As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for soaps, I must say it’s a delight to witness the return of Chrissie Watts, a character as captivating as the golden age stars she emulates. Having followed EastEnders since its inception, I can attest that the feeling of stepping back onto those familiar cobblestones after almost two decades was akin to slipping into an old, beloved pair of shoes.
Enthusiasts of the soap opera EastEnders can look forward to seeing the return of renowned antagonist, Chrissie Watts, portrayed by Tracy-Ann Oberman, starting from the upcoming episode.
In December 2005, she was last spotted in Walford. That’s when she was incarcerated for the murder of her husband, Den Watts, a character portrayed by Lesley Grantham on the show.
How does it feel to be back after almost 20 years?
Tracy-Ann Oberman: “It seemed quite unreal. I didn’t stay on EastEnders for too long as Chrissie, but due to the numerous episodes I filmed in a short period, it felt like I spent a significant chunk of my life there. It was delightful to see many familiar faces from the crew, making it feel almost like returning home after such a long time.”
Had much changed since you left, or was it still largely the same?
TAO: “It felt exactly the same and that’s part of its charm, isn’t it?”
Did you do any prep to get back into Chrissie’s shoes once again?
Chris [Clenshaw] asked, “Could you style your hair curly again?” [Laughs]. It’s been a while since I sported curls, not since my days on EastEnders. Going back to curly hair felt strange. They did send me some episodes to refresh my memory about when we last saw her, but I shared so many storylines with that character and she got into quite a few intriguing predicaments during that time.
Initially, it felt like donning an appealing vintage coat from the back of the closet, questioning if I’d ever wear it again. As soon as I slipped it on and ventured down there, I realized, ‘This character suits me perfectly.’ Chrissie evokes a sense of classic Hollywood elegance. I’m smitten. The plots she was involved in were intense, dramatic, and they brought to mind the captivating characters from films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was hard to tell whether those characters were villains or victims, but they were undeniably strong – a trait that EastEnders excels at portraying.
What was it like to reconnect with familiar faces again?
The actor shared an account of their experience: It was delightful returning to that place! I encountered familiar faces there who are friends from beyond EastEnders, like Harriet [Thorpe] and Colin [Salmon]. Seeing them was a treat. The production kept everything secret; I couldn’t reveal my involvement, scripts had pseudonyms, and locations were falsified. After the second night of shooting, I received a call from Harriet in the bath, asking if I would be visiting soon. I was puzzled by her question, to which she replied, ‘I’ve figured it out, isn’t it you?’ It was enjoyable. Every bit of my participation was kept confidential for safety reasons, as they didn’t want any leaks. However, Harriet managed to guess the secret.
What are some of your favourite storyline moments from Chrissie’s last stint in the Square?
“Among my favorites are: styling Jill Halfpenny’s hair in a salon followed by an amusing act of chucking a chair out the window [Laughs], the thrilling experience of being arrested at the airport, but what I cherished most was getting shoved into Den’s grave by Barbara Windsor.”
Another aspect I appreciate about Chrissie is her unpredictability – it’s hard to tell if she’s being truthful or saying what she thinks people want to hear. Her manipulative nature and intelligence are undeniable, which suggests she knows how to navigate life effectively. She can easily talk her way out of any situation, but that raises the question of her trustworthiness as a narrator of her own story. Regardless, she’s an entertaining individual.
If given a choice, who would you prefer to see Chrissie engage with among the current and former characters from EastEnders?
“Working alongside Barbara [Windsor] was always a pleasure for me. The chance to have collaborated with her was truly exceptional because I held her in high regard as an individual, but also due to my respect for her background. I spent countless hours quizzing her about Joan Littlewood and anecdotes from her life. She was captivating. Should the opportunity arise to work with Harriet, Colin, it would be a dream come true; however, my utmost aspiration, my greatest delight is the prospect of working with Letitia.”
Would you ever consider returning to EastEnders again?
AS A MOVIE CRITIC: “Being in this line of work is truly a blessing, as I get to immerse myself in a myriad of fascinating projects, from the stage to the screen and even radio. Upcoming for me is ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ a role that I initially thought I’d never revisit. However, the persuasive charm of Chris [Clenshaw] won me over. He’s an exceptional executive producer, and his passion for this project, commemorating its 40th anniversary, was contagious. The experience was so enjoyable that I find myself echoing the old saying: ‘Never say never.'”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
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2024-09-03 02:35