Frankie Pierre

Last updated

Frankie Pierre
EastEnders character
Frankie Pierre.jpg
Portrayed by Syan Blake
Duration1996–1997
First appearanceEpisode 1306
24 June 1996 (1996-06-24)
Last appearanceEpisode 1427
25 March 1997 (1997-03-25)
Classification Former; regular
Introduced by Jane Harris
In-universe information
OccupationSinger

Frankie Pierre is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders . She appears between 24 June 1996 and 25 March 1997, played by Syan Blake. [1] Portrayed as a "super-bitch" and home wrecker, Frankie attempts to ruin the established relationships of several characters during her nine months on the soap, purposefully seducing attached men.

Contents

Storylines

Frankie first appears in June 1996 as a soul singer in a band with musician Mick McFarlane (Sylvester Williams), who is her former boyfriend. Frankie's band is hired to play at the Bridge Street Night Café, and Frankie is immediately attracted to café worker Alan Jackson (Howard Antony). She openly flirts with him, unconcerned that he is already married to Carol (Lindsey Coulson). Frankie is intent on snaring Alan. She moves to Albert Square — sharing a house with Huw Edwards and Lenny Wallace (Richard Elis and Des Coleman) — and gets a job as a waitress at the café, so she can be near Alan. She tries to persuade him that married life is making him unhappy, encouraging him to split from his wife to be with her. Alan resists her advances, so Frankie changes tactics. She targets Alan's wife Carol, infuriating her with suggestive claims about the nature of her relationship with Alan. Carol is extremely jealous and many arguments erupt between her and Alan, which causes a rift in their relationship. When Alan confronts Frankie about her stirring, she breaks down claiming that she loves him, but it is all just a game to coax him away from Carol. Alan falls for Frankie's lies, and after one row too many with his jealous wife, he has sex with Frankie, beginning an affair. Frankie is keen for Carol to find out so she plants her watch in Alan's house, hoping that Carol will find it. When Alan discovers Frankie's gameplaying, he attempts to end their relationship, but she threatens to inform Carol about their affair unless he keeps on seeing her. Carol, realising her husband is cheating on her, tires of the deception. She turns to her former boyfriend David Wicks (Michael French) and they begin a short-lived affair. The truth finally comes out, both Alan and Carol confess to their affairs, but neither can forgive, and when Frankie invites Alan to live with her, he accepts, devastating his family.

However, Frankie's feelings towards Alan change as soon as he moves in with her. She ends the relationship days after he leaves his wife and family, claiming that the relationship has grown too intense. Stunned, Alan tries to change her mind, but Frankie has lost interest. It emerges that Frankie has a history of chasing attached men only to lose interest as soon as she has succeeded in breaking up their marriage. Her friend, Mick, claims that her deprived childhood and an inability to be loved are the cause of her promiscuous and devious behaviour.

Alan is sympathetic and willing to help Frankie through her psychological problems, but she has already set her sights on a new man, Tony Hills (Mark Homer). Even though Tony is in a homosexual relationship with another man, Frankie seduces him, and after copious amounts of alcohol, they have sex together. Tony is desperate to keep their tryst a secret from his boyfriend, Simon (Andrew Lynford). He tells Frankie that their night together was a mistake, however, Frankie will not accept rejection; she attempts to blackmail him into continuing their affair, threatening to out him as a homosexual, and tell his boyfriend what has occurred. Tony fears the repercussions, but he refuses to give Frankie what she wants, and she has further knockbacks from Sanjay Kapoor (Deepak Verma) and her neighbour Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who throws her out of his house after she propositions him, branding her a "scrubber" with "no class". Feeling sorry for herself, Frankie seeks salvation from evangelist Alistair Matthews (Neil Clark). She starts off by singing at one of his prayer groups, and Alistair takes a keen interest in her spiritual welfare. Frankie takes this the wrong way, assuming that Alistair is interested in her sexually. She tries to seduce him on numerous occasions, but Alistair rejects her each time. This bruises Frankie's ego, and she starts spreading rumours that they had had sex together in an attempt to make Alan jealous. Alistair fears that his reputation is being tarnished. He confronts Frankie in The Queen Victoria public house, exposing her lies and humiliating her in front of everyone. Frankie turns to Alan for support, but he shuns her, finally realising what a liar she is. Incensed, Frankie turns violent and attempts to assault Alan, until her friend Mick shows up and drags her away. Frankie moves away from Walford and Mick later mentions that she has quit their band.

