Anita Dobson


Anita Dobson, is an English actress and singer. She is best known for playing landlady Angie Watts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from the show's inception in 1985 until 1988. She achieved a top five hit in the UK singles chart in 1986 with "Anyone Can Fall in Love", a vocal version of the theme music of EastEnders, and briefly reprised her role for the show's 40th anniversary in 2025.
Dobson's other television roles include Cath in the 1989 ITV sitcom Split Ends and Mrs Flood, later revealed to be the Rani, in Doctor Who from 2023 to 2025. In 2003, she was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress for the National Theatre production of Frozen. She has also starred in the West End as Mama Morton in the musical Chicago and Gertrude in Hamlet, making her RSC debut in the 2012 revival of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Her film appearances include Darkness Falls and London Road.
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Early life

Dobson was born in Stepney, London. She trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career

Dobson appeared in several series in the early 1980s including the Jim Davidson sitcom Up the Elephant and Round the Castle. She is best known for playing the emotionally battered and alcoholic landlady Angie Watts in BBC1 soap opera EastEnders, a role she played from the show's inception in 1985 until 1988.

''EastEnders''

Dobson was not the first person to be cast as Angie – another actress, Jean Fennell, had already begun recording when it was decided that her performance was not right and Dobson was substituted in the role. Whilst playing Angie Watts, alcoholic landlady of the Queen Vic, Dobson worked closely with actor Leslie Grantham, who played her adulterous husband 'Dirty Den Watts', landlord of the Queen Vic. On Christmas Day 1986, 30.15 million viewers tuned in to witness Den handing Angie divorce papers.
After Dobson left EastEnders in 1988, BBC executives made numerous offers for her to return, but she did not accept any of them; she later commented: "Why tarnish the gorgeous creation that was Angie Watts?" Executives finally decided she could not be persuaded to return, and in 2002 the character of Angie Watts died off-screen of alcoholism and was brought home to be buried by her on-screen daughter Sharon Watts, who had returned to the show the previous year.
Dobson reprised her role for EastEnders 40th anniversary, making a surprise one-off appearance as Sharon's hallucination in an episode broadcast on 19 February 2025.

Other roles

Since leaving EastEnders Dobson has appeared in many television, film and theatre roles, including guest roles in the BBC sitcoms Red Dwarf and Rab C. Nesbitt and her own sitcom series Split Ends, which lasted for only one series. She has also made guest appearances in the BBC dramas Dangerfield, Ghosts, Sunburn and Hotel Babylon, and the ITV detective series The Last Detective among others, along with the films Sweet Revenge and Darkness Falls. She was also reunited with fellow EastEnders star Leslie Grantham in a Sky production called The Stretch and Five's horror series Urban Gothic.
Dobson guest starred in the ITV1 police drama The Bill in 2005 and appeared in the radio Doctor Who serial Blood of the Daleks. Dobson has also played five different guest characters in the BBC medical drama Casualty, appearing in episodes in October 2000, July 2009, July 2011, March 2013 and October 2017; she also had two guest roles in Casualtys sister series, Holby City, in September 2003 and December 2014 respectively. Dobson featured in the film London Road in 2015 and appeared alongside Simon Callow in the Gold comedy series The Rebel in 2016 and 2017.
She was the subject of This Is Your Life in 2002 when she was surprised by Michael Aspel.
On 20 January 2023, it was announced that Dobson would be guest starring in the fourteenth series of Doctor Who as the mysterious Mrs Flood. Her casting was announced alongside that of Michelle Greenidge. The episode was broadcast on Christmas Day 2023. On 27 April 2023, Dobson appeared in an episode of the BBC series Inside No. 9, "Mother's Ruin", as Frances. She returned as Mrs Flood in Doctor Who for multiple episodes in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, and in the episode "The Interstellar Song Contest" it was revealed that Mrs Flood was an incarnation of Doctor Who villain the Rani.

Musical and stage career

Dobson has also performed as a singer, with varying degrees of chart success. In August 1986 she reached No. 4 in the UK singles chart with "Anyone Can Fall in Love", a song based on the theme music of EastEnders, which was written by Simon May. The song was produced by Queen guitarist Brian May, who later became her husband. She has also released several other singles and albums with minor chart success.
On stage, Dobson has starred in repertory at Salisbury Playhouse in Shaw's Pygmalion in 1980; the 1981 Ray Davies/Barrie Keeffe musical Chorus Girls at the Theatre Royal Stratford East; and as Hazel Fletcher in the short-lived musical Budgie with Adam Faith in the West End in 1988. She appeared in a revival of the Tom Stoppard play Rough Crossing and played a holocaust survivor in My Lovely Shayna Maidel. She also played Mama Morton in the West End musical Chicago.
Dobson played the role of Gertrude in the English Touring Theatre production of Hamlet, at the New Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End, following a UK tour in the autumn of 2005.
In 2012, Dobson played the role of Mistress Quickly in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
From September 2016 to January 2017, Dobson appeared as Madame Morrible in the musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London.
In May and June 2018, Dobson starred in Katy Brand's new comedy-drama 3 Women at the Trafalgar Theatre, playing the role of Eleanor alongside Debbie Chazen and Maisie Richardson-Sellers.
In June 2019, Dobson joined Trevor Nunn's West End revival of Fiddler on the Roof at the Playhouse Theatre, playing the role of Yente, alongside Maria Friedman taking on the role of Golde, until the production's closure in November 2019.

