Why a new Helen
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Brennan-8 — 18 years ago(October 15, 2007 08:18 AM)
The new Helen is much more beautiful and warm, and seemed to actually like Lynley, whereas the old Helen I thought was just a total shrew. It was sad & puzzling to watch Lynley grovel to such a cold and bitchy woman who couldn't have cared less for him, IMO.
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hereinthedark — 18 years ago(October 16, 2007 02:13 PM)
The actress who plays the new Helen, Catherine Russell, is in real life the daughter of "Mr. Rumbold" on "Are You Being Served" (Nicholas Smith) - no joke, check it out. Under the circumstances, I think she really lucked out in the genes department!
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wimsattm — 17 years ago(May 19, 2008 02:59 PM)
I completely agree with you and other people who have said that Lesley Vickerage was a near disaster as Helen. Her replacement was not much better. You are correct in saying that the character of Helen should be written out of the series. For what it's worth, I DETEST Martin Shaw as Adam Dalgliesh, but Roy Marsden has aged a great deal, as anyone who saw him in a 2007 episode of 'Foyle's War' can attest, so perhaps a newer, younger actor was needed for the part. That said, however, I still dislike Martin Shaw.
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angelofvic — 18 years ago(November 21, 2007 04:46 AM)
the relationship between Helen and Tommy in the BBC series was the BEST thingapart from the Havers/Lynley tensions, of courseabout it. Both Vickerage and Parker played deeply flawed characters; watching them eat away at each other was the MAIN plotline of the series. That's why most viewers find the new Helen, who lacks the edgy angst of the old one, so lackluster and disappointing.
Yes, couldn't agree more. Although, when Vicarage did leave, they did manage to find new interest and new plotlines with just Havers and Lynley (mostly work plotlines). But yes, you characterized our initial disappointment over the new Helen well. That is, until "In the Blink of an Eye," in which she came across as very sympathetic.
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halavana — 18 years ago(December 15, 2007 09:04 AM)
Must agree with you here. Emma Felding was, IMO, the best of the lot. Too bad she was only in one episode. She had the wit and kindness of the book Helen, though she also was a CID profiler instead of Simon St. James's assistant. She was also the most attractive of the 3, again IMO. I could see Lynley falling for her more so than for either of the others.
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greenegg — 9 years ago(July 31, 2016 01:15 PM)
Thanks for finally mentioning Emma Fielding. She was my favorite of all the Helens. Why would they choose three actresses who looked so different; they might at least have tried to get a similar hair color or style. To go from long, curly red hair to short, dark straight hair to someone who was blonde seems absurd.
Vickerage seemed pretty lifeless after Fielding's witty, lively Helen. She also seems older.
Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops! -
papyrus beetle — 17 years ago(October 31, 2008 03:41 PM)
Bless her heart, this actress is HORRIBLY cast, and just about ruined this last season for me. She looks, dresses, talks, a generation OLDER than Lynley!
The orginal Helen (Leslie Vickerage) was a perfect match in every way for him.
"Do what they say,Shirlthey've got guns!"-VIOLENT YEARS -
il-silenzio-morira — 17 years ago(January 10, 2009 11:05 AM)
Lesley left Lynley because she was pregnant and wanted to enjoy motherhood.
Here is an official part that Nathaniel wrote himself 3 years ago:
"Last night I found myself sitting with my new Helen. Cathering Russell is playing Helen in our new series. This may come to a surprise to many, but the fantastic Lesley Vickerage is no longer with us on the series. In fact, she is enjoying motherhood for the very first time. Great addition for the world, sad loss for Lynley. We will miss her."
This was written in September 2005 -
naveron — 17 years ago(February 13, 2009 04:11 PM)
I've been reading the Lynley books (I had seen the series first). The truth is that neither the book Helen nor the TV Helen are very appealing characters. Yes, Helen is supposed to be beautiful and aristocratic. But she treats Lynley terribly. So to me it doesn't matter that Lesley Vickerage was such a poor choice because Helen is just not a nice character.
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auctionmaestra — 14 years ago(November 17, 2011 02:28 PM)
I agree. I thought Lesle Vickerage was woefully miscast as Helen. Really unattractive character, incomprehensible that they would be together. Catherine Russell is much better, but the character herself, as written, is very unsympathetic.
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oakcourt — 13 years ago(April 16, 2012 03:20 PM)
I'm watching the series all the way through courtesty of Netflix. Helen and Lynley are just mismatched and I think Lesley Vickerage portrayed that well. The new Helen looks very jolly hockeysticks that is totally different to Lesley's portrayal of her. Just off topic I thought the one ep that Liza Tarbuck was in she was great, quite dry with a big sense of humour and I get the impression the new Helen is like that. Lynley hasn't got one! Barbara has blossomed which I'm glad to see and Sharon Small has such a lovely face I like to see her smile more. Like another poster I initially started to watch as I though Nathaniel Parker hugely handsome (superficial I know but) but the series has really grown on me and I like his and Barbara's relationship.