View Full Version : Elaine - Linda's Mother
EastEnders bosses have cast Maria Friedman in the guest role of Elaine Peacock.
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Elaine will arrive in Walford in order to support her daughter Linda (Kellie Bright) after Mick (Danny Dyer) phones on her for help.
Billed as a "larger than life, glamorous landlady who loves to be the centre of attention", Elaine's relationship with Linda is also fraught due to the two women being so similar.
Linda will face the toughest time of her life after being raped by Dean Wicks, but as she keeps her husband Mick in the dark over her ordeal, he will grow increasingly concerned about her unusual behaviour.
Viewers have already heard Mick and Linda reference Elaine, who has a particularly strong relationship with her son-in-law. However, it remains to be seen if Elaine will be able to support Linda in her time of need.
Speaking about the role, Friedman said: "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders to play Elaine Peacock. Working alongside Kellie Bright and the rest of the Carter clan has been an absolute joy. It has also been a lovely experience to take my West End shoes East for a short trip!"
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Mick tells a shocked Linda about what happened with the police and Ian
© BBC
Elaine has a good relationship with Mick and Linda.
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "Ever since Elaine became the voice on the end of the Queen Vic phone, we have been waiting to see just what kind of woman made Linda Carter. Elaine is tough, warm and capable - but also proud and more than a little vain, bringing with her a whole new dynamic when she arrives in Walford to sort out her daughter.
"Maria Friedman is a West End legend and we are all very excited to have someone of her pedigree playing Elaine Peacock."
Friedman's previous credits include stage productions of Chicago, Passion, The Woman in White and Ragtime.
Elaine will first appear on screen over the autumn.
New EastEnders pictures have been released showing Linda Carter's mother Elaine arriving on Albert Square.
Elaine turns up in Walford later this month after Linda's partner Mick (Danny Dyer) makes a desperate phone call to her, urging her to pay a visit.
Mick makes the call as he has become concerned over some strange and distant behaviour from Linda (Kellie Bright).
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Mick grows increasingly concerned about Linda
© BBC
Mick grows increasingly concerned about Linda
Completely unaware that Linda has been raped by Dean Wicks, a worried Mick hopes that Elaine can help her daughter to get back to her old self again.
Once Elaine makes her arrival, she can also see that something is wrong and tries to convince Linda to open up. However, she is soon left frustrated when Linda stubbornly refuses to give anything away. Will Linda eventually tell the truth about what happened?
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Elaine arrives at The Vic
© BBC
Elaine arrives at The Vic
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Elaine tries to comfort Linda
© BBC
Elaine tries to comfort Linda
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Will Linda tell Elaine about Dean's attack?
© BBC
Will Linda tell Elaine about Dean's attack?
Last month, EastEnders bosses announced that Maria Friedman had been cast in the role of Elaine for a short guest stint.
Speaking last month, Friedman said: "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders to play Elaine Peacock. Working alongside Kellie Bright and the rest of the Carter clan has been an absolute joy."
EastEnders airs these scenes in the week commencing Monday, October 13 on BBC One.
EastEnders bosses have officially confirmed that Maria Friedman's character Elaine Peacock will be returning to the show.
Elaine, who is the mother of Queen Vic landlady Linda Carter, appeared on screen for three episodes this week as she paid a visit to Walford out of concern for her daughter.
The larger-than-life character left Albert Square to return home at the end of Friday night's episode (October 17), but the show's official press account on Twitter has now revealed that fans haven't seen the last of her.
Don't panic guys - the wonderful Elaine aka @MariaFriedman1 will be back on our screens very soon! #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/GwZjOEkPjB
— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) October 17, 2014
Elaine's visit to Walford came after Linda's partner Mick made contact with her out of desperation, knowing that Linda was behaving strangely.
Linda has been left traumatised after being raped by Dean Wicks, but as she is keeping quiet about what happened, Elaine left Walford without learning the truth.
Despite this, Elaine did notice that something was amiss between Linda and Dean and sternly warned the local hairdresser to stay away from her daughter.
In a recent interview with What's On Stage, Friedman confirmed that Elaine is likely to pop in and out of the Square over the next few months.
Asked whether EastEnders is a long-term commitment, the West End star replied: "Yes, it is. I have a lot of commitments until the middle of next year so I have to come in and out for a while, but they're being amazingly accommodating. I'm getting to do all the bits I love in theatre as well as TV so I'm very lucky."
EastEnders continues on Monday (October 20) at 8pm on BBC One.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of Elaine.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of Elaine.
me too
Her relationship with toyboy Jason will end in tears, but EastEnders star Maria Friedman has hinted that her character Elaine Peacock might not remain single for long.
Elaine will be left heartbroken next week when she learns that devious Aunt Babe has muscled in on her boyfriend Jason after Mick and Linda find the pair in a compromising position.
Jason (Scott Neal) will quickly be shown the door, but bosses are already lining up a new romance for Elaine, and the actress has suggested that it could be someone "completely inappropriate".
Friedman told Inside Soap: "Elaine is too wounded just now but that is not to say that the storyliners don't have a plan for her and somebody else on the Square.
"I can imagine Elaine with somebody completely inappropriate. She's not a marriage wrecker so it won't be somebody married - but stay tuned on that one."
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Elaine is delighted with her new romance
© BBC
Elaine is delighted with her new romance
Despite their on-screen feud, Friedman revealed that she loves working with Annette Badland and has also been filming scenes with June Brown.
She said: "I love all the stuff with Annette, who plays Babe - we both like a good scrap. And I am working with some new people too.
"I can't give too much away, but I have been doing some stuff with June Brown, which has been really good, and my path has finally crossed with Bonnie Langford too. You'll just have to wait and see as to what Elaine thinks of Carmel, though!"
