British acting royalty joins Walford’s new Carter family
EastEnders Executive Producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins is doing a stellar job of reinvigorating the BBC One soap, including casting Danny Dyer, Kellie Bright and the return of Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater – he has now added renowned TV, film and theatre stars, Timothy West CBE (Bedtime, Bleak House, Poirot) and Annette Badland (Doctor Who, Wizards vs Aliens, Outlander) to the new Carter family.
Stan Carter (West) is Mick (Danny Dyer), Shirley and Tina’s Dad. A retired Billingsgate fishmonger, this once-powerful man is fighting a battle against old age, frustrated with his failing body and desperate to keep his mind sharp. A patriarch-without-family, Stan is fundamentally lonely – and has been since his wife Sylvie left him over thirty years ago. When his children return to his life, Stan will see the chance to be part of a family again. But opinionated, curmudgeonly Stan is no fluffy old man in a cardigan and it won’t be long before Stan starts manipulating the whole Carter clan from the comfort of his armchair.
Aunt Babe Smith (Badland) is the Carters’ maternal aunt and a bustling busybody. The aunt you want to cuddle, she’s no-nonsense and big-hearted – but beneath her bubbly front she is tough, shrewd and canny. She loves her nieces and nephews and has always felt guilty that her sister abandoned them when they were young. She’s thrilled to be back in their lives and isn’t going to let Stan ruin things for them again…
Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said “We are reinvigorating EastEnders’ older generation with the arrival of Stan and Aunt Babe, who will start to fill in some holes in the dark Carter family history. Tim and Annette are national institutions and such gifted, nuanced actors, bringing a real touch of Dickensian magic to the screen. It’s an honour to have them join our company”.
Speaking of joining EastEnders Timothy said “I am excited to be joining Eastenders for the first time. Stan is a wonderful character and I look forward to seeing what is going to happen to him.”
Annette added “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders as I’ve always admired the show and everyone involved in it seems so warm-hearted. Aunt Babe is a fabulous and complex woman and I can’t wait to get stuck into the role.”
Timothy and Annette will appear on-screen in EastEnders from the end of January 2014 on BBC One.
