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Irish Post
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Nichola MacEvilly talks art, activism, and why every Irish performer knows each other
NICHOLA MACEVILLY, from Sligo, trained in London, studying at Rose Bruford College and Central School of Speech and Drama. She is back in London currently in rehearsals for her latest show. Nichola MacEvilly (Pic: Jake Stewart) What are you up to? Right now I'm in rehearsals for Conor McPherson's Girl from the North Country at The Old Vic here in London. Have you worked with Conor McPherson before? I have indeed. Previously we brought Girl from the North Country to the Olympia in Dublin for six weeks before embarking on a 25 city tour of the UK. Conor's adored by everyone who is lucky enough to work with him. He's one of the greatest playwrights of our time, but he's also one of the best directors I've ever worked with. Most importantly he's very kind, and great craic. There are some other Irish actors in the play - have you worked together before? Colin Conor and I shared the Girl from the North Country stage before so it's great to be reunited with him. Myself and David Ganly had never worked together but we knew one another in that way all Irish actors know each other despite never having met. Great to finally work together. We also have a Tipperary man, James Berkery, as our associate movement director. Rehearsals for Girl From the North Country (Pic: Manuel Harlan) What is your favourite song in the show, and why? Oh, I couldn't pick a favourite but I do love Girl from the North Country as it's the one I get to sing myself. It's a haunting a cappella version arranged beautifully by Simon Hale. It underscores a particular moment in the show. A moment where light and dark, good and evil, reveal themselves simultaneously. I adore it. What led you into an acting career? There is a great theatre tradition in Sligo where I grew up and live. It wasn't uncommon for kids to recite Yeats poems and do Sean O'Casey plays at the Feis. We were very fortunate. I was very taken with theatre as a whole, and I suppose acting was where I landed within it all. I didn't have a eureka moment, or a calling to act. It's something that's settled with me over time. What is your favourite play? I've just developed a small obsession with Conor's new play The Brightening Air. I went to see it twice at The Old Vic, and bought the text. It's set in Sligo so I have a direct line to the world it's set within. It's a beautiful study of family, love, and the magical. I also love Tennessee Williams plays. I'd love to do Suddenly Last Summer one day. You were in a production last year with actor Brian Cox - what was that like? Yes we did Long Day's Journey into Night in the West End. Brian Cox is undoubtedly one of the finest actors of his generation. Eugene O'Neill's plays ask a lot of the actors who perform them, and Brian's character James Tyrone is one of the most iconic and challenging, so it was interesting to observe him navigate the challenges there. His contemporary Ian McKellen was doing Player Kings'in the Noel Coward behind us. The stage doors face each other so we had fun waving across every day. MacEvilly hails from Co. Sligo (Pic Anna Leask) What are your Irish roots? My dad was born in Sligo and my mum in Cavan Town. My mum is a Smyth from Main Street. They were living in Sligo when I was born but were visiting Cavan for Christmas when I decided to make my entrance on Stephens Day. I'm Sligo through and through but proud to have been born in Cavan like my mum's people. Where is your favourite theatre in Ireland? Hawks Well Theatre in Sligo. It was built by the people for the people. A number of the founders have passed away in recent years. We're very aware of their legacy. We owe them a lot. You will be playing Constance Markievicz later this year - tell us about that? Yes very excited about this. It's a project we've been working on for over 6 years. It's called Two Sisters and is created by Kellie Hughes with original compositions by Michael Rooney and Stephen Doherty. It's inspired by the two Gore Booth sisters Constance and Eva. It's a powerful blend of music, song, and spoken word adapted from their original texts and correspondence. It features myself and the singer Niamh Farrell with seven extraordinary musicians. Constance in particular has been unfairly represented in some cases I believe. We don't pass comment on that either way through the work but we do allow her own words and perspective to come through. What would you say has been your proudest moment on stage? Aside from Girl from the North Country of course, I'd have to say the first preview we did of Fun Home at The Gate Theatre in Dublin was a particularly memorable moment in time. The audience were invited members of the LGBTQI+ community and it was humbling to hear their audible reactions throughout the show. You could sense they were screaming 'Yes, I recognise myself in these characters'! It felt like an important moment in which our work had the potential to make a real impact on the lives of people who may ordinarily have felt excluded from the conversation. Which living person do you most admire? This changes regularly but the most consistent person has to be Mary Robinson. From her Irish presidency to her membership of The Elders, she has the ability to cut through the noise and speak with clarity and conviction without personal agenda or fear. What's the best advice you've ever been given? You didn't come this far just to come this far. What's the greatest lesson life has taught you? Be yourself, extremely and unapologetically. Your path is waiting for you when you truly believe that. Who/what is the greatest love of your life? My family and Smythy the dog. Girl from the North Country runs at London's Old Vic Theatre until August 23 See More: Girl From The North County
