Jean Slater

Jean Slater
EastEnders character
File:Jean slater.jpg
Portrayed by	Gillian Wright
Duration	2004, 2005, 2006–10, 2011—
First appearance	16 December 2004
Classification	Present; regular (departing)
Introduced by	Louise Berridge (2004) Kathleen Hutchison (2005) Kate Harwood (2006) Bryan Kirkwood (2011)
In-universe information Occupation Market stall assistant (flowers) Husband Brian Slater (1982–99) Sons Sean Slater Daughters Stacey Slater Granddaughters Lily Branning

Jean Slater is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gillian Wright. She appeared in December 2004 briefly and in December 2005. She returned as a recurring character in June 2006 and returned again as a regular character from November 2006. She is to depart from the series on 28 December 2010, but will return again in spring 2011 as Wright was offered a new contract.

Creation and development

Jean was originally a minor character, appearing for a storyline where her daughter Stacey, played by Lacey Turner, struggles to look after her in December 2005. In the storyline, Stacey returned to live with her mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder, amidst one of her mental breakdowns. Scenes showed Jean, who had "sank into the dark despair of her illness", living in squalor, off her medication, starved, petrified, suicidal, and being abused and ridiculed by her neighbours. Stacey is forced to admit her to a mental institution for her own safety. The episodes, described as a "harrowing and bleak", were praised by critics in the media. Wright and Turner were complimented for giving "graphically powerful performances", and the storyline won a Mental Health Media Award in September 2006.

The character eventually became a regular, but Wright said she did not believe this was originally intended: "She's a character that's grown after being created for a week of episodes back in 2005 for that big storyline where Stacey found Jean in the flat that was all boarded up. There was the odd little bit here and there over the following months and it just gradually built up to becoming a regular. It was quite hard to turn her from someone who was quite an intensive character to someone who could be watched on a regular basis."

In May 2009, Stacey started showing signs of bipolar disorder. Series consultant Simon Ashdown said the storyline tests Jean, adding, "you'll see her attempt to adopt more of a maternal role towards Stacey. Up till now it's Stacey who has been the 'carer' in the relationship."

On 29 April 2010, it was announced that Jean and Stacey were both to depart from the soap later in the year. Wright said of her departure: "It's been an honour to play Jean especially as the public response to her has always been so supportive. It's been a real privilege to be able to heighten awareness of bipolar disorder. I've thoroughly enjoyed working with my onscreen Slater family, in particular working with Lacey and developing such a great rapport over the years." Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood added: "Gillian has brought real heart and pathos to the role of Jean Slater, a complex and fragile character who has really been taken into the public's affection." Wright was given a reprieve in late 2010, when it was announced that a storyline had been created for Jean and Wright had signed a new contract to return in 2011. Jean will make her final appearance in 2010 on 28 December.

Storylines

Backstory

Jean Slater is the mother of Sean (Robert Kazinsky) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). She suffers from bipolar disorder. Despite her condition she had a happy life with her husband, Brian, and their children. Tragically, Brian died in December 1999 because of an accident on a building site, though it was later revealed that Sean had punched him in the head the day before, causing him to collapse and fall from the scaffolding. Sean ran away after the accident and joined the army, and Jean later believed he died in combat. In November 2004, with Jean's bi-polar disorder worsening, she orders Stacey out of the house. Stacey subsequently goes to live with her great uncle Charlie (Derek Martin) and his family in Walford.

2004–06

Jean is first seen in December 2004, when Charlie takes an unruly Stacey back to her mother. Jean rejects Stacey, who goes to live permanently with Charlie and his family in Walford. Stacey finds out in December 2005 that Jean's condition has worsened, and moves back in with her to help her out. When Jean attempts suicide and is sectioned, Stacey gives up trying to look after her and returns to Walford. In June 2006 Jean is re-housed to a new flat, and Stacey helps her unpack. She meets Stacey's boyfriend Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) and takes a liking to him. In November 2006, Stacey attempts to reacquaint Jean with Sean after his fiancée Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) reveals that he is alive.

