Ann Mitchell

Last updated

Ann Mitchell
Born (1939-04-22) 22 April 1939 (age 84)
Stepney, London, England
Nationality British
Alma mater East 15 Acting School
OccupationActress
Years active1958–present
Spouse(s)William Chiles (1959–?) (divorced)
Robert Walker (1965–?) (divorced)
Children2
Website www.annmitchell.net

Ann Mitchell (born 22 April 1939) is a British stage and television actress. She came to prominence in the 1980s when she starred as Dolly Rawlins in the crime series Widows as well as the sequels Widows 2 and She's Out , all written by Lynda La Plante. In 2011, she was cast as Cora Cross in the BBC soap opera EastEnders , the mother of Tanya Branning and Rainie Cross. Mitchell has appeared in many roles in film, theatre and television and has played a significant number of major roles such as Mrs. Warren in Mrs. Warren's Profession and her Laurence Olivier Award nominated performance in Through the Leaves.

Contents

Personal life

Mitchell attended Raine's Foundation School and went on to train at East 15 Acting School, [1] having received the first ever scholarship to the school. She has since worked in theatre, television, film and radio, starting with "Diary of a Young Man", a series written for her by John McGrath and Troy Kennedy Martin, directed by Ken Loach. She is a visiting lecturer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, East 15 Acting School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and is Master Tutor on the foundation course at WAC. Mitchell is on the board of directors of the Unity Theatre Trust, a Trustee of Arbours (a psychotherapeutic care centre) and is a Patron of Clean Break, a theatre and training company for female ex-offenders. Mitchell has been married twice and has two sons, one from each of her marriages, one of whom is the actor Ché Walker. She resides in London.

Career

In 1984 she received the Pye Award for Female who had the greatest impact on television for her role as Dolly Rawlins in the crime series Widows , written by Lynda La Plante. She had a cameo, as Amanda's mother, in the 2018 U.S. film version of her series, Widows . In 1992, she received the award "Performance of the Year" by The Independent on Sunday for her Hecuba at the Gate Theatre. In 2003 Mitchell was a nominee for Best Actress in the Evening Standard Awards and the Laurence Olivier Awards for her performance as Martha in Through the Leaves, first at the Southwark Playhouse and later the Duchess Theatre, London. Her work as a director and writer includes: Voices from Prison (RSC Platform), Cathy Come Home (first stage adaptation, Pit Theatre), Ever After (co-written with Cathy Itzin), Kiss and Kill (co-written with Susan Todd for Monstrous Regiment and nominated for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize). She directed the world premiere of Barry Keeffe's Sus, at the Royal Court Theatre.

Ann Mitchell first worked with Simon Callow over 35 years ago in a Lincoln Theatre Royal production of The Erpingham Camp , where Callow made his debut. Since then, they have worked together several times, most recently eight years ago when Callow directed Mitchell in The Destiny of Me at the Leicester Haymarket. While not collaborating with Callow, Mitchell has built up an extensive stage career. In an interview with What's on Stage, Mitchell commented that her favourite was Eugene O'Neill . "I was about 15 when I first started reading him and, even at that age, I knew there was something going on there in the subconscious of his work. Tennessee Williams, because of his delicacy. I also like doing Racine, which is wonderful from the point of the view of the language. I've just done Britannicus at the Citz." [2]

Roles

EastEnders

In 2011, Mitchell was cast in the popular British soap opera EastEnders as Cora Cross, the mother of already established characters Tanya Jessop and Rainie Cross. She first appeared to attend her on-screen daughter's wedding and was originally only scheduled to appear for a four episode guest stint. On 31 May 2011 it was announced that Mitchell was returning to EastEnders as Cora and will be back on screen as a regular character in summer 2011. [3] In an interview with Inside Soap , the executive producer of EastEnders , Bryan Kirkwood commented: "With the loss of Barbara Windsor, I was keen to find a new matriarch for the show, and Ann Mitchell is a dream booking. I've always been a fan of her work, and with the storyline we've got planned, we'll wonder how we ever did without Cora". [4] Mitchell had previously appeared in EastEnders as Jane Williams, a woman Roy Evans had an affair with but only appeared for 6 episodes. Upon joining the soap, Mitchell commented: "As a lifelong fan of EastEnders I am thrilled to join the cast. I am a great fan of June Brown’s and am looking forward to sharing some scenes with her". Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood added, "I’m very excited to have the much-loved Ann Mitchell joining us. Cora Cross is a formidable woman, cut from the same cloth as many glorious Walford women of the past, and Ann Mitchell is just perfect for the role." [5] She took a break in December 2015, and returned in 2017. [6]

