Mickey Miller
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| EastEnders character | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Mickey Miller | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Joe Swash | |||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Louise Berridge | |||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2003–2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 15 April 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Single | |||||||||||||||||||
| Home | 27 Albert Square | |||||||||||||||||||
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Michael "Mickey" Miller (né Swann) is a fictional character in the soap opera EastEnders. He is played by Joe Swash, and made his first appearance on 15 April 2003. Introduced as a guest character, Mickey proved popular and was turned into a regular by executive producer Louise Berridge. The character is portrayed as a wheeler-dealer, involved in various money-making scams. A family was built around the character in 2004 when the other Millers moved to Albert Square. It was announced on 25 February 2008 that the characters of Mickey and his stepfather Keith had been axed by EastEnders' executive producer Diederick Santer.[1] He will leave in June 2008.
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[edit] Character creation and development
[edit] Creation
Mickey Miller was introduced in 2003 as a guest character, a wheeler-dealer involved in dodgy scams. Joe Swash was given the role. The actor had originally auditioned for the part of Spencer Moon, which was eventually cast to Christopher Parker. However, the BBC bosses saw potential, and six months later, Swash was offered the part of Spencer's friend, Mickey.[2]
The character was originally supposed to appear in only six episodes, but Mickey proved so popular with viewers that the soap's executive producer, Louise Berridge, decided to make him into a regular character. Swash has commented, "I'm pleased it happened that way, I have done it on my own merit rather than coming in as part of a family. It's a bit more special."[2]
The BBC has described Mickey as a "lovable character" and "a happy-go-lucky wide boy."[3] They continued, "Mickey is always on the look-out for a scam and a chance to make some easy money".[4]
[edit] Introducing Mickey's family
For his first year in the soap, little was known about the character's background, which Swash commented on in an interview with the Sunday Mirror in February 2004: "It's weird because we don't know anything about Mickey's background. I was filming Kat and Alifie's wedding and I thought, 'Hang on, where's my family? Why have I abandoned them on Christmas Day to go to some wedding?' But I'm sure it'll all become clear. I think they're going to get in some other characters around Mickey, some family and friends, so we'll find out more about him."[2]
In April 2004, it was announced that Mickey's family would be introduced[5] and the casting team held workshops, screen tests and script readings with the potential actors. Shana Swash, the sister of Joe Swash, was cast as Mickey's younger half sister Demi Miller.[6] Other family members included stepfather Keith (David Spinx), mother Rosie (Gerry Cowper) and half brother Darren (Charlie G. Hawkins). The family were publicised as "troublemakers" who were joining "in order to drum up conflict with existing characters." Louise Berridge said, "This lot are trouble. Even the dog is dodgy [...] They're set to cause havoc all over the square..." The family's introduction in September 2004 followed a survey in The Mirror newspaper which suggested that 57% of EastEnders viewers thought the soap had lost its appeal.[7]
Joe Swash has revealed that giving Mickey a family was not the producers' original plan for the character, but he was pleased when he was told of the development one year prior to their introduction: "Before, I was in and out all the time. I didn't really know where I stood as an actor. Now that the family are here, I feel like Mickey's a more regular character. I'm really happy about it [...] I didn't know exactly what they'd be like until about three or four months ago. They're really different which I think is good. I'm really pleased with them [...] they're really close. They won't hear a bad word said about each other. They'll kid each other in private, but in public they rally round and stick up for each other [...] [Mickey's] a bit of a mummy's boy."[8]
The following year, Mickey's family was completed by the introduction of his elder sister Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon), and his con-artist father Mike Swann (a guest character played by Mark Wingett), who both made their first appearance in a special week of off-set episodes, set in France in September 2005.[9] In the storyline, Mickey went to France with some of his friends to visit his sister, and was surprised to see his estranged father, who had abandoned him as a child.[10]
