Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell)

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]Pictured: Ann Mitchell as Cora Cross, Jo Joyner as Tanya Branning and Tanya Franks as Rainie Cross

EastEnders bosses have today confirmed the casting of award-winning actress Ann Mitchell as Tanya Branning's mother Cora Cross.

Cora will descend on Walford for Tanya's wedding next month, taking her daughter completely by surprise as she is unaware that her fiancé Greg Jessop has invited her to the ceremony.

Fans of the soap will soon see that Cora is nothing like her daughter as she has a brash, outspoken attitude and does not care who she offends. She also quickly puts Tanya under scrutiny, believing that success has turned her into a snob.

Tanya's troubled sister Rainie, last seen on screen for Phil Mitchell's crack addiction storyline, will also be returning to Albert Square for the wedding, turning up unexpectedly at Tanya's hen night.

Although Tanya is initially unhappy to see her wayward sibling, Cora vouches for her by promising that she has turned over a new leaf. Tanya soon softens towards her mum and sister, but whether the Cross women will be able to stay on good terms remains to be seen.

Ann Mitchell has appeared in numerous film, theatre and television roles in an extensive acting career. She also has a previous EastEnders credit to her name, as she once portrayed Roy Evans's mistress Jane Williams.

Speaking of her casting, Mitchell commented: "As a lifelong fan of EastEnders, I am thrilled to join the cast. I am a great fan of June Brown's and am looking forward to sharing some scenes with her."

EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood added: "I'm very excited to have the much-loved Ann Mitchell joining us. Cora Cross is a formidable woman, cut from the same cloth as many glorious Walford women of the past, and Ann Mitchell is just perfect for the role."

EastEnders boss Bryan Kirkwood has revealed that Tanya Jessop's mother Cora Cross will make a return to the soap later this year.

Cora, played by award-winning actress Ann Mitchell, appeared on the BBC drama for a guest stint in April as she arrived in Walford for Tanya's wedding.

During her brief stay on Albert Square, Cora quickly became known for her brashy attitude and outspoken ways.

"We all love Cora here - actress Ann Mitchell could be one of the Walford greats," Kirkwood told Inside Soap. "She'll be returning late in the summer and is here to stay."

Kirkwood also promised that there is more to come from Tanya's troubled sister Rainie (Tanya Franks), who has stuck around in the area since returning for the wedding.

He said: "I'm really keen to establish the Cross women - Rainie completes the mix as the slightly broken sister who's one step away from a vodka bottle."

Jo Joyner, who plays Tanya, has previously said that it is "a real treat" to film scenes which focus on her character's family.

:cheer:

I quite liked her

EastEnders returnee Tanya Franks has revealed that she is excited about exploring the family dynamic between the Cross ladies in forthcoming storylines.

The actress is currently back on screen as Tanya's troubled sister Rainie, while bosses at the BBC soap have also confirmed that Ann Mitchell is reprising her role as the pair's outspoken mother Cora on a permanent basis.

"Rainie needs Tanya in her life," Franks told Inside Soap of the sisterly bond. "They're almost acting like sisters now because Rainie's trying this time, and Tanya doesn't want to turn her back on her. Rainie's no angel by any stretch of the imagination, so we'll see if Tanya can find the strength to deal with her."

Discussing the return of Cora, she continued: "Ann Mitchell isn't that scary in real life! It'll be nice to see these three crazy women as a family unit. There's room for lots more skeletons to fall out of the closet."

Franks has made a number of guest appearances in EastEnders since her original debut on the programme in 2007.

"This is my fourth stint on the show, so it was lovely when I was asked to stay on for a bit longer," she added. "I'm here 'til the end of the year at least."

EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently explained that he is "really keen to establish the Cross women" on the Square in the months ahead.

Ann Mitchell has revealed she's been surprised by the young fanbase her EastEnders character Cora Cross has picked up.

The actress joined EastEnders as the larger-than-life pensioner last year, and told Inside Soap the positive feedback means a lot to her.