Other roles

Theatre

As a leading member of the ground-breaking Citizens' Theatre for many years, Mitchell's roles included at Glasgow: Mother Courage in Mother Courage and Her Children , [7] Helen in A Taste of Honey , [7] Amanda in Private Lives , [7] Mary in Mary Stuart, [7] Eva in Summit Conference [7] (written for her by Robert David McDonald), Mrs Warren in Mrs. Warren's Profession , [7] Gertrude in Hamlet [7] and Agrippina in Britannicus . [7] At London: Mrs Marwood in The Way of the World [7] and Cornelia in The White Devil . [7]

Royal Shakespeare Company

For the Royal Shakespeare Company her roles include Hecuba, Aethra and the nurse in Tantalus at the Barbican (RSC), Frieda Lawrence in Divine Gossip, and the Woman in Edward Bond's War Plays I, II, III. Tantalus was a coproduction of the RSC and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the U.S. where it received its world premiere in a mammoth performance of the three parts given over 10 hours. Working for the leading companies in the UK she was: Helen in The Road to Mecca (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester), Mrs Malaprop in The Rivals (Nottingham Playhouse), Marge in A Colder Climate (Royal Court), A Matter of Life and Death (Royal National Theatre), Brenda in Mary Barnes (Royal Court), Guinevere in Guinevere (written for her by Pam Gems, Soho Poly), Mrs Prentice in What the Butler Saw (the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield). In 2005, she co-starred in Whose Life Is It Anyway? in London's West End with Kim Cattrall and Janet Suzman.

Television

For television, Mitchell has starred in many of the most popular UK television series ranging from drama to comedy, including Z-Cars , Talking to a Stranger , Up the Junction , Play for Today , Upstairs, Downstairs , Morning Story , Within These Walls , Bergerac , Taggart , The Detectives , Kavanagh QC , Maigret , The Bill , EastEnders , [8] French & Saunders , and Gimme Gimme Gimme (written for her by Jonathan Harvey). She co-stars as Lillian in the forthcoming Granada production of Jane Hall's Big Bad Bus Ride, and was most recently[ when? ] seen as Rita in Tunnel of Love for Thames. As Dolly Rawlins in Widows I, II and She's Out (written for her by Lynda La Plante) she won acclaim and affection. In 2017 she joined the cast of CBBC's Hetty Feather . On 16 January 2022 she appeared in Vera in the episode "As the Crow Flies" in the role of Moira Swann.

Filmography

YearTitleRole
1964 Z-Cars Mrs Napier
1965 The Wednesday Play Marie
1966 Dixon of Dock Green Mrs Stubbings
1966 Talking to a Stranger Mother as a young woman
1966 Theatre 625
1967 Hobson's Choice Ada Figgins
1973 Play for Today Amenities officer
1975 Upstairs, Downstairs Militant Woman
1975 Crown Court Vera Chadwick
1975–1976 Within These Walls Kathleen Marsh
1977 Full Circle Woman in park
1978 Angels Sister Huntley
1979 Murder by Decree Jane
1976 Play of the Week Mother
1981 Lady Chatterley's Lover Ivy Bolton
1983–1985 Widows Dolly Rawlins
1988 Bergerac Lola Betts
1990, 1991, 1994, 2000, 2008 The Bill Miss Alexander; Mrs Cook; Sue Cooper; Val Davies; Doreen Fallon
1990, 2009 Casualty Mrs McKenzie; Margaret Samson
1992 Taggart Annie Gilmore
1992 Maigret Mme. Moncin
1995 She's Out Dolly Rawlins
1996 The Detectives Superintendent Simmons
1998 Kavanagh QC Mrs Justice Addis
2001 Gimme Gimme Gimme Miss Twitch
2001–2002, 2011–2015, 2017–2018 EastEnders Jane Williams; Cora Cross
2006 Jane Hall Lilian Ramsay
2008 Heartbeat Iris Grocott
2011 The Deep Blue Sea Mrs Nelson
2015DragonflyMargaret Grosvenor
2017 Hetty Feather Miss Sarah Smith
2018 Widows Amanda's Mother
2019–2020 Call the Midwife Elsie Dyer
2019 Year of the Rabbit Gwendoline
2021Gunfight at Dry RiverEtta Ryles
2021 Silent Witness Molly Trask
2022 Vera Moira Swann
2023 The Gold Sadie
2023For Her SinsMaggie
2023True HauntingMyra Danvers

