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User:FishLoveHam/Karen Taylor (EastEnders)

< User:FishLoveHam
Karen Taylor
EastEnders character
Portrayed byLorraine Stanley
Duration2017–2024
First appearanceEpisode 5511
15 June 2017
Last appearanceEpisode 6852
8 February 2024
ClassificationFormer; regular
Created byDaran Little[1]
Introduced bySean O'Connor
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Cleaner
  • Laundrette assistant
MotherHazel Taylor
SistersKandice Taylor
Sons
Daughters
Grandsons
Granddaughters
NiecesPrincess
First cousinsMaggie Taylor

Karen Taylor is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lorraine Stanley. She was introduced in episode 5511, broadcast on 15 June 2017, as the matriarch of the Taylor family. She arrived alongside her children Keanu (Danny Walters), Keegan (Zack Morris), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs), and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs), and is later revealed to be the mother of then off-screen character Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer). She is described as loud and fierce, yet kind-hearted and loyal. In her time on the show, her storylines focused on her financial struggles and her dedication to her family. In July 2023, it was announced that Stanley had been axed from the soap by executive producer Chris Clenshaw, with her departure being depicted in episode 6816, which aired on 8 December 2023. Karen briefly returns to Walford in episode 6851, broadcast 5 February 2024, and leaves again in episode 6853, broadcast 8 February 2024.

This was the third role Stanley had portrayed on EastEnders, having played Mo Harris in the 2004 spin-off special EastEnders: Pat & Mo and pub landlady Thelma Bragg in 2016.[2]

Storylines edit

2017–2023 edit

2024 edit

Development edit

Introduction and characterisation edit

Karen and the Taylors were created by writer Daran Little, and their arrival was announced in May 2017.[1] They were introduced as a "noisy" family which would have "explosive" storylines that would make "quite an entrance".[3][4] Executive producer Sean O'Connor was excited to introduce the family, describing them as "noisy, brash and not to be messed with".[3][5] He described Karen in particular as a "twenty-a-day lioness, bringing up her kids with no support, no money and a very loud mouth", although noted that while she comes across as a "fierce woman who won't hear a bad word said about her family", those close to her learn that she can also be "kind-hearted and loyal".[3][4][5] When talking about joining EastEnders, Stanley commented: "I'm chuffed to be cast in such an iconic show that I've grown up watching. Working with my new family is really quite special, and I'm proud to play their mum".[3][6]

Karen is the third role Stanley has portrayed on EastEnders, as she portrayed a younger Mo Harris in the 2004 spin-off EastEnders: Pat and Mo and pub landlady Thelma Bragg in 2016.[4][9][10] Despite initial doubts, Stanley believed her previous time on EastEnders helped her gain the role of Karen, as she had formed a friendship with casting director Julia Crampsie.[8][9] She was called in to audition for Karen after success playing Thelma, and was given brief details on the character, but knew she would be the head of a new family.[9] Stanley described the auditioning process positively, saying "I had a really good audition and I love the show's casting director, Julia Crampsie, because she's always had my back".[8] On her casting, Stanley said "I thought it would be weird for me to play another character, but the character was perfect for me".[9] Emma Barton was a mentor for Stanley on-set.[8]

Stanley explained that a backstory for the Taylor family is that they lived on an estate that was being knocked down, so moved into social housing in Albert Square.[8] Karen, alongside her children Keanu (Danny Walters), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs) made their first appearances on 15 June 2017.[11]

Departure edit

In July 2023, a decision to axe Karen was reached by producers, as they decided the character had reached the end of the road. A source told The Sun: "It's always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters. Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans".[2] She was set to depart in dramatic fashion in late 2023.[2]

When talking about Karen's departure, Chris Clenshaw said "You know, we're currently staying quite tight-lipped on the exact circumstances leading to Karen's exit. The Taylors have been a fantastic addition to the show since their introduction, which I think was about six years ago now, but what I can say is that, yeah, Karen's exit will be full of drama, in true EastEnders fashion, and yeah, there will be some twists and turns that I don't think viewers will expect".[12]

