirkwood also hinted at surprising developments in store for troubled mum Heather Trott, who has experienced a tough time in Walford lately.
He said: "Heather will find love with a mystery man whose identity will shock everyone. You might even know him already."
DS
Chloe O'brien
22-03-2011, 14:27
"Heather will find love with a mystery man whose identity will shock everyone. You might even know him already."
Heather and Beetroot Man :lol:
tammyy2j
22-03-2011, 17:00
Is she Ricky's nana also?
Yes, I believe that Ricky and Janine have the same parents
"Heather will find love with a mystery man whose identity will shock everyone. You might even know him already."
Heather and Beetroot Man :lol:
Could it be Patrick? :hmm:
moonstorm
23-03-2011, 11:17
Err is George Michael joining EE??? I can see him and Heather together :love:
Chloe O'brien
23-03-2011, 15:11
Could it be Patrick? :hmm:
Or it could be Ian. They will have to write Jane out of the show soon so that will leave Ian on his own. Who know's what kind of trouble he could get into
Janine will try and kill her for her cash :p
EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has praised the decision to introduce her character's twisted grandmother to Albert Square.
Earlier this year, it was announced that stage actress Margaret Tyzack had been cast as Janine Malloy's gran Lydia Simmonds, a woman with a reputation for nasty behaviour among her neighbours.
In an interview with Inside Soap, Brooks revealed that she was excited when she heard the family reunion was in store - especially as Janine is currently feeling isolated on the Square following her split from husband Ryan and her troubles with Whitney.
Brooks told the magazine: "Janine's really lonely. I was pleased when I got told about this storyline, actually, as we get to see a totally different side to Janine.
"There are quite a few emotions in play, so it's great for me as an actress. I was so excited about getting stuck into it and exploring what Lydia's arrival could mean for her."
Viewers will see Lydia on screen for the first time on April 7, as Janine visits her in hospital after hearing that she is unwell. Despite a long period of estrangement, the Walford superbitch invites her gran to move into her flat while she recuperates.
However, discussing Janine's true motivation, Brooks said: "Lydia has money! Janine remembers visiting her gran's house, so she knows she's got a few quid. But their reunion is quite frosty to begin with and Lydia acts like she doesn't want anything to do with Janine.
"But of course, there's no way Janine will give up that easily - not when she stands to pocket that tidy sum."
EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently promised to explore Janine's "fun" side following Lydia's arrival on screen
JustJodi
29-03-2011, 23:33
ok let me guess Janine's gran has no idea what kind of "woman" her grand daughter has become ????
If she has not when she meets up with Janine, she will soon find out though :D
JustJodi
30-03-2011, 11:24
If she has not when she meets up with Janine, she will soon find out though :D
Or some one will enlighten the grandma for sure,, there are plenty of people out there who hate Janine's guts,,,
Janine, played by Charlie Brooks, may be trying to manipulate her latest victim - her grandmother, played by Margaret Tyzack, but the battleaxe can teach her granddaughter a thing or two.
Janine looks set to try to weasel money out of her long-lost grandmother Lydia Simmonds, who has just made contact after 21 years, but as the two trade on-screen insults and lies the atmosphere off-screen is far more friendly.
"Margaret is absolutely wonderful," Charlie told Inside Soap.
"She's got so many stories to tell and it's lovely to be working with her. We have lots of fun filming Janine and Lydia scenes - mostly because we find each other quite funny. It's great."
Charlie has played money-grabbing Janine since joining EastEnders in 1999. Her character has tried to outwit many Albert Square inhabitants including Ian, Archie and Whitney but Charlie believes that Lydia could bring big changes for Janine.
"I was pleased when I got told about this storyline as we get to see a totally different side to Janine. There are quite a few emotions in play so it's great for me as an actress. I was so excited about getting stuck into it and exploring what Lydia's arrival could mean for her."
One things for sure, since Lydia has a fortune and is in poor health, Janine isn't likely to turn over a new leaf anytime soon.
EastEnders star Margaret Tyzack has withdrawn from filming for personal reasons, forcing show bosses to recast the character of Lydia Simmonds, Digital Spy can confirm.
Earlier this year, it was announced that stage star Tyzack had been cast in the role of Lydia, who is Janine Malloy's estranged grandmother. Viewers saw her on screen for the first time last week as Janine (Charlie Brooks) visited her gran in hospital after hearing that she was unwell.