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef.
2012 Inside Soap Awards Funniest FemaleNominated [9]
2013 18th National Television Awards Serial Drama PerformanceNominated [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanya Franks</span> English actress (born 1967)

Tanya Christine Franks is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Rainie Cross in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Branning</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Max Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jake Wood. He made his first appearance on 27 June 2006. Wood took a four-month break from the show in 2011 and the character was absent between August and November 2011. Wood took a year long break from the show in 2015, with Max departing on 1 October. He returned on 24 December 2016. Wood took another short break from the show in 2018; Max departed on 16 February and returned on 23 April. It was announced in 2018 that Max would be taking a break from the soap in early 2019. He left on 14 February 2019 and returned on 7 May 2019. Max served as the show's main antagonist of 2017 following his release from prison and planning revenge on all his family, friends and neighbours. On 16 September 2020, it was announced that Wood would be departing from the role of Max after more than 14 years. Wood's final scenes aired on 19 February 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanya Branning</span> Fictional character in BBC soap opera EastEnders

Tanya Cross is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jo Joyner. She made her first appearance on 27 June 2006. Joyner left the show temporarily on 25 December 2009 for maternity leave. After a guest appearance, Tanya eventually returned on 27 September 2010. On 1 April 2013, it was announced that Joyner would be departing the role and she made her final appearance on 28 June 2013. Tanya returned in February 2015 for two episodes as part of the show's 30th anniversary celebrations. She later reprised the role again in 2017 for four episodes, appearing between 25 December 2017 and 16 February 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abi Branning</span> Fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders

Abi Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lorna Fitzgerald. She was introduced by executive producer Kate Harwood on 3 July 2006 as an extension to the Branning family, along with father Max, mother Tanya Branning and older sister Lauren Branning. Her storylines involve her friendships and relationships with Ben Mitchell and Jay Brown, her toxic friendship with Babe Smith, faking a pregnancy so that Ben would not leave her for Paul Coker, being a suspect in the murder of Lucy Beale, her affair with Lauren's fiancé, Steven Beale, and falling pregnant by him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Branning</span> UK soap opera character, created 2006

Lauren Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The role was originated by Madeline Duggan, who first appeared on 3 July 2006. Duggan played the role for four years until her exit on 23 June 2010. Three months later, on 27 September 2010, the role was recast to new actress, Jacqueline Jossa. In August 2014, Jossa announced that she was expecting her first child. In December 2014, Jossa filmed her final scenes prior to taking maternity leave, which aired on 24 February 2015, following the show's 30th anniversary celebrations. She returned temporarily on 14 September 2015 for her father's murder trial before departing again on 2 October 2015. Lauren made a permanent return on 27 May 2016. In September 2017, it was announced that Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald, who plays Lauren's sister Abi, had been axed by executive consultant John Yorke. Jossa finished filming with the show on 11 January 2018, and Lauren departed on 16 February 2018. Lauren returned to the show on 12 December 2022 for the funeral of her step-grandmother Dot Cotton before departing again in the following episode. Lauren made an unannounced appearance alongside Peter Beale during the episode broadcast on 22 June 2023. On 30 September 2023, it was announced Jossa will return to the role in the New Year. Lauren’s return scenes aired on 1 January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainie Cross</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Rainie Highway is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, played by Tanya Franks. Introduced as the drug-addicted sister of Tanya Branning, Franks has had three separate guest stints in 2007, 2008 and 2010 and between 12 April and 8 December 2011. Rainie returned on 16 June 2014, when she was revealed as Ian Beale's mystery phone contact, having been with Ian on Good Friday, the night of Lucy Beale's murder but departed again not long after. In January 2015, it was confirmed that Rainie would return for the conclusion of the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline. Rainie made another guest appearance on 19 January 2018 and returned full-time to the show on 24 April 2018, now married to her former brother-in-law, Max Branning. In June 2022, it was announced that Franks had left the show, with Rainie's final episode airing on 29 June 2022. She reappeared for a brief stint on 23 until 25 August 2022 to coincide with the departure of her husband Stuart Highway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanessa Gold</span> EastEnders character, created 2010

