As Dot Branning faces one of the toughest decisions she has ever had to make this week, actress June Brown tells Suzanne Byrne how hard it was for Jim and Dot to say goodbye
To say that Dot Branning has not had an easy life is something of an understatement. From a bigamous first husband, to a criminal son, an evil granddaughter, a cancer scare, a euthanasia scandal, caring for an abandoned baby, and not to mention the countless hours she has spent counselling and berating the residents of Walford – in her 75 years, she has certainly been there and bought the tragicomedy T-shirt several times over.
Eleven years ago, happiness came into Dot’s life in the form of Jim Branning. He decided that she was the woman for him and while it took some convincing, Dot finally agreed and gave in to his charms. After a lengthy courtship (well lengthy in soapland) and a proposal on the London Eye, Jim and Dot married on St Valentine’s Day 2002.
However, just five years into their marriage, dark days returned to haunt Dot once again when Jim had to be hastily written out of the soap due to actor John Bardon’s health problems. In the script, Jim suffered a stroke and was placed in the care of off-screen relatives. Dot and Jim remained together, with Jim making sporadic appearances over the past number of years.
This week, Jim has returned to Walford and despite his medical condition, it should be a happy reunion, but Dot hasn’t been coping well of late, and finds having Jim in her care quite difficult. However, she is a staunchly proud woman and admitting this, even to family, will take a huge amount of humility. Dot is also nursing a sore shoulder, but that hasn’t stopped her from working at the launderette and offering plenty of advice to Kat, Ronnie and Jack on their situations. To top things off, Edward has taken quite a shine to her and decides now is the time to make his affections known . . . As Dot heads for a meltdown, June Brown fills us in on what’s coming up for Walford’s oldest resident.
How hard is life for Dot now that Jim is back home again?
June Brown: She is finding it very hard, especially as she is having difficulties with her shoulder and the fact that Jim can’t walk means that she has to do everything for him.
Does she feel guilty that she is finding it so hard to cope with things?
Not at the moment, she doesn’t have time to feel guilty, she’s too busy trying to make sure everything gets done.
What are her feelings for Edward?
There is an attraction there, but because of her religious views she feels it is wrong.
Why doesn’t Dot want to accept help from Carol?
She doesn’t really like Carol, as she feels she is a sharp character and Carol hasn’t really bothered with Jim since she returned from the square. Dot has been left to do it on her own.
How does she feel when she sees the videotape of Jim from years earlier?
She is very upset because it contrasts so much what was then and what is now.
What happens when Carol and Max finally discover the scene of devastation at Dot and Jim’s home?
By this time, Dot is at the end of her tether. She doesn’t know what to think and when they finally see the state of the house, they realise that she needs help. Carol tells Dot she doesn’t need to deal with Jim on her own.
Does she accept that Jim needs to be taken into a care home now?
Yes, finally she can see that it’s the right thing to do. There are real issues faced by many people who have to cope with being a full-time carer to a relative.
How important was telling this story for EastEnders?
It is extremely important as there are so many people out there in similar situations.
How do you think Dot will cope without Jim living at home?
She will be very lonely and feel she doesn’t have much purpose in life.
What was it like playing the scene where Jim and Dot say goodbye?
It was very moving, Dot is obviously very close to Jim on screen and I am very good friends with John off screen. There’s been a couple of quite dark scenes featuring Dot recently, showing how lonely she is as she spends her time caring for Jim.
How is she feeling about her current situation?
Dot feels helpless, Jim is her husband and she wants to be there for him, but it’s a full-time job caring for someone in his condition and she still has her work at the launderette and her life to juggle, so she’s finding it very difficult.
We’ve recently seen Dot spend some time with Edward, which has brightened things up for her somewhat. Are you glad that she has a new friend to share scenes with?
She is happy to have someone who is able to talk with her after such a long time, as Jim of course can’t. Dot is such a well-loved character.
From your point of view, what’s made her so appealing to the viewers?
Everybody knows a Dot! Whether it’s your auntie, granny, mother or the lady down the road or at the launderette.
After the many storylines that Dot has had over the years, do any stand out as particular highlights?
So many. The two-hander and euthanasia storylines with Ethel, when Nick poisoned her, the scenes with the baby in the church, Dot’s story in Wales, the scenes with Jim at the London Eye and the storyline with Dotty definitely all stand out.
Finally, after seeing various cast members come and go over the years, is there anyone who you particularly miss working with?
I’m still in touch with so many, there are too many to mention! I’m still in touch with Barbara, we speak constantly. I’m also in regular contact with John Altman and I’m still in touch with Linda Davidson, Anna Wing, Nej Adamson, Michael Cashman, Leonard Fenton and Peter Dean. I will also miss filming scenes with John Bardon, of course, but we are always in regular contact.
