Paul Coker (EastEnders)

Paul Coker
EastEnders character
Portrayed by Jonny Labey
Duration 2015–16
First appearance Episode 5077
1 June 2015
Introduced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Classification Present; regular (departing)
Profile
Occupation
  • Hair stylist
  • Market trader

Paul Coker is a character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jonny Labey. He first appeared in the show's 5077th episode, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2015. Paul, a gay character, is the grandson of established characters Les Coker (Roger Sloman) and Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) and has a relationship with Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid). The character will leave the series later in 2016. Kissing scenes between Paul and Ben received a mixed reaction from viewers, though the character has received positive comments from reviewers. Ofcom received 76 complaints from viewers when the couple were seen topless together in a funeral parlour with a corpse in the room, but decided not to investigate the complaints as the scenes were "justified in the context" and sexual contact was "implied". The relationship was longlisted at the Inside Soap Awards in the "Best Affair" category.

Storylines

Paul arrives in Walford after travelling in Turkey, and angers Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) when he accidentally knocks over Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) and then flirts with Ben. Paul sees his grandfather Les Coker (Roger Sloman) with Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas), the woman with whom Paul believes Les is having an affair. Paul later meets Ben and realises Ben is gay but is hiding his sexuality. He sneaks his phone number into Ben's pocket, and as Paul is about to leave again, Ben texts Paul so they meet. They share a passionate kiss and arrange to meet again, and Paul returns to Albert Square where Les and his grandmother, Pam Coker (Lin Blakley), see him.[1] He refuses to stay with them, and later tells Les he knows about his affair, but Pam convinces him to stay.[2] At Pam's birthday party, Paul tells Les he discovered the affair with Claudette before he left for Turkey and tells Les to end the affair or he will tell Pam about it.[3] He then gets a job at Dean Wicks's (Matt Di Angelo) hair salon, Blades.[4] Paul is in direct competition with Lola for a permanent role when Dean says he will decide based on a cut-and-colour. Pam promises to be Paul's model, but, in an attempt to get him to work for Les and his funeral parlour, she gets him to perform the hairdressing on a corpse. Instead, Paul invites Ben round.[5] Although Paul is initially beaten to the role by Lola, it is because Pam put Dean off hiring him so he would work for the Cokers. Paul then learns that Les has visited Claudette, so he tells Claudette's son, Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) that Les and Claudette are having sex.[6] Paul secures the job after Lola leaves, while Vincent discovers evidence of the affair. On confronting his mother, she resolves to deal with Paul.[7] Claudette visits Paul at work and tells him he is mistaken.[8]

At the 100th anniversary party of the Cokers' funeral director business, Paul sees Les with Claudette, despite Les telling Claudette not to go. Paul tells Pam that Les is having an affair,[9] but she refuses to believe him and tells Paul not to mention it again.[10] After finding Les's tie at Claudette's house and being given conflicting explanations from her and Les, Pam leaves to stay with her sister.[11] Paul comforts Les, causing him to lose his job at Blades, and tries to contact Pam, asking her to come back to Walford. Paul collects Pam from her sister's house and finds Claudette and Les together back at home. Pam urges Les to end the affair or their marriage is over.

Paul tells Ben he wants a more serious relationship with him, but Ben declines, saying he wants to keep it casual, and that he does not want his girlfriend Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) to find out. After they are caught having sex in the car lot by Ben's father Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Phil disappears and Ben blames his relationship with Paul so ends it. After Pam asks Paul to leave the house for a day so she can sort out her marriage troubles, he returns early and is shocked to find Les dressed in women's clothes.[12] Pam leaves Walford again despite Paul's pleas and Paul comforts Les. Paul's attempts to reconcile them fail.[13]

Paul shares a drink with Ben at The Queen Victoria pub but when Abi arrives, angry that Ben has made plans without her, Ben leaves Paul on his own.[14] When Les realises Paul is upset, Paul tells his reunited grandparents that he is in love with Ben but cannot have him. Les encourages Paul to tell Ben his feelings,[15] which he does, saying Ben must choose who he really wants and who he really is.[16] However, Ben stays with Abi when she tells him she is pregnant,[17][18] but when she says she has suffered a miscarriage, Ben seeks comfort from Paul.[19] Ben then discovers that Abi lied and was never pregnant,[20] leading to the breakup of their relationship; Ben and Paul then start dating,[21][22] and Ben kisses Paul in public.[23] When Pam and Les discover Paul and Ben have reunited, Pam upsets Paul by refusing to give them time alone, and she tells Les that Ben does not deserve a second chance with Paul.[24] Pam lies to Ben to stop him seeing Paul but then promises Les that she will let Paul make his own choices.[25]

