- List of EastEnders characters (1996)
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The following is a list of fictional characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1996, by order of first appearance.
Michael Rose
Michael Rose EastEnders character Portrayed by Russell Floyd Duration 1996–99 First appearance 15 February 1996 Last appearance 19 October 1999 Profile Occupation Market Inspector Family Wife Susan Rose Brothers Colin Rose Sons Matthew Rose Michael Rose, played by Russell Floyd, first appeared when he was chosen, randomly, to be the best man at Terry Raymond's wedding (which was later called off). He settled in Walford as a Market Inspector in 1996. He initially had very few storylines in his early years. He had a crush on April Branning but no relationship ever developed between him and April. Then there was the arrival of his teenage son Matthew and ex- wife Susan in 1997.
His ex-wife Susan was suffering from multiple sclerosis and Michael ended up caring for her. Eventually he and Susan got back together and seemed happy until the arrival of Lisa Shaw who was also a Market Inspector. He and Lisa became attracted to each other and had an affair behind Susan's back. Michael ended the affair and decided to leave Walford with Susan and start a new life in Leeds, with Susan unaware of the affair.
He returned occasionally in 1999 when his son Matthew was wrongly imprisoned for the murder of Saskia Duncan. The real culprit was Steve Owen and Michael became one of his enemies for framing his son. Michael's last appearance was in October 1999.
Sal Martin
Main article: Sal MartinBen Mitchell
Main article: Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)Joe Wicks
Main article: Joe WicksLorraine Wicks
Main article: Lorraine WicksAlistair Matthews
Alistair Matthews EastEnders character Portrayed by Neil Clark Duration 1996-97 First appearance 23 April 1996 Last appearance 31 March 1997 Profile Occupation Evangelist / Store manager Alistair Matthews, a store manager, caught Sarah Hills shoplifting in April 1996, but promised not to call the police if she attended his Christian fellowship and turned her back on her sinful ways. Sarah was captivated by Alistair's Christian preachings and joined his fellowship. Frankie Pierre was drawn to Alistair too, and when he turned her advances down, she spread rumours that they were sexually involved; although Alistair publicly denied this, causing Frankie's downfall in Walford.
Alistair condemned Sarah for having pre-marital sex with Robbie Jackson during a crisis of faith. However, Sarah was hurt to discover that Alistair did not practice the piety that he preached, and when she realised that he was having pre-marital sex with his girlfriend Sue Taylor, she denounced him publicly in front of his congregation.
Jim Branning
Main article: Jim BranningSuzy Branning
Main article: Suzy BranningDerek Branning
Derek Branning EastEnders character Portrayed by Terence Beesley (1996)
Jamie Foreman (2011—)Introduced by Corinne Hollingworth (1996)
Bryan Kirkwood (2011)Duration 1996, 2011— First appearance 29 April 1996 Classification Former; recurring (returning) Profile Date of birth 1964 Family Family Branning Father Jim Branning Mother Reenie Branning Brothers Max Branning
Jack BranningSisters April Branning
Carol Jackson
Suzy BranningNephews Robbie Jackson
Billie Jackson
Oscar BranningNieces Bianca Butcher
Sonia Fowler
Lauren Branning
Abi BranningDerek Branning, played by Terence Beesley (1996) Jamie Foreman (2011-), is the racist brother of April Branning, Carol Jackson, Suzy Branning, Max Branning and Jack Branning. Derek made his first appearance on 29 April 1996 and depart not long after. He has been mentioned many times but will return as a regular on 24 November 2011.
He was seen in 1996 when he attended April's wedding to her Greek fiancé Nikos. Derek and his father Jim goaded Carol's black boyfriend Alan, and tried to start fights with him. He still lived with his parents and did his best to split Alan and Carol up. He didn't succeed, and Carol and Alan married that same day after April was jilted at the altar. He and his father walked out of their wedding in protest and Derek continued to goad Carol and Alan after the ceremony. Carol retorted by humiliating him about still living at home at 32. Derek subsequently attacked Alan, but was stopped by David Wicks, Carol's former teenage sweetheart, who then beat him up as revenge for Derek beating him up when they were teenagers. A shamed Derek departed and has not appeared since.
In 1999 Jim, then living in Southend, mentioned to Carol (who was visiting at the time with her children, son-in-law, Ricky Butcher and new partner Dan Sullivan) that Derek was going through a messy divorce.
