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Lola Pearce

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Lola Pearce
EastEnders character
Portrayed byDanielle Harold
Duration2011—
First appearance12 July 2011
ClassificationPresent; regular
Introduced byBryan Kirkwood
In-universe information
OccupationStudent
Chip shop worker (2011–)
Receptionist (2011)
FamilyMitchell
FatherDan Pearce[1]
GrandfathersBilly Mitchell
GrandmothersJulie Perkins
UnclesWilliam Mitchell
AuntsJanet Mitchell
Other relativesPhil Mitchell
Ben Mitchell

Lola Mitchell (née Pearce) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Danielle Harold. She is introduced as the granddaughter of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and Julie Perkins (Cathy Murphy), and an extension to the already established Mitchell family. Lola made her first appearance on 12 July 2011. Her storylines have mainly focussed on her relationship with her family, as well as being involved in a love triangle with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and teenage pregnancy. Although not referenced in storylines, Lola's surname was changed in the show's credits from Pearce to Mitchell.

Critics gave a positive response to Lola's introduction. Kate Woodward of Inside Soap said Lola's introduction had been a "revelation"[2] and Tony Stewart from the Daily Mirror stated "in little less than a month on the Square, the spirited Lola has already created havoc."[3] However, critics have been less positive towards Harold's acting skills, with Metro's Christopher Hooton saying "Lola kept her world record attempt for worst acting in a soap going strong"[4] and Rachel Tarley also from the Metro calling her acting skills "terrible".[5]

Storylines

When Billy and Julie decide to find their estranged son, Dan Pearce, they discover he has died but they have a granddaughter, Lola, who is in care. They visit Lola at the care home and think she is a girl being beaten in a fight, before Lola reveals herself as the one who started the fight. She tells Billy and Julie that Dan hated them, before Julie decides to leave. Billy hugs Lola before they go, and Lola uses this opportunity to steal his wallet. The next day she arrives in Walford and returns Billy's wallet. She flirts with several locals, including Jay Mitchell (Jamie Borthwick) and Fatboy (Ricky Norwood). Fatboy allows her to clean cars for him but she takes one, which she crashes into the front of Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) chip shop. Billy sees this and tells her to run, and Fatboy takes the blame, saying Lola was his passenger. Lola visits Billy again and meets members of Billy's family. Julie tells Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) that she does not want Lola living with them, which Heather accidentally reveals to Lola. Julie feels that Lola is not their problem, and Lola tells Julie that if Billy is forced to choose between them, Lola will win. Julie then calls the police to have Lola taken back to her care home, while Billy calls Lola "100% Mitchell". A week later Julie finds Lola in the R&R nightclub and takes her back home, after Julie apologises for reporting Lola to the police, and tries to allow Lola into her life. Lola overhears Anthony Moon (Matt Lapinskas) and his brother Tyler Moon (Tony Discipline) insulting Billy, and in revenge, burns all of their father Eddie's (David Essex) stock. She gets a job at the local café and confesses to Eddie's friend Liam Butcher (James Forde) that she started the fire. Lola starts stealing from the till at the café and short-changing the customers and Phil sacks her. She begs Phil for her job back and offers her mobile phone but he takes the phone and refuses to give Lola her job back. She takes revenge by smashing up his garage and destroying a car, not realising Jay is under the car, and he is badly injured. She gets Julie and when the ambulance arrives, Julie takes the blame. She is released without charge, while Lola runs back to the care home but is persuaded to come back and Julie leaves Walford.

Weeks later, Ian oversleeps and Lola tells him that she has been waiting outside the chip shop. Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) tells Ian to fire her, which he does. Lola says she will not tell anybody about Mandy staying as long as Ian gives her her job back, which he does. She takes a liking to Jay's friend, Duncan Willis (Steven France). She later vandalises Grace Olubunmi's (Ellen Thomas) flowers. She decides to take up self defence classes after Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) is mugged. Lola steals towels from the Booty beauty salon, and tries to sell them. She is caught by Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), who threatens to report her to the police. However, Lola convinces Roxy that she has shown ingenuity, and gains a job at the salon. Lola asks Ben Mitchell how he knows he is gay if he has never had sex with a woman. The pair then have sex and Ben confirms he is definitely gay. Lola discovers she is pregnant and tells Billy, who is angry. Lola refuses to name the father but tells Billy that she plans to keep the baby and wants him to bring it up with her. She later tells Ben that he is not the father. Billy then takes Lola to see Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) about help, but Pat gets the wrong idea and advises Lola to have an abortion, angering Lola.

