| Johnny Carter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Sam Strike (2013–14) Ted Reilly (2016–18) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2013–14, 2016–18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 4771 26 December 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | Episode 5646 29 January 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Dominic Treadwell-Collins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Johnny Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was initially played by Sam Strike from December 2013 to December 2014. Despite initially saying that they would not recast, producers later looked for a replacement for Strike, which led to Ted Reilly being cast in the role. Reilly portrayed the role from April 2016 to January 2018.
Johnny was created as part of the extension of the established Carter family, being introduced alongside his parents and siblings. Johnny's initial storyline was coming out as gay shortly after his first appearance. He eventually left the show to go travelling his boyfriend, Gianluca Cavallo. In his second stint, Johnny was central to a special week of episodes where he was shot and suffered an ambulance crash.
Johnny has been well received by critics, who have praised his coming out storyline, which encouraged other viewers to also come out. However, the character was criticised during his second stint for being underused.
Casting[edit]
Development[edit]
Characterisation[edit]
Introduction[edit]
Coming out[edit]
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/03/eastenders-gay-kiss-johnny-carter-danny-pennant_n_4535687.html https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a551193/eastenders-sam-strike-proud-of-johnny-carter-plot-reaction/
The scene in which Johnny comes out to Mick was shortlisted for the Spectacular Scene of the Year award at The British Soap Awards in 2014.[1] The scene also won the 2014 Attitude Awards Media Recognition Award.[2]
Relationships[edit]
Family[edit]
Ben Mitchell[edit]
In 2016, Johnny supports Ben when his boyfriend, Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), is killed in a homophobic attack - https://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/film-news/eastenders-ben-mitchell-finds-paul-8491871
Gianluca[edit]
https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/485593/Eastenders-Johnny-Carter-in-love-dilemma-after-kiss-with-Italian https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-johnny-carter-get-boyfriend-492223.html
Initial departure[edit]
Return and recast[edit]
Initially said they wouldn't recast – https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-bosses-leaving-door-open-4855800
"I think if they want Johnny back in the show it's something they should definitely do. I wasn't ready to return any time in the near future.
"I didn't write the character, but I do feel a sense of ownership over him, like an overbearing parent. I lived with him 6 days a week over the course of a year, fighting often for what I felt was a correct portrayal, and I'm sure Dom will make sure the next actor to portray him will do the character justice."
"I hope they find lots for Johnny to do and give him lots of stories, and the new actor can have the adventure with Johnny that I would've liked to have before he became stale.
"I think it's a great thing and that the character needs a facelift - and I wish whoever lands it the best of luck."
Sam Strike on the decision to recast Johnny (2016).
Second stint and shooting[edit]
https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/soaps/eastenders-spoilers-johnny-carter-shot-14569150
Second departure[edit]
https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/soaps/eastenders-spoilers-cast-johnny-carter-14478408
Storylines[edit]
2013–14[edit]
2016–18[edit]
In 2020, it is revealed that Johnny has an older half-sister Frankie Lewis (Rose Ayling-Ellis) through Mick. He then gains another half-sister when Linda gives birth to Annie Carter. In 2022, Johnny does not attend Mick's wedding to Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-reeling-mick-25821500 Days later, Linda goes to see Johnny and his siblings when Mick is presumed dead. Johnny gains another half-sibling when Janine gives birth to Mick's son the following year.
Further reception[edit]
https://www.attitude.co.uk/news/world/eastenders-sam-strike-gay-storyline-has-helped-people-278693/
Viewers were initially not happy with the news of Johnny being recast – https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/14259080.eastenders-to-recast-the-role-of-johnny-carter-and-fans-on-twitter-arent-happy/
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a854983/soap-recasts-that-didnt-work-out/
https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-plea-johnny-23970311
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a823933/eastenders-characters-2017-watch-out-spoilers/
In 2022, fans were not happy when Johnny and his siblings did not attend Mick's wedding – https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-reeling-mick-25821500
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Brown, David. "British Soap Awards 2014: full list of winners revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Attitude Awards 2014: The winners in full". Attitude. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2023.