September 20th 2024.
Oh my goodness, can you believe it? Tamzin Outhwaite has had a change of heart! You may remember her as the talented actress who portrayed the iconic Mel Owen on the beloved soap opera EastEnders. One of the most memorable storylines of her time on the show was her whirlwind marriage to none other than Ian Beale. But boy, did things take a turn at their wedding reception! Mel discovered that Ian had been lying to her about his daughter's health, and she wasted no time in showing him the door as the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve.
Sadly, in 2019, the character of Mel was killed off in a shocking twist. It happened during a heated feud with another fan favorite, Sharon Watts. Fans were left reeling from the unexpected loss of such a beloved character, and many have argued that Mel's demise was unwarranted. Even Tamzin herself recently opened up about her thoughts on her character's sudden departure, admitting that she was devastated at the time. She mourned the loss of a character that she had spent so much time bringing to life on screen. However, she has since come to see the silver lining in her character's exit.
In a recent interview with The Agency, Tamzin shared, "At the time, I was also quite devastated that she was killed off, because you mourn a character like that, who's taken up a big section of your life." But now, she sees it as a blessing in disguise. She believes that if Mel had not met such a tragic end, she may not have taken as many risks in her career. Plus, it's comforting to know that there is no possibility of her character ever returning. Tamzin had previously entertained the idea of returning as an older, more seasoned character with a rich history in the square. But now, she has come to terms with the finality of Mel's story.
Recently, Tamzin joined forces with her fellow soap stars Jo Joyner and Angela Griffin to star in a new drama for Channel 5 called The Wives. The show follows three sister-in-laws who uncover a family mystery while on holiday in Malta. Tamzin is excited to be a part of a show that puts women in their late 40s and 50s in the spotlight. She hopes to see more representation of women in this age group on television in the future.
Speaking of representation, Tamzin believes that things are starting to change in the industry. She said, "I think it's definitely getting better, in the sense that people are waking up to the fact that the people who watch most television are women of a certain age, and I don't think they have been seeing themselves on screen that much." She believes that it's refreshing to see women in their 40s and 50s portrayed realistically on screen, rather than conforming to the stereotypical "leading lady" image. Tamzin is proud to play a character like Sylvie, who is relatable and unapologetically herself.
But Sylvie is quite different from Tamzin in some ways. For example, she is very active on dating apps and enjoys meeting people for casual encounters. Tamzin, on the other hand, has never been on a dating app and doesn't plan on it anytime soon. However, she knows many people her age who do use them, and she finds it interesting to explore this aspect of dating in her role. "It's a strange thing, isn't it, dating in your 40s and 50s – I don't really know how you go about it," she shared. But playing a character like Sylvie, who is unafraid to live life on her own terms, has been liberating for Tamzin.
Aside from her television work, Tamzin is also currently starring in a stage production of Abigail's Party. When asked if this role was ever on her bucket list, she confessed, "Do you know what, it wasn't." She was hesitant to take on such an iconic role, as she didn't want to simply imitate the previous actress who played the role. But upon further reflection, she realized that she knew many women like her character Beverly in real life. "When I was growing up [in Essex], there was definitely one in my mum's social circle," she shared. And because of this personal connection, the role didn't feel as daunting to her.
Tamzin has a deep appreciation for writer and director Mike Leigh and his ability to capture the human experience, particularly for working-class individuals. She believes that his play, Abigail's Party, is still relevant today, despite being written in the 1970s. In fact, Tamzin thinks that if the play were set in modern times, Beverly would likely be an influencer. "I do actually feel like Beverly would probably be an influencer if it was set today," she shared with a laugh.
It's clear that Tamzin has a lot going on in her career, and she's excited to see what the future holds. But one thing is for sure, she has no regrets about her character's sudden departure from EastEnders. She's grateful for the opportunities it has brought her and is looking forward to new challenges and experiences. And for fans who want to stay up to date on all things soaps, Tamzin invites them to join her on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community, where they can get access to exclusive interviews, spoiler galleries, and must-watch videos.
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