Dallas legend Linda Gray has joined the cast of Hollyoaks
US star teases character will 'whip up a storm' in the village
SOAP royalty Linda Gray is set to bring some Hollywood glamour to Hollyoaks this autumn.
Famed for her catchphrase "Hello Darlin'," the 75-year-old US actress played JR Ewing’s long-suffering wife Sue Ellen in cult series Dallas.
She will now take on the role of Marnie Nightingale’s mother, Tabatha.
Following the death of her husband, Charles, Tabatha – known as Tabbie – turns up in the Village to spend time with her daughter, played by Lysette Anthony.
The character has filled her days lunching with friends and going on the occasional date, but has never found anything like the sort of love she had with her husband.
She has lavished affection and the best education on her daughter, Marnie, who went on to marry beneath her with the working class, bit of rough, Mac Nightingale (David Easter).
Speaking of her casting, Linda said: “I’m thrilled to be going from one iconic series to another and can’t wait to work with the fantastic cast.
"Hollyoaks viewers are going to love it when Tabby whips up a storm just like Sue Ellen did.”
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Currently the character will only appear for one week, but should she go down well with viewers then Tabbie could be back.
Executive producer of the Channel 4 show, Bryan Kirkwood, said: “When we came to discuss who could possibly play Marnie’s mother the list was very small.
“Lysette Anthony has fast become a fabulous soap bitch so having Linda Gray play her mother Tabitha is the perfect fit.
“We can’t wait to have an international TV icon arrive in Chester and become part of the Hollyoaks family.”
Linda starred alongside the likes of Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy in Dallas from 1978-1989.
She reprised the role in two made for television films and in the 2012 reboot, which ran for three seasons.