Eleanor Bron joins The Archers as Carol Tregorran
Andrew Smith
Assistant Producer, The Archers
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Eleanor Bron, aka Carol Tregorran
Carol Tregorran, one of the Archers’ most iconic characters, is back in Ambridge – and we are excited to announce that she will be played by the equally iconic Eleanor Bron.
Eleanor began her career with Cambridge Footlights in 1959 and over the course of her illustrious theatre, film and television career has worked with many of the greats including Peter Cook, Michael Caine, Alan Bates and The Beatles. Now we’re delighted to welcome Eleanor to Ambridge.
Carol Tregorran - who was dining at Grey Gables the night Grace Archer was famously killed in a fire – has returned to Ambridge to attend the funeral of on-air husband, John Tregorran.
I spoke to Eleanor when she came to our Birmingham studios to record her first episode…
“I was thrilled when my agent called. I have been around long enough that The Archers is part of my history. It is such a valuable part of the narrative of British life; partly because of the daily-ness of it and partly because of this broad set of characters that all have good sides and bad sides - and you see all of it, and it is so like-life.”
Eleanor shared a few thoughts on her character, Carol Tregorran – she’s back in Ambridge to say farewell to John, but also takes the opportunity to strike up some old friendships:
“Playing Carol has been wonderful. I think she is possibly quite forceful and independent, even now in her 80s. Now she has returned to Ambridge she is able to be around friends, a particular older generation, people whom she’s known for a very, very long time – there’s something very wonderful when you can pick up those sorts of friendships and see them play out in a drama.”
In this short audio clip, Eleanor recalls how the Archers theme tune Barwick Green reminds her of home. She also shares her thoughts about working in Birmingham and discovering a new city:
Eleanor talks fondly about that familar Archers theme, as well as discovering a new city.
The official BBC Press release reveals more about the character of Carol Tregorran, as well as Archers Editor Sean O’Connor’s thoughts on the esteemed actress joining the cast:
Sean O’Connor: ‘We needed an extraordinary actress to play one of the most iconic characters in Archers mythology. We’re completely thrilled that Eleanor has taken on the role - and, already, she has fitted into Ambridge as if she has been here for 30 years. In the 1950s, Carol was a significant role model for young women and we hope she will continue to be so for older women today - an independent, spirited woman who embraces her later years on her own terms and without compromise.
The character of Carol Tregorran, originally played by Anne Cullen, first appeared in The Archers in 1954, and quickly became a favourite with listeners. Against the social grain of the mid-50s, Carol was a forthright and successful businesswoman. Known to be the most stylish of The Archers female characters, she was thought to be a role model for women at the time. She remained in the core cast until 1980."
Andrew Smith is an Archers Production Co-ordinator
Read more about Carol Tregorran in our Who’s Who
Discover the full story of Carol and John Tregorran
Read the full BBC Press release on Eleanor Bron joining The Archers
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