North Wales Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
The actors behind Elaine Peacock role on BBC EastEnders
After confronting her daughter, Linda Carter, about her decision to potentially leave the pub trade, the pair clash, leading Elaine to suffer two stress-induced collapses. With an uncertain future awaiting the well-known character, you may be interested in learning more about the actresses behind the role. A post shared by Harriet Thorpe (@hatdorable) Two actresses have played the role of Elaine Knight (or Peacock) over the years, according to the EastEnders Fan Wiki. She was first introduced to EastEnders in 2014 and was originally portrayed by Maria Friedman from 2014 until 2017. The BBC role was then taken over by Harriet Thorpe in 2023, a part the actress still has to this day. The character was introduced as the mother of Linda Carter and the grandmother of Lee, Nancy, Johnny, Ollie and Annie Carter. She is also the widow of John Peacock as well as the estranged wife of George Knight, a character with whom she has a strained relationship. EastEnders icon rushed to hospital after collapsing twice on the BBC show Actress Harriet Thorpe was born on June 8, 1957. She attended London's Central School of Speech and Drama before finding success in television, according to IMDb. In 1991, she played the role of the depressed and emotionally unfit mother from Britta's Empire and Fleur in the cult classic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. However, she is best known for playing the role of Elaine on EastEnders these days. EastEnders is available to watch and stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
South Wales Guardian
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
The actors behind Elaine Peacock role on BBC EastEnders
After confronting her daughter, Linda Carter, about her decision to potentially leave the pub trade, the pair clash, leading Elaine to suffer two stress-induced collapses. With an uncertain future awaiting the well-known character, you may be interested in learning more about the actresses behind the role. A post shared by Harriet Thorpe (@hatdorable) Two actresses have played the role of Elaine Knight (or Peacock) over the years, according to the EastEnders Fan Wiki. She was first introduced to EastEnders in 2014 and was originally portrayed by Maria Friedman from 2014 until 2017. The BBC role was then taken over by Harriet Thorpe in 2023, a part the actress still has to this day. The character was introduced as the mother of Linda Carter and the grandmother of Lee, Nancy, Johnny, Ollie and Annie Carter. She is also the widow of John Peacock as well as the estranged wife of George Knight, a character with whom she has a strained relationship. EastEnders icon rushed to hospital after collapsing twice on the BBC show Actress Harriet Thorpe was born on June 8, 1957. She attended London's Central School of Speech and Drama before finding success in television, according to IMDb. In 1991, she played the role of the depressed and emotionally unfit mother from Britta's Empire and Fleur in the cult classic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. However, she is best known for playing the role of Elaine on EastEnders these days. EastEnders is available to watch and stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
The actors behind Elaine Peacock role on BBC EastEnders
With an uncertain future awaiting the well-known character, you may be interested in learning more about the actresses behind the role. Who are the actresses who have played the role of Elaine Peacock on EastEnders? Two actresses have played the role of Elaine Knight (or Peacock) over the years, according to the EastEnders Fan Wiki. She was first introduced to EastEnders in 2014 and was originally portrayed by Maria Friedman from 2014 until 2017. The BBC role was then taken over by Harriet Thorpe in 2023, a part the actress still has to this day. The character was introduced as the mother of Linda Carter and the grandmother of Lee, Nancy, Johnny, Ollie and Annie Carter. She is also the widow of John Peacock as well as the estranged wife of George Knight, a character with whom she has a strained relationship. Recommended Reading: Who is Harriet Thorpe and what other roles has she had? Actress Harriet Thorpe was born on June 8, 1957. She attended London's Central School of Speech and Drama before finding success in television, according to IMDb. In 1991, she played the role of the depressed and emotionally unfit mother from Britta's Empire and Fleur in the cult classic sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. However, she is best known for playing the role of Elaine on EastEnders these days. EastEnders is available to watch and stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cherry Healey's shock feud with her best friend revealed: BBC presenter's joint project turned sour after the TV star 'backed out over other commitments'
