Tyzack joins EastEnders cast

[kuzkasate]

Veteran actress Margaret Tyzack is to join BBC One soap EastEnders in April, it has been announced.

The 79-year-old will play Lydia Simmonds, the maternal grandmother of Albert Square regular Janine Butcher.

Best known for her classical stage roles, Tyzack has won numerous awards for her stage work including two Oliviers and a Tony.

The actress said she was "delighted to be joining a great British tradition and a fine company of actors".

Viewers will see the snobbish Lydia reunited with Janine, whom she has not seen for years.

Eastenders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said it was "a coup" to have her on the show.

Tyzack, he continued, was "an actress of incredible class and talent" whose character had "endless possibilities".

On the small screen, Tyzack is perhaps best known for playing Sir Derek Jacobi's mother Antonia in Roman saga I, Claudius.

She won a Tony in 1991 for her role opposite Dame Maggie Smith in Lettice and Lovage and was seen at the National Theatre in 2009 alongside Dame Helen Mirren in Phedre.

Actress Charlie Brooks has played Janine Butcher in EastEnders since 1999.

The 29-year-old left the BBC One show in 2004 but returned to the ensemble four years later following the death of her on-screen father Frank.

Sounds very exciting! I wonder if Janine will change when she comes?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12462284

[Andy-]

I want to see how EastEnders will use this character in the Janine and Whitney storyline. Or will effect the Ryan and Stacey storyline.

[kuzkasate]

I want to see how EastEnders will use this character in the Janine and Whitney storyline. Or will effect the Ryan and Stacey storyline.

The Janine and Whitney storyline won't drag on, I think it will finish in a week or two, whereas Tyzack joins EE in April. Ryan and Stacey? Do you mean Ryan and Janine?
I dont think they will get back together, ever tbh.

[ifuseekamy]

I want to see how EastEnders will use this character in the Janine and Whitney storyline. Or will effect the Ryan and Stacey storyline.

I think that storyline is rounded up in a 10 minute episode on Comic Relief. This sounds good though, will give Janine something to do other than sitting in the Vic and gobbing off to get barred for the 32858th time.