Dallas legend Linda Gray has joined the cast of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing in Dallas
The actress, famed for her role of Sue Ellen Ewing in the iconic US series, will play Marnie Nightingale’s (Lysette Anthony) mother Tabitha aka ‘Tabby’ in the Chester-based saga.
Tabby comes to the village to spend time with her daughter. Since the death of her husband Charles, she has filled her days lunching with friends and going on the occasional date, but has never found anything like the sort of love she had with him. Tabby showered affection and the best education on her daughter Marnie, who went on to marry “beneath her” with the working class, bit of rough, Mac Nightingale.
“I’m thrilled to be going from one iconic series to another and can’t wait to work with the fantastic cast. Hollyoaks viewers are going to love it when Tabby whips up a storm just like Sue Ellen did.” – Linda Gray
Lysette Anthony as Marnie
Despite her disapproval of Marnie’s choice of man, Tabby is a doting glamorous grandmother to Nathan, Ellie and Alfie, but especially to James, the awkward boy who treasured his Granny Tabby.
The official Hollyoaks website notes Linda will make her first appearance as Tabby in the Autumn while reports suggest it is a week long stint in the saga for the actress with a possibility of further appearances thereafter.
“When we came to discuss who could possibly play Marnie’s mother the list was very small. Lysette Anthony has fast become a fabulous soap bitch so having Linda Gray play her mother Tabitha is the perfect fit. We can’t wait to have an international TV icon arrive in Chester and become part of the Hollyoaks family.” – Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood
Hollyoaks airs weekdays at 6.30pm on Channel 4 with a first look episode at 7pm on E4