Character creation

Soul singer Frankie Pierre was introduced in 1996 by the Series Producer of EastEnders, Jane Harris. A previously unknown actress, Syan Blake, was cast in the role. She was initially signed on a 6 months contract, but subsequently had her contract extended. [2]

Blake had auditioned for the minor role of a nurse who treated Kathy Mitchell's baby Ben, after he was involved in a meningitis scare. [2] However, the casting directors saw potential and asked Blake to audition for a far bigger upcoming role as a regular character, Frankie Pierre. Blake said, "I went for the audition and dressed quite sexily. I was a bit confused when they told me there was another regular part going for a soul singer and asked me if I could sing." Even though she confessed that she could not sing very well, they asked her to perform nonetheless and she sang one of her favourite songs, "Harlem On My Mind". Blake was told the following day that her audition had been successful. When asked about her reaction to the news, Blake said, "I put the phone down afterwards and sat on the sofa feeling numb, it just didn't sink in... I just felt stunned. I'd always watched EastEnders but seeing all these famous people in real life and walking onto the set was the most frightening thing I'd ever done. People were really friendly, but I just sat there dreading my first scene in which I had to sing a song in the pub with all those famous faces watching me." [2]

Character development

Frankie's arrival in June 1996 was part of a storyline that broke up the marriage of the characters Alan and Carol Jackson (Howard Antony and Lindsey Coulson). [3] After meeting Alan at a gig with her band, Frankie made it her mission to snare him. According to The Sunday Mirror , millions of viewers tuned in to watch "home-wrecker Frankie get her claws into happily married Alan Jackson." [4] However, after Alan had fallen "under her spell" and left his wife and children, Frankie lost interest, dumped him and moved on to her next victim, Tony Hills (Mark Homer), who was described as her "ultimate conquest", as Tony was not only attached, but gay. [4]

Frankie was described as a predatory man-eater, a trouble maker, an unhinged sexpot, and a super-bitch who "seduces men away from their loved ones...then dumps them with a sneer." [2] [4] The official EastEnders book Who’s Who states that Frankie "had a carnivorous approach to relationships, hunting down her quarry, devouring her victim in two gulps and then moving onto the next kill." [5] In an article published in The Sunday Mirror in 1997, sex therapist, Anne Hopper, discussed the character of Frankie and the reasons why women like her enjoy luring men away from their partners, and then discard them once they succeed: "women like [...] Frankie have usually been hurt in early childhood or previous relationships. They are low on self-esteem. An affair can make them feel wanted - but keeps the relationship at arm's length." [4] Later confirmed on-screen, Frankie's promiscuous, immoral and devious behaviour was blamed on her deprived childhood, a history of being hurt, lack of trust and insecurities.

Frankie eventually departed the serial in March 1997 amidst a failed attempt at seducing a religious evangelist, Alistair Matthews, who had been trying to make her change her promiscuous lifestyle. Off-screen it was reported that Blake and the producers of EastEnders had decided to write the character out of the serial, as the actress was receiving death threats from angry fans that could not separate fact from fiction, and blamed Blake for her character's home-wrecking. [2] [6]

Reception

Blake said that the role of a homewrecker was tough to play, and she was startled by the depth of public feeling towards her character. [2] She admitted that she received hate mail and death threats from scorned female viewers who hated the role that she played. She commented, "one woman wrote to me telling me that her marriage had almost been ruined when someone like Frankie went after her husband. It was a really vicious letter; she threatened to kill me and warned me to watch out. It was very frightening. She started the letter; `Dear Syan, stay away from Alan,' which worried me because she was obviously deluded and thought that I really am Frankie. Another woman stopped me in the street and told me she wanted to kick me. She was only joking – but I realised people really don't like Frankie. I suppose people hate her because she's such a threat, and she's so sexually confident." [2]

Despite the negative reaction from female viewers, Blake claimed that her character was much more popular with men. She commented, "A lot of men write and just ask for my photograph, but some have sent pictures of themselves and asked me out. I've also had poetry sent, which is really sweet." [2]

