Moira Dingle
Moira Dingle is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Natalie J. Robb. The actress successfully auditioned for the role after a call came through her agent. Robb's character and her family were created and introduced to Emmerdale as part of an overhaul of the show by the series producer Gavin Blyth. The Barton family took over the running of Butler's Farm and they were described as being "sexy, modern and contemporary". Robb first appeared as Moira during the episode broadcast on 17 July 2009.
Moira is portrayed as being strong, feisty, vivacious and independent. She is a farmer's wife and very protective of her family, who she always puts first. Robb said being part of a modern-day farming family is what drew her to the role of Moira. Moira's early storylines often revolved around her marriage and her three children. She and her husband John were childhood sweethearts. Moira managed to balance work and family because she had John's support. Moira's later storylines focused on an affair with Cain Dingle, whom she later married after John's death and a casual relationship with farmhand Alex Moss ; the revelation that she had had an affair with John's brother, James, who was the biological father of her son Adam ; murdering Emma Barton ; an affair with her farmhand Nate Robinson, who turned out to be Cain's long-lost son; and being diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour. For her portrayal of Moira, Robb was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards.
Creation and casting
In May 2009, it was announced that Emmerdale's new series producer, Gavin Blyth, would be introducing a new farming family called the Bartons, as part of an ongoing overhaul of the show. The family, which consists of five members – a mother, father, two daughters and a son – took over the running of Butler's Farm. Of the family, Blyth said "I don't want to make Emmerdale a show about teenagers and young people, it's about family values. The Bartons are sexy, modern and contemporary. They're almost happy – and in soapland that's quite strange!" James Thornton was cast in the role of John Barton and Adam Thomas, Sophie Powles and Grace Cassidy were cast as Adam, Holly and Hannah respectively.Former The Bill actress Natalie J. Robb was cast in the role of John's wife, Moira. Robb said a call went through her agent asking her to audition for the role of Moira. She auditioned with several different actors, including Thornton. Robb's agent later called to tell her she had won the role. Robb explained finding out she had won the part was one of the best bits of the job. The actress said she was looking forward to joining because the Emmerdale team, which she described as "genuine and lovely." She added "Cast and crew have been very welcoming and that always helps. There’s nothing better than being able to really look forward to going into work."
Development
Characterisation
Upon announcement of her casting, Moira was described as being a vivacious, fun woman, who puts her family first. Though she values her independence too. The Yorkshire Post described Moira as "Fun-loving and feisty" and said she is guaranteed to cause a stir with the locals. Of Moira, What's on TV said she is a "farmer's wife and looking good on it, Moira Barton is a very down-to-earth woman – and that just adds to her appeal!" Robb said the idea of a modern-day farming family drew her to the role of Moira. She explained the family being a freshness to the Butler's Farm, saying "The Barton’s are very lively and young-spirited and that really appealed to me. There are families out there that do work together and aren’t dysfunctional so the chance to represent one of those groups really drew me to the role." Robb said her character is independent, fun-loving and strong. She loves her family and is very protective of them. Moira keeps them going and coordinates their lives.During an interview with Inside Soap Robb said she would probably not make a good farmer's wife, unlike Moira. Robb said she is strong and loves animals, but could not send them to slaughter. Moira finds employment as a barmaid at The Woolpack and Robb said she was looking forward to getting behind the bar and pulling a few pints. The Yorkshire Post said her most volatile relationship will be with The Woolpack's chef Marlon Dingle. Robb told the paper, "Moira generally gets on with everybody. However, you'll see her and Marlon develop a love-hate relationship, which will be interesting." Robb later thought Moira would warm to Marlon, in between their battles.
