‘EastEnders’ fans can look forward to the ever-growing Carter family gaining a new member in the near future - with the introduction of Linda’s mum on the scene.
Maria Friedman, best known for her musical theatre roles in London’s West End, has been cast as Elaine Peacock, Linda Carter’s mum who arrives in Walford to pick up the pieces when the soap is rocked by a dramatic rape storyline this autumn.
Maria Friedman, Walford's latest resident
According to Soap Squawk, Linda’s husband Mick - played by Danny Dyer - will phone up Elaine to talk to her daughter when he can see something has upset her, not realising she’s been sexually assaulted by her newphew, Deano Carter.
Maria has expressed her excitement about joining the BBC soap, saying: “I am thrilled to be joining the cast of ‘EastEnders’.
“Working alongside Kellie Bright and the rest of the Carter clan has been an absolute joy. It has also been a lovely experience to take my West End shoes East for a short trip!”
The Carter family
Her previous credits include playing Roxie Hart in ‘Chicago’, which bagged her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She’d previously won in that category two years earlier, for her role in ‘Passion’.
‘EastEnders’ executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins also said of Walford’s latest resident: “Elaine is tough, warm and capable - but also proud and more than a little vain, bringing with her a whole new dynamic when she arrives in Walford to sort out her daughter.
“Maria Friedman is a West End legend and we are all very excited to have someoen of her pedigree playing Elaine Peacock.”