Paul Trueman

Paul Trueman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Gary Beadle between 2001 and 2004. Gary was introduced as part of the already established Trueman family. He was portrayed as a bad boy. Beadle left the role in 2004. In his exit storyline, Paul became a drug dealer, and Beadle has been critical of the storyline, suggesting it played into black, racial stereotyping. It was implied that Paul was killed upon his exit, though his death was not screened.

Storylines

Paul follows his mother Audrey Trueman (Corinne Skinner-Carter) and brother Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) to Walford after being estranged for them for some time. Audrey rejects him, but he decides to stay, blackmailing Anthony for money in exchange for keeping his drink-driving secret. Paul started playing in Steve Owen's (Martin Kemp) poker games, when an old acquaintance of his, Angel Hudson (Goldie), joins a game and instanty recognises Paul. It transpires that Paul owes Angel money, and Angel threatens Paul's life unless he pays up. Paul tries to get the money by stealing property from his mother, pawning the goods and gambling the money he receives. This fails and he ends up with less money than he began with. When Angel comes to collect his money, Paul fails to pay, so Angel gives him a severe beating and trashes Audrey's bed and breakfast. After more threats from Angel, Paul blackmails Anthony into giving him the money. Anthony has no choice but to oblige; he takes out a loan and Paul pays Angel.

Janine Butcher

Janine Butcher (also Evans and Malloy) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, introduced in 1989 and portrayed by Charlie Brooks from 1999 to 2014.

Rebecca Michael originally portrayed the character from 1989 until 1993, when Alexia Demetriou, who stayed for three years, took over. Brooks took on the role in 1999, remaining as a permanent character until 2004. After a three episode guest stint on 2 April 2008 which saw the character reappear for her father Frank's (Mike Reid) funeral, Brooks agreed to reprise her role full-time, returning permanently in December 2008. Janine's storylines typically involve her in an antagonistic role; the character has been described as a "super-bitch" and a "classic villainess". In February 2012, Brooks announced that she would take a six-month break from the show later in the year, and departed on 14 September 2012. Brooks returned to filming on 21 February 2013 and returned on screen on 18 April 2013.

Janine's storylines included prostitution, drug addiction, financial worries, becoming an agoraphobe and being falsely charged with the murder of Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman). The character is the widow of Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson), David (Harry Towb) and Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and is divorced from Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott). During June 2012 Janine prematurely gave birth to a daughter, Scarlett, on the day of her wedding to Michael. The pair later separate and become embroiled in a custody battle over Scarlett, which leads to Janine murdering Michael in October 2013, facilitating her third departure from the show.