EastEnders’ original Elaine Peacock actress now after being recast in shake-up

Iconic Eastenders baddy Elaine Peacock has already made waves as she made her dramatic return to the BBC soap.

Elaine has appeared in EastEnders before as Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) mum, but as a very different person. However, her return to Walford as Harriet Thorpe has welcomed a very different side to her.

After arriving in time for Sharon (Letitia Dean) to feel slighted by her best pal Linda after being snubbed from ownership of the Vic, she knew how to ruffle feathers. But more recently, it seems Elaine is the one in the firing line.

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With her husband-to-be George's ex wife, Cindy Beale, returning to Albert Square, things have been tough. And just after Cindy started getting in with the family again, she fumes at Elaine outside The Vic, showing her true colours once again.

But as fans watch Elaine's attempt to navigate this challenging new time with George, his ex and their two daughters, we look back at Elaine's past self, who came to support Linda.

Almost immediately after Elaine made her grand return to the show earlier this year, fans of the BBC show immediately realised something was different about the character, who last appeared on the show in 2018. It was later revealed that Peacock was being played by a completely different actress who took on the role.

Now, as Elaine makes her mark on Albert Square for a second time, Daily Star takes a deep dive on the character and where the original actress – Maria Friedman – is now.

Elaine Peacock's time on Eastenders

Elaine as a character first made an appearance on the BBC soap back in 2014 after Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer asked her to find out why daughter Linda was acting strangely. Linda would eventually open up to her mum on her horrific rape after brother-in-law Dean Wicks threw himself at her.

Peacock kept the Carters company following Mick and Linda's wedding. She also offered support after son Ollie had a serious car accident that would have left him severe brain damage.

But things took a turn for the character in 2016, when Linda learned that Elaine, a widow, had a stroke. Linda then opted to leave the Square to look after her own pub and care for her mother and help her recover.

During this time, Linda was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and stayed with her mum – pretending that Elaine was still ill, whilst she continued to secretly receive treatment. Since then, Elaine has not been seen on-screen, with her last public appearance on the soap being in 2017.

What happened to Maria Friedman?

During the character's first stint on the soap, Elaine was played by Maria Friedman. Throughout her time on the show, Friedman appeared in over 50 episodes.

Now aged 63, Friedman is a renowned actress and director for both television and theatre. She is best known for her numerous works in musical theatre, directing shows that would run on the West End.

Peacock has been a star of on-stage productions since 1989, bagging roles in shows such as Sweeney Todd and Chicago, to name a few. But despite her success on the stage, she is also well-known to TV viewers, having made cameos including Casualty, Red Dwarf and – most recently, Unforgotten.

Who is Elaine Peacock in 2023?

Elaine made her explosive return to the soap earlier this year, but left fans scratching their heads as she looked nothing like her previous look. This is because actress Harriett Thorpe took on the role ahead of the character's return.

Thorpe, 65, is a successful actress in her own right, having starred in a number of big shows. Her biggest claim to fame is playing the role of Fleur in the BBC comedy show Absolutely Fabulous alongside co-stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley from 1992 to 2012.

As well as this, Thorpe has made appearances in other well-known shows such as Father Brown and The Bill. She also has made cameos in movies including Calendar Girls in 2003, where she took on the role of Brenda Mooney.

Elaine is now dating George Knight, played by Colin Salmon, on the BBC soap. Bosses on the show describe her partner as a "tough-talking and fiercely protective dad, who heads up his entire family".

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