BBC presenter Cherry Healey has said her belief in the power of 'manifestation' has enabled her to attract her dream life, including her job and 'the specific man' she wanted. Yet the TV star, 44, who competed in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, probably wasn't intending on manifesting a bitter fall-out with her best friend over a joint book deal. I hear that Healey's decision to pull out of a lucrative project has left her co-author, Alexis Lee, fuming and struggling financially. The pair have previously run workshops together called Manifest That Sh** and were approached by a publisher to write a book about it. Manifestation refers to the process of bringing desires or goals into reality through focused thoughts, beliefs, and actions. The topics that were due to feature in the book included journaling, intention setting, alignment and finding stillness. Sadly, according to Lee, the work will never see the light of day. 'There was a lot of excitement about the book and a bidding war among the publishers and a brilliant advance and we were incredibly happy,' says the London-born author. 'Since the book deal in 2022, and after writing at least 70/80 per cent of the book, my co-author Cherry Healey pulled out. It coincided with her TV work increasing at the time, so I can only assume this was the real reason.' She alleges that Cherry, who is Paddy McGuinness's co-presenter on Inside the Factory, made damaging comments about her personality including that she was 'difficult' and 'intimidating' to work with. 'When she told me she wanted out, the book was almost finished,' she claims online. 'I explained I couldn't afford to pull out as I was banking on the income, and I wouldn't be able to pay back the advance as well as all the work we'd both put into the project. 'Initially, she said she'd pay the whole advance back herself since it was her decision, but she later retracted this. It's taken me a long time to recover emotionally, and I've still not recovered financially.' The divorced mother-of-two who runs the Style Me Sunday blog, says the loss of their friendship has 'rocked her world'. She says: 'It's the betrayal and lack of care from someone who I viewed as one of my closest friends, that hurts most. Showing Alexis support in the comment section, and referring to her fallout with Billie Shepherd, Ferne McCann wrote: 'Hope you're ok. I hear you friendship breakups are totally underestimated. So tough. Sending love' Ashley James added: 'Hope you're ok lovely, friendship breakups are so tough. I hope one day you'll get to write the book you wanted to' 'I wanted to seek legal justice, but I just didn't have the funds to do so.'A spokesman for Cherry, who attended Cheltenham Ladies' College before completing a drama degree at the Central School of Speech and Drama, could not be reached for comment. Showing Alexis support in the comment section, and referring to her fallout with Billie Shepherd, Ferne McCann wrote: 'Hope you're ok. I hear you friendship breakups are totally underestimated. So tough. Sending love' Ashley James added: 'Hope you're ok lovely, friendship breakups are so tough. I hope one day you'll get to write the book you wanted to' It comes after Paddy squashed the rumours that he and and Cherry had struck up a romance together. The comedian, 51, sent his Instagram followers into a frenzy after he shared an album of snaps with Cherry on the BBC show and dubbed her a 'diamond'. Among the photos, Paddy, whose divorce with wife Christine was finalised in October last year, shared an insight of the two them enjoying a meal out and visiting a book shop. While in the caption he gushed: 'The whole crew on Inside The Factory have been a joy to work with. A small but perfectly formed team. 'Also I'd never met @cherryhealey before but we hit it off straight away. Absolutely love working with her, she's an absolute diamond!' This sparked speculation from fans that the co-stars were dating, with many commenting that the pair 'looked very comfortable together'. Followers flocked to the comments to ask if they were an item, writing: 'Is this a soft launch of the new Mrs?'; 'Is this your new love? If so all the very best (you look very comfortable together)'; 'I suspect your soulmate.' But despite excitement from their fans, Paddy broke his silence to deny the rumours, replying: 'Not at all. She's just a great person.' Paddy made his Inside The Factory debut alongside Cherry last month during the Christmas special, after Gregg Wallace stepped down from the show last year due to the allegations in regard to female factory workers at Nestle, where he was filming at the time. Previously, Paddy gushed about working with co-host Cherry in an interview with The Sun. Admitted he had been nervous at the start, he said: 'That's always the tricky bit, you hope you get on. 'But I'm telling you now, me and Cherry do so much laughing. As soon as I met her, we had the biggest talk and we just got on like that. 'This is testament to her - when I did my Children in Need challenge, she turned up in Kendal to surprise me - she even brought me up a lasagne she'd made!'
