A FAMILIAR face from River City’s past is returning to Shieldinch this year as Jacqueline Leonard reprises her role as Lydia Murdoch, the estranged wife of local gangster 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.
Speaking about her return, Jacqueline said: “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!”
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.
Kieran Hannigan, executive producer, said she was thrilled to welcome Jacqueline back to the drama, adding: “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 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.
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