Christian Clarke: Difference between revisions
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Christian and Roxy's sister [[Ronnie Mitchell|Ronnie]] go to her school reunion, where he pretends to be her husband. She introduces him to her former boyfriend's friend [[Lee Thompson (EastEnders)|Lee Thompson]], who sees through their act. Christian and Lee go on a date, and Christian gives Ronnie the contact details of Joel, the father of her child. Christian invites Lee to meet Roxy and Jane but the atmosphere is uncomfortable. Lee reveals that he doesn't really like Christian and wants someone younger. |
Christian and Roxy's sister [[Ronnie Mitchell|Ronnie]] go to her school reunion, where he pretends to be her husband. She introduces him to her former boyfriend's friend [[Lee Thompson (EastEnders)|Lee Thompson]], who sees through their act. Christian and Lee go on a date, and Christian gives Ronnie the contact details of Joel, the father of her child. Christian invites Lee to meet Roxy and Jane but the atmosphere is uncomfortable. Lee reveals that he doesn't really like Christian and wants someone younger. |
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Christian is surprised to see his mother [[Linda Clarke|Linda]] after having lost contact with her for nearly 20 years. At first, Christian dislikes her because she still disapproves of his sexuality, but when Ian's son [[Peter Beale|Peter]] tells him how he lost his mother [[Cindy Beale|Cindy]], Christian knows he has to make amends with her. Roxy unexpectedly goes into premature labour, and Christian offers to help raise the baby, [[Amy Slater|Amy]], as her relationship with [[Sean Slater]] has ended. However, Roxy leaves Christian heartbroken when she gets back with Sean. She later tells Christian that he is to be Amy's |
Christian is surprised to see his mother [[Linda Clarke|Linda]] after having lost contact with her for nearly 20 years. At first, Christian dislikes her because she still disapproves of his sexuality, but when Ian's son [[Peter Beale|Peter]] tells him how he lost his mother [[Cindy Beale|Cindy]], Christian knows he has to make amends with her. Roxy unexpectedly goes into premature labour, and Christian offers to help raise the baby, [[Amy Slater|Amy]], as her relationship with [[Sean Slater]] has ended. However, Roxy leaves Christian heartbroken when she gets back with Sean. She later tells Christian that he is to be Amy's godfather. |
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Christian's colleague at Masala Queen, [[Syed Masood]], argues with him over his sexuality, fearing that it will cause them to lose business. Syed tells Christian his [[homosexuality]] goes [[haraam|against his God's will]], but then unexpectedly kisses Christian. The following day after the kiss, Christian fails to convince Syed that they have feelings for one another, but he protests his love for his girlfriend [[Amira Shah]] and proves it by being engaged to her. |
Christian's colleague at Masala Queen, [[Syed Masood]], argues with him over his sexuality, fearing that it will cause them to lose business. Syed tells Christian his [[homosexuality]] goes [[haraam|against his God's will]], but then unexpectedly kisses Christian. The following day after the kiss, Christian fails to convince Syed that they have feelings for one another, but he protests his love for his girlfriend [[Amira Shah]] and proves it by being engaged to her. |
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It will soon be revealed that Christian is the father of [[Heather Trott]]'s unborn daughter Holly due to a drunken [[one-night stand]] they had in the toilets of [[R&R]].<ref>[[http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/webcam/]] |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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Revision as of 16:12, 14 July 2009
| Christian Clarke | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Christian clark.jpg | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | John Partridge | ||||||||||
| Duration | 2008— | ||||||||||
| First appearance | 17 January 2008 | ||||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||
| Created by | Diederick Santer | ||||||||||
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Christian Clarke is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by John Partridge.[1]. He made his first appearance on 17 January 2008.
Creation
In November 2007, it was announced that a new gay character was to join the cast of EastEnders, as the show's bosses had seen how popular Antony Cotton was in the role of Sean Tully in Coronation Street.[2] However, Partridge's character is not as camp as Cotton's, and is described as "very suave and a real charmer"[2] and a "savvy, bright character [who is] very fun."[3] Partidge commented that it would be "stupid" to copy Cotton's character, adding that "it's about time EastEnders had a gay character in the show."[4] Partridge said of his character, "I think he's going to upset the apple cart at the Beales'"[1] and "Christian, like me, is an openly proud gay man and he is certainly going to ruffle a few feathers when he arrives."[4]
Talking about his casting in the role of Christan, Partridge has disclosed: "I'm slightly terrified when I come into work every day. It's an enormous machine. Plus, the actors I work with the most, Adam Woodyatt (Ian) and Laurie Brett (Jane), are such consummate professionals that I don't want to weaken the Beale family or bring anyone down. I want to stand up there with them and be seen as a good team player."[5]
Development
Discussing the storyline which sees Christian become involved in Steven Beale's confusion over his sexuality, Partridge has deemed the scene in which the two characters unexpectedly kiss "the first time Christian's ever been lost for words!"[6] Expanding on this, he added: "You know what Christian's like — now that he realises Steven's gay, he's ready to get his big wooden spoon out and give the situation a good old stir! It's not that he's being malicious towards the teenager — after all, they're practically family. [...] The thing is, Christian's really not interested in Steven's sexuality — he just wants to be a mate to him. He's aware of how difficult it is to come out to the people you love. But Christian makes sure Steven knows the score, by subtly telling everyone that he likes real men, not 18-year-old boys!"[6] Following the development which saw Steven accuse Christian of coming on to him, Partridge has given the plot twist his approval, stating: "It could've gone one of two ways, and I'm really glad the producers didn't choose to make Christian look predatory. Sexuality is a difficult issue, but one that definitely needs to be touched upon. I think it'll help to educate people about social situations." [5]
Partridge has commented that one aspect of his character he most enjoys is "that he weaves in and out of lots of characters' stories, so I have interaction with loads of different people. Take his friendship with Roxy, for example — I absolutely love it, and working with Rita Simons, who plays her, is such a pleasure. We're very natural in that set-up."[5] In turn, Simons has commented that her own character, Roxy, would be "really lost without (Christian). He's her rock".[7] Partridge has also denied that that Christian is a stereotypical gay man, saying "Christian wears slightly brighter colours than I would normally wear but you know it is a BBC show and we have to show that I am gay you know? I don't think it's stereotypical at all because there are what I call seven shades of gay and that goes from real straight acting to camp and I like to think that Christian has all of those elements as I do as a gay man."[8]
Storylines
2008—
Christian is first mentioned when his sister Jane Beale receives an invitation to his civil ceremony with partner Ashley Jennings. Jane throws the invitation away but it is later found by Jane's husband Ian. Jane refuses to tell Ian why she does not want to go to the ceremony but Ian wants to meet Christian, and invites him and Ashley to dinner at Fargo's Restaurant. Christian reveals that he was once in love with Jane's first husband David Collins. Ashley storms out of the restaurant and the couple end their relationship.
