Melanie Walters (born 30 January 1962)[1][2] is a Welsh actress who has worked frequently in television. She is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey and Emma, a vampire in the third series of Being Human.
Melanie Walters | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 January 1962 Swansea, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Notable work | Gavin & Stacey Hollyoaks |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editWalters was born on 30 January 1962 and raised in the Mumbles, near Swansea.[3] Her father died when she was very young, leaving her mother to raise four children under four years old.[2] In 1973, aged 11, she took over her brother's paper round, covering Mumbles Head every day, an experience she described at length on BBC Radio 4 in January 2012. When she was 14 she qualified as a lifeguard, working on the local beaches.[2]
Career
editWalters has worked frequently in television, but is best known for playing Gwen West in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey between 2007 and 2010, before returning for Christmas special episode in 2019 and for one final Christmas special episode in 2024.[4] She was one of eight celebrities chosen to participate in an intense week learning Welsh in an eco-friendly chic campsite in Pembrokeshire in the series cariad@iaith:love4language shown on S4C in July 2011, and emerged winner of the series.[5] Walters made a guest appearance in Casualty as Carrie on 3 February 2018.
In December 2011 she appeared in the pantomime Cinderella at the Riverfront Arts Centre in Newport.[6]
In July 2020, it was announced that she would be taking on a lead character in the feature film Faulty Roots, directed by Ella Greenwood.[7]
In May 2024 it was announced that a final episode of Gavin & Stacey, to be broadcast on Christmas Day 2024, had been written.[4]
Film
edit- La Cha Cha (2021) – as Iris
- Burn Burn Burn (2015) – as Shelle
- High Tide – Bethan (2014), Long Arm Films Production
- Resistance (2011) – Helen Roberts
- Submarine – Judie Bevan (2010)
- Tan ar y Comin – Mrs. Evans (1995)
Television
edit- Father Brown – Dotty Finglesham (2024)
- Biff & Chip – Gran (2021–2022)
- The Snow Spider – (2020)
- Pitching In – (2019)
- Doc Martin – Heather Merchant (2015)
- Under Milk Wood – "A Neighbour" (2014)
- Stella – Sonographer (2013), Series 2 Episode 2
- Being Human – Emma (2011)
- Gavin & Stacey – Gwen West (2007–2010, 2019, 2024)
- Hollyoaks – Bonnie Bevan (2007–2009)
- Stopping Distance – Lisa's mother (2003)
- Holby City – Melanie Hooper (2002)
- Belonging – Delyth (2000–2001)
- Dirty Work – Megan (2000)
- Casualty – Bev Lewis (1999), Carrie Gillespie (2018)
- Jack of Hearts – Silvie (1999)
- A Mind to Kill – Ruth Barra (1997)
- Backup – Sally Vaughan (1997)
- Dangerfield – Beverley Groves (1996)
- The Bill – Ellen Reynolds (1995)
- Christmas Reunion – Mrs Evans (1994)
- The Healer – Gill Major (1994)
- Telltale – Jean Herbert (1993)
- Coronation Street – Valerie Jennings (1991)
- We are Seven – Helen Powell (1989–1991)
- Ballroom – Ann (1989)
- The District Nurse – Milwen Parry (1987)
Theatre
edit- Cinderella – Fairy Godmother (2014–2015)
- Blue Remembered Hills – Angela (1998)
Personal life
editWalters lives with her son in the Mumbles, Swansea, where she also runs a business teaching Pilates.[2]
References
edit- ^ @melwalters01 (30 January 2020). "It's my birthday and I'm spending it going down hill very fast in a basket" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d BBC Radio 4, Thu 22 Sep 2011, The Paper Round, A profile of the early life of Melanie Walters
- ^ "Melanie Walters". IMDb. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Gavin and Stacey to return for last-ever episode on Christmas Day, BBC confirms | Gavin & Stacey | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Actores yn fuddugol am ddysgu iaith". BBC News (in Welsh). 16 July 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Error Occurred While Processing Request". www.newport.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ Grater, Tom (14 July 2020). "Melanie Walters & Kayleigh-Paige Rees Board UK Indie Pic 'Faulty Roots' About Teen Mental Health". Deadline. Retrieved 7 January 2021.