James Willmott-Brown (also credited as Willmott-Brown and Mr Willmott-Brown) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by William Boyde. The character originally appeared in Albert Square from 1986 to 1989, where he established the square's second pub – "The Dagmar" – and embarked on a conflict with his business rival Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). It was then Willmott-Brown then developed a romantic obsession with central protagonist Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), who started out as his employee up until their relationship took a disturbing turn of events when he raped Kathy in 1988; this led to Willmott-Brown becoming hated on the square, getting embroiled in a feud with Kathy's husband Pete (Peter Dean) in the process.
Following his imprisonment for Kathy's rape, Willmott-Brown made a brief comeback in 1992 after he moved back into Albert Square until both Kathy and Pete forced him to leave after confronting him over the impact of his past actions towards them. Following an absence of 25 years, Willmott-Brown returned on 22 September 2017 as the show's overarching antagonist upon being revealed to be the boss of Max Branning (Jake Wood) in their vengeful plot to destroy the square; with Willmott-Brown serving as the true mastermind behind the events in Max's revenge story arc carried out by his company, Weyland & Co. The character departed once again on 28 December 2017 after his scheme to recoup his so-called romance with Kathy by controlling the Square had ultimately failed, and he was left bedridden upon being disowned by both his son and daughter for his actions.
Development Initial stints and rape In 1988, the character of Willmott-Brown raped Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) in a "prolific and controversial [...] deplorable" rape storyline. Taylforth was apprehensive about the storyline when it was pitched to her, commenting that she "didn't think it was a great idea at first" as her character had already been raped and "didn't think Wilmott-Brown was a very likely rapist." Taylforth said she "loved working" with Boyde, saying he played the part "brilliantly" as well as it being his own idea "to step up Wilmott-Brown's drinking in order for the rape to make some sense." Writer Colin Brake has commented that "all the pieces [were] in place [...] Pete [Kathy's husband] was away [...] Willmott-Brown asked Kathy to stay after work for a drink. The situation got out of hand and what began as seduction ended in rape." The episode, which aired on 7 July 1988 was watched by 19 million viewers. This was 2 million more than the average viewership at the time.
The storyline has generally been received well by critics. The Guardian newspaper described the storyline as "a slow-burn as the tension rose over weeks and months [...] which culminated in rape and then followed Kathy sensitively through the aftermath." This included the consequences for Willmott-Brown; the BBC maintains that with their rape storylines, "the consequences of the crime are always explored, both for the attacker and the victim." However, one prominent critic of the storyline was Mary Whitehouse of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association. Following the airing of the rape episode in 1988, Whitehouse branded it "totally unsuitable for family viewing". She wrote to the then Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd, to try to stop the episode being repeated in the soap's weekly Sunday omnibus, suggesting that it violated the BBC's own code of practice.
Boyde departed the role in 1989, when his character was found guilty of rape. The storyline "had massive repercussions for the residents of Walford", notably for Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), as the storyline resulted in his imprisonment for "taking the rap" over The Dagmar fire caused by The Firm. Boyde returned in 1992 for a short stint, which saw Willmott-Brown "try and reintegrate in Walford" but a "lack of remorse saw him receive significant backlash."
Reintroduction (2017) Boyde reprised his role as Willmott-Brown in September 2017 and the actor expressed his delight at returning to the serial. Willmott-Brown returns to overpower Albert Square, the show's setting, and destroy "everything and anyone in their way". Duncan Lindsay of the Metro reported that his return storyline would centre around "power, control, money and revenge" as well as confronting Kathy, who Willmott-Brown cites as the person who destroyed his life.
The characters of Fi Browning (Lisa Faulkner) and Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre), who joined the show in 2017, were revealed as Willmott-Brown's children. Faulkner's character was explained as Willmott-Brown's daughter, Sophie Willmott-Brown, who appeared in the serial in 1987 and 1992 as a child, portrayed by Natasha Knight. Adam Astill was recast in the role of Willmott-Brown's son, Luke Willmott-Brown, (now Luke Browning), who previously appeared, portrayed by Henry Povey, alongside his sister. The build-up to Willmott-Brown's return began when Max Branning (Jake Wood) returned to the serial after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater). Max agrees with Willmott-Brown's plans as he is unaware of his past and understands that he is a "wronged man". Of his return, Boyde said: "I'm delighted to immerse myself once more in the fascinating world of soap land." Willmott-Brown made an unannounced departure on 28 December 2017, alongside Fi and brother-in-law Hugo Browning (Simon Williams) at the conclusion of their storyline.
Storylines 1986–1989 James Willmott-Brown first arrived in Albert Square in March 1986 as an area manager for 'Luxford and Copley', the brewery that owns The Queen Victoria public house within the square's borough Walford.