Lola receives a call to say Social Services want to visit, as there is a new social worker. Lola goes missing when the social worker, Harpreet (Danny Rahim) arrives, so Billy asks Abi to pretend to be Lola. Billy assumes Harpreet is there about the pregnancy, so reveals it to Harpreet, who is impressed with Abi's speech about motherhood. However, as he is about to leave, Lola arrives and the lie is revealed, so Harpreet says the trust has been lost and Lola may not be able to keep the child.

When Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) begins to suspect Lola of blackmailing him over an incident at the local Car Lot years previously, they have a confrontation which ends which Lola backing away from him, and falling down some stairs. Lola is taken to hospital where she is given an emergency scan to check the baby is okay. She is told she and the baby are fine, much to her relief. Afterwards, she realises how much her baby means to her and begins to cry, telling Billy how much she loves him. Billy is relived. They return home and stop for some chips in Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)'s shop. While they are there, the police arrive and arrest Billy for handling stolen goods as the stuff he buried earlier had his fingerprints over it. Phil lets Billy take the blame, much to Lola's anger. She tells Billy that he should expose Phil's crimes, to save himself, but Billy tells Lola that he can't do something like that to family. She later admits to Billy that she sent just one message to Phil when she realised that Phil was stressed with the messages. However, she denies all knowledge of the texts and photographs, and she is eventually cleared when the stalker is revealed as Phil's son Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe).

Creation and development

Casting

The character of Lola was announced on 7 June 2011 and she was created as an extension of the established Mitchell family. The Sun reported that Billy and Julie would be shocked to learn of Lola's existence, not knowing the son they once gave up for adoption had a daughter, but would decide to track her down and find her living in a care home. Lola was said to have "a sharp, cocky but likeable attitude."[6] As she meets her grandparents for the first time, Lola quickly forms a bond with them as she has been deserted by everyone else in her life.[7] 18 year old Harold was cast in the role and she said "I am so excited to be joining EastEnders. I have watched the show all my life and I never thought that one day I could be in Albert Square. It feels strange to be walking round Walford with people I have grown up watching—I still have to pinch myself.".[7] EastEnders is Harold's first acting job and she was given the role following her first audition, which shocked her. Harold told Daybreak, "It was my first audition that I'd ever had, so I was really nervous and I was thinking, 'I'm never going to get it - I'm just going to have fun while I'm there'. I was just shocked to even get the casting for it, so I was over the moon when I actually got the part."[8][9] Harold previously starred in Jamie Oliver's Channel 4 reality show Jamie's Dream School and got into an acting school because of the show. Harold said she had always wanted to be an actress and was grateful to be given a great character in Lola.[10] Lola made her first appearance on 12 July 2011.[11]

Characterisation

In an interview with Inside Soap, Harold said she was grateful for the complex nature of her character, saying, "Lola's not out-and-out evil but she's not very nice. She's got so many sides and I am having a great time exploring them."[12] Lola is described as "a stroppy little 15-year-old, prone to fighting, tea-leafing and gobbing off."[13] She is also "sharp, cocky but likeable."[7] Of Lola's personality, the official EastEnders website said "Bright as a button but with a mouth that runs away with her, Lola is wild and definitely Walford bound. A self-reliant person who does what she has to do in order to get what she wants, she's not to be messed with."[14] Harold described her character as "feisty" and said she has got a lot of attitude.[8] Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy, labelled Lola "rebellious", while the BBC said she is "a troublesome teen" and a "petite bombshell."[8][15]

BT described the character as "EastEnders' new tearaway and Billy's wayward granddaughter" and said "It seems Lola isn't exactly the butter-wouldn't-melt type. Surprise, surprise. Billy and Julie leave when Lola tells Billy she's not interested in the fact that he's her granddad, or that her dad's dead. What a lovely young lady."[16] Virgin Media also branded Lola a troublemaking, teen tearaway and said she was "a chip off the Mitchell block."[17] The added that she is a "blonde babe."[18] Chris Hooton from the Metro branded Lola as "mischievous."[19]

