She’s back…Jacqueline Leonard returns to River City as Lydia Murdoch
A familiar face from River City’s past returns to Shieldinch this year when Jacqueline Leonard reprises her role as Lydia Murdoch, the estranged wife of local gangster Lenny.
Published: 29 March 2017
We’re delighted to have Jacqueline back on board at River City. She’s part of River City’s rich history and Lydia’s return will no doubt prove unsettling for her stoic estranged husband, Lenny.
Last seen in 2010, Lydia left in fear of reprisal from Lenny (Frank Gallagher) having tried to frame him for the death of his son Ewan, who accidentally fell to his death from scaffolding.
Lydia will return to the streets of Shieldinch when their daughter Amber (Jenny Hulse) turns to her for much-needed motherly emotional support.
Jacqueline Leonard is looking forward to walking the streets of Shieldinch once again: “I had a lovely warm welcome when I stepped on to the set this week - there were some new faces and lots of familiar ones too! It’s great to be back in Shieldinch and I’m so excited to see what storylines await Lydia. Never a dull moment with the Murdochs!”
Kieran Hannigan, Executive Producer, is thrilled to welcome Jacqueline back to the drama: “We’re delighted to have Jacqueline back on board at River City. She’s part of River City’s rich history and Lydia’s return will no doubt prove unsettling for her stoic, estranged husband Lenny.
“Lydia Murdoch is a force of nature. A powerful woman who was very much the Achilles heel of Lenny. While others feared him, Lydia knew exactly how to keep Lenny in check and manipulate him to do whatever she wanted. They were quite a formidable couple.
“Lydia’s return is sure to cause ructions. While Amber will welcome her mother with open arms, it remains to be seen whether Lenny will forgive and forget or if he’ll have revenge in mind.”
Jacqueline begins filming with River City at the end of the month for storylines which will air from the end of June onwards.
As well as River City, Jacqueline has starred in a number of key primetime dramas including EastEnders, Doctors, Coronation Street and Casualty, amongst many others. Jacqueline was part of the River City cast from 2007-2010.
Jacqueline Leonard is the latest casting to join River City alongside Alex Ferns (EastEnders) as Rick Harper, a menacing criminal with no moral code, and Iain Robertson (Sea of Souls, Small Faces) as Stevie Adams, Scarlett’s eldest son who returns with a grudge to bear.
A BBC Studios production, River City is part of BBC Scotland’s commitment to produce distinctive Scottish output and complements productions including Bafta Scotland award-winning Shetland (BBC One), Trust Me (BBC One), Clique (BBC Three), Still Game (BBC One) and Two Doors Down (BBC Two).
JW4
