User:NeverBeLikeYou/Jean Slater

Jean Slater (also Walters) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gillian Wright. Her first appearance is in the episode first broadcast in the United Kingdom on 16 December 2004. The character of Jean is notable for suffering bipolar disorder, which put a strain on her relationship with her two children Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). In July 2013, it was announced that Wright had decided to leave the show. Jean departed the series on 17 September 2013, leaving for a fresh start with boyfriend Ollie Walters (Tony O'Callaghan). Jean returned in August 2014 and has since made guest appearances in August 2014, July 2015, December 2015, January 2016 and April 2016.

Storylines
Jean suffers with bipolar disorder and her condition steadily deteriorates. Despite her daughter Stacey Slater's (Lacey Turner) help, Jean attempts suicide and is sectioned. Over the following years, she attempts to rebuild her relationship with Stacey and her son Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) (following his return from the army). She makes progress with Stacey, but Sean continues to reject her. Jean moves in with the Slater family in Walford and meets Ted (Richard Hope) at a singles' night. They date; however, Ted ends it because he cannot handle Jean's personality. Jean takes the rejection badly, has a breakdown and is admitted to a psychiatric ward for several months. When Stacey begins showing symptoms of bipolar, Jean intervenes and Stacey is sectioned. During her stay in hospital, Stacey grows close to another patient, Becca Swanson (Simone James); upon Stacey's release, Becca returns to live with her. Becca vies for Stacey's attention. She grows jealous of Stacey's husband Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) and Jean. Following Bradley's death and the birth of Stacey's baby Lily, Becca successfully attempts to exclude Jean from Stacey's life. It is not until the true extent of Becca's involvement in Bradley's death is revealed (Becca had called the police and implicated him for Archie Mitchell's (Larry Lamb) murder and Bradley died in the subsequent police chase) that Stacey finally sees sense and begins to trust Jean again.

While at R&R nightclub, Jean is saved by Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) from a man who pesters her. Jean invites Billy back to her house and they have sex, but Billy hurts her feelings the next day when she hears him making insulting comments about her. Despite being upset, she accepts Billy's apology, dismissing it as just a one-night stand. Following Stacey's confession that it was she, not Bradley, who murdered Archie a year before, Jean begins to doubt Stacey is fit to care for Lily. Her fears worsen when Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) stabs herself and makes it look like Stacey is responsible. Jean phones the police asking them to detain Stacey. Fearing prison, Stacey attempts to flee and is eventually helped to escape by Jean once Stacey reveals her motive behind Archie's murder — he had raped her. Stacey takes Lily and leaves. Jean is heartbroken by her departure; she grows depressed and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) finds her in the bath fully clothed attempting to drown herself. Realising that she is not coping, Jean admits herself into a psychiatric hospital.

Kat visits Jean three months later and Jean reveals she is better and can leave. Kat invites her to stay with her, which she does. She works for Kat and her husband Alfie (Shane Richie) as barmaid and cook at the Queen Victoria public house. She develops crushes on Alfie's cousin Eddie (David Essex) and Janine's uncle Norman Simmonds (George Layton), but her interest is not returned by either. Jean is thrilled when she wins £8000 on a lottery scratchcard. She makes an incorrect assumption that a man named Carter (Andrew Scarborough) is attracted to her, but he is later revealed to be a benefit fraud officer who declares Jean has been illegally claiming benefits whilst working at the pub. Kat's grandmother Mo Harris (Laila Morse) later admits that she has been claiming benefits in Jean's name. Jean begrudgingly agrees to take the blame as Mo has a previous conviction, but the stress causes another mental breakdown; she obsesses over Shenice Quinn (Lily Harvey), a young girl who the Moons care for, believing she is an angel. Instead of having her readmitted to hospital, Kat vows to care for Jean at home, and Jean eventually improves.

As Alfie has hired Ray Dixon (Chucky Venn) as a professional chef, Jean is fired from the pub kitchen, but is given the job of events manager. Jean is conned out of her lottery winnings by Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), who tells her he will invest the money for her. He persuades her to 'invest' Alfie's money, which Jean has been given to pay bills with and she also invests money saved for The Queen Victoria's VAT bill. Barmaid Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) discovers the money missing, so a worried Jean asks Michael to return it, but he denies any knowledge of her investment. Jean tells Michael's fiancée Janine that he has taken her money, but Michael claims Jean is obsessed, thinking he is her son Sean therefore making Janine's unborn baby her grandchild. Roxy believes Jean, but Michael convinces her that Jean is also obsessed with Roxy's daughter Amy Mitchell (Amelie Conway), and plants Amy's belongings in Jean's bedroom to prove it. Nobody believes Jean, and she becomes desperate to clear her name. Eventually, Roxy warns her to stop making allegations. Realising that she cannot cope with Jean alone, Roxy calls Alfie. Alfie returns with Kat, and Kat believes Jean, vowing to help prove Michael took the money. The truth eventually emerges when Kat tells Michael that Jean threatened to kill herself if she is sectioned over him, leading to Michael admitting to Kat that he took the money. When all these events cause Janine to go into premature labour on he wedding day, Jean has a sudden change of heart and strongly advises Michael to support Janine after he decides to flee. Kat then tells Michael that he must repay back the money to Jean, which he does.