Marriage to John Barton
In her fictional backstory, Moira married John Barton in 1990. They were childhood sweethearts. Robb said it was love at first sight for both Moira and John and they have a "great chemistry" together. The actress added "Moira really finds him attractive, fancies him a lot and loves him deeply. They have a lot of affection for each other." Thornton said John and Moira had a lot of fun in their youth and there have often been hints about their party lifestyle. When Marlon falls in love with Moira, she tells him she has not looked at another man during her twenty years of marriage to John. Robb thought Moira told Marlon that because she did not want to hurt him or cheat on John. Moira manages to maintain a good work and family balance because she has John's support. Together they make a strong team and do not take themselves seriously. John encourages Moira to have her independence, but to share her experiences with the family. Thornton told Kris Green of Digital Spy that John and Moira are enough for each other. John knows Moira is the boss of the house and he respects that. He added that while no one knows much about the Bartons' backstory, they do know John and Moira have a solid marriage.John kisses Eve Jenson and Thornton said it is because he is flattered by her interest in him. Robb explained John is Moira's soulmate and even though she knows he looks at other woman, she did not think he would ever act upon it. Robb added "Moira sensed it before it happened, which made it worse!" When asked what kind of man it would take for Moira to cheat on John, Robb opined the man would have similar values to John and she thought Marlon would be a safe bet as he is loyal and trustworthy. Thornton said he is worried the writers are going to split John and Moira up and Robb said if the characters were to split, they would find it hard to live without each other.
Affair with Cain Dingle
In October 2011, Moira begins an affair with Cain Dingle. Cain has been interested in Moira for a while as he knows how much she loathes him. Moira decides to purchase a Land Rover from Cain and agrees to pay him the money in weekly instalments. Moira asks Cain to keep the arrangement from John, as their marriage is under a lot of strain and is quite fragile at that moment. Hordley told Laura Morgan of All About Soap that Cain sees the deal as his chance to have a bit of fun with Moira. He explained "Cain enjoys causing friction between her and John – he just doesn't care about offending anyone. Cain keeps toying with Moira, and he knows that she secretly wants him..." When asked if Cain and Moira could be heading towards a full-blown affair, Hordley said he did not think so as Cain is still in love with Charity Tate. The actor added Cain is just playing with Moira like a cat plays with a mouse.On 23 October, Nada Farhoud of The People reported the attraction between Moira and Cain was going to "explode into Emmerdale's steamiest ever fling." The affair starts after Cain tells John about his and Moira's arrangement. Moira goes to the garage to tell Cain off and they have a huge fight. Suddenly Moira kisses Cain and they have sex. Of the scene, Robb said "The director asked me to wear a crossover dress so my breasts look very voluptuous, perfect for a seduction scene. We ripped each other's tops off, he cleared everything off his fridge, picked me up and my legs were wrapped around him. We looked at each other and then went into a clinch." The actress told Kate White of Inside Soap that her character does not like Cain, but that is part of the attraction for her. She cannot explain why she has a thing for him, but she cannot help herself. Moira is left feeling dirty and guilty after the encounter. However, she cannot help giving into temptation again and Robb revealed Moira does not want to go back to Cain and she tries to fight it when she does. Robb opined the relationship is quite abusive but Cain brings out a different side to Moira. Farhoud said Moira and Cain end up having sex in a barn and on a bed. The writer said the scenes are "so hot" the soap's film crew became embarrassed during filming.
Of why her character puts her marriage in jeopardy, Robb explained "She still loves John, but she feels isolated and neglected because he's stopped including her in the finances of the new business. He's changed the dynamic of their relationship." Robb also said the way Cain treats Moira makes her realise what she has with John. Cain later decides to tell John what has been going on between him and Moira and Robb said it is not going to be a good Christmas for the family. On 17 November 2011, it was announced a major storyline would see Cain attacked by a mystery person and left for dead. Moira was named as one of six official suspects, along with John. Digital Spy conducted a poll on their website asking viewers to select which suspect they thought had carried out the attack. Moira received 16.3% of the vote, placing her fourth behind John, Amy Wyatt and Zak Dingle.
Following John's death, Moira and Cain begin a relationship, which culminates in their marriage. Moira proposes to Cain, who accepts following some initial doubts about her motives. Robb said that the couple's marriage "will be far from dull – those two aren't even dull when they're happy." She also said the wedding ceremony would be simple and not traditional, as that is what Moira had with John. In the lead up to the wedding, Moira's brother-in-law James Barton threatens to reveal that Adam is actually his biological son, having carried out a secret DNA test.