Vanessa Gold is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She is portrayed by Zöe Lucker, and first appeared in EastEnders in the episode broadcast on 4 June 2010. A "dynamic and assured" businesswoman, Vanessa was created by series consultant Simon Ashdown to be "a Zöe Lucker-type". Lucker accepted the role on a seven-episode contract, which was extended after she impressed the series producers with her performance. In April 2011, it was announced that Lucker was to leave the show. She departed on 6 October 2011, after the conclusion of her storylines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Moon</span> UK soap opera character, created 2011

Anthony Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Matt Lapinskas. He was introduced on 25 July 2011, as an extension to the Moon family. The son of Eddie Moon, half brother of Michael Moon and brother of Tyler Moon, his storylines have focused on the friendship between him and Tyler, and his relationships with Poppy Meadow, Jodie Gold, Amira Masood and Alice Branning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heather Chasen</span> English actress (1927–2020)

Heather Jean Chasen was an English actress, known for her roles in soap operas; playing Valerie Pollard in the ITV soap opera, Crossroads, from 1982 to 1986 and guest roles in Doctors, Holby City and Family Affairs. Chasen also played many roles in BBC Radio 2's The Navy Lark from 1959 to 1977, and appeared in the television series Marked Personal from 1973 to 1974. She played the recurring role of Lydia Simmonds in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role which received positive reviews from critics and EastEnders crew and cast members. Furthermore, she appeared extensively in theatre productions and film; in 2012, she appeared in a film version of Les Misérables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cora Cross</span> UK soap opera character, created 2011

Cora Cross is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ann Mitchell. Cora is the mother of Tanya Branning, Rainie Cross and Ava Hartman and the grandmother of Lauren and Abi Branning. Cora initially appeared from 11 to 15 April 2011, and returned as a regular character on 28 July. Cora is described as having "a brash, outspoken attitude and does not care who she offends", deemed "an archetypal East End matriarch" and Inside Soap says that Cora is a "brash, loud lady who likes to tell everyone what she thinks and has absolutely no shame."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Jessop</span> UK soap opera character, created 2010

Greg Jessop is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Stefan Booth. He is introduced as the fiancé of Tanya Branning, and first appeared on screen on 1 October 2010 to work on the reconstruction of The Queen Victoria public house. On 15 April 2011, Greg and Tanya wed, just before hearing that Tanya's ex-husband Max and their daughter Abi have been involved in a car accident. Joyner has warned that Tanya could break Greg's heart. In June 2011, it was announced that Booth was leaving the soap at the end of his storyline, and Greg left on 12 August 2011. Booth confirmed that Greg will return. He returned for a single episode on 21 October 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poppy Meadow</span> UK soap opera character, created 2011

Poppy Meadow is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Rachel Bright. She was introduced by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood on 11 January 2011 as the best friend of established character Jodie Gold in scenes filling in for those cut from a controversial baby-swap storyline. Poppy returned to the series in June 2011 as a supporting character and comedy element, in a move that was generally welcomed by the tabloid press; her storylines focused on her friendship with Jodie and their intertwined love lives. Both Jodie and Poppy left the series on 14 November 2011, but the possibility was left open for Poppy to return in the future. In June 2012 Bright reprised her role as Poppy, moving into Walford and resuming her employment at the local beauty salon, this time as a regular character. Poppy's storylines became more prominent, including a romantic relationship with Fatboy. The character was axed in September 2013 by new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, and Poppy departed on 30 January 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Branning</span> UK soap opera character, created 1996

Derek Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Terence Beesley in 1996 and then Jamie Foreman from 2011 to 2012. Derek is the eldest child of Jim Branning and Reenie Branning. He first appears in episode 1282, which was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on 29 April 1996, for his sister April Branning's wedding and departed on 2 May. The character returned as a regular in the episode broadcast on 24 November 2011, played by Foreman. In October 2012, it was announced that Foreman would be leaving EastEnders in December 2012 as part of a Christmas storyline. On 20 December 2012, it is revealed that Derek was the person who Kat Moon had an affair with. The character died of a heart attack in the episode broadcast on 25 December 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Branning</span> UK soap opera character, created 2012

