Soapworld
Laurie Brett talks EastEnders return
Laurie Brett has reprised her role as Jane Beale in EastEnders.
The character made a surprise appearance at the end of tonight’s (15th July) episode, as Cindy (Michelle Collins) followed Ian (Adam Woodyatt) to an address in the Cotswolds, suspecting him of having an affair.
Ian was taken aback to find Cindy on the doorstep, but Cindy was even more surprised when she entered the cottage and saw Jane standing there.
The drama continues in tomorrow’s (16th July) episode as Cindy and Jane clash over the past. Plus, Jane is set to come face-to-face with her son Bobby (Clay Milner Russell) for the first time since he was imprisoned for Lucy’s murder in 2016.
Brett originally played the role of Jane between 2004-2012 before making a return to the soap in 2014 as part of the Who Killed Lucy Beale storyline. In February 2015, Lucy’s half-brother Bobby was revealed to be the culprit with Jane having covered up his actions – something that Cindy is likely to have a strong opinion on.
Bobby continued to lash out, leading to his arrest for the crime in May 2016. Max Branning (Jake Wood), who had previously been imprisoned for the murder, was released and sought revenge on the Beales, ultimately causing Jane to depart Walford in October 2017.
Below, actress Laurie Brett talks about her latest return to the BBC One soap.
It’s been seven years since Jane was last seen in EastEnders. What was it like to be back on the show for a short stint?
I was quite nervous on the first day, thinking, ‘Gosh, do I remember how to be Jane?’ But even though I was nervous, I’d had quite a lot of time to think about it, having had the scripts for a while, so it was just about getting back into the swing of it. When I walked on set and saw Adam (Woodyatt) and Michelle (Collins), and also our director Karl Neilson, who directed the live episode in 2015, plus loads of the crew that I knew, all my worries melted away. There were so many familiar faces who were so welcoming. So, about half an hour in, it was like I’d never been away.
How did you react when you were asked to return?
It’s been so long since we last saw Jane that I was keen to know what the story would be to bring her back. So, I had a meeting with Chris Clenshaw (Executive Producer), and he laid out the story for me and why they’d love me to be a part of it. By the end of that chat, I was in. I was excited to work with Adam again, as well as Michelle and Clay. It was also great to be reunited with Thomas Law, who I’ve known since he was a child – although these days, I have to look up to speak to Tom, and I’m tall myself! It was just lovely.
Jane comes face-to-face with Cindy for the first time ever this week. How does she feel at that moment?
It is a bit of a shock! They’ve never met before, but Jane knows an awful lot more about Cindy than Cindy knows about Jane because of all those years she spent with the Beale kids. So, Jane is sideswiped by Cindy, but she’s also a bit indignant, thinking, ‘What are you doing in my house?’ Seeing Cindy is almost like seeing a ghost for Jane. Jane’s head is spinning, which is only natural, given how bizarre this situation is.
Can we expect lots of drama between them?
There is a lot of drama, certainly, between these two women! But they are both mothers – funnily enough, of the same children – and most mothers would do anything for their kids. What Jane did in that terrible moment with Lucy is unfathomable, but before that, she spent 15 years being a great mum to Cindy’s kids. Cindy is angry with Jane, and she also feels guilty that she wasn’t there, so she’s lashing out for all sorts of different reasons. They have both made mistakes, and they both know that, so it’s quite complex.
What’s it like for Jane to come face-to-face with Bobby again?
The minute Jane sees Bobby, it’s almost like an out-of-body experience for her. The whole world stops, and all she can see is him. Her heart is exploding with love, and everything else fades to black. It’s a beautiful moment. I think there are a few scenes that are going to make people cry. No matter what Bobby has done to Jane in the past, a mother will always forgive. You only have to look at Dot and Nick back in the day to see that’s true.
Was it fun to work with Adam again?
It was! We did a play together only a couple of years ago, and we travelled and performed together, so we haven’t been apart as long as Ian and Jane. It was joyous because I find working with Adam really easy and we have a sixth sense of where we are going with our scenes.
Did you and Michelle enjoy working together?
We did, and we didn’t stop laughing. Michelle and I get on so well, and we are very similar women off-screen. Michelle is nothing like Cindy, and I’m nothing like Jane, but we are very similar creatures to each other in many different respects. On-screen, it was like the new Pat and Peggy with Cindy and Jane because the dynamic was very old school, but Michelle and I kept getting the giggles.
Can you tease what the audience should expect from Jane’s return?
It’s going to be intense, exciting and emotional!
EastEnders, first look on the BBC iPlayer and every Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30 pm
