Exclusive:
Soap star Louise Jameson is rejoining the cast of Emmerdale after she made her first appearance on the ITV soap in 1972
Ex-EastEnders star rejoins Emmerdale – despite being killed off first time round
EastEnders star Louise Jameson is rejoining Emmerdale, nearly 50 years after playing the soap’s first ever murder victim.
Louise will appear from March as Rhona Goskirk’s mother Mary.
But she was first seen in the ITV soap in 1972, as Sharon Crossthwaite, a cousin of Annie Sugden.
Teenager Sharon was raped and murdered by Jim Latimer, played by Myles Reitherman. Jim got a life sentence.
From 1998 to 2000, Louise played Italian matriarch Rosa di Marco in Albert Square.
Louise is rejoining Emmerdale after 50 years
The Essex-born star also made her mark as tribeswoman Leela in Doctor Who in the late 70s, opposite Tom Baker’s Doctor.
Other big roles included Blanche Simmons in 80s prisoner of war drama Tenko and a five-year stint alongside John Nettles in Bergerac from 1985.
Louise, 70, told the Mirror: “It feels like such a gift to be welcomed into the Emmerdale cast. I’m so bloomin’ thrilled by the opportunity.”
Her character appears just as trouble rears its head for daughter Rhona, a rape survivor.
Louise first appeared on Emmerdale in 1972
One show insider explained: “No-nonsense Mary has a strained relationship with her daughter, who has always felt she was never good enough for her mother.
“Though Mary will prove a hit with everyone she meets in the village, will she be able to repair her broken relationship with Rhona?”
Rhona, played by Zoe Henry, needs to find out the real reason behind her mother’s arrival because she knows it’s only a matter of time before she starts ruffling feathers in the village.
Louise, who now lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, revealed she began filming Emmerdale scenes on January 17 and added: “Playing Zoe’s on-screen mum is the icing on the cake.”
From 1998 to 2000, Louise played Italian matriarch Rosa di Marco in Albert Square
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Image:
BBC)
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said she was delighted to welcome Louise to the ITV drama, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
She added: “It’s great to have such a high-calibre and talented actor join our already strong team.
“Mary promises to be a force to be reckoned with in the village.”
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