Joe di Marco

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EastEnders character
Joe di Marco
Portrayed by Jake Kyprianou
Duration 1998–2002
First appearance 29 January 1998
Profile
Date of birth 28 February 1991
Home Leicester
Occupation Student

Joe di Marco was a fictional character that appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, between 1998 and 2002. He was played by Jake Kyprianou. Joe's most notable storyline was being "the focus of a tug-of-love" between his mother and father.[1] Joe, along with his father Beppe di Marco, was axed by the executive producer of EastEnders, John Yorke.[2]

[edit] Character creation and development

The Italian di Marco family were introduced early in 1998 by executive producer Jane Harris.[3] The di Marcos were a family of eight, consisting of grandparents Bruno and Luisa, their daughter-in-law Rosa, her children Beppe, Gianni, Teresa and Nicky, and Beppe's young son Joe.[4] They were heralded as the "family that would rival the Mitchells"—who are one of the most successful and long-running families to have been featured in EastEnders.[5]

The di Marcos "landed with an almighty thud in January [1998], turning out in force for the funeral of patriarch Giuseppe", Joe's grandfather.[6] The following month, the family moved to the area in which the soap is set, Walford.[7] Joe was featured in various storylines that focused on his relationship with his father, Beppe (Michael Greco), and Beppe's struggles as a single parent. "There was a flurry of interest" in 2000, when Joe's estranged mother Sandra (Clare Wilkie) was introduced into the serial. She vowed to take Beppe to court for custody of Joe, but after a lengthy battle, and a tug-of-love that led to Joe getting injured, this did not occur. In the storyline, Joe remained with his father after Beppe agreed to give Sandra visitation rights.[8][9]

The majority of the di Marcos stayed in EastEnders until 2000, when a new executive producer, John Yorke, decided to cull them all, except Joe, Beppe and his estranged wife Sandra (though she was also written out early in 2001 when the custody battle storyline ended).[10][11] The di Marcos were reportedly "slaughtered because of a shortage of ideas for what to do with them."[5] However, a spokesperson at the time commented: "These changes…are just part of [John Yorke's] plans to revamp the series and give it a new look."[12] The cuts paved the way for the arrival of the "hugely popular" Slater family.[13] Beppe and Joe remained until 2002, when they were also axed.[14] The characters departed in June, two months earlier than contracted. This was due to Beppe's actor Michael Greco, who requested to be released early from his contract because he was angry at being axed. Scripts were rapidly turned around and the characters were given a hasty exit.[15] The boy who played Joe, Jake Kyprianou, reportedly gave up acting after leaving the role.[1] The di Marcos are now deemed as something of a failure for EastEnders.[9]

[edit] Storylines

Joe di Marco was the son of Beppe and Sandra di Marco. Sandra abandoned Joe when he was young due to Beppe's interfering family. Joe was raised by his father, his grandmother Rosa and his great grandmother Luisa.

Sandra came back into Joe's life in 2000. He bonded with his mother, and despite initial hostilities Beppe also welcomed Sandra back into his life.[16] However it transpired that Sandra was only using Beppe to get access to Joe and she later reconciled with her former lover, Jack Robins. She and Jack planned to abscond with Joe, however Beppe caught her in the act. Beppe and Sandra were then involved in a custody battle for Joe. The constant rowing had a negative effect on Joe and he found it difficult to choose between his warring parents. This culminated in him getting hit by a car when he disobeyed his father and ran across the road to be with his mother. Joe was not seriously hurt, but the accident made his parents rethink their behaviour. Beppe eventually allowed Sandra visitation rights and Joe remained with his father.

Beppe's serial womanising had a negative effect on Joe in 2001 when he walked in on his father being seduced by his teacher, Kay Bradshaw. Joe was so unsettled that he refused to go to school the following day. In 2002, Joe left with his father to live in Leicester following Rosa's death.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: FALL AND RISE OF CELEB WRESTLING'S MARC", The Mirror. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  2. ^ "EastEnder Beppe moving on", BBC. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  3. ^ "EASTENDERS: 29 January 1998", BBC programme catalogue. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  4. ^ "Priest in 'stop the suicides' plea over EastEnder Nadia's husband", Sunday Mirror. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  5. ^ a b "Farewell my luvvies", The Northern Echo. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  6. ^ Smith, Rupert (2005). EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square. BBC books. ISBN 0-563-52165-1. 
  7. ^ "ALBERTO SQUARE", Daily Record. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  8. ^ Lock, Kate (2000). EastEnders Who's Who. BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-55178-X. 
  9. ^ a b "Easy come, easy go", The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  10. ^ "EASTEND OF THE ROAD FOR STARS", Daily Record. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  11. ^ "BBC 'supremo' John Yorke hits the Sage", northernmedia.org. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  12. ^ "Axe falls on five EastEnders", BBC. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  13. ^ "EastEnders producer steps up", The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  14. ^ "Interview Michael Greco: I'm gutted at being axed", Sunday Mirror. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  15. ^ "EastEnder Beppe out early", The Sun. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
  16. ^ "WasSandra savaged by that badger called Rosa?", Sunday Mirror. Retrieved on 2007-10-21. 
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The di Marco family in EastEnders