[edit] Development
As a "wheeler-dealer", Mickey bonded particularly well with another dodgy dealer on the Square, Mo Harris (Laila Morse).[3] Swash has commented, "It's natural for Mickey and Mo to be close because they're so similar. They're into the same things and doing business."[8] Their interaction was mostly used for comedic purposes. In 2004, the duo were featured in a special plot to highlight the BBC's fundraising event, Sport Relief, which tackles poverty and disadvantage, both in the UK and internationally. On-screen, Mickey competed in the Fitness First Sport Relief Mile, to raise money via sponsoring. As part of the storyline, Mo encouraged Mickey to keep the sponsorship money for himself, though Mickey eventually did "the right thing", donating the money to charity. Commenting on the storyline, Swash said, "Mickey is always trying to make money through some scam or another. But this time he has realised that there are people in this country and around the world who are much worse off than he is and he is determined to do his bit to help raise money for Sport Relief and help improve the lives of others."[4]
Relationships were featured in the character's narrative, initially with Kareena Ferreira (Pooja Shah), in 2004. Kareena had taken a hiatus from the serial and returned two months later with what was billed as a "sexy new vamp look" — part of the producers attempt to popularise the much-criticised Ferreira family.[11][12] Despite most of the male characters showing an interest in the new-look Kareena, she opted for Mickey, in what The Sun newspaper described as a "sizzling storyline".[11] Swash said, "[Mickey]'s always liked [Kareena]. His eyes nearly pop out of his head when she returns! I think they'd make a good couple because they're chalk and cheese."[8] The relationship hit various setbacks. When Mickey discovered Kareena had taken cocaine, he contemplated finishing with her, leaving Kareena to be comforted by Mickey's business partner and Kareena's drug dealer, Juley Smith (Joseph Kpobie).[13] Despite weathering these problems, it was a brief reprieve as the relationship ended the episode following their reconcilliation in March 2005, when Kareena left the serial with her family. In reality, the entire Ferreira family had been axed by executive producer, Kathleen Hutchison.[14] Despite promising to stay for Mickey's sake, Kareena changed her mind at the last minute and left.[15] Mickey's next relationship was with "bad girl" Li Chong (Elaine Tan) in 2007, a fellow wheeler-dealer.[16] The characters' storylines mainly concentrated on money-making schemes, including Li's cannabis farm, and her attempt to "pimp" Mickey as a male escort; however, the relationship ended when Mickey started getting too serious, and Li left the serial in July 2007 when the character was written out.[17]
In February 2008, it was announced that Mickey and his stepfather Keith were being axed from EastEnders. The characters were two of several axed by executive producer Diederick Santer that year. Others included Gus Smith, Steven Beale, and Honey Mitchell. According to The Sun newspaper, producers told Joe Swash that they had run out of storylines for his character. A friend of Swash was quoted as saying, "Joe was stunned at first. He’s loved playing Mickey and felt the fans still enjoyed watching his antics. But he soon realised if the stories weren’t there, he didn’t want to be just going through the motions."[18] Their axing will lead to further disbandment of the Miller/Swann family. Both Mickey and Keith survived the axe in 2006 when Rosie and Demi Miller were written out.[19] Darren Miller and Dawn Swann, the only remaining family members, were kept on.
[edit] Storylines
Mickey is the son of Mike Swann and Rosie Miller. Mike left the family when Mickey was just three years old. He grew up with his sister Dawn and later his half siblings Demi and Darren Miller. He has always considered his mother's long-term partner, Keith Miller, to be his father, and uses his surname.[20] Mickey was first seen in Walford in 2003, selling dodgy goods to Spencer Moon and he was later involved in similar money-making scams with fellow wheeler-dealer, Mo Harris. To earn extra money, he has worked as a builder and sold trinkets on Bridge Street market, aided by his business partner, Juley Smith.
Mickey began a relationship with Kareena Ferreira in 2004. Mickey fell for Kareena, but he was incensed in 2005 when he discovered that she had been using cocaine, supplied by Juley Smith. When Kareena saw Stacey Slater attempting to seduce Mickey, she turned to Juley for comfort, and a fight broke out when Mickey caught Juley attempting to kiss her. Mickey and Kareena managed to work through their problems, but shortly after Kareena left Walford with the rest of her family, despite previously promising Mickey that she would stay with him.
