Lin Blakley

Lin Blakley (born Linda E. Stevens) is a British actress, best known for her role as Pam Coker in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders.^[2]

Career

In 2004, Blakley appeared in the film, The Football Factory as the mother to Tamara (Sophie Linfield) and the stage productions of Effi's Burning and All My Sons as Effi and Kate respectively. The following year, she played Pam in Shaking Dreamland and Maureen Groves in Derailed.^[3] In 2006, Blakley made guest appearances in ITV1 drama, Vital Signs and BBC medical drama, Doctors as Irene and Susan Staplehurst respectively. She also appeared in stage productions of Hay Fever and You Never Can Tell as Clara and Mrs Clandon in 2006 and in the stage production of Puntill and his man Matti as Emma in 2007. In 2007, Blakley also appeared in short film, Gone Fishing as Emily and an episode of ITV police drama, The Bill.^[3] The following year, Blakley starred in film Sydney Turtlebaum as Brenda, TV film The Children as Mel, a second episode of The Bill as Lorna Wickham and in a one-woman performance of Talking Heads.

In 2009, Blakley appeared in the film, Malice in Wonderland as Mrs. Jones; one episode of the ITV1 murder drama, Midsomer Murders as Janet Painter; one further episodes of Doctors as Elaine Preston; as lead role, Ursula in the stage production of Vincent in Brixton; and in the stage production of The Entertainer as Phoebe.^[3] In the following year, she played Rachael Pennington in an episode of BBC medical drama, Holby City and played Marguerita in the stage production of The Miser. 2011 saw Blakley appear in two films: Late Bloomers as 'The Grey Panther' and Age of Heroes as Mrs. Shepard.^[3] She also appeared in an episode of Law & Order: UK as Jessica. In 2012, she appeared in: Rufus Stone, a short film, as Abigail; an episode of One Night, a BBC one-off four-part drama, as Joan Burton, however the character was also just credited as 'School Secretary'; and an episode of Hunted, a BBC drama, as Grandma Freeman.^[3] In 2013, she appeared as Barbara Kay in her third episode of Doctors and also starred in an episode of BBC fantasy-adventure drama, Atlantis as Emily. Blakley has also filmed the role of Jen in a film entitled, Gozo and the film is currently in post-production and due to be released in 2015.^[3]

EastEnders

Blakley joined the cast of popular BBC soap opera, EastEnders as the wife of undertaker Les Coker (Roger Sloman), Pam, following his promotion to the regular cast.^[4] They would be setting up their funeral business in the fictional setting of Walford. Pam was billed as "a small woman with a big heart and an even bigger shoulder to cry on."^[4] Sloman stated how delighted he was to be working with Blakley and when commenting about her casting, Blakley said: "Being part of EastEnders is like going to work and being with another family. I'm really enjoying myself. Working with Roger has been wonderful from the word go, we have a laugh together and I feel like I have known him forever."^[4] Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins also spoke about how he enjoyed watching the chemistry between Sloman and Blakley.^[4] Her storylines since arriving have included: her friendly personality and interaction with the community; her friendships with Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) and Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick); the secrets that Les & Pam share, including that Pam assisted her son, Laurie die and Les is a cross dresser; the difficult relationship they share with their grandson, Paul (Jonny Labey); and mourning for Paul when he is murdered.

Blakley was axed from the show alongside Sloman in 2016 following the appointment of a new executive producer. A show insider commenting, "Pam and Les have been a big part of the show over the past few months and with their current storyline, bosses felt that it was the right time for their characters to leave the Square. There is still plenty more drama to come from the Cokers before they leave Walford."^[5]

Personal life

Blakley married founding member of the 1960s pop band The Tremeloes, Alan Blakley in 1969.^[1] Two years later they had a daughter, Kirsten, who would become the lead singer in indie band Little Spitfire, and in 1973 they had a second daughter, Claudie, who became an actress, notable for starring in Pride and Prejudice and Lark Rise to Candleford.^[1]

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

References

External links

• Lin Blakley at the Internet Movie Database