Storyline development

When Lola arrives she becomes embroiled in a love triangle with Jay Mitchell and Abi Branning. The storyline was summed up in Inside Soap by Kate Woodward who commented "Although I love Abi and Jay together, it's great to see them face serious obstacles thanks to her meddling. Lola is big trouble and has Jay is firmly in her sights. But he's in love with Abi. It was a brilliant idea to team moody Jay with good girl Abi. They work well as a couple, but with the interference of Lola their story has got even more interesting."[2]

Reception

Harold's debut episode was watched by 7.68m viewers.[20] Harold said that because of her performance as Lola she had received letters from children who had grown up in care homes, saying how much they love her character.[10] Kate Woodward of Inside Soap said Lola's introduction had been a revelation.[2] Woodward also commented on Harold's performance saying "In actress Danielle Harold, EastEnders have found a young star with enormous charisma, so you like Lola even though she's a nightmare! In the coming weeks, we'll see her really hold her own with the other Mitchells – which is no mean feat when you consider that most of them have been in this show for years."[2] Woodward's colleague, Sarah, said she liked what she saw, after Lola's debut and described the character saying "She's got a surly attitude, and acts like she's tough as old boots. But something tells me that underneath that hard exterior is a lost little girl just waiting for someone to finally take her into the heart of their family."[21]

Tony Stewart writing for the Daily Mirror described Lola as "a walking 15-year-old Asbo", he added "in little less than a month on the Square, the spirited Lola has already created havoc. [...] With Danielle Harold already tipped as a best newcomer in the next round of soap awards, stroppy Lola is either brave or stupid in taking on Phil."[3] Metro's Christopher Hooton commented negatively on Harold's performance as Lola saying "Lola kept her world record attempt for worst acting in a soap going strong".[4] Hooton's fellow writer, Rachel Tarley, said Harold's acting skills were "terrible" when Julie departed.[5] During the love triangle storyline, Tarley said Lola was an "inept teenage seductresses."[22] Co-star Perry Fenwick said that Harold is an "amazing" actress.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (8 July 2011). "Janine enjoys a shock turnaround in fortunes". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d Woodward, Kate (22 July 2011). "Bright Young things rock Eastenders". Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  3. ^ a b Stewart, Tony (30 July 2011). "EastEnders Lola's smashing time". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b Hooton, Christopher (2 August 2011). "EastEnders Ian introduces his wife, an urn full of cigarette Ash". Metro. London: Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  5. ^ a b Tarley, Rachel (5 August 2011). "EastEnders sees Ian have sex and Julie leave Billie for good". Metro. London: Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  6. ^ Menhinnitt, Dan (7 June 2011). "Grandad Billy is in for shock". The Sun. London: News Group Newspapers. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Kilkelly, Daniel (7 June 2011). "'EastEnders' casts Billy Mitchell's granddaughter". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  8. ^ a b c Kilkelly, Daniel (4 August 2011). "'EastEnders' Lola won't change says Danielle Harold". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  9. ^ "EastEnders spoilers: Danielle Harold says Lola "won't change"". Unreality TV. Retrieved 6 August 2011. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  10. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (24 July 2011). "EastEnders has been a whirlwind says Danielle Harold". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  11. ^ Horsley, Jon (30 June 2011). "Soap arrivals and departures". Yahoo!. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  12. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders' newcomer inspired by Lacey Turner". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  13. ^ "EastEnders Billy and Julie discover they have a granddaughter". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Lola Pearce played by Danielle Harold". EastEnders. London: BBC Online. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Billy and Julie have a granddaughter". EastEnders. London: BBC Online. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  16. ^ "Meet Lola, Billys wayward granddaughter and EastEnders new tearaway". London: BT. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  17. ^ "EastEnders spoilers Virgin Media". Virgin Media. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  18. ^ "EastEnders Jay and Lola come to blows". Virgin Media. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  19. ^ Hooton, Chris (21 July 2011). "EastEnders Max and Tanyas affair is the cat out of the bag". London: Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  20. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (13 July 2011). "Lola debut delivers 7.7m on 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  21. ^ Inside Soap Sarah (14 July 2011). "Is Lola the new Stacey?". Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  22. ^ Tarley, Rachel (29 July 2011). "EastEnders tried to sex things up". Metro. London: Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  23. ^ Sperling, Daniel (11 February 2012). "'EastEnders' Perry Fenwick: 'Danielle Harold reminds me of Lacey Turner'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
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