On 22 October 2007, Derek's younger brother Max Branning revealed, during a discussion about his son Bradley's upcoming wedding to Stacey Slater, that Derek was in prison and therefore unable to attend.
In January 2011, Derek is mentioned during an argument between Max and Carol after Max discovers Carol's relationship with Connor Stanley. Max recites Carol's past relationships including getting pregnant by David Wicks aged 14 and he says that Derek sorted David out by beating him up and saved Carol from a broken heart.
On 26 August 2011, it was announced Derek would be returning to EastEnders later in the year.[1] Jamie Foreman was cast in the role, taking over from Beesley.[1] Of his casting, Foreman said, "I am hugely excited to be joining such an iconic show. EastEnders is full of fantastic actors so it is a role I couldn't refuse. The Brannings are such a great family to be joining and I am extremely interested to see how Derek is going to fit in."[1] Derek comes to Walford and "seizes the opportunity to rule the roost among his family again", his ambition is to become "King of the Square".[1] Derek has been described as the "biggest, baddest Branning brother" and viewers will be left wondering if he is still dangerous and destructive.[1] He was called "villainous" by Inside Soap.[2] An EastEnders insider explained "Out of all the Brannings, Derek is the one that most people fear. Although he can be charming, he will be the one that can out-alpha almost any man in Albert Square—maybe even Phil. He is going to cause a lot of disruption to his family."[1] Derek's return will be broadcast on 24 November 2011.[3]
Reenie Branning
Reenie Branning EastEnders character Portrayed by Joy Graham Duration 1996 First appearance 29 April 1996 Last appearance 30 April 1996 Profile Date of death 8 October 1999 Occupation Retired Family Family Branning Husband Jim Branning (1960–99) Sons Derek Branning
Max Branning
Jack BranningDaughters April Branning
Suzy Branning
Carol JacksonGrandsons Bradley Branning
Oscar Branning
Robbie Jackson
Billie Jackson
Kevin
Richard Mitchell
James BranningGranddaughters Lauren Branning
Abi Branning
Penny Branning
Bianca Butcher
Sonia Fowler
Rebecca
Amy MitchellDoreen "Reenie" Branning played by Joy Graham, is the first wife of Jim Branning, and mother of April Branning, Carol Jackson, Derek Branning, Suzy Branning, Max Branning and Jack Branning
Reenie had dated Jim in the early 1960s and as a result she had fallen pregnant with his baby (April). Jim then stepped up and proposed, and they married in a shotgun wedding. However they never got on well together and fought like cat and dog, but Reenie depended heavily on her husband and whenever they got close to separating and ending their marriage, she got pregnant. This resulted in her giving birth, in chronological order, to April (1961)[4], Carol (1962), Derek (1964), Suzy (1966)[5], Max(1969)[6] and Jack (1972)[7].
Reenie was said to be very maternal and doted on all of her children, despite their faults. She was particularly close to her oldest daughter April, whilst her relationship with daughters Carol and Suzy was notably strained due to their choice of lifestyle. She was also said to be very distraught when her son Max walked out on the family in 1989, and despite keeping in regular contact with her grandson Bradley and Max's ex-wife Rachel, she never saw Max again. Reenie appeared on-screen in April 1996, in the lead-up to April's wedding to her fiancée Nikos.
Off-screen, in October 1999 it was revealed that Reenie was critically ill, and her daughter Carol left Walford to care for her. A few weeks later Reenie died, and it was mentioned by her grandson Robbie that her funeral was attended by Carol, Carol's ex-husband Alan and her grandchildren Robbie, Sonia and Billie. Her oldest granddaughter Bianca was notably not present at the funeral due to her feud with her mother. A month after her demise Reenie's husband Jim arrived in Walford to care for their grandchildren Robbie and Sonia after Carol reconciled with Alan.
Kevin
Kevin EastEnders character Portrayed by Jamie Dispirito Duration 1996 First appearance 29 April 1996 Last appearance 30 April 1996 Profile Date of birth 1990 Family Family Branning Mother Suzy Branning Sisters Rebecca Grandfathers Jim Branning Grandmothers Reenie Branning Uncles Derek Branning
Max Branning
Jack BranningAunts April Branning
Carol JacksonKevin appeared as the young son of Suzy Branning attending his aunt, April Branning's wedding. He acted as the pageboy.
He was then mentioned in December 2008 when Suzy told her fiancee Phil that she had a son and a daughter but never spoke to them.