Jean forms an unlikely friendship with Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and supports Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) following his nervous breakdown. When he recovers and decides to open up a new restaurant he appoints Jean as his sous-chef. However the stress of holding down two jobs, coupled with Ian's constant bullying, results in Jean quitting, especially when she falsely accuses Ian of sexually harassing her. Drowning her sorrows with Shirley and Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer), Jean realises that she has left her handbag at the restaurant and they break in at night to retrieve it. Shirley and Bianca continue to get drunk and a fire soon breaks out; the sprinkler system puts it out but floods the restaurant. The women escape unseen, but Jean struggles with her guilt. She confesses to Kat, who convinces her to keep quiet but when Jean volunteers to help clean up the restaurant with Ian she confesses to him. Ian threatens to call the police, but he later decides against it. Jean takes up an allotment, where she meets Ollie Walters (Tony O'Callaghan). Ollie asks Jean on a date but she is reluctant upon finding out he is a retired police officer, but Kat and Alfie convince her to go. She confesses about her recent crimes to Ollie on their second date, but he tells her it does not matter as she was not charged so she can forget about it. Their date goes well and afterwards Jean invites Ollie to spend the night with her. Eventually, Jean tells Ollie about her bipolar disorder, despite worrying that he would reject her. He researches the illness but Jean realises that he does not really want to be with someone who has a mental illness, so they break up. She tries to reunite with him later but discovers he is retiring to Brighton. She attends his retirement party but leaves before he sees her. Ollie comes to visit Jean asking if she would move to Brighton with him, but Kat tells Jean not to go as she is needed in Walford. However Kat later regrets this and tells Jean she should go. Jean then leaves Walford with Ollie to start a new life in Brighton after saying an emotional farewell to Kat and Alfie.

When Stacey returns to Walford, she confesses to killing Archie, which leads to her being imprisoned with a five-year sentence, and Lily is left in Jean and Ollie's care. A few months later, Jean arrives at Kat and Alfie's home with Lily. She visits Stacey in prison, urging her to appeal her sentence, but Stacey refuses. Jean struggles to cope with looking after Lily, and when she overhears Alfie and Kat talking about her, she attempts suicide. Stacey is allowed to visit Jean in hospital, where Stacey realises how much her family need her, especially as Jean wants to stay in a psychiatric hospital. Jean eventually convinces Stacey to appeal her sentence and then returns to a psychiatric hospital in Brighton.

Jean returns to Walford and surprises Stacey and Lily by revealing that she and Ollie are getting married. She runs away after spotting a key that Stacey is wearing, who reveals Sean gave it to her, and that it is connected with her deceased husband, Brian. Stacey, Shirley, Lily and Stacey's new boyfriend Martin Fowler (James Bye) all travel from Walford to Brighton to attend the wedding. She and Ollie then marry with their friends and family around them. Jean is furious when she returns home and finds Stacey looking through her belongings, trying to find out what the key is for. She accuses Stacey of being unwell, but then snatches the key from Stacey and appears to flush it down the toilet. Stacey leaves in anger, taking Martin, Lily and Shirley with her. It is then revealed that Jean still has the key.

Jean later visits Stacey and steals an unopened letter after recognising the handwriting, and when Jean and Ollie visit again, Stacey tells Jean she is being followed. Ollie reveals someone visited Jean and when Stacey asks Jean who he is, Jean takes the key from her bag, saying it was Stacey's father's. Jean tells Stacey is it for Brian's safety deposit box, Stacey finds it is empty, so Jean tells Stacey that her father, Brian, had another family, and Stacey realises the man following her must her half brother. In January 2016, Jean and Ollie return to Walford to meet Stacey's newborn son Arthur Fowler. Stacey allows Jean to hold him, but when Jean hands him to Martin, Stacey snatches him out of Martin's hands and flees, claiming that she is seeing the devil. Jean berates Martin for not handling Stacey's bipolar properly and wants to call for professional help, but Martin convinces her to let him find Stacey and convince her himself. Eventually, Martin finds Stacey and convinces her that a hospital is the safest place for her and Arthur, so Jean and Ollie decide to stay in a hotel nearby just in case Stacey needs them. Jean later visits Stacey at the hospital and later contacts Martin and informs him that she has returned to Brighton.

