Anita Dobson is currently playing the mysterious Mrs Flood in Doctor Who, but she famously made her name as the iconic Angie Watts in EastEnders.
TV viewers will no doubt remember the character as one of the most legendary in the world of soap. Her turbulent marriage to love rat Den Watts went down in history when he handed her divorce papers on Christmas Day 1986. The episode was watched by a record-breaking 30.1 million viewers.
After leaving the soap in 1988 after three years, the actress vowed never to return. But why? Here’s everything you need to know about Anita Dobson, her TV characters in the likes of Doctor Who and EastEnders, and her famous husband Brian May.
Who is Mrs Flood in Doctor Who?
Actress Anita Dobson portrays Mrs Flood in series 14 of Doctor Who. She joins Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor, and Coronation Street star Millie Gibson, who plays Ruby Sunday.
And fans will know that the character is not quite who she seems… Mrs Flood is the next-door neighbour of Ruby Sunday and her family, and seems like a sweet little old lady – until the credits scene of the Christmas special The Church on Ruby Road… Then, viewers saw her turn to the camera and say: “Never seen a TARDIS before?”
Of course, there have been numerous wild theories about her identity. Some fans believe she is the Doctor’s long-lost granddaughter Susan Foreman. Could she be a member of the Pantheon, another Time Lord, or even Ruby Sunday’s mum?
Writer Russell T Davies has teased that Mrs Flood is a “slow-burn”, so watch this space!
In the conclusion of the two-part finale (Saturday, June 22, 2024), The Doctor has lost, his ageless enemy reigns supreme, and a shadow is falling over creation… Nothing can stop the devastation – except, perhaps, one woman.
What else has Doctor Who star Anita Dobson been in?
Anita Dobson has a TV, film. and theatre career spanning nearly five decades. Her very first TV appearance was in 1979, when she portrayed Roxanne in the TV movie Leave Him to Heaven.
She went on to star in episodes of TV series, including Nanny, Take the Stage, and Partners in Crime. But it was in 1985 that she arrived in Walford as the legendary Angie Watts (read more below).
After leaving the BBC soap in 1988, Anita subsequently played Cath in Split Ends, popped up in Red Dwarf, and Smokescreen. She portrayed Mrs Ivy Osborne in Get Well Soon, and Jean Harris in NCS Manhunt.
Other notable roles include Margaret in The Rebel, Mirabelle Hubble in The Worst Witch, Grace Stephenson in The Long Call, and Bella in Murder, They Hope.
From 2023, she has played Mrs Flood in Doctor Who. Anita has been in multiple film roles, including This Time Next Year, Tomorrow Morning, The Fight, and The Fall of the Krays.
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