Actor Howard Antony, who played the popular character Alan Jackson between 1993 and 1997, said in 1997 that he was unhappy with the elements of his character's affair with Frankie. [7] He said this contributed to his decision to quit the soap in 1997. He said that the "final straw" came when his character refused to get back together with screen wife Carol, and instead continued his affair with Frankie, knowing that he was just her plaything: "There are those above me who make decisions for my character and they're not always ones I like. There were certain aspects of the Frankie story I didn't like. I was frustrated with Alan taking so much nonsense. I thought 'Why are you investing time in Frankie when the woman you've been with for nine years wants you back?' As an actor it was a difficult pill to swallow." [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Baldwin</span> Fictional character from Coronation Street

Jamie Baldwin is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Rupert Hill. He first appeared in 2004 and left in 2008.

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

Sonia Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Natalie Cassidy. Her first appearance was on 2 December 1993 and she departed on 2 February 2007. She returned briefly in 2010 along with other members of the Jackson family, and re-appeared in the soap from 8 to 18 February 2010 and again in January 2011. Sonia returned as a permanent character on 14 January 2014, as part of a storyline that saw her mother Carol Jackson develop breast cancer. Cassidy took maternity leave in 2016 and Sonia left on 20 September 2016 for her dream job in Kettering. Cassidy made two guest stints during her maternity leave, on 25 December 2016 via webcam and for a three episode arc from 14 to 18 April 2017. She returned full-time on 27 June 2017. On 29 December 2020 it was announced that Cassidy would take an extended break from the show, with Sonia set to leave the Square to return in spring 2021. She departed on 8 January and returned on 16 April.

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

Tiffany Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Martine McCutcheon from 1995 until 1999. The character was created by writer Tony Jordan. She was introduced as a school friend of Bianca Jackson in January 1995.

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

Janine Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, introduced in 1989. The character was played by Rebecca Michael from 1989 to 1993, Alexia Demetriou from 1993 to 1996, and Charlie Brooks from 1999 to 2022. Brooks initially departed on 7 May 2004. She returned for a three episode guest stint in April 2008 before returning permanently on 18 December of that year. Brooks later took a break from September 2012 until April 2013, then departed again on 20 March 2014. In April 2021, it was announced that Brooks would reprise the role once again and return later in the year. She returned on 6 September 2021. It was announced on 24 September 2022 that Brooks had only agreed to reprise the role for 12 months and would depart again at the conclusion of her storyline, with her final scenes airing on 26 December 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Osborne</span> Fictional character from Hollyoaks

Jack Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Jimmy McKenna. He first appeared on 18 November 1996 and is the second longest serving character in the serial. He was introduced as part of the Osborne family along with son Darren and wife Celia who joined daughter Ruth to live in Hollyoaks village. His storylines have included an affair with Dawn Cunningham, four marriages and an insurance scam which saw him fake his own death. In his later years, Jack was more commonly known as the landlord of the show's pub, The Dog in the Pond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Butcher</span> Fictional character in EastEnders

Ricky Butcher is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Sid Owen. Introduced as a school boy in 1988, Ricky is one of the longest-running male protagonists to feature in EastEnders. Owen originally left the role in 2000 to pursue a music career. However, he reprised the role in 2002 before being axed by producer Louise Berridge in 2004. In 2008, producer Diederick Santer introduced the character for a third time, along with his wife Bianca Jackson. Ricky is portrayed as unintelligent, simplistic, easily led and bossed around by dominant personalities. On 26 February 2011, it was announced that Owen would take a temporary break from the show. The character exited on 19 July 2011, returning five months later on 13 December 2011. Ricky left EastEnders on 17 January 2012. Ricky returned to EastEnders on 20 June 2012 for the wedding of his sister, Janine Butcher, before departing for the final time on 29 June 2012. In April 2016 he had voiced his interest in returning to EastEnders during an appearance on Celebrity Juice. He reprised his role as Ricky for an eight-week stint from 1 December 2022 to 26 January 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bianca Jackson</span> UK soap opera character, created 1993