Elaine will arrive back on screens on Friday, October 2 on BBC One.
digitalspy
tammyy2j
30-09-2015, 11:16
A new romance with a friend of Lee, Fatboy is single :p
Linda is secretly teaming up with her mother, Elaine (recast) who brings her new lover, George Knight, and his two daughters, Gina and Anna
flappinfanny
28-03-2023, 23:25
Sounds pretty dreadful but it may breath life into the Vic, not sure about the Elaine recast, Harriet Thorpe is a little ott for me and I did like Maria Friedman in the role, however Colin Salmon is a good signing, time will tell.
Sounds pretty dreadful but it may breath life into the Vic, not sure about the Elaine recast, Harriet Thorpe is a little ott for me and I did like Maria Friedman in the role, however Colin Salmon is a good signing, time will tell.
she is from brittas empire, so thinking ditzy
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a43781388/eastenders-spoilers-harriet-thorpe-elaine-new-family/
It's the beginning of a new era in EastEnders next week, as Linda's mum Elaine returns to Walford as part of some big changes at The Queen Vic.
Elaine, who will now played be played by Harriet Thorpe, will unveil herself as the new co-owner of the iconic Walford pub and will be joined by the rest of her family over the coming weeks.
Here, Harriet reveals all on her new role and teases "big consequences" after Elaine's dramatic arrival.
Welcome to EastEnders! How has your time in Walford been so far?
"It?s a dream come true. My family originally came from the East End, two generations back, so it?s like coming home. Everyone has been so warm and wonderful, it?s been so fun and creative so far. With all the drama and the laughs of the show too, I really couldn?t ask for anything more."
lHow did you feel when you got the part?
"I felt so honoured. It?s a wonderful story of another strong woman who takes no nonsense, is fearless and forthright but who has a big heart. Again, it?s a very fulfilling role."
Did you do anything to celebrate?
"I was already in a theatre show at the time, working eight shows a week, so I couldn?t go out and celebrate. I also couldn?t tell anyone so I?m still waiting to celebrate!"
We know you?re set to join as the new co-owner of The Vic. How does it feel to be part of a lineage of iconic landladies?
"Again, I feel so honoured. Also, importantly, it?s an honour to portray a 65-year-old woman of today as not being coy, fearful or anxious. Elaine is more of a rock chick girl rather than a 1940s landlady."
Can you give us some insight into Elaine?s character?
"She?s funny, fearless, forthright and her phrase for her life is: 'life?s a mess, get on with it or get over it. Keep moving forward'."
What was it like filming your first scene in The Vic?
"It just felt very awe-inspiring, thrilling and exciting to begin to find the breath to put into this character as she enters through the doors and starts her journey on the Square."
What has it been like working with Kellie Bright?
"She?s absolutely amazing. She?s supportive, funny and we?re very communicative about this wonderful mother-daughter relationship. Our job, as characters playing a mother and daughter, is to irritate the hell out of each other and their relationship can be testing at the best of times."
Is Elaine?s arrival on The Square smooth sailing?
"Of course not! There?s always some drama!"
How do you think Sharon and The Panesars will react to Linda?s deceit?
"I think they?re both hugely shocked, with big consequences."
We know you will be part of a brand new family ? The Knights. Can you tell us how it feels to be part of a new family on EastEnders?
"It is something that we?re all enjoying so much because they?re a group of such interesting characters who have their own issues, thoughts and passions for life."
Is Elaine here to stir up trouble?
"I don?t think she stirs it up but whenever there is any, she sorts it out immediately."
Can you tease what viewers can expect from Elaine over the next few weeks?
"Some laughs, a bit of wit, a bit of wisdom and a strong woman."
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a45978411/eastenders-spoilers-elaine-peacock-yolande-rivalry/
EastEnders has confirmed a new rival for Elaine Peacock.
The co-owner of The Queen Vic will soon clash with legendary character Yolande Trueman over the handling of Walford's Christmas choir.
In scenes airing next week, Elaine takes control of planning a Christmas event sponsored by The Vic. Soon, her family are feeling stressed by Elaine's very high expectations for the party.
At the same time as planning for The Vic's festive celebration is going on, Yolande starts organising the Christmas choir ahead of their seasonal performance.
Yolande has trouble recruiting enough members for a full choir, so Elaine muscles in to take over the recruitment drive with promises of free booze.
This drives a wedge between the two women, as Yolande resents Elaine for taking control of running the choir without even consulting her.
Harriet Thorpe, who plays Elaine, has revealed that The Vic landlady's involvement in the choir initially comes about completely by chance.
"Sonia suggests it to Yolande at the Christmas lights switch on, and Elaine thinks it?s a wonderful idea and that she should be running it," she said.
"It makes complete sense, what with her life experience professionally and creatively. It's an outrage that Sonia suggests Yolande should run the choir because Elaine's huge talent for community spirit, as she sees it, is being overlooked."
The friction between Elaine and Yolande may be stressful for viewers, but Thorpe has said it was "divine" to film the scenes where the two clash.
"Elaine and Yolande slightly cross swords regarding who should be 'the leader' of the choir," Thorpe said. "These are two women trying to highlight their potential, and it's very funny. There is very theatrical attention-seeking on both parts! They are both fuelled by their egos, and in those moments, nobody else exists."
The actress credited EastEnders producers with showcasing female friendships on the show ? even if Yolande and Elaine don't necessarily get off on the right foot.
"It's absolutely vital. For example, Kathy and Elaine are great together, and I have the most fabulous time working with Gillian Taylforth," she said. "These two characters support each other but have no filter most of the time and can speak very honestly to one another. That's wonderful and core to friendship because you should always tell the truth to your friends.
"It's those moments that matter. Plus, Elaine and Kathy have a mature understanding of life experience."
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