Brookside was known for its controversial storylines and actress Helen O’Brien looks worlds away from her the character she portrayed on the controversial Channel 4 soap
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An actress who became well-known for her role in Brookside’s shocking incest storyline is virtually unrecognisable almost three decades after the plot caused outrage amongst viewers.
The iconic Channel 4 soap, which included Claire Sweeney of Coronation Street fame amongst its stars, came to a conclusion in November 2003. Having exited Brookside in 1997, Helen O’Brien pursued new opportunities on BBC One’s Roger Roger.
The actress hailing from Hertfordshire then secured parts in celebrated series including Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Bad Girls and Cold Feet.
Brother and sister Nat (John Sandford) and Georgia Simpson, played by Helen, horrified viewers with their antics that went well beyond the norms of sibling affection back in the day.
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Knowing full well they were related, the pair couldn’t deny their mutual romantic feelings, leading them down a path many found hard to watch. “We’re adults, we love one another,” Nat bravely confessed to his parents upon being discovered in bed with his older sister, reports the Mirror.
The plot line turned out to be a step too far for certain audiences, causing a decline in viewer numbers as the siblings pursued an incestuous relationship, even drawing comments from Members of Parliament. Eventually, Brookside creator Phil Redmond acknowledged the error of going to such extremes, resulting in the Simpson family being written out of the soap.
Brookside, the Liverpool-based soap, was known for its daring and controversial storylines, including incest, murder, and a groundbreaking kiss. The Channel 4 show’s writers were never shy about creating dark and wild plots to keep audiences hooked during its 21-year run.
The soap was a ratings hit in the 1980s and 1990s, but it saw a decline before it was eventually cancelled in 2003. Despite this, Brookside was renowned for its bold and shocking narratives that made it must-watch television, with episodes regularly attracting eight million viewers.
Recently, former Brookside actress Helen has been showcasing her ageless beauty in the CBBC series Hetty Feather. Even though she plays an older character, Lady Asquith, a hospital benefactor, her natural beauty shines through.
After the second season of Hetty Feather, her character relocated to New York and she exited the series. Off-screen, Helen is a mother of two and is married to British actor Timothy Watson. Timothy, who starred in the BBC Radio 4 drama, The Archers, in 2016, recently compared his on-screen marriage to Helen with their real-life relationship.
Discussing the differences between himself and his on-screen persona, the actor revealed: “Believe me, I’m nothing like him. Honestly, I couldn’t be more different from Rob. Well, except that we both have wives called Helen.”
Speaking to MailOnline, he added: “How would my real life wife Helen react if I began behaving like Rob at home? She would spot it in an instant and would run a mile.”