Alice Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jasmyn Banks. Alice is the daughter of Derek Branning. She made her first appearance on 10 May 2012. The character and casting was announced on 14 April 2012 with executive producer Lorraine Newman stating that Alice will allow the audience to see a softer side to Derek. Banks also stated that Alice will allow viewers to see a "lovely" side to Derek. The Daily Mirror praised the character for revealing herself as Derek's daughter on her first appearance, comparing her to Danielle Jones after she kept her identity to her mother Ronnie Mitchell a secret for months and then dying minutes after revealing herself. Another critic from the Daily Mirror said that Alice has had a "colossal impact" on Derek. In September 2013, it was announced that Banks would be leaving the show as part of Michael Moon's exit storyline. She departed on 24 December 2013, after being wrongly arrested for Michael's murder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Episode 4466</span> EastEnders episode

Episode 4466 of the BBC soap opera EastEnders was broadcast on BBC One on 23 July 2012, between 9pm and 9.30pm. It was written by Matt Evans, directed by Clive Arnold, and executively produced by Lorraine Newman. It included seven minutes of live footage, during which the character of Billy Mitchell, played by Perry Fenwick, carried the Olympic Torch as an official torch bearer as part of the official torch relay for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Lola Pearce, played by Danielle Harold, gave birth to her daughter. The storyline for the episode was announced in November 2011, with the fact that Lola would give birth being reported in July 2012. The episode received positive reviews, with Karen Edwards from Heat calling it "special" and praising Harold's performance, and Jane Rackham from the Radio Times calling it "highly topical", though Boyd Hilton from Heat felt that Billy's torch bearing was a "gimmick" and the whole episode should have been live. It was watched by an average of 7.32 million people on its initial broadcast. It was accompanied by a special, one-off BBC Red Button episode called "Billy's Olympic Nightmare". The episode received an All About Soap award nomination for Best Episode, under the name "Billy and the Olympic Torch", and a British Soap Award nomination for "Spectacular Scene of the Year", both in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dexter Hartman</span> Soap opera character

Dexter Hartman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Khali Best. His debut was on 7 January 2013. Dexter is the grandson of Cora Cross and son of her illegitimate daughter, Ava Hartman. Dexter's storylines include his friendships with Jay Brown and Lola Pearce

Lorraine Newman is a British scriptwriter, television producer, and the executive producer of the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2012 to 2013. Newman, who has worked on EastEnders for "nearly 20 years", received the role of executive producer when her predecessor stepped down in 2012. Newman was also the executive producer of Babs, a BBC biopic about Dame Barbara Windsor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Carter</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Stan Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portrayed by Timothy West. He first appeared in the show's 4,793rd episode, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2014, and was introduced as the father of established characters Shirley and Tina Carter. He was introduced as part of a set of new characters that expanded the Carter family across 2013 and 2014, headed by executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins. Stan and West's casting were announced on 12 December 2013.

References

  1. "Ann Mitchell - Background". AnnMitchell.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  2. "20 Questions With...Ann Mitchell". WhatsOnStage. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  3. Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders' exec confirms Cora Cross return". Digital Spy . London: Hachette Filipacchi UK . Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  4. Charlotte. "Exclusive: Q&A with Bryan Kirkwood". Walford Web. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  5. Admin. "Tanya's Cross to See Her Mum". Walford Web. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  6. Dainty, Sophie (23 March 2017). "EastEnders bringing back Cora Cross as Ann Mitchell returns to filming". Digital Spy . Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Ann Mitchell - Theatre". AnnMitchell.net. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  8. Kilkelly, Daniel (21 March 2011). "'EastEnders' confirms Tanya's mum casting". Digital Spy . London: Hachette Filipacchi UK . Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  9. Kilkelly, Daniel (19 July 2012). "Inside Soap Awards 2012 - longlist nominees in full". Digital Spy . Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  10. Fletcher, Alex (22 September 2012). "National Television Awards 2013: Longlist nominations in full - vote". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2 October 2012.