Bianca Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Patsy Palmer. The character was introduced by executive producer Leonard Lewis and appeared initially from 1993 to 1999, when Palmer opted to leave. In 2002 executive producer John Yorke brought the character back for a special spin-off show. She returned to EastEnders as a full-time character in April 2008, reintroduced by executive producer Diederick Santer. Palmer took maternity leave in 2010 and Bianca left the series in January 2011. The character returned in December 2011 after Palmer signed a "working mums" contract, which granted her leave from the soap between April and November 2012. The actress quit EastEnders in 2014 and Bianca departed in September that year. Palmer reprised the role on 2 September 2019 for a guest stint and a second guest stint was scheduled for 2020, but later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Carol Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lindsey Coulson. The character was introduced in 1993 as the mother of the Jackson family. Coulson decided to quit the role in 1997, but she returned temporarily in 1999 within a storyline that contributed to both the introduction of her boyfriend Dan Sullivan and the departure of her daughter Bianca ; in the storyline, Carol discovers that Bianca had previously had a relationship with Dan and they resumed their affair - which prompted her to end her relationship with Dan, disown Bianca, and leave the square on her own.

Alan Jackson (<i>EastEnders</i>) UK soap opera character, created 1993

Alan Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Howard Antony. He originally appeared between 16 November 1993 and 16 October 1997, and returned on 12 October 2010 for three episodes.

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

Billie Jackson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Devon Anderson from 1993 to 1997, and by Bluey Robinson for a brief return in 2004. The character returned in 2010, along with other members of the Jackson family. It was confirmed in November 2009 that Anderson would reprise the role, 13 years after he was last seen on the soap. He made his return on 4 February 2010. The character was killed off in October 2010, and made his last credited appearance on 14 October.

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

April Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Debbie Arnold. April is the eldest daughter of Jim and Reenie Branning. April is originally introduced as the sister of established character Carol Jackson, and later Derek, Suzy Branning, Max and Jack.

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

Tony Hills is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Mark Homer from 7 September 1995 to 15 April 1999.

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

Ruth Osborne is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Terri Dwyer. She first appeared in January 1996 as the cousin of Natasha Andersen, and departed in 2001. She made guest appearances between 2003 and 2004, and another in 2008. Dwyer expressed interest in returning full-time in 2009.

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

Eddie Moon is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by David Essex. Eddie is the father of Michael Moon, Tyler Moon and Anthony Moon. Along with his children, Eddie was introduced to bring a "new generation" of the Moon family to the programme. Essex began filming in April 2011 and first appeared on screen on 3 June 2011. His initial contract ended in August, and Essex hoped he would be able to return to the role. The character has been described as cheeky, likeable and charismatic, and has a dark past. Through the series' narrative, it is revealed that there is a rift between Michael and Eddie, because Michael blames his father for the death of his mother, who killed herself when Michael was left alone with her. Eddie is also a love interest for Carol Jackson and Vanessa Gold.

<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">Sian Blake</span> British actress (1972–2015)

Sian Samantha Blake, also known by her stage name Syan Blake, was a British actress, best known for playing Frankie Pierre on the British television show EastEnders, appearing in 56 episodes in 1996–97. She later had minor roles in other television shows, before retiring to become a sign language teacher and interpreter.

Fiona Middleton is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Coronation Street, played by Angela Griffin. The actress secured the role following an audition. She was sceptical that it would lead to much and initially presumed that the producers would keep her around for a short time. However, positive viewer reaction led to her role within the show being increased. She made her debut appearance in the episode broadcast on 14 December 1992.

References

  1. ↑ "Frankie Pierre". BBC. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hagan, Angela (27 January 1997). "I'd go for a married man, even if he had kids, as long as he was right one for me". The Mirror . Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  3. ↑ Alison Bowyer (8 June 1997). "EastEnder Carol's love life is more complicated than TV soap plot". Sunday Mirror . Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Ros (26 January 1997). "The Frankie factor". Sunday Mirror . Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  5. ↑ Lock, Kate (2000). EastEnders Who's Who. BBC Books. ISBN   978-0-563-55178-2.
  6. ↑ "Once burnt, Syan's shy: Hunted by the media and confused fans". The Voice. 2 June 1997.
  7. 1 2 "HOWARD'S END". The Mirror . 16 May 1997. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.