''Strictly Come Dancing''

On 6 September 2011, it was announced that Dobson would take part in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing. In the launch show of the ninth series on 10 September 2011, it was revealed that she would be partnered by Robin Windsor. She was eliminated on 27 November 2011 after Windsor had been unable to dance for a week due to an injury. Dobson therefore rehearsed and danced the Cha Cha Cha and the Swingathon with Brendan Cole.

Awards

For her time on EastEnders as Angie Watts, Dobson received the Pye Award for Outstanding Female Personality.
Dobson was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance in Frozen at the Royal National Theatre.
In 2007, Dobson was made a Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
Dobson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 Birthday Honours for services to charitable fundraising and to philanthropy.

Personal life

Dobson married Brian May on 18 November 2000. They had first met in 1986 when May was married to his first wife. She is a patron of The Match Girls' Memorial of the theatre charity The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America. and of Focus Foundation

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994Beyond BedlamJudith
1994Seaview KnightsThe Blind Concierge
1998The Revengers’ ComediesDaphne Teal
1998The Tichborne ClaimantFanny Loder
1999Darkness FallsMrs. Hayter
2004CharlieMrs. Richardson Senior
2015SolitaryNurse Mary
2015The Rise of the KraysMadge
2015London RoadJune
2016The Fall of the KraysMadge
2018The FightGene Dunn
2022Tomorrow MorningKaren
2023Christmas at the Holly Day InnMolly Hennings
2024This Time Next YearMs. Mentis
20253 Wishes for ChristmasCaroline
TBAJeb: The Fame and Fury The NarratorPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978Leave Him to HeavenRoxanneTV film
1978-1981Play Awayco-presenter24 episodes
1981NannyDorothyEpisode: "Innocent Party"
1983Partners in CrimeEsther QuantEpisode: "The House of Lurking Death"
1983–1984Up the Elephant and Round the CastleLois Tight3 episodes
1985–1988, 2025EastEndersAngie WattsRegular role; 275 episodes
1989Split EndsCath6 episodes
1990The World of Eddie WearyRoxanneTV film
1993Red DwarfCaptain TauEpisode: "Psirens"
Rab C. NesbittCathEpisode: "Rich"-
Woof!Mrs. Fuller2 episodes-
Sean's ShowBettyEpisode: #2.6-
1994SmokescreenGertie5 episodes
1994The FireboyMumTV film
1995GhostsSuzi RudkinEpisode: "I'll Be Watching You"
1995Go Back OutMumTV film
1995DangerfieldMiriam LampeterEpisode: "The Body in the Quarry"
1996The Famous FiveMrs. StickEpisode: "Five Run Away Together"
1997New VoicesEllenEpisode: "Enough Excitement"
1997HighlanderMolly KingsleyEpisode: "Diplomatic Immunity"
1997Get Well SoonMrs. Ivy Osbourne4 episodes
1997The BillJane ElliotEpisode: "Has Anybody Here Seen Bigmouth?"
1999SunburnJoyce PottsEpisode: #1.6
1999JunkMrs. LawsonTV film
2000Hearts and BonesDonna SlaneyEpisode: "Slipping Through My Fingers"
2000Urban GothicFenellaEpisode: "Pineapple Chunks"
2000CasualtyElaine CarringtonEpisode: "Choked: Part 2"
2000The StretchSam GreeneTV film
2000DaddyfoxJoanneTV film
2002NCS: ManhuntJean Harris2 Episodes
Fun at the Funeral ParlourFernandoEpisode: "Dog Dago Afternoon"-
2003DoctorsElizabeth PriorEpisode: "Truth Or Dare"
2003Holby CityLynn SpencerEpisode: "Love Nor Money"
2004The Last DetectiveRuth LeymanEpisode: "Christine"
2005New TricksElaine WanlessEpisode: "A Delicate Touch"
2005The BillLynn HunterEpisode: "Dangerous Relationships"
2008Hotel BabylonLady Amelia HamiltonEpisode: #3.2
2009CasualtyCoraEpisode: "Ask Me No Questions"
2009–2011GigglebizAnnette/ Voiceover2 Series
2010Mission Green SantaMrs. SantaAll 10 episodes
2010Little CrackersNanEpisode: "My First Nativity"
2011CasualtyRachel LanEpisode: "Pascal's Wager"
Coming UpMaggieEpisode: "Hooked"-
2012Sadie JNan BetEpisode: "Kissalicious"
2013CasualtyRuth BoswellEpisode: "And the Walls Come Tumbling Down"
Moving OnKate MarrEpisode: "The Value"-
2014Holby CityBetty SternEpisode: "Star of Wonder"
2015PompidouSallyEpisode: "The Date"
2016–2017The RebelMargaretAll 9 episodes
2016DoctorsEdwina Herriot2 episodes
2017CasualtyNaomi DanesEpisode: "Mrs Beauchamp's Powder"
Call the MidwifeMabel TillersonEpisode: "Christmas Special"-
2018Torvill & DeanMiss PerryTV film
2018–2019The Worst WitchMirabelle Hubble3 episodes
2021The Long CallGrace StephensonAll 4 episodes
2022Andy and the BandAuntie ShonaEpisode: "Boo! Who?"
2022DodgerBertha PlummerEpisode: "Christmas"
2023Inside No. 9FrancesEpisode: "Mother's Ruin"
2023Murder, They HopeBellaEpisode: "Blood Actually"
2023–presentDoctor WhoMrs. Flood/The Rani12 episodes
2024CurfewJanetAll 6 episodes
Generation ZJanineAll 6 episodes-
2025Father BrownEunice LyttonEpisode: "The Deserving Poor"
2025Play for TodayCynthia JacksonEpisode: "Never Too Late"