"It's surprised me as well that Cora has quite a young following. That's very interesting because people seem to believe there's this great division between young and old people," Ann admitted.

"But youngsters respond to her because she's a tough mother and grandmother. They like their strong women too!"

Cora is currently embroiled in a dramatic storyline in which Tanya discovers her mum once had a daughter, Ava.

And veteran actress Ann said there are 'many twists and turns to follow'.

"The whole situation has pierced her thick skin," she added.

EastEnders actress Ann Mitchell has said she was shocked to discover that her character Cora Cross has a young fanbase.

The 73-year-old, who has played the mother of Tanya Branning since April last year, praised her alter ego's gutsy spirit in an interview with Inside Soap.

"It's surprised me as well that Cora has quite a young following," she declared.

"That's very interesting because people seem to believe there's this great division between young and old people.

"But youngsters respond to her because she's a tough mother and grandmother. They like their strong women too!"

Mitchell played a significant role in Monday's live EastEnders special, with Cora helping to deliver Lola's baby.

Teasing Tanya's discovery that Cora had another daughter, Mitchell added that "many twists and turns" will follow Monday's revelation.

"The whole situation has pierced her thick skin," she added.

EastEnders actress Ann Mitchell has said she was shocked to discover that her character Cora Cross has a young fanbase.

The 73-year-old, who has played the mother of Tanya Branning since April last year, praised her alter ego's gutsy spirit in an interview with Inside Soap.

"It's surprised me as well that Cora has quite a young following," she declared.

"That's very interesting because people seem to believe there's this great division between young and old people.

"But youngsters respond to her because she's a tough mother and grandmother. They like their strong women too!"

Mitchell played a significant role in Monday's live EastEnders special, with Cora helping to deliver Lola's baby.

Teasing Tanya's discovery that Cora had another daughter, Mitchell added that "many twists and turns" will follow Monday's revelation.

"The whole situation has pierced her thick skin," she added.

Is Ann Mitchell leaving?

Is Cora still living homeless in the community centre, we haven't seen her again only once briefly

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Originally Posted by Rear window

http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/03/easten.../?ito=facebook

Maddest story ever?
EastEnders spoilers: Cora Cross to be revealed as Sharon Mitchell’s MUM!?

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There must be some reason she had an interaction with Gavin but her being Sharon's mum is a way out there but this is Eastenders so could happen

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Originally Posted by tammyy2j

There must be some reason she had an interaction with Gavin but her being Sharon's mum is a way out there but this is Eastenders so could happen

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That could really stir things up, just about push Sharon over the edge.

It'd interconnect bits of the square even more. What relation would Cora's granddaughter Abby then be to Ben?

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Originally Posted by Rear window

It'd interconnect bits of the square even more. What relation would Cora's granddaughter Abby then be to Ben?

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I don't think they would be, but I'm totally unsure. Perhaps someone will come up with the answer. If Cora is Sharon's mother a full family tree would fill up a page or two.

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Originally Posted by Rear window

It'd interconnect bits of the square even more. What relation would Cora's granddaughter Abby then be to Ben?

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Sharon is Ben's stepmother and step sister at the moment, so if she was also Abi's aunt then Ben would be Abi's step cousin

cora would have said of another child when she found dexter mother

EastEnders fans haven't seen the last of Cora Cross following her apparent exit from the show this week, Digital Spy can confirm.

Ann Mitchell's outspoken character moved away from Albert Square in Tuesday night's episode (December 15), when the local community rallied round to get her a place in sheltered housing.

With few family members remaining on the Square, Cora had found herself sleeping rough over the past few weeks.

In the end, it was Cora's former enemy Aunt Babe who stepped in to help - enlisting the local residents to pressure the council into housing her.

Fans feared that the conclusion to the sad story was the end of Cora's time on the show, but an EastEnders spokesperson has now told Digital Spy that she'll be back in Walford late next year.
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/15/35/...36-5134-13.jpg
Dot secretly follows Cora to see where she is rushing off to
© BBC
The news means that Cora will be taking some time away from our screens, but will she manage to get back on her feet before her return?