Development

Casting and introduction

Labey met Ben Mitchell actor Harry Reid during Labey's penultimate audition and said the two of them "hit it off" from the start. Labey said, "It was important for the creatives on the show to see some sort of chemistry between us from the start and see if we clicked. On a mental level, as well as a professional one on screen."[26] Labey was at home when he found out he had been offered the role.[26] He started filming for EastEnders on 17 March 2015.[27] The character and casting were announced on 16 April 2015, when Labey said: "I am overjoyed to have been given the role of Paul Coker and am thrilled to be joining the show at such a prevalent time as it marks its 30th anniversary. I know I've got a lot of work to do to live up to the talent I shall be working with, but I have never felt more welcome and cannot wait to get started."[28] Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Jonny's a sensitive, clever and intuitive actor and has fitted in to his new Walford family with ease."[28] Labey described his character's first two weeks on screen as "unbelievable", because he had "a topless scene, a crying scene, an argument and a kissing scene. It all went off!"[26] EastEnders is Labey's first TV role, having appeared in theatre and one film prior to this.[26]

Characterisation

Paul is described as fun, honest and always the centre of attention.[28] He was described by Amy Duncan of the Metro as a "new heartthrob" for the show.[29] It was said that he has a "natural confidence" and is comfortable with who he is.[30] Labey said Paul is openly gay and called him a "troublemaker" who "causes mischief" but is "loveable" and puts on a "21st century persona".[27] He also called him a "nice character" who "means well".[31] Paul arrives in Walford having spent two years working as a club rep in Turkey, and Labey said that now he is in Walford, he is "all about partying, having a drink and flirting quite a bit", and is ready to meet new people.[27] He also thought that Paul was a "happy-go-lucky" character. Labey also revealed that Paul is the kind of person who will start something but give up before finishing, and is someone who likes to gossip.[27] Paul is also diabetic.[32]

Storylines and relationships

Treadwell-Collins revealed that Paul would cause trouble for his grandparents "as he uncovers some secrets from the past", and that he "sets one heart in particular racing."[28] It was later revealed that he would be a potential love interest for established character Ben Mitchell.[33] Labey said that Paul's usual type of men was "harder, bigger, muscly tattooed guys", but said that Ben has a "Mitchell persona", which excites Paul, and he enjoys the "tease of trying to get Ben to come out", because he has a girlfriend in Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald).[27] He also said that Paul is drawn to the fact that Ben has a girlfriend because "it's all part of the chase" and their relationship is "playful and mischievous",[34] but said that Paul respects that Ben struggles with coming to terms with his sexuality.[31] Harry Reid, who plays Ben, said that Paul is "an outlet for Ben's true feelings", and that "Paul is much softer than Ben".[35] Labey said that "Paul is excited by Ben."[26] Labey went on to explain that Paul and Ben's relationship starts of as flirting and "blossoms over the summer", but he hoped it would be a "slow burner" that would "work on different levels", instead of "Ben's desperation and [Paul] feeling fed up", saying he hoped they would learn to trust each other and Ben would feel safe and comfortable with Paul.[31] He said that Paul's attraction to Ben changes over time: initially he is attracted to Ben's "bad-boy reputation" but then sees a "more fragile" side to him and they discover they have more in common.[36][37]

Labey said that Paul loves Pam, his grandmother, calling their relationship "beautiful". He called Paul a "nana's boy" who would cry to her while putting on a persona with everyone else, revealing that he never had to come out to her as gay. Paul favours Pam over Les and wants to protect her, especially when he discovers Les's supposed affair, though Labey said that Paul and Les once had a "lovely relationship".[27] Labey also said that Paul's relationship with his grandparents can be "a bit difficult" because their son and Paul's father is dead and they want him to be a part of Les's funeral business.[38] When Les and Pam's relationship breaks up, Labey said that Paul is "stuck between them both, trying to reason with one and convince the other", and they "need Paul there to remind them of how they were as a couple."[36]

It was also said that Paul would make an immediate impression on Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) when he accidentally knocks her over, and that he would befriend her before becoming her work colleague,[39] and Labey said Lola would be someone Paul confides in, as they have the same characteristics, though they would be in competition at work.[27]

Sexuality

Labey defended his character when someone asked him to object to sexuality-led storylines in soap, by saying "Paul [is] very outgoing and forward, so as a gay character, [kissing Ben]'s what he would've done! He can't dull things down because people aren't comfortable with it. That's just him."[26] Labey was not fazed by having to kiss another man in the show, saying "a kiss is a kiss."[26] On the storyline, Labey said, "We're not representing gay men in general, that's something we're certainly not doing. What we're representing is people that felt uncomfortable coming out to their parents. This is just the story of two gay men, and that story for us is that Ben is uncomfortable in coming out, and it's the reaction of people who're wanting him to come out."[26] Labey added that, "It's such a huge topic and with everyone's story being different, there's an element of being proud to show these two characters' stories, and hopefully help others, when and if Ben finally makes the decision to come out. [...] [I] feel privileged to be trusted with that, with such a hugh audience watching."[26] Labey hoped the storyline would make a change to a viewer's life.[26]

