Josephine Melville, who played Tessa Parker in the BBC serial series EastEnders, died backstage after starring in a play at Nottingham Playhouse. Melville has been performing as Maggie in Natasha Gordon’s play Nine Night. On October 21, Nottingham Playhouse announced the news, saying,
“We are profoundly sorry to report that the performer Josephine Melville died last night backstage at Nottingham Playhouse during the performance of her play Nine Night.” Josephine’s family has been notified, and our hearts and prayers are with them.”
We are deeply saddened that last night (20 Oct) the actor Josephine Melville, passed away following the performance of Nine Night, our co-production with Leeds Playhouse.
Our thoughts and deep condolences are with her family and loved ones. https://t.co/O9qnBGXqkR pic.twitter.com/h1pCfchXPh— Nottingham Playhouse (@NottmPlayhouse) October 21, 2022
The theater said in a statement that Melville died on Thursday, October 20 and that house first responders aided the now-deceased actress. One of the audience members was a medical professional who also ran to help. Melville was declared dead when paramedics got on the scene. The reason for Josephine’s death has not yet been discovered, and the remaining Nine Night concerts have been canceled.
EastEnders character Josephine Melville
Josephine Melville’s character first debuted in EastEnders on June 10, 1986, and continued to appear until July 10, 1986. The character barely featured in roughly eight episodes, yet he was crucial to the plot’s growth. Tessa is Kelvin Carpenter and Harry Reynolds’s college buddy. Kelvin subsequently joins Harry and Tessa in their extreme Marxist ideas. Tessa and Kelvin both discover they have a lot in common and begin dating after the former finds Kelvin appealing.
Their courtship suffers a setback when Kelvin develops an interest in pop music rather than overturning the Thatcher administration. He becomes a member of the Dog Market and its successor, The Banned. Tessa also wants to join the band, but she is not as gifted as Kelvin and is not permitted to do so. She quietly exits Albert Square when Kelvin informs her that it is time for them to depart.
EastEnders premiered in February 1985 and has been hailed as one of the most influential programs in the history of British television drama, addressing subjects that are considered sensitive in British culture. Several awards have also been bestowed on the cast and crew.
All About Josephine Melville
Josephine Melville, who was born in Essex, was well-known for her roles in EastEnders, The Bill, and Casualty. She was also well-known for her many theatrical performances. She appeared in Ella Henderson’s music video for “Brave.” Melville was an actor, writer, director, producer, and archivist, according to her social media. She also established the South Essex African Caribbean Association (SEACA).
Melville never revealed anything about her private life. Despite her celebrity, she did not have a Wikipedia page. Her job and educational background have yet to be published in detail.