Casting
Jean was originally a minor character, appearing for a storyline where her daughter Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, struggles to look after her in December 2005. The character eventually became a regular, but Wright said she did not believe this was originally intended: "She's a character that's grown after being created for a week of episodes back in 2005 for that big storyline where Stacey found Jean in the flat that was all boarded up. There was the odd little bit here and there over the following months and it just gradually built up to becoming a regular. It was quite hard to turn her from someone who was quite an intensive character to someone who could be watched on a regular basis."

In Jean's original storyline, Stacey returns to live with her mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder, amidst one of her mental breakdowns. Scenes showed Jean, who had "sank into the dark despair of her illness", living in squalor, off her medication, starved, petrified, suicidal, and being abused and ridiculed by her neighbours. Stacey is forced to admit her to a psychiatric hospital for her own safety. In May 2009, Stacey started showing signs of bipolar disorder. Series consultant Simon Ashdown said the storyline tests Jean, adding, "you'll see her attempt to adopt more of a maternal role towards Stacey. Up till now it's Stacey who has been the 'carer' in the relationship." In an interview with entertainment website Digital Spy, Wright discussed Jean's complex character, saying "She's slightly quirky and off-kilter but also has bipolar, if that makes sense? The disorder's different for everybody. I wait until the scripts come in and sometimes I think 'we've been on a flat level for too long' so I find a way within the dialogue to make it a bit difference." The actress also revealed that she greatly enjoys working on EastEnders as it is always full of surprises. In May 2010, Wright told Kris Green of Digital Spy that working with EastEnders is a privilege. Before her return was announced, she said of her departure: "Things can't last forever. I am an actress and it's all a big adventure, isn't it? It's wonderful to have been in it for so long. [Jean] wasn't meant to be a regular character, so to have crept in slowly, then become a regular...for the audience to love and for me to be able to play something a little quirky, fun and also bipolar has been a privilege."

2010 departure and 2011 return
On 29 April 2010, it was announced that Jean and Stacey were both to depart from the soap later in the year. Wright said of her departure: "It's been an honour to play Jean especially as the public response to her has always been so supportive. It's been a real privilege to be able to heighten awareness of bipolar disorder. I've thoroughly enjoyed working with my onscreen Slater family, in particular working with Lacey and developing such a great rapport over the years." Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood added: "Gillian has brought real heart and pathos to the role of Jean Slater, a complex and fragile character who has really been taken into the public's affection." However, Wright was given a reprieve in late 2010, when it was announced that a storyline had been created for Jean and Wright had signed a new contract to return in 2011. Jean left EastEnders on 13 January 2011 and returned on 29 March 2011.

Investment fraud
In April 2012, it was announced that Jean would form an unlikely relationship with Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd). Michael seizes this opportunity to trick Jean into giving him a large sum of money. Michael tells Jean, that because one of the suspects for the murder of Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) had a large sum of money, the police could easily target Jean as an additional suspect. Jean gives her scratch card winnings consisting of £8000 to Michael so he can invest it into his gym, but in fact Michael plans to use it to pay for his wedding to Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). Michael, seeing that Jean is an easy target, decides to con her again by asking her for a second investment by "lending" him Alfie Moon's (Shane Richie) savings. Even though Jean is initially reluctant at first, she hands over the VAT money for The Queen Victoria. Shepherd expressed his excitement for forthcoming storylines for his character Michael and Wright's character Jean. Speaking to All About Soap, Shepherd said: "We are building up to something, but I don't know what the pay-off is. It'll be a real crescendo and the thing with Jean becomes extremely intense. It's a bubbling cauldron." Shepherd later confessed that Michael doesn't care if Janine finds out where the money is coming from. He added: "He balances the risk he might be thrown out of the relationship against the benefits and decides it's worth the gamble."

Wright has said that viewers are "protective" of Jean and that Michael's scam against Jean has led to people supporting her. Wright told Inside Soap: "It's funny how protective the viewers are of Jean," she said. "The other night, I was putting the bins out and a woman screeched up in her car, wound the window down and said, 'Don't give him the money! He's a git!' I thought that was very sweet." Shepherd later said on 24 May 2012 that Michael is playing a "dangerous game" as his scam intensifies. Wright later reassured viewers that Jean will fight back against Michael and will not remain a victim. Wright commented: "This [story is] quite special, I think - it's the longest one I've ever had, but also it's taking advantage of someone with bipolar and making them feel like they are losing the plot - that's a tough story." Wright also said that the storyline is a "huge responsibility". It was later revealed in 2012 that Jean will become an unlikely Ally to Michael after she urges him not to make a terrible mistake. Wright said that she is thrilled that Jean is standing up for herself as the storyline continues. Speaking on This Morning, Wright said: "Jean is a victim and the storyline is about a victim, I suppose. [But] I didn't want it to be played as a victim. So I'm looking for any opportunity for her to seize her own power. Sometimes that might be the smallest thing, like breaking into somebody's house and searching. That's a big thing - hiding under a table is a big thing!"