Departure

On 19 April 2016, it was announced that Labey would leave his role after a year, a decision that was made "a while ago", and Paul's last episode would air "in a couple of months" in an "explosive" storyline.[40] Labey said there was "still so much to happen for Paul", urging his fans not to "lose hope".[41]

Reception

Paul's kiss with Ben in his first episode received a mixed reaction from viewers on Twitter, with many people praising the scene, but also a number of homophobic comments calling it "gross" and "cringing", which resulted in a backlash from those championing the couple.[42][43] Executive Producer Treadwell-Collins reacted to the negative comments, saying: "Very very sad. It's 2015 people."[44] When asked about the homophobic reaction to Paul and Ben's first kiss, Labey said "No matter what the storyline is, there'll be a backlash."[26] He initially only saw a positive response, but found negative reactions later, but opined that it would not matter if it were a gay storyline or not, as "there's [always] people that don't agree or aren't comfortable watching".[26] He also said, "I feel that in the gay community there's no homophobia but when you spread it to the wider community, you're going to get those responses."[45] Laura Morgan from All About Soap said that Paul had made "quite an impression" in his first episode, having taken "under 30 minutes to single out Ben Mitchell and snog the face off him".[34]

Further scenes of Paul and Ben received complaints, when the couple were seen topless together in a funeral parlour with a corpse in the room. Ofcom received 76 complaints.[46] Labey initially questioned the scene himself on reading the script, but said, "you get the scenes and you deal with and just got on with it" and chose not to dwell on any criticism.[45] An EastEnders spokesperson defended the scenes, saying, "The millions of regular EastEnders fans who tune in each week know and expect dramatic storylines. We are always mindful of our time slot in which we are shown and the scenes in question were implied and not explicit."[47] Ofcom assessed the complaints and ruled that they did not warrant an investigation, with a spokesperson saying, "We found the scenes were justified in the context of a long-running plotline and sexual contact between the characters was implied rather than overt. Our rules don't discriminate between scenes involving opposite sex and same sex couples."[46]

Anthony D. Langford from TheBacklot.com was pleased with Paul's introduction, saying the way Paul and Ben behave in Paul's first episode is "way more realistic and relatable than two teenagers or twenty-somethings who date for months before even having so much as a kiss", and he also liked that Paul has a storyline with his family as well as the one with Ben.[32] In December 2015, the Daily Mirror said that Labey had made "such an impact in the soap already you would think he's been in Walford for years."[48] Helen Turnbull from the Daily Mail said that Labey's role as Paul was "somewhat defining" because of his "same-sex and top-secret relationship" with "the son of Walford's most notorious bad man Phil."[49]