When talking about her departure, Stanley said "Thank you to [writer] Daran Little for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character".[13]

Karen left the show alongside Mitch Baker, Bailey Baker, Mia Atkins and Mackenzie Atkins, of these characters, Karen's exit was the only one that was announced beforehand.[1]

Guest stints edit

In January 2024, it was announced that Karen would briefly return to the show after Keanu's death, only a few weeks after her exit.[13]

In April 2024 it was announced that Stanley would return for another guest stint.[14]

Reception edit

Stanley received the Best Newcomer award at the 2018 British Soap Awards for her portrayal of Karen.[15] That year, she was also nominated at the Inside Soap Awards for Funniest Female.[16] She earned her second Funniest Female nomination and was nominated in the Best Actress category at the 2019 Inside Soap Awards, winning the former.[17][18] Stanley also received a Best Actress nomination at the British Soap Awards and Best Soap Actress nomination at the TV Choice Awards, both in 2019.[19]

Daran Little said that, on her exit, Lorraine Stanley "put the flesh on her bones and made her brilliantly whole. Was very sad to write her exit but wow, does Lorraine deliver!! A five star heart wrenching performance".[1] In 2023, Lewis Knight of Radio Times called the character a "staple" in Walford since her arrival.[2] Following her character's exit, Stanley said she felt "overwhelmed" by positive messages from fans.[20]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Knight, Lewis (8 December 2023). "EastEnders airs multiple surprise exits in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Knight, Lewis (29 July 2023). "EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley to be written out of Karen Taylor role". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Kilkelly, Daniel (10 May 2017). "EastEnders casts a brand new family as the Taylors arrive with "explosive" storylines". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "EastEnders: Meet the Taylors, the new 'not-to-be-messed-with' family". BBC News. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b Minn, Hayley (11 May 2017). "'Albert Square will never be the same again!' EastEnders casts new family starring Benidorm actor Danny Walters". Mirror. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  6. ^ Brown, David (2 June 2017). "EastEnders: the Taylor family moves in - see the first-look pictures". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  7. ^ Lindsay, Duncan (5 June 2017). "EastEnders spoilers: Meet the Taylors! We speak to the cast as the new family arrives with a huge secret". Metro. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e Kilkelly, Daniel (5 June 2017). "EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley reveals all the gossip and spoilers on Walford's new Taylor family". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Collins, James (10 December 2017). "'I didn't think people like me could be an actor' Eastenders star Lorraine Stanley on acting". Mandy. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  10. ^ Percival, Ash (11 May 2017). "'EastEnders': New Cast Member Lorraine Stanley Played A Different Character Just A Year Ago". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  11. ^ "EastEnders episode broadcast 15/06/2017". BBC. 15 June 2017. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  12. ^ Knight, Lewis (30 October 2023). "EastEnders winter preview 2023: Chris Clenshaw on Christmas, exits, returns". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b Lindsay, Duncan (25 January 2024). "EastEnders return confirmed for Karen Taylor in surprise twist following Keanu's death". Metro. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  14. ^ Anderton, Joe (22 April 2024). "EastEnders lines up another return for Karen Taylor as Lorraine Stanley reprises role". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  15. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (2 June 2018). "British Soap Awards 2018 winners: Find out which of your favourite shows and stars won a trophy". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  16. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (16 October 2018). "Coronation Street tops Inside Soap Awards 2018 shortlist with 18 nominations". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  17. ^ Harp, Justin (2 July 2019). "Inside Soap Awards 2019 longlist revealed - which Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  18. ^ Lee, Jess (7 October 2019). "Hollyoaks achieves a historic win at the Inside Soap Awards 2019". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  19. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (30 April 2019). "British Soap Awards 2019 shortlist revealed as EastEnders and Hollyoaks top the nominations". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  20. ^ Duncan, Charlie (9 December 2023). "EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley speaks out after Karen Taylor exit". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.


Category:EastEnders characters Category:Television characters introduced in 2017 Category:Taylor family (EastEnders) Category:English female characters in television Category:Fictional criminals in soap operas Category:Fictional kidnappers

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