Mitchell joined the cast of EastEnders in early 2011, when Cora was introduced as the mum of Tanya Branning.

Her biggest storylines on the Square have included reuniting with her long-lost daughter Ava Hartman and embarking on a relationship with terminally-ill Stan Carter.

her flat is not near the square then, far away

Since Ann Mitchell is taking nearly a year off, it seems - as some of us feared - there'll be no further insight into, or follow up of, Cora's homelessness.

A sit-in by the community (after months of inexplicably ignoring her sleeping rough), a quick spot of blackmail and a hug from Abi makes it all better. :wall:

I just don't understand EE at the moment. Just considering the more serious, issue-led storylines: some are treated almost reverentially, while others are glossed over and shallow. Is this down to the people involved in developing individual stories I wonder? Perhaps the decent ones are DTC's pet storylines? :searchme:

The good news is that Ann Mitchell will be back as Cora.

Surprised we haven't heard anything about her return. She just popped into my train of thought tonight whilst watching EastEnders.

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Originally Posted by Timalay

Surprised we haven't heard anything about her return. She just popped into my train of thought tonight whilst watching EastEnders.

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There are apparently no plans to bring her back at the moment.

She was only brought back before so they could demonstrate their complete ignorance over how housing homeless people works! Perhaps if they wish to portray their ignorance again over some other matter they might bring her back.....

will she be homeless again once max destroys and tears down all the place

CORA Cross’ return to EastEnders has been revealed.

Fearsome Cora – who is played by actress Ann Mitchell – will return to the BBC One soap to help sacked Denise Fox find work, new filming pictures suggest.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/...43&quality=100
Cora will return to help Denise find work

With Denise out of work since the Minute Mart drama, she will soon be forced to sign on at the Job Centre, but presumably when she has no luck, Denise will visit an employment agency where she will come face to face with Cora.

Cora, the grandmother of Abi and Lauren Branning, hasn’t been seen in Walford since 2015.

Then the classic soap battleaxe disappeared after being placed in sheltered housing away from Walford after her ex Stan Carter’s death.

Fans had been wondering what had happened to her after she simply disappeared from screens and now it will all be revealed as the actress has been pictured filming.

Cora Cross is also the mother of characters Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), who have both since left the
show.


The Sun

Ann Mitchell has been spotted filming on location with Diane Parish – who plays Denise – but by the looks of things, it doesn't exactly look like the warmest of reunions.

We revealed last week that Ann had returned to filming as Abi and Lauren's grandmother Cora – who hasn't been seen since December 2015 when she was placed in sheltered housing away from Albert Square.

Cora ended up without a home following the death of her partner Stan Carter, but it looks like the tables have turned and she's now helping the homeless instead.

New pap pictures show Denise paying a visit to a homeless food bank, where she comes face-to-face with Cora – who appears to be working there.

Recent episodes have seen Denise's future at the Minute Mart come under fire after she did a controversial interview in a local newspaper, painting the shop in a bad light.

However, upcoming scenes will see Denise's actions have big repercussions as she is forced to visit the job centre when she finds herself broke and unemployed.

After an unsuccessful trip, down-on-her-luck Denise will head to a food bank – where she is surprised to find Cora working there.

Fans will have to tune in to see what happens when the pair meet, but the pictures show a concerned Cora reach out to Denise by trying to offer her money.

Cora will be able to sympathise with Denise's desperate situation – having been in a similar position herself – but could this prompt her return to Walford?


Digital Spy

will she be back again with granddaughters leaving?

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Originally Posted by lizann

will she be back again with granddaughters leaving?

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did the show read my mind :p

http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/28/easten...-news-7189648/

good

EastEnders is bringing back Cora Cross for custody showdown with Max Branning :cheer:
Run, Rainie, run!


http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...-max-branning/

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...turn-november/

Back in November :)

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Originally Posted by Perdita

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/east...turn-november/

Back in November :)

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Has Cora got baby Abi at the moment?