Emmerdale fans have just come across current star Louise Jameson’s original role in the show.
The actress is known for her role as Mary Goskirk in the ITV soap, who she has played since 2022.
Last week, the character announced to daughter Rhona (Zoe Henry) that she was taking a short break to stay with her sister, in the wake of her fall-out with Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick).
The two ended up at loggerheads when she discovered Mary was the person Suzy (Martelle Edinborough) had kissed before she died.
Mary hoped by giving Vanessa space, it would give her time to heal. It would also allow Rhona to rebuild her relationship with step-daughter April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan).
What you may not realise is that Louise has had a role in the show before – some 49 years prior to starring as Mary Goskirk.
Who did Louise Jameson play in Emmerdale Farm?
Back in 1973, she appeared in four episodes of the sleepy lunchtime soap, which was then still called Emmerdale Farm – a far cry from the high drama of today!
Except, for Louise’s character Sharon Crossthwaite, she was at the centre of a highly unusual story for the time.
Sharon became the show’s first murder victim, just three months into its time on air.
As the show had mostly dealt with farming issues and the life of everyday village folk, this must have come as quite a surprise for viewers in the 70s.
The character – a distant cousin of matriarch Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier), – was raped and murdered by Jim Latimer (Myles Reitherman) in harrowing scenes.
How have fans reacted?
One fan shared a series of pictures on X of Louise in the show, including scenes she shared with Frazer Hines, who played Joe Sugden.
‘I never knew this happened,’ one fan replied.
Another added: ‘Great that she was reincarnated as Mary.’
Another fan pointed out that both Louise and Frazer have previously been Doctor Who sidekicks.
Did Louise Jameson star alongside Frazer Hines in Doctor Who?
Before joining Emmerdale, Frazer played Jamie McCrimmon, the companion of Patrick Troughton’s Second Doctor between 1966 and 1969, before returning to make guest appearances in the BBC sci-fi series in the 1980s.
Louise played Leela, who was the sidekick of Tom Baker’s incarnation of the Doctor from 1977 to 1978.
Unfortunately, the pair never crossed paths in outer space.
They join a wealth of other names from soapland who have had roles in the hit show, including Anita Dobson, Lesley Dunlop and June Brown.
Avid soap fans will likely also know Louise for her role as Rosa di Marco in EastEnders – a role she played from 1998 to 2000.