2007—

In August 2007, Jean visits Sean in prison after he is arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker). She infuriates Sean when she says that Stacey is like her father, and he is like her. Sean tells her he never wants to see her again. Jean and Stacey begin planning Stacey's wedding. Jean attends the wedding, and performs a poetry reading at the ceremony. Sean, who has been released from prison, is furious to see Jean staying at the Slaters' house and forces her to leave. Trying to make amends, Sean stays with Jean for a while, and does odd jobs for her. Jean hopes for a reconciliation between them, as they have never been close, but Sean shows increasing hostility towards his mother, despite having tried to make things up.

Jean turns up unannounced asking if she can live with Stacey and Bradley at Dot's (June Brown) house, as her neighbours are redecorating and making a lot of noise. This proves too much for Dot and she sends them to live at the Slater house, where Jean has remained ever since. During an argument one day, Sean drives Jean to the building site where his father died and whilst there, they have a heart-to-heart and Sean says that Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) is pregnant with his baby. She convinces him not to force Roxy to have an abortion. Jean meets a man named Ted (Richard Hope) at a singles night and organises a date at Fargo's restaurant but Ted mixes up the dates and she is left on her own. The next day he apologises with flowers and they meet for a drink later. He ends the relationship because he cannot handle her personality. She grows depressed and her mood worsens when she overhears Sean and Roxy arguing about inviting her to their secret wedding. Eventually Jean and Sean sort things out and she attends the wedding. However, Jean's condition worsens again, and she has a public breakdown. She decides it is unfair to rely on Stacey all the time and books herself into the mental unit, returning after a few months.

After a lengthy search, Jean gets a job in the market on Ina Foot's (Ina Clare) flower stall. Stacey begins showing signs of illness however, and Jean tries to convince her she also may also have bipolar disorder. Stacey is diagnosed and is given medication. When Stacey's behaviour grows out of control, after Bradley and his new girlfriend Syd Chambers (Nina Toussaint-White) plan to leave Walford, Jean consults Doctor Al Jenkins (Adam Croasdell), who sections Stacey, leaving Jean distraught. Jean visits Stacey in hospital but she is unresponsive. Her friend Becca Swanson (Simone James) interrupts and Stacey is more interested in her than her mother. Stacey eventually returns home, but also moves Becca in, much to Jean's annoyance. Jean is thrilled when Stacey and Bradley get back together, but when Stacey announces she is pregnant, Jean quickly works out that the baby is not Bradley's. Jean attends Stacey's second wedding to Bradley along with his father Max. That day, the police attempt to arrest Bradley for the murder of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), so Bradley and Stacey try to flee Walford. However, Bradley ends up chased onto rooftops where he falls to his death. After this, Jean and Becca vie to support Stacey with her grief and upcoming birth. Jean and Becca continue to compete for Stacey's affections when she gives birth to her daughter Lily, in June 2010. Becca starts to manipulate Stacey to keep Jean, telling lies about Jean in order to cause a rift between mother and daughter. Becca reveals to Jean that she called the police about Bradley, but warns Jean that if she tells Stacey, she will end up in hospital again. Jean tells Stacey that Becca is not a good friend but Stacey accuses Jean of interfering, so Jean tells Stacey about Becca calling the police. Stacey realises it is true, and during an argument, Becca throws the urn containing Bradley's ashes at Stacey, smashing it. Jean orders Becca out and comforts her daughter.

On a night out at R&R nightclub, Jean is saved by Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) from a man who pesters her. Jean invites Billy back to her house where they kiss and he spends the night. This puts Jean in a very good mood the next day but she is upset when she overhears him insulting her. Billy later apologises but Jean says decent men do not talk they way he did. However, she says she is not upset because it was just a one off. Jean is offered a job as a caterer at The Queen Victoria public house by Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) which she accepts. Jean caters for the opening night using food provided by Mo Harris (Laila Morse), which causes customers to get food poisoning, so Jean is replaced by Jane Beale (Laurie Brett).

External links

• BBC Headroom:
• Jean Slater at BBC Online