This month four former Grange Hill stars can be spotted in very high profile roles; from television, to stage, to screen…. and even behind the scenes.
First up is Lee Macdonald who played Zammo Maguire until 1987. Having taken a break from acting, Lee usually runs his own locksmiths business, but this week makes a return to television screens with a role in Eastenders. Initially for two episodes, Lee plays bus driver Terry, but hopes this may lead to a longer term role. Filmed at Elstree, Lee found going back to the former Grange Hill studios very nostalgic; even spotting his own photo on the walls! Click here to read an interview with Lee. Lee can be spotted in Eastenders from Thursday May 31st.
Former Eastender, Michelle Gayle, moved from playing Fiona in Grange Hill to Walford, before launching her own music career. After a range of roles, Michelle also writes and directs for CBBC. However, her latest role sees her taking on one of the world’s best known characters in London’s biggest plays. Michelle has joined the cast of the stage production ; Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, playing the adult Hermione Granger. Read an interview with Michelle here.
Amma Asante, played Cheryl Webb between 1986-7, and although she began her career in-front of the camera, is now a highly regarded film director and writer. Her previous film Belle was hugely successful and this month she launched her latest film ; ‘Where Hands Touch’ to rave reviews. Read an interview with Amma here.
Finally, David Doyle played unpopular Richard Marks in series 4. Although David continued to act after leaving Grange Hill, a recent film release has given him a much higher profile. David appears in ‘Rocket Man’ – the Elton John biopic – playing a drunk man in a pub who puts his pint on a young Elton’s piano and eventually causes a huge bar brawl. David wittily says of the film ; “Happy to say I’m in this brilliant film…..it’s the story of a bloke called pub man 1, who wins a plate of sausages, starts a fight in a pub and inspires a young Elton John to become a rock star.” Rocketman is currently on general release.
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