Soon enough Willmott-Brown decides to move to the square and buys the 43 Albert Square house that was formerly owned by bank clerk Debbie Wilkins (Shirley Cheriton); she had just sold the property following the death of her fiancé Andy O'Brien (Ross Davidson) death. For a short while he dated Debbie, but it doesn't last for too long. Willmott-Brown then had a short-lived romance with fellow neighbour Pat Wicks (Pam St Clement), but they broke up after she tried to seduce him unsuccessfully. During the early years, he is friendly with Colin Russell (Michael Cashman).
Originally an ex-army officer many years ago, Willmott-Brown became a brewery manager before arriving in the square. He soon gives up his job and ends up buying a disused pub on Turpin Road, refurbishing it as a wine bar called "The Dagmar". In turn this sparked a competitive rivalry with The Queen Vic as its landlord owner, Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), is unhappy about the competition. Willmott-Brown soon begins a conflict with Den when the latter's estranged wife, Angie (Anita Dobson), is hired to work as manageress of the former's bar; Willmott-Brown further antagonizes Den by allowing Angie and their adopted daughter, Sharon (Letitia Dean), to live in the flat above. The Dagmar opens for business and both Willmott-Brown and Den compete for best decorated pub in 'The London In Bloom' competition and in a five-a-side football match, and constantly try to poach each other's staff.
The following year, however, the Dagmar begins to lose business as the residents of Walford never really take to the upper-class establishment; Willmott-Brown soon finds himself in further competition with another winebar called "The Strokes", which Den takes over after giving up tenancy of The Queen Vic. It was then Gregory Mantel (Pavel Douglas), a notorious gangster who is herald of Walford's criminal organization called "The Firm" arrives and demands that Willmott-Brown allow his company, 'Walford Investments', to buy into the business. Willmott-Brown refuses, and as a result none of his creditors will trade with him; so consequently The Dagmar business suffers even more. Later on, Willmott-Brown learns that Den is in league with the Firm and reports him to the police for shady dealings at the Strokes wine bar. However, this backfires when Pat's son and barman Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) overhears Willmott-Brown talking to the police and tells Den. When the residents learn that Willmott-Brown has informed the police, he loses all his customers and in turn Willmott-Brown crumbes to the brink of financial ruin. This makes him frantic and his behaviour becomes erratic.
By then, Willmott-Brown has become closely acquainted with local resident Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). It all started when he gave a job as a barmaid, but this causes problems with Kathy's husband Pete (Peter Dean) when he opposes her decision. The rift worsens when it becomes clear that Willmott-Brown has a romantic interest in Kathy. With everyone now ignoring him, Kathy soon becomes his only friend. He buys her presents and confides in her about the sorry state of his business, the break-up of his marriage and how it affected his two children, Sophie (Natasha Knight) and Luke (Henry Power), respectively. Soon enough Pete grows jealous and is furious about the amount of time Kathy spends with Willmott-Brown, but their constant arguing only drives her away. One night, after Kathy argues with Pete again, Willmott-Brown invites her to his place for a glass of wine after work. When it becomes clear that he is trying to seduce her, she tries to leave but he refuses to take no for an answer and the seduction ends in rape. Den finds Kathy an emotional wreck. When he realises what has happened, he takes Kathy home to her family and her niece, Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully), persuades her to report the rape to the police. Den also calls his contacts within the Firm, Joanne Francis (Pamela Salem) and Brad Williams (Jonathan Stratt), to demand revenge. He watches gleefully as a fire-bomb is thrown into the Dagmar and it catches fire. Unfortunately for Den, this act leads to his imprisonment, after The Firm expect him to take the rap for the arson and later decide that they want him dead.
When Willmott-Brown returns days later, he is horrified to see what has happened to the Dagmar. He also receives extreme hostility from residents of the square. Willmott-Brown is later arrested for Kathy's rape, but he claims that Kathy consented and tries to make it out that it is common knowledge that they were having an affair. When asked about Kathy's bruises, though, he claims that they are the result of their rampant sexual encounter before suggesting that Pete is a violent man and Kathy has lied to avoid his wrath. Willmott-Brown thinks he has said enough to fool the police, but is left stunned when he is charged with rape. He stands trial in April 1989, but not before attempting to bribe Kathy to drop the charges. She allows him to think that she is ready to take his hush money, only to reveal that police detective inspector Bob Ashley (Robin Lermitte) is listening next door. Kathy is relieved when he is found guilty and imprisoned for three years. However, Pete and Kathy's marriage is destroyed as Kathy cannot stand him touching her and they separate soon afterwards; though both the couple and their son, Ian (Adam Woodyatt), are left devastated by the damage that Willmott-Brown has done to them.
1992