Theatre credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974-1975Babes in the WoodMistress TruckWatford Palace Theatre
1975ArdèleAdaVarious Locations
1977-1978The Wizard of OzWicked Witch of the WestNottingham Playhouse
1978DeedsVariousNottingham Playhouse
1978The AlchemistDol CommonNottingham Playhouse
1980PygmalionEliza DoolittleSalisbury Playhouse
1981Chorus GirlsChorus GirlTheatre Royal, Stratford
1982-1983Dick WhittingtonAlice FitzwarrenShaw Theatre, London
1983Charley's AuntKitty VerdunAldwych Theatre
1983-1984Jack and the BeanstalkSpirit of the BeansAssembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells
1984Rough CrossingNatashaLyttelton Theatre
1984-1985Henry IV, Part 1Mistress QuicklyTheatre Royal, Bath
1986-1987AladdinThe PrincessBournemouth Pavilion
1987-1988AladdinThe PrincessRichmond Theatre
1988BudgieHazelCambridge Theatre
1989-1990Dick WhittingtonFairy GodmotherOrchard Theatre, Dartford
1990-1991AladdinThe GenieTheatre Royal, Newcastle
1991KvetchDonnaGarrick Theatre
1991My Lovely...Shayna MaidelLuissaAmbassadors Theatre, London
1991-1992Dick WhittingtonFairy GodmotherHexagon Theatre, Reading
1992Le Bourgeois gentilhommeMadame JourdainNational Theatre
1992-1993Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenRichmond Theatre
1994-1995Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenYvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
1995-1996The Break of DayAprilVarious Locations
1997-1998Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenOrchard Theatre, Dartford
1998FrozenNancyBirmingham Repertory Theatre
1998-1999Dick WhittingtonEvil QueenHackney Empire
1999The Pajama GameMabelVictoria Palace Theatre, London
2000-2001The Wizard of OzWicked Witch of the WestRichmond Theatre
2001The Three SistersOlgaRoyal Court Theatre
2001-2002Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenThe Derngate Theatre, Northampton
2002-2003Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenFairfield Halls, Croydon
2003ChicagoMama MortonAdelphi Theatre
2003-2004Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenAssembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells
2004-2005Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenWycombe Swan, High Wycombe
2005HamletGertrudeUK Tour
2006HamletGertrudeAmbassadors Theatre, London
2005-2006Santa Claus the MusicalIce QueenMayflower Theatre Southamtpon
2006-2007Snow White and the Seven DwarfsWicked QueenIpswich Regent Theatre
2007-2008Hello, Dolly!Dolly LeviUK tour
2007-2008Santa Claus the MusicalIce QueenAlexandra Theatre, Birmingham
2009-2010AladdinThe GenieNew Wimbledon Theatre
2010-2011Sleeping BeautyCarabosseRichmond Theatre
2011-2012AladdinThe GenieMilton Keynes Theatre
2012The Merry Wives of WindsorMistress QuicklyRoyal Shakespeare Company
2013-2014AladdinThe GenieAylesbury Waterside Theatre
2015-2016Sleeping BeautyCarabosseNew Victoria Theatre, Woking
2016-2017WickedMadame MorribleApollo Victoria Theatre
20183 WomenEleanorTrafalgar Theatre
2018-2019CinderellaWicked StepmotherHull New Theatre
2019AnnieMiss HanniganUK tour
2019-2020CinderellaWicked StepmotherRoyal & Derngate, Northampton
2022AladdinAbanazarBrighton Centre
2024Proms 47 & 48: Doctor WhoMrs. FloodRoyal Albert Hall