However, following Tyzack's unexpected departure from the soap, programme chiefs have recruited actress Heather Chasen
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to take over the part. Chasen has appeared in a number of TV roles since the 1960s, including appearances in Z Cars, Young Sherlock, The Bill, Casualty and Doctors.
EastEnders producers took the unusual step of recasting the role with immediate effect as the ongoing storyline between Lydia and Janine will be an important one for Albert Square in the months ahead.
Speaking of the decision, a show spokesperson told DS: "Unfortunately, due to a personal matter, Margaret Tyzack has had to finish filming earlier than planned.
"In order to continue the current storyline we've taken the decision for Heather Chasen to take over the role of Lydia."
Chasen will begin filming at EastEnders on Friday. The changeover will then take place on screen immediately, meaning that fans will see the actress's first scenes as Lydia next week.
EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has praised the final twists ahead in the soap's Janine and Lydia storyline, revealing that she is thrilled to be exploring her character's softer side.
Next Monday's episode of the soap sees Lydia pass away in the early hours of the morning, leaving Janine grief-stricken.
The loss of Lydia is made all the more difficult for Janine because it comes just after they strengthen their bond in an emotional heart-to-heart.
"Janine had no idea how much she'd fall in love with her grandma. She recognises a lot of herself in Lydia and finally understands where she gets a lot of her traits," Brooks told Inside Soap.
"It's nice to see the more vulnerable side of Janine and explore why she's turned out the way that she has."
Shortly before she dies, Lydia surprises Janine by revealing that she wanted to move her in after her mother June died, but Frank and Pat were against the idea.
"Having got to know her gran, Janine regrets not getting in touch with Lydia sooner," Brooks added. "She didn't realise Lydia cared - she thought she was just another family member who'd neglected her. Janine feels tremendously sad."
Viewers will later see Janine face police questioning over Lydia's death after her estranged husband Ryan Malloy starts to suspect that she could be responsible and reports her.
EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks has spoken out about her character Janine Malloy being wrongly accused of murder next week, admitting that the superbitch is "hurt" and "furious" over the situation.
Monday's episode of the BBC soap sees Janine face heartbreak as her grandmother Lydia Simmonds passes away suddenly. However, she is left incredulous later in the week as the police take her in for questioning over the matter.
Although Janine is genuinely devastated over the loss of Lydia, the residents of Walford are far from sympathetic as they believe she killed her gran in an attempt to secure her fortune.
Speaking about the latest Albert Square twist, Brooks told All About Soap: "[Pat] actually accuses Janine of killing Lydia. Janine's hurt but also nonchalant about it - it's just the sort of thing she expects from Pat. Janine denies it of course, but it's frustrating for her as this is one of the first times in her life that she is genuinely telling the truth."
Revealing how Janine reacts to being hauled away by the police for questioning, the actress continued: "She's stunned. Lydia died of natural causes, so Janine can't understand the police interest. She's convinced it was Pat who called the cops and so confronts her in The Vic.
"She accuses Pat and quickly learns it was Ryan who called the police. She's hurt and feels really betrayed, but she definitely isn't shocked because he's betrayed her before. She's furious and her protestations of innocence fall on deaf ears."
Lydia, played by former Crossroads star Heather Chasen, has appeared on screen since April.
Actress Margaret Tyzack has died after a short illness, her agent said.
The 79-year-old, who made her name in the Forsyte Saga, recently appeared in EastEnders playing Lydia Simmonds, but had to withdraw after a short stint.
A statement released by her agent said: "Margaret Tyzack CBE, the much-loved and respected actress, died peacefully at home on Saturday June 25 with her family by her side.
"Maggie will be greatly missed by her family and friends and will be remembered for her outstanding contribution to the world of theatre, film and television and for the support and inspiration she gave to young actors.
"Maggie faced her illness with the strength, courage, dignity and even humour with which she lived her life."
It is believed she had been suffering with cancer.
She was awarded the CBE last year.
Her career took off more than 40 years ago when she landed the role of Winifred, Soames's sister, in The Forsyte Saga in 1967.
The TV serial was so popular vicars complained it was affecting attendance at Sunday evening services.
The Essex-born actress learnt her craft at weekly rep, which she described as "my education".
RIP Margaret :(
I'm really sad to hear that :(
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