EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks has spoken of her delight after landing a dream role in a ‘wild’ West End show. The 42 year old actress, best known for playing the dastardly Janine Butcher in the hit BBC soap, has revealed she is set to star in a production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane – a theatre adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel.
Charlie made a dramatic exit from EastEnders over Christmas after her character Janine was thrown in jail for perverting the course of justice after it emerged she had framed love rival Linda (played by Kellie Bright) for a near-fatal car crash so she could win the heart of Mick Carter (played by Danny Dyer). The actress has played Janine off and on since 1999 – but after her latest departure from Albert Square six months ago, she has now announced her new exciting role.
Confirming the news on Instagram, Charlie wrote: “My childhood dream of being in the west end is going to happen, after 25 years in this industry and I can’t wait. I couldn’t have hoped for a more magical, meaningful, wild and wonderful production to be part of.”
Fans and showbiz pals rushed to congratulate Charlie in response to the post. Fellow soap star Claire Sweeney described it as “fantastic” news while TV presenter Kate Thornton simply said “congratulations”. Former Footballers' Wives star Cristian Solimeno posted: 'Congratulations!!! This is wonderful news.'
Charlie also shared her joy on her Instagram stories, writing over an image of Neil Gaiman: “@oceanonstage has been transferred to west end! I couldn't be more proud and happy to be part of this amazing production. Look out London…. here we come. WOOHOO!”
Charlie has recently opened up on how she has learned to be “kinder to herself” after years "plagued by a lack of confidence". She described how her fear of not being good enough – professionally and personally – held her back and stopped her reaching her full potential.
Speaking to The Sun, Charlie said: “Winning the part of Janine Butcher in EastEnders in 1999, when I was 17, meant I didn’t go to drama school – and a lot of the insecurity I’ve felt throughout my career has stemmed from that. I’ve often questioned whether I truly deserved to be where I am."
Charlie, who has also had a "difficult relationship" with her body, admitted she had "doubted herself endlessly as a parent" to daughter Kiki, 18. At 40, she said she "found herself at a breaking point" in her life and realised "something needed to change".
Charlie gave up alcohol in 2020, which she said transformed her life. Since then, she added, has ‘got to know, trust and even like herself’, which has allowed her to ‘step outside her comfort zone’.
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