Christian arrives in Walford as he has nowhere to stay. He apologises and Ian allows him to move in. Christian flirts with Ian's stepson, Steven, so Steven pretends Stacey Branning is his girlfriend to put Christian off. Roxy Mitchell tries to chat him up, but is shocked to discover a stripper he had hired for his sister was an ex-boyfriend of his. They go on to become close friends. He becomes involved in a love triangle between Steven and Stacey, as Steven begins to experience confusion over his sexuality. He and Steven share a kiss but Steven falsely claims that Christian made a move on him; as a result, Christian leaves the Square. He returns after Steven's lie is exposed.
Christian is tricked by Ian's daughter Lucy into letting her use his flat so she can spend some "quality time" with her boyfriend, Olly Greenwood. Christian walks in on them about to have sex and stops them. Ian punches Christian over what happened with Lucy and Olly, but when he catches Lucy attempting to leave with Olly, he insists she move in with Christian again.
Christian and Roxy's sister Ronnie go to her school reunion, where he pretends to be her husband. She introduces him to her former boyfriend's friend Lee Thompson, who sees through their act. Christian and Lee go on a date, and Christian gives Ronnie the contact details of Joel, the father of her child. Christian invites Lee to meet Roxy and Jane but the atmosphere is uncomfortable. Lee reveals that he doesn't really like Christian and wants someone younger.
Christian is surprised to see his mother Linda after having lost contact with her for nearly 20 years. At first, Christian dislikes her because she still disapproves of his sexuality, but when Ian's son Peter tells him how he lost his mother Cindy, Christian knows he has to make amends with her. Roxy unexpectedly goes into premature labour, and Christian offers to help raise the baby, Amy, as her relationship with Sean Slater has ended. However, Roxy leaves Christian heartbroken when she gets back with Sean. She later tells Christian that he is to be Amy's godfather.
Christian's colleague at Masala Queen, Syed Masood, argues with him over his sexuality, fearing that it will cause them to lose business. Syed tells Christian his homosexuality goes against his God's will, but then unexpectedly kisses Christian. The following day after the kiss, Christian fails to convince Syed that they have feelings for one another, but he protests his love for his girlfriend Amira Shah and proves it by being engaged to her.
It will soon be revealed that Christian is the father of Heather Trott's unborn daughter Holly due to a drunken one-night stand they had in the toilets of R&R.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Gareth McLean of The Guardian praised the character, saying "he brings EastEnders a step closer to more accurately resembling London."[9]
In October 2008, a kiss between Christian and new love interest Lee prompted 145 complaints from viewers who were displeased that homosexual kissing had been broadcast before the 9pm watershed. The BBC released a statement defending the incident, stating: "EastEnders aims to reflect real life, and this means including and telling stories about characters from many different backgrounds, faiths, religions and sexualities. We approach our portrayal of homosexual relationships in the same way as we do heterosexual relationships. In this instance, Christian is enjoying the first flush of romance and we've shown him being affectionate with his new boyfriend in the same way any couple would. We also aim to ensure that depictions of affection or sexuality between couples are suitable for pre-watershed viewing. We believe that the general tone and content of EastEnders is now widely recognised, meaning that parents can make an informed decision as to whether they want their children to watch."[10]
References
- ^ a b "Partridge to play Jane's brother". BBC. 2007-11-20. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Dadds, Kimberley (2007-11-07). "New gay character to join 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "John Partidge Video Interview". BBC. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (2007-12-08). "'Enders not copying Corrie's Sean Tully". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Ellis, Sarah (22 April 2008), "Going to work terrifies me!", Inside Soap, England, pp. 18–19
- ^ a b Ellis, Sarah (15 April 2008), "Out of the closet?", Inside Soap, England, p. 27
- ^ Woodward, Kate (22 April 2008), "Roxy's guilty secret!", Inside Soap, England, pp. 4–5
- ^ "Enders Christian 'not a stereotype'". The Press Association. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
- ^ McLean, Gareth (2008-01-22). "Are EastEnders viewers ready for a realistic gay character?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Green, Kris (9 October 2008). "'Enders receives complaints over gay kiss". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-10-09.