The Brain Tumour Charity has worked with scriptwriters at ITV’s BAFTA-nominated soap Emmerdale on its storyline about a character who is diagnosed with a brain tumour.
How was The Charity involved?
After checking through draft scripts and advising on potential plot lines, The Charity invited a member of the community who is living with a similar condition to provide some input on symptoms, hospital procedures and the patient experience. We also put forward a neuro-oncology specialist nurse who was able to visit the set.
Jillian Sokratous, who works at The Clatterbridge Hospital in Liverpool, met the director and chatted to actor Natalie J. Robb who plays Moira Dingle.
She said:
“Everyone on set was really lovely, I felt very welcome and I have so much admiration for how hard everyone was working to ensure the scenes were accurate and representative. It really blew me away. I’m glad I was able to help in some way.”
Neuro-oncology Specialist Nurse Jillian Sokratous
Emmerdale Producer, Sophie Roper, said: “Moira’s diagnosis comes as a huge shock to both her and her family and Moira faces an emotional and challenging time ahead. The research and support we’ve received throughout this storyline has allowed us to depict the realities of the condition and though at times it may be distressing to see the symptoms Moira’s experiencing, we’re keen to explore the hope and resilience Moira finds as she comes to terms with her diagnosis.”
Moira’s diagnosis
Moira starts experiencing symptoms she initially thinks may be related to the menopause. She’s had lapses in her memory and angry outbursts, telling family that she doesn’t feel like herself. After being rescued from a barn fire, Moira has a seizure in hospital and is taken for a scan. She’s told that there’s a mass on her brain – a possible reason for the changes in her recent behaviour. It’s a suspected meningioma.
Actor Natalie J. Robb said it was a privilege to play the part, adding: “I feel really fortunate to be trusted with such a challenging storyline. Moira and her family have an extremely challenging time ahead, and I’m hoping I can portray it in a truthful way that does justice to all the people who are really suffering with a brain tumour.”
Cameron Miller, Director of External Affairs, said: “Storylines like Moira’s play a crucial role in raising awareness and can genuinely lead to earlier diagnoses. We are grateful to the production team at Emmerdale for contacting us to advise on the script. We wanted to ensure that her family’s experience is portrayed as accurately and sensitively as possible.”
Moira’s backstory
Moira’s character was introduced to the show in 2009 when her family, the Bartons, moved to the village to run Butler’s Farm.
Natalie was subsequently nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards.
In 2012, Natalie and her first husband in the soap John Barton, played by James Thornton, won Spectacular Scene of the Year at the British Soap Awards for their car accident episode.
Now married to Cain Dingle, who has four children from previous relationships, they have a son together – Isaac.
Emmerdale won Best Serial Drama at the National Television Awards on 11 September.
The ITV programme is broadcast live on ITV1 on weekdays at 7:30pm and on its streaming service ITVX.