Rebecca
Rebecca EastEnders character Portrayed by Alice Dawnay Duration 1996 First appearance 29 April 1996 Last appearance 30 April 1996 Profile Date of birth 1984 Family Family Branning Mother Suzy Branning Brothers Kevin Grandfathers Jim Branning Grandmothers Reenie Branning Uncles Derek Branning
Max Branning
Jack BranningAunts April Branning
Carol JacksonRebecca appeared as the teenage daughter of Suzy Branning attending her aunt, April Branning's wedding. She acted as a bridesmaid and her cousin Robbie Jackson was attracted to her.
She was then mentioned in December 2008 when Suzy told her fiancee Phil that she had a son and a daughter but never spoke to them.
Huw Edwards
Main article: Huw Edwards (EastEnders)Lenny Wallace
Main article: Lenny WallaceSimon Raymond
Main article: Simon RaymondFrankie Pierre
Main article: Frankie PierreMick McFarlane
Main article: Mick McFarlaneGeorge Palmer
Main article: George Palmer (EastEnders)Charlie Mason
Charlie Mason EastEnders character Portrayed by Campbell Morrison Duration 1996, 1998–99 First appearance 8 October 1996 Last appearance 5 October 1999 Profile Occupation Detective Detective Chief Inspector Charlie Mason was a detective who first appeared when Ian Beale was shot by hitman John Valecue, working for his wife, Cindy. He later appeared when Tiffany Mitchell fell down the stairs at The Queen Vic, and arrested Grant Mitchell for her attempted murder on Christmas Day 1998. He later appeared at the inquest into Tiffany's death in January 1999. He also investigated Saskia Duncan's disappearance in March 1999 and appeared at Steve Owen and Matthew Rose's trial for her murder in October 1999. This was his last appearance.
Terry Raymond
Main article: Terry RaymondJohn Valecue
John Valecue EastEnders character Portrayed by Steve Weston Duration 1996, 1998 First appearance 28 October 1996 Last appearance 10 April 1998 Profile Occupation Hitman John Valecue was a professional hitman, hired by Cindy Beale to kill her husband Ian. He shot Ian on 7 October 1996, but failed to kill him, leaving him wounded in hospital. Ian failed to identify his assailant, but Valecue was later arrested for another failed shooting. Annie Palmer and Ros Thorne visited him in prison in 1998 when they were trying to help Ian get custody of his stepson Steven and son Peter. Annie threatened to use her contacts inside the prison to get at Valecue, unless he implicated Cindy in the attempted murder of Ian. He did so and Cindy was arrested and charged for attempted murder.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Kilkelly, Daniel (26 August 2011). "'EastEnders' announces Derek Branning casting". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a337182/eastenders-announces-derek-branning-casting.html. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ "Who's In? Who's Out?". Inside Soap (United Kingdom: Hearst Magazines UK) (45): 32. 12-18 November 2011. "Villainous Derek will join his family to start a new life."
- ^ "Episode dated 24/11/2011". Director: Nic Phillips; Executive Producer: Bryan Kirkwood; Writer: Simon Ashdown. EastEnders. BBC. BBC One. 24 November 2011.
- ^ Lock, Kate (2000). EastEnders Who's Who. BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-55178-X.
- ^ "Max visits Tanya in prison", Digital Spy. URL last accessed 2008-11-20.
- ^ ""Tony loses his cool"". Written by Annie Wood. Series created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland. Directed by Jo Johnson. Executive producer: Diederick Santer.. EastEnders. BBC One. 2008-09-25.
- ^ ""Max stops the move"". Written by Carey Andrews. Series created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland. Directed by Michael Owen Morris. Script editor: Peter Mattessi, executive producer: Diederick Santer.. EastEnders. BBC One. 2008-10-24. 10:32 minutes in.
EastEnders Characters Crew members Julia Smith · Tony Holland · Simon May · Mike Gibbon · Michael Ferguson · Leonard Lewis · Barbara Emile · Corinne Hollingworth · Jane Harris · Matthew Robinson · John Yorke · Louise Berridge · Kathleen Hutchison · Kate Harwood · Diederick Santer · Bryan KirkwoodLocations Storylines The Banned · The Firm · "Sharongate" · "Who Shot Phil?" · "Get Johnny Week" · "The Secret Mitchell" · "Who Killed Archie?"Episodes Off-set episodes · Two-handers · Episodes in Ireland · "Pretty Baby...." · "EastEnders Live" · "Queen Vic Fire Week"Families Spin-offs Music Categories:- Lists of EastEnders characters
- Fictional characters introduced in 1996
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