In July 2015, Paul's affair with Ben was longlisted at the Inside Soap Awards in the "Best Affair" category,[50] but it did not make the viewer-voted shortlist.[51]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Director: David Moor; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Daran Little (1 June 2015). "Episode dated 01/06/2014". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  2. ↑ Director: David Moor; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Spenser Frearson (2 June 2015). "Episode dated 02/06/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  3. ↑ Director: David Moor; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Jesse O'Mahoney (4 June 2015). "Episode dated 04/06/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  4. ↑ Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Jaden Clark (8 June 2015). "Episode dated 08/06/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  5. ↑ Director: Dominic Keavey; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Rob Gittins (16 July 2015). "Episode dated 16/07/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  6. ↑ Director: John Howlett; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Revill (24 July 2015). "Episode dated 24/07/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  7. ↑ Director: Ian White; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Jon Sen (27 July 2015). "Episode dated 27/07/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  8. ↑ Director: Ian White; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Richard Davidson (28 July 2015). "Episode dated 28/07/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  9. ↑ Director: Ian White; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Daran Little (30 July 2015). "Episode dated 30/07/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  10. ↑ Director: Ian White; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Daran Little (31 July 2015). "Episode dated 31/07/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  11. ↑ Director: Lance Kneeshaw; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Matt Evans (6 August 2015). "Episode dated 06/08/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  12. ↑ Director: David Moor; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Colin Wyatt (23 October 2015). "Episode dated 23/10/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  13. ↑ Director: Steve Finn; Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Writer: Jeff Povey (26 October 2015). "Episode dated 26/10/2015". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  14. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Karl Neilson; Writer: Richard Davidson (21 January 2016). "Episode dated 21/01/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  15. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Karl Neilson; Writer: Richard Davidson (22 January 2016). "Episode dated 22/01/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  16. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Penelope Shales; Writer: Julia Honour (25 January 2016). "Episode dated 25/01/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  17. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Mickey Jones; Writer: Alex Straker (12 February 2016). "Episode dated 12/02/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  18. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Lee Salisbury; Writer: Davey Jones (25 February 2016). "Episode dated 25/02/2016 (part 1/2)". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  19. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Michael Owen Morris; Writer: Darren Rapier (28 March 2016). "Episode dated 28/03/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  20. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Mickey Jones; Writer: Mark Stevenson (11 April 2016). "Episode dated 11/04/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  21. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Mickey Jones; Writer: Pete Lawson (14 April 2016). "Episode dated 14/04/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  22. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Mickey Jones; Writer: Matt Evans (15 April 2016). "Episode dated 15/04/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  23. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Nic Phillips; Writer: Anya Reiss (25 April 2016). "Episode dated 25/04/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  24. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Nic Phillips; Writer: Anya Reiss (26 April 2016). "Episode dated 26/04/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  25. ↑ Executive Producer: Dominic Treadwell-Collins; Director: Sophie Lifschutz; Writer: Sumerah Srivastav (28 April 2016). "Episode dated 28/04/2016". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Jonny Labey". Gay Times (449): 38–46. August 2015.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kilkelly, Daniel; Dainty, Sophie (26 May 2015). "EastEnders newcomer Jonny Labey: 'Paul is excited by Ben' – EastEnders Interview". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Kilkelly, Daniel (16 April 2015). "EastEnders: Jonny Labey cast as Les and Pam's grandson Paul". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  29. ↑ Duncan, Amy (16 April 2015). "EastEnders spoilers: Jonny Labey cast as Les Pam's grandson Paul Coker". Metro. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  30. ↑ Strang, Fay (16 April 2015). "Young Poldark look-a-like joins EastEnders cast as Les and Pam's grandson". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  31. 1 2 3 "EastEnders' Jonny Labey: ‘Paul’s romance with Ben blossoms, but it needs to be a slow burner’". What's on TV. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  32. 1 2 Langford, Anthony D. (10 June 2015). "Langford On Soaps: Nate Gets A Surprising Pass on "Neighbours"". TheBacklot.com. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  33. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel. "Paul Coker to be love interest for Ben Mitchell". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  34. 1 2 Morgan, Laura (1 June 2015). "We're all talking about…EastEnders newcomer Paul Coker". All About Soap. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  35. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (30 May 2015). "EastEnders star Harry Reid on Ben's future: 'I don't expect people to like him' – EastEnders Interview". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  36. 1 2 Ellis, Sarah (16–22 January 2016). "Paul just wants him and Ben to be together!". Inside Soap 2016 (2): 38–39.
  37. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (13 January 2016). "Ben and Paul to reunite? Jonny Labey says his alter-ego just wants them to be together". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  38. ↑ "'Paul needs to gain Ben’s trust,' says Enders’ Jonny Labey. So why is he sneaking around?". What's on TV. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  39. ↑ Crawley, Joanna (25 May 2015). "EastEnders' Paul Coker makes big impression on Ben Mitchell in Albert Square". Mail Online. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  40. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 April 2016). "Goodbye Paul Coker! EastEnders star Jonny Labey is leaving the show". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  41. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 April 2016). "EastEnders star Jonny Labey speaks out after Paul Coker exit news: 'Don't lose hope'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  42. ↑ Debnath, Neela (2 June 2015). "EastEnders gay kiss between Paul Coker and Ben Mitchell praised". Daily Express. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  43. ↑ Jeffries, Gaz (2 June 2015). "Twitter users slam ‘disgusting’ gay kiss on EastEnders". PinkNews. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  44. ↑ Morgan, Joe (3 June 2015). "EastEnders actor reacts after complaints made over gay kiss". Gay Star News. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  45. 1 2 Miller, Adam (27 October 2015). "EastEnders – Paul Coker actor defends gay affair with Ben Mitchell". Daily Express. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  46. 1 2 Kilkelly, Daniel (17 August 2015). "EastEnders in the clear as complaints over Ben's sex scenes and Carol's swearing are dismissed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  47. ↑ Walker, Danny (21 July 2015). "EastEnders defend funeral parlour gay romp scenes following complaints to Ofcom – Mirror Online". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  48. ↑ Walker, Danny (18 December 2015). "The truth behind EastEnders' Les Coker cross-dressing storyline REVEALED: Roger Sloman was Christine off-camera says Jonny Labey". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  49. ↑ Turnbull, Helen (19 April 2016). "EastEnders' Jonny Labey confirms he's quitting role as Paul Coker". Daily Mail. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  50. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (14 July 2015). "Inside Soap Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  51. ↑ Sandwell, Ian (29 September 2015). "EastEnders and Emmerdale lead 'final four' shortlists for the Inside Soap Awards 2015". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 September 2015.

External links

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