Josephine Melville

Josephine Crawford Melville (12 April 1961 – 20 October 2022) was a British actress, director and writer who was best known for starring as Tessa Parker in the television soap opera EastEnders.

Others credit include American Playhouse (1983), Empire State (1987), Prime Suspect (1992), Pie in the Sky (1994), The Bill (1995), Little Miss Jocelyn (2008), and Hold the Sunset (2019).

Life and career Melville was born in West Ham, London on 12 April 1961. After first appearing on television in 1983 in Luna, Essex-born Melville portrayed Tessa Parker in eight episodes of EastEnders in 1986, and Ellie Wright in one episode in 2005. In Southend-on-Sea, where she lived, she founded the South Essex African Caribbean Association

On 20 October 2022, Melville collapsed backstage after performing in a production of Natasha Gordon's play Nine Night at the Nottingham Playhouse. She was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

Filmography Film

Television