That's probably exactly what will happen. This has often been the case in the past. A new character is introduced and seems very over the top and in your face, no matter what type, or stereotype they're meant to convey. Eventually, as the actor gets used to the character and adds their own spin on him or her and the writers see how they do it, the dialogue gets more depth and the character becomes more complex. If a character really catches the audience's imagination, then the producer will allow and develop more background which all adds to the mix.
Who knew when feckless Eddie Windass first appeared on our screens that he would be a creative and talented baker? Volatile Becky Granger was also fiercely loyal to those she loved and ached to be a mum. Owen, at first, was an out and out nasty piece of work. He's still a bit of a bully but we can also see a more tender and understanding side. Well. Sometimes.
A few characters over the years never strayed very far from their initial personality. Les and Cilla both really remained cartoonish but on rare occasions could show a bit of depth. Bubble headed Candice and Celeb-wannabe Rosie never really got much deeper than a sheet of paper but they both developed into great comic characters. Current character Eva seems to be following in their stillettos.
Audrey Roberts was most definitely a flighty, selfish woman but over time has grown into a very layered character. Most famously, Roy Cropper first appeared as a bit of a creepy stalker. You would never guess that now.
So, those of you that are finding Gloria to be a bit one dimensional at the moment, may we suggest giving the writers and the actor time to find her feet and her direction? I think Sue Johnston will do mighty things with the character and the writers will rise to the challenge. First impressions, as a general rule of thumb, tend to mellow, on Corrie.
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Yeah, but she's nasty all the time to everyone for no reason. Blanche would let loose some real zingers, but she wasn't that way 24/7.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm just tired of all the nasty characters right now. You'd think if you're new to a neighbourhood, you'd try and ingratiate yourself with at least SOME of them?
~JB in Canada
Oh yeah, and throwing out all the hot pots just because ...???? What the hell?!
ReplyDeleteAnd another reason for not liking her ... it means I have to tolerate more of her beige/raspy voiced daughter. Ugh.
~JB in Canada
I dont think Sue Johnson is in it for the long haul anyway, she is due to appear in the Royal Family Christmas special anyway.
ReplyDeleteEven if you back to the good old days, Hilda was a bit of a bitch in some of the earlier episodes. Rita was a bit 'common' to begin with and Deirdre was a bit of a tart. Characters usually take time to settle down.
ReplyDeleteSame thing with Sylvia..came on like gangbusters and by the end of the week I couldn't stand the character and haven't watched her since.
ReplyDeleteGloria is just another big mouthed old bag on the street and un-funny in the bargain...I won't watch this character either.
Well said, Tvor, as always.
ReplyDeleteI like Stella, she's kind, has a good heart and will help anyone, but she'll give you the boot and the back of the door if you deserve it. She's not had it easy and why should she act like a soft touch. bully for her. The only thing I wish is that Lee-Ann's mum was back on the street, because she is her mum, Stella is biological and her relationship is a grow-up one, not as if she was their from day one.
ReplyDeleteAlso, new characters come in with a bang because they need to make an impression on the viewer and to cause conflict with the established characters.
ReplyDeleteBlanche was like this all the time, one liners.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Gloria yet so I won't comment on her but the article makes me think of how Sylvia was introduced last year, with her taking over the cafe and adding extra charges for condiments. She got better later, but I hate when they deliberately introduce characters that way. Eddie, Becky and Owen aren't quite the same as they evolved over time. Even Blanche took years to become the acerbic old harridan we love - she'd lived in the street long enough to get away with it by then.
ReplyDeleteCorrie used to try out most of its characters. People would get jobs in the street or come in as boyfriends/girlfriends, have a minor storyline and then disapper for a while. Most of the iconic characters who weren't originals came in like that. eg Vera worked at the fatory for ages, before the Duckies moved into the street and Jack and Terry were introduced.
ReplyDeleteThen Corrie began copying EE and brought in the Battersbys which worked really badly and they were soon toned down. Shoving new characters in the viewers faces just doesn't seem to work. The Mortons, Harrises, Stellas's clan....