Ollie Walters and 2013 departure
On 13 June 2013, it was announced that former The Bill star, Tony O'Callaghan had been cast in the soap as Ollie Walters, a new love interest for Jean. It was revealed that Jean would meet Ollie when she is given an allotment, but they would get off to a rocky start, before becoming close. Spoiler pictures were released on 14 July showing Ollie and Jean on their date, where they kiss. Jean later worries that Ollie will be put off by her bipolar, but when she tells him, he does his research and tells her he wants to pursue their relationship. He returns days later, but is sent away by Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace).

On 31 July 2013, Wright announced her intentions to leave EastEnders after eight years with the soap, with her final scenes due to air in October. It was thought that Jean's departure would be linked with Ollie. Wright said how much of a "huge privilege" it had been playing Jean for the previous eight years. She also commented: "I will miss EastEnders enormously, but it is time for me to step back and enjoy other acting challenges. I would love Jean to return to The Square one day, so let's hope this is not goodbye, but au revoir." In September, Jean discovers Ollie's intentions to move to Brighton, but is delighted when Ollie reveals he loves her and prepares to move to Brighton with him. After some turbulence in the plans, Jean finally sets off for her new life in Brighton with Ollie on 17 September 2013.

Guest stints (2014–present)
In December 2013, it was announced that Turner had chosen to return to EastEnders as Stacey and would be filming her return scenes in January 2014. Stacey returned for six weeks between 7 February and 25 March 2014, before being arrested for the murder of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb). On 18 May 2014, it was confirmed that Wright had chosen to return to the soap for a short stint, where she would be reunited with Stacey, who will make a permanent return in the summer. Speaking on her upcoming return, Wright said: "I feel very honoured to be asked to reprise my role as Jean Slater for a short while. The storyline promises to be challenging and exciting! I look forward to playing again with old friends and new, and to pick up the special relationship between Stacey and Jean." Executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins also commented: "We are so pleased to have Gillian back with us to reprise her role as Jean Slater, albeit briefly. Stacey and Jean have such a rich, loving but difficult history. There is still so much to plumb between them as we delve deeper into what it means to have bipolar disorder as a mother but also as a daughter. There are some truly heartbreaking scenes ahead for our audience." In June, Wright and Turner returned to filming, with pictures of the filming being released on 27 June. The pictures revealed that Jean would end up in hospital, with Stacey visiting her. It was also promised that Jean and Stacey's bipolar would be revisited, with Treadwell-Collins commenting: "Stacey and Jean have such a rich, loving but difficult history. There is still so much to plumb between them as we delve deeper into what it means to have bipolar disorder as a mother but also as a daughter. There are some truly heartbreaking scenes ahead for our audience."

The following month it was revealed that Jean's return storyline would see her plot to get Stacey out of prison. Spoiler pictures were released on 27 July showing Jean and Kat visit Stacey in prison. Days later, more spoiler pictures were released and it was revealed that Jean would end up in hospital after collapsing, with Stacey visiting her from prison. Wright's return scenes aired on 4 August 2014 and she departed on 11 August, one week later.

On 26 May 2015, it was announced that Wright would be returning to EastEnders for a second guest stint since her 2013 exit. It was thought that Jean would be returning for her wedding to Ollie, after paparazzi caught Wright wearing a 'Bride-to-be' top. O'Callaghan and Turner were also spotted on-location, filming in wedding attire. It was also considered that Jean's return may link with an ongoing storyline for Stacey with a key she has, given to her by Sean. Wright's return scenes aired on 3, 6 and 7 July 2015, with the main focus on Stacey's key as Jean disagreed with Stacey having it. Wright filmed further scenes as Jean in October 2015, with Jean making onscreen appearances on 3, 17 and 18 December 2015. Jean's return saw the truth behind Stacey's key being uncovered as Jean revealed that her deceased husband, Brian, had a second family and the man, Kyle (Riley Carter Millington), who had been following Stacey for months, had been contacting Jean. The BBC announced that Wright would return in late January 2016, appearing in episodes on 19 January and 21 January. Jean returned again for an episode in April 2016.

Reception
The episodes showing Stacey struggling to look after Jean were described as a "harrowing and bleak", were praised by critics in the media. Wright and Turner were complimented for giving "graphically powerful performances", and the storyline won a Mental Health Media Award in September 2006. Wright also won 'Best Actress' at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards Kate White of Inside Soap praised the friendship between Jean and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), "We love, love, love the genius pairing of Jean and Shirley. With Heather [Trott, played by Cheryl Fergison] having been brown bread [dead] for over a year, it's time Shirley got a new BFF - and we reckon zany Jean is perfect."