Eastenders recast

[xebonykissesx]

I have just recently read that the actor and actress that play Ben and Lucy in Eastnders are both being recast.
http://tv.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx ... =153679045

It says that it's 'normal practice' but what does everyone else think of this? A lot of the cast seem to have been in it since they were young and have never been recast, same goes for corrie, with the likes of Sophie and Rosie.

It seems they are more upset with 'Lucys' behaviour offset? Although i've never really thought she was a brilliant actress, she has recently made the role her own and the same goes for the actor that plays Ben. And isn't her onscreen brother also her real brother? And he isn't being recast. I do feel for them. Although i do understand that if the producers feel that a recast is best then that's what they need to do for the show.

Thoughts?

[*Cazzy-Lou*]

Melissa Suffield aka Lucy isn't related to Thomas law that plays Peter.
I'm not exactly bothered by this. They are always recasting child actors, Melissa is the 4th girl to play Lucy. although i will admit they are both quite old to be recast, they normally recast when they are younger.
Both have been in the show for a while so maybe it is time for them to move on but the producers maybe don't want the characters to move on, no big deal.
Won't bother me either way what happens.

[Seren:)]

I don't think Melissa Suffield is a brilliant actress, but she does play the part well and I think everyone is used to her being Lucy now. But, maybe that's why she's being recast?

[GypsyMumNot!]

Must say I have never been impressed with the young "Ben"'s acting, so I am happy that they've finally got round to re-casting this role. Just wish it had been a bit earlier, which would have been less upsetting for the child.
Obviously, Melissa is taking "Lucy" home with her.....think they are just fed up.

Oh and btw I think both Rosie and Sophie in Corrie have been recast at least once? And Sarah-Lou came back as a completely different person when she was about 11 I think? Same happened for Janine in Enders....several times! Lol! Thank god for Charlie Brooks!

[orange_squash]

I think its right that they are re-casting 'Ben' as he has never been a believable actor. However, Melissa who plays Lucy is a very natural actress and i think they will struggle to find someone to replace her - if they do, i think it will take a long time to get used to the new actress.

[shortguy]

I had read they were being written out completely

[GypsyMumNot!]

No - it was on GMTV today. They are definitely being replaced for all the reasons we've discussed.
orange squash I had to laugh at what you said "Melissa who plays Lucy is a very natural actress".....clearly not acting at all but playing herself!! No wonder she looked so "natural" Lol!

[Irishdancer]

Children in Eastenders don't get long contracts like the adults, they get a contract per block of filming so that they can get rid of them very quickly the girl before who played Lucy played the role for 9 years from the age of 2 and Peter from the age of 4 for 7 years they got a phone call one Monday night to tell them there call time for the next day and told by the way it's going to be there last day filming very brutal when Steven left no one realy new much and did not no when it was his last day so the to kids that played his brother and sister did not have a chance to say good by. It's much easer when the actor who plays the mum and dad leave so the child goes but to sack the child and have another take there place very hard. It's much better to go in at 15 then much more of a chance to be kept over 16 where they get paid a lot more money as children get more like a extras fee for being a regular in the program, the other soaps children get paid a lot more.

[orange_squash]

orange squash I had to laugh at what you said "Melissa who plays Lucy is a very natural actress".....clearly not acting at all but playing herself!! No wonder she looked so "natural" Lol!

Having read more into it, it does seem that she has been taking the character home with her But i still think she is a good actress.....

[harry2]

This is rediculous they are both to known as they are. this is an obvious publicity stunt. what a disgusting way to repay two great young actors for years of loyalty. there should be a petition to stop this.

[ziggy]

This is rediculous they are both to known as they are. this is an obvious publicity stunt. what a disgusting way to repay two great young actors for years of loyalty. there should be a petition to stop this.

Its a job. Like any other people can get fired and replaced. You cant expect any job to be 100% garaunteed for life.

[harry2]

true but they are keeping the characters its just madness to recast them when they have both had big storylines,
frankly I think they treat kids badly in this business wheres abi branning gone? it just makes the viewers look like idiots like you wont notice!! would they re cast phil or roxy? no.

[orange_squash]

would they re cast phil or roxy? no.

They have recast adults before, definately in other soaps...probably have in Eastenders too - but that has been after they have been away for a very long time, and when they come back, its someone completely different!

I agree that both of these characters have had big storylines and we will all notice that they have been changed. It will be very hard to get used to, if they replace the character straight away - but i suppose if they leave it a while they may get away with it, as like has been said, it has worked before.

[xebonykissesx]

Hmm they have recast Sam mitchell numerous times, and i have to admit, that bit of recasting really gets on my nerves and i think that the woman who plays her is awful.

They have also recast the little girl in emmerdale about a million times.

However, the only problem i have with this recast is that the girl who plays lucy has had really big storylines throughout the last year or two, as has the boy who plays Ben, especially recently. To be honest, i dont think too much of their acting, but i'm used to them in the roles now. And they have both been there a long while, especially as Lucy is now 17, she's hardly a child.

Wouldn't it have been more logical to replace the actors/actresses just before a big storyline as opposed to replacing them after the big storyline?

Anyway, I understand why the shows recast but it is a bit annoying i have to admit, obviously the viewers are going to notice.

[harry2]

Just read in inside soap that declan in neighbours is being recast! and the new person looks nothing like him!