Lorraine Stanley leads cast of new EastEnders family, The Taylors
The beeb have revealed tonight that the residents of Walford are set to get a rude awakening when the Taylors move into Albert Square.
“I’m hugely excited at the arrival of Karen and her family in Albert Square. They’re noisy, brash and not-to-be-messed-with. Karen is a twenty-a-day lioness, bringing up her kids with no support, no money and a very loud mouth. But though they may lack cash, the Taylors have love and warmth in spades. This summer is going to be explosive as the Taylors settle in Walford. The Square will never be quite the same again…” – EastEnders Executive Producer Sean O’Connor
Single mum Karen (Lorraine Stanley) will be joined by son Keanu (Danny Walters) and daughter Bernadette (Clair Norris) when she arrives in Walford this summer. Younger brothers Riley and Chatham (real life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs) and family pets – Bronson the dog, and Rooney the bearded dragon complete the family.
“I’m chuffed to be cast in such an iconic show that I’ve grown up watching. Working with my new family is really quite special, and I’m proud to play their mum.” – Lorraine Stanley
Karen won’t hear a bad word said against her brood, but her fierce exterior belies some good qualities as she is also kind-hearted and loyal. She has a lot on her plate with a houseful of children and finds it particularly challenging at times with sons Riley and Chatham who have learning difficulties.
Keanu sees himself as the man of the family and is protective over his siblings. He is a charming, happy-go-lucky lad whereas Bernadette on the other hand has little interest in anything other than sitting around the house and dreaming of being famous. The siblings have an older sister, off-screen character called Chantelle, who lives nearby with her boyfriend and two children.
Along with the family comes a secret, but who does the secret belong to and when will it come out? – BBC EastEnders
Danny Walters said of joining the long running BBC Elstree produced soap he felt ‘so privileged’ adding he already feels ‘part of the team’. Walters continued that the studios have a ‘huge buzz surrounding the new family’ and he’s ‘excited to see what the future holds’.
“Keanu is very grateful to live at No.23 Albert Square and will try his very best not to disturb the peace in the Square.” – Danny Walters
While Clair Norris added that she’s ‘so excited’ to be on a soapy journey with her character, adding that she never ‘in a million years’ thought that her first television role would be on EastEnders.
“It’s surreal but I’m ever so grateful to be given the opportunity and I can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction to us.” – Clair Norris
EastEnders has featured numerous family set-ups over the years including the original Watts, Beale and Fowler clans with later arrivals including the Mitchell, Jackson and Miller ménages. Pet’s have often proved a central part to any long running family; with poodle Roly being the long staying companion of the Watts, Irish wolfhound Genghis belonged to the Miller’s and the shows longest serving pooch, a belgian tervuren, named Wellard was the Jackson’s pet.
Lorraine’s credits include London to Brighton, Made In Dagenham, Call The Midwife, Top Dog and Legend. She has a pre-existing relationship with EastEnders having starred as a young Mo Harris in the 2004-aired spin-off Pat & Mo and played the mother of Linzi ‘Star’ Bragg in the main show last year. Danny has also appeared in Call The Midwife, and Our World War for the BBC and ITV’s comedy Benidorm. Clair Norris trained at Miskin Theatre.
“Soap operas have often introduced actors on short term appearances before offering a more detailed longer running character role. This was more prevalent in the 1960s and 70s when produced ‘as live’, however with soaps making more and more episodes, with less rehearsal time, the casting format seems to be making a come-back. It’s not a bad idea, it gives the actor a chance to prove they can work under the fast turn around pressure of four, five and six episodes a week serials.” – TV Critic Vivian Summers