When Mickey went to visit his sister Dawn in France in 2005, he was surprised to discover that she was living with their biological father, Mike. Mickey was less than impressed with his father's sudden return to his life. Mickey refused to forgive Mike for his prior neglect, and they fought when Mike made derogatory comments about Rosie. Mike tried to make excuses for his absence, but Mickey was unimpressed and refused to believe him. They eventually called an uneasy truce, but Mike alientaed his son further when he tried to con his friend Minty out of his life savings.
Mickey entered into a relationship with Li Chong in 2007, and they eventually both moved into Gus Smith's flat. Li often tested the relationship, infuriating Mickey by growing cannabis in their closet, and then involving him in a money-making scame by advertising him as a male escort without his consent. With persuasion, Mickey agreed to do the male escorting, but Li proved too jealous of his flirtations with other women, so their scam soon ended. However, Li abruptly ended the relationship when she Mickey started getting too serious for her.
In May 2008, Mickey became the victim of bullying from Sean Slater, who did such things as assulating Mickey and vandalising his property. Mickey was too scared to take any action against Sean, and relied on his sister's boyfriend, Jase, for protection.
In June 2008, Mad may returns for summer and knocks him out with a crowbar and causes fatal damage, he then helps dawn and collapses a second time whilst the house is burning
[edit] Reception
The character, originally intended for one week's worth of episodes, proved popular with viewers, and was turned into a regular because of this. According to an article in The Sun newspaper in 2004, Mickey's actor Joe Swash received "1,000 letters a week from besotted girl fans", more than EastEnders' "main hunk" Nigel Harman, who played Dennis Rickman.[5]
Jaci Stephen, critic for the Daily Mail described Mickey as "fabulous" in 2004;[21] however, in 2005, critic for The Mirror, Jim Shelley, branded Mickey a moron and one of EastEnders' weakest characters.[22] During a period of heavy media criticism aimed at EastEnders in 2004, Shelley stated that the serial's "Tiresome obsession with petty crime" was one of the reasons for its decline in quality, with Mickey listed as one of the soap's "myriad criminals".[23]
[edit] References
- ^ "'Enders boss axes Mickey and Keith", Digital Spy. URL last accessed 2008-02-25.
- ^ a b c "I can cope with girl fans. After dad died I was in a house full of", Sunday Mirror, 8 February 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b "IBBC's EastEnders welcomes the Miller family", BBC, 8 August 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b "EastEnders stars Go The Extra Mile for Sport Relief", BBC, 7 July 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
- ^ a b "TV chiefs take to the Mick", The Sun, 6 April 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Finding a family for Mickey", BBC. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Troublemakers to join EastEnders", BBC, 9 August 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b c "The Swashes are here", BBC. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "EastEnders reveals new signings to the square", BBC, 23 June 2005. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Ex-'Bill' actor to appear in 'EastEnders'", Digital Spy, 24 June 2005. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b "Ferreiras re-vamp", The Sun, 11 August 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "I'll be Queen Vic vamp", The Sun, 3 April 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Grace Dent's world of lather", The Guardian, 12 March 2005. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Ferreiras kicked out of EastEnders", The Guardian, 14 October 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "SOAPVILLE", The Guardian, 26 March 2005. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Walford's bad girl hits back", The Sun, 24 May 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Fans ask if I'm sex mad", Sunday Mirror, 3 June 2007. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Swash buckled by sack", The Sun, 25 February 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Axe falls on two 'EastEnders' characters", Digital Spy, 3 February 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Mickey Miller", What's on TV. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Soap watch", Daily Mail, 28 August 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
- ^ "SACRE BLUR - LEASTENDERS IN FRANCE", The Mirror, 4 October 2005. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
- ^ "EASTENDERS IN CRISIS: THE SHELLEY REPORT", The Mirror, 27 July 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
[edit] External links
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