“Since 2003, Gillian Wright has portrayed Jean Slater in EastEnders, taking center stage in numerous major storylines on the BBC One soap.”
Gillian Wright, a familiar face on EastEnders for nearly twenty years, leads an engaging life both on and off screen.
The actress has won hearts with her powerful portrayal of Jean Slater on the popular BBC One drama and has received widespread acclaim for her work on television.
Through her character, she has been at the center of numerous intense storylines, tackling difficult topics such as ovarian cancer and mental health challenges.
Most recently, Jean’s mental health has taken a downward turn again, as she becomes determined to uncover who killed Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) in The Vic on Christmas Day.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what life is like for Gillian Wright away from Jean Slater and Albert Square.
The 66-year-old began her performing career at a young age and, in 1982, earned a degree in creative arts from Leeds. Before rising to television fame, she also shared her knowledge and passion as a teacher, according to OK! magazine.
Gillian is a co-founder of Pilot Theatre in York, established in 1981. This internationally touring theatre company is dedicated to bringing exceptional theatrical experiences to young people, especially those who may not have had the chance to experience theatre before.
The Pilot Theatre website explains: “Across all our projects we seek to create a cultural space where young adults can encounter, express, and interrogate big ideas that are relevant to our lives right now.”
While many know her for her role on EastEnders, Gillian’s acting talent stretches far beyond Albert Square. She made her television debut in 1994 on the beloved children’s show ChuckleVision, sharing the screen with the iconic Chuckle Brothers, Paul and Barry
Since then, she has appeared in a wide range of popular shows, including Casualty, Doctors, and Holby City, and even made a guest appearance on Coronation Street in 2005.
On the stage, Gillian’s theatre work is just as impressive, with roles in productions such as Romeo and Juliet, Jane Eyre, and How the Other Half Loves.
Her performance on the BBC One soap has brought her significant recognition over the years. She won a Mental Health Media Award in 2006, claimed the Best Actress award at the Inside Soap Awards in 2012, and in 2019, earned the Best Female Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards.
In 2015, Gillian faced a life-threatening health crisis when she was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. The pain was so severe that it made her confront the fragility of her own life.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said, “It was touch and go. I’m not exaggerating when I say I really had a brush with death.”
She went on, “The pain was unbearable. If someone had given me the choice of living another day in that agony or taking a pill to end it all, I would have taken the pill.”