FROM DALLAS TO CHESTER

Who is Linda Gray? Dallas actress and Hollyoaks star – here’s what we know

The 76 year old TV veteran, most famous for her portrayal of alcoholic Sue-Ellen has made the journey across the Atlantic

helen thomas

Published: 22:00, 11 Jan 2017
Updated: 22:11, 11 Jan 2017

LINDA Gray is returning to the Channel 4 soap, Hollyoaks, playing Tabby Maxwell-Brown - mother of Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony).

Her character arrived in Chester to see her daughter in November, following the death of her on-screen husband, Charles and created a bit of a stir to say the least.

She impressed bosses so much they have now signed her up with a big money contract.

Linda has enjoyed a career spanning 50 years - but what do we know about the actress?

Linda Gray is making her debut on Hollyoaks this weekCredit: PA:Press Association

Who is Linda Gray and what is her background?

Linda is a TV legend best known for her role in the long-running TV show Dallas.

She was born in Santa Monica, California and started life as a model in the 1960s before moving into acting.

Linda got experience by first making TV commercials - around 400 of them, and then winning guest roles in several popular TV series before landing her starring role in Dallas.

Linda as long-suffering Sue-Ellen with her on-screen husband Larry Hagman, who played JR EwingCredit: Wenn

What about her career?

Part of the original cast, Linda played the alcoholic, downtrodden Sue-Ellen Ewing, wife of notoriously evil oil baron, JR Ewing.

Sue-Ellen was on our screens from 1978-1991 and Linda was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal. She then reprised the famous character in the 2012-2014 revival series.

After her first stint in Dallas, Linda starred in several made for TV movies as well as appearing in theatrical stage shows.

She came to the West End in 2001 to play the iconic Mrs Robinson character in The Graduate which seemed fitting, as in her modelling days it was Linda's stockinged leg that appeared on the original poster for the iconic movie starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman.

Linda was paid just $25 for this shot of her legs in the iconic movie poster for The GraduateCredit: Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

A recognisable face, Linda has made guest appearances in several US television series alongside her film roles - she played Darnell in 2010's Expecting Mary.

Linda was reunited with some of the original members of the Dallas cast for the reboot in 2012Credit: TV3

Why is she appearing in Hollyoaks?

There was much excitement when The Sun revealed that Linda had been signed up for a stint in Hollyoaks.

She is initially only scheduled to appear for a week, but producers are open to a longer run if her character proves popular.

Playing the glamorous Tabby, she will be bringing drama too, clashing with her on-screen daughter - fuming that Marnie has taken Mac back.

Executive producer of the Channel 4 show, Bryan Kirkwood, said: “When we came to discuss who could possibly play Marnie’s mother the list was very small.

Lysette Anthony has fast become a fabulous soap bitch so having Linda Gray play her mother, Tabitha, is the perfect fit."