Stan Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Timothy West. He first appeared in the show's 4793rd episode, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2014, and was introduced as the father of established characters Shirley (Linda Henry) and Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White). He was introduced as part of a set of new characters that expanded the Carter family across 2013 and 2014, headed by executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins. Stan and West's casting were announced on 12 December 2013.
Stan's storylines have mostly revolved around his relationships with Shirley, Tina and grandson Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), a sour relationship with his sister-in-law Babe Smith (Annette Badland), being involved in a love triangle between his estranged wife Sylvie Carter (Linda Marlowe) and established character Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), and a terminal battle with prostate cancer. On 5 October 2014, it was announced that West would be leaving his role, less than a year after his debut. His final appearance aired in the 5048th episode, originally broadcast on 10 April 2015, when Stan died.
Creation and development
Casting and introduction
Stan was introduced as the father of established regular characters Shirley (Linda Henry), Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White), and Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), although Mick was later revealed to be Stan's grandson. The casting of Timothy West was announced on 12 December 2013, when West commented, "I am excited to be joining EastEnders for the first time. Stan is a wonderful character and I look forward to seeing what is going to happen to him."
Stan is described as "opinionated and curmudgeonly" retired Billingsgate fishmonger with a manipulative side. He is said to be "delighted" to be around his children again, as he has been lonely since his wife left him 30 years ago. A show spokesperson said, "Stan is no fluffy old man in a cardigan, and it won't be long before he starts manipulating the whole Carter clan from the comfort of his armchair." Executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, introduced Stan as part of his plan to reinvigorate the show's older generation and teased Stan would "start to fill in some holes in the dark Carter family history." Treadwell-Collins based Stan on his own grandfather, saying "Stan Carter is my grandfather, a former Billingsgate fish porter who was a big powerful man and now sits in his chair still trying to rule his family."
West described Stan as "tough and lonely" and "concerned" that there is nobody around him as he ages. He said he was attracted to the role of Stan because he liked the "foundation of Stan as a character" and he feels he will have a "wonderful time" on the show. Speaking of his first scene, West said he had to film two "quite heavy scenes" on his first day on set, which he felt was "very intense". When discussing plot lines for 2014, Treadwell-Collins said he wants to see younger characters through the eyes of their parents and not the other way around and that was part of the reason behind Stan's introduction.
Stan was introduced on-screen on 27 January 2014 when Shirley, Mick and Tina visit him at his rundown flat needing money to fix the rising damp in their pub, The Queen Victoria. Mick and Tina arrive at his door, but he demands to see Shirley if they want their money. Speaking of Stan's intentions behind giving the money to Shirley, West said, "He's got the money to spare and he wants to see them all together in the pub. If he knows where they are, he can use it as a way to get back into their lives. Also, giving someone money gives you a certain hold over them, which is what Stan wants." Stan appeared again on 20 February 2014, before arriving permanently on 31 March 2014.
Relationships
Carter family Stan has a large amount of on-screen interaction with his family, living at the centre of the family, The Queen Victoria when he permanently arrives on Albert Square. Stan is shown to have an estranged relationship with his eldest daughter, Shirley Carter, played by Linda Henry, with West saying there is "tension" between father and daughter and that makes Stan "very wary of her." Despite this, Stan has a good relationship with his youngest daughter, Tina Carter, played by Luisa Bradshaw-White, and West felt that they had the "best relationship out of the lot of them". West also said how Stan enjoys the warmth and kindness that Tina provides. West felt Stan was "delighted" to see "son" Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, again, even though they slightly avoided each other. Mick blames Stan for "things that have gone wrong to him – as well as things that he doesn't know about, things that he is confused about and things he's unhappy about." Dyer praised West and his role as Stan, saying "Tim has brought something to the part that we never thought he would." West revealed in an interview with Claire Webb of Radio Times that he originally hated his on-screen family, but "now absolutely adores them". When Stan meets Mick's children, Johnny and Nancy, played by Sam Strike and Maddy Hill, in April, he manages to insult Johnny's sexuality, which Johnny does not take well. Speaking of the meeting, West said: "He likes Johnny but can't really cope with the fact he is gay, but after an initial, very rude couple of outbursts about both Tina and Johnny being gay, he warms to them both." West said that Stan's relationship with his ex-wife, Sylvie Carter (Linda Marlowe), was "stormy". Marlowe said that Sylvie's arrival is a "big shock" for him because "one minute she's saying something like wanting to run away with him and the next minute she's saying, 'Who?'"
Cora Cross
An on-screen storyline begun in May 2014 when Stan decided to loan Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), money in order for her to move into a flat. Cora and Stan's friendship progressed, to the amusement of his family and sometimes annoyance of their friend, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker). At the 2014 British Soap Awards, Mitchell teased that there is "some interesting stuff" with Cora, including her relationship with Stan. Cora and Stan's relationship enters a rough patch when Cora discovers that Mick was arrested for kerb crawling and realises her daughter Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) was the prostitute involved. This puts strain on the relationship when Stan is unable to choose between Cora and Mick and when Stan tries to get Cora to clear Mick's name, it causes tension between them. Mick later reveals that he was covering for Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Stan and Cora resume their relationship. Stan's prostate cancer storyline affected his relationship with Cora, as she struggled to cope owing to her own past with cancer. It was announced on 6 December 2014 that Stan's final Christmas would see him transform the pub's barrel store into a "winter wonderland" for him and Cora to spend time together. It was revealed that the elderly couple would spend a poignant moment dancing together. It was later announced that Stan's ex-wife, Sylvie (Marlowe), would return to Albert Square on Christmas Day when Mick invites her to dinner. Cora becomes uncomfortable with Sylvie and decides to leave, annoying Stan who was hoping to enjoy his final Christmas. On 27 December 2014, it was announced that Cora would decide to leave Walford with her grandson, Dexter Hartman (Khali Best), to live with her daughter, Ava Hartman (Clare Perkins) in Newcastle and that Stan would "beg" Cora not to leave Walford. Stan will reportedly go to the tube station to say a final goodbye, but try persuading Cora to stay by admitting he wants to spend his final months with her. The scenes aired on 2 January 2015, where Cora decided to stay with Stan in Walford.
On 30 December 2014, it was revealed that Stan would share a kiss with Sylvie, sparking trouble in his relationship with Cora. Digital Spy reported that Sylvie would believe that her grandson, Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) is Stan until the song, Unforgettable by Nat King Cole begins playing and she recognises her ex-husband, before dancing with him. They revealed that Cora would devastated by this and furious when Sylvie leaves the following day and Stan returns to her. The show announced on 10 March 2015 that Stan would propose to Cora after asking Tina to bring him a ring from home. They announced that when Stan manages to see Cora alone, he proposes and on 19 March 2015, viewers saw Cora agree to marry Stan. On 31 March 2015, details of Stan's death were announced. It was announced that Babe Smith (Annette Badland) would try to ruin Stan and Cora's wedding day by bringing Sylvie to share a final farewell with Stan and that Shirley and Mick would reunite, before Shirley sits with Stan as he dies. Stan will also decide to bring his wedding day forward owing to his short time left and they prepare to marry. Viewers watched Stan unable to marry Cora owing to poor health on 9 April 2015, but plan to reschedule for the following day. However, Stan was still too ill and did not marry Cora. Stan's death began a new storyline for Cora which saw her 'leave' Walford, but actually become homeless.
Prostate cancer and departure
On 5 October 2014, it was announced that West would be leaving the show in a "dramatic" storyline. Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer, said of West's departure, "When you have an actor of Tim's calibre joining your cast, you treasure every day that you have him – and we knew from the start that Stan's stay with the rest of the Carter family would be a finite one. But what a stay – and as we draw towards Stan's exit from the show, the audience should get ready as one of Britain's finest actors pulls out all the stops and gives his King Lear..." It was reported on 2 November 2014 that Babe Smith (Annette Badland) would grow suspicious of Stan's whereabouts and when she discovers the truth, order him to tell his family. Over a week later, it was announced that Stan would confirm he has terminal prostate cancer to his family after Babe hastily tells them at Lee's birthday meal. These scenes were praised by Prostate Cancer UK. On 20 December 2014, Dyer revealed on The Graham Norton Show that Stan would ask Mick to help him die in a new euthanasia storyline. Dyer said, "I'm juggling about eight storylines at the moment. My old man is on his way out. My mother's got Alzheimer's – she's not my mother, my sister's actually my mum. My dad dying – he's not my dad, he's actually my grandad – he wants me to smother him." The prostate cancer began taking its effect on Stan's health on 23 January 2015 when Stan collapses in mid-commotion. Digital Spy Sophie Dainty reported in January 2015 that the Carters would clash over Stan's request to be killed by his family as Tina agrees to helping him, but Mick firmly disagrees. Mick even informs the family of Stan's request and they strongly disagree. Stan's request was made following his collapse. West praised show bosses for handling Stan's cancer storyline the way they have and their way of handling West's decision to leave the show, "They very kindly said I could have some time out and they would send me to South Africa or prison. But I suggested something finite like death so they decided it would be good for me to have a disease of which I would know about and one where it could be arranged for me to die in six months' time."