Lin Blakley

Linda E. Blakley (née Stevens; born 1 July 1947) is an English actress, known for her roles as Pam Coker in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and as Georgia Sharma in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

Career In 2004, Blakley appeared in the film The Football Factory as the mother to Tamara (Sophie Linfield) and the stage productions of Effi's Burning and All My Sons as Effi and Kate respectively. The following year, she played Pam in Shaking Dreamland and Maureen Groves in Derailed. In 2006 and 2007, Blakley made guest appearances in the ITV drama Vital Signs and the BBC soap opera Doctors as Irene and Susan Staplehurst respectively. She also appeared in stage productions of Hay Fever and You Never Can Tell as Clara and Mrs. Clandon in 2006 and in the stage production of Puntill and his man Matti as Emma in 2007. In 2007, Blakley also appeared in short film, Gone Fishing as Emily and an episode of ITV police drama The Bill.

EastEnders Blakley joined the cast of the BBC soap opera EastEnders as the wife of undertaker Les Coker (Roger Sloman), Pam, following his promotion to the regular cast. Sloman stated how delighted he was to be working with Blakley and when commenting about her casting, Blakley said: "Being part of EastEnders is like going to work and being with another family. I'm really enjoying myself. Working with Roger has been wonderful from the word go, we have a laugh together and I feel like I have known him forever." Pam departed in the episode broadcast on 14 October. Blakely filmed two appearances for the soap in 2017 and Pam appeared in the episodes broadcast on 25 May and 22 June. Pam made another appearance in the soap on 5 February 2018. Blakely reprised the role for two episodes in 2019, and the character reappeared across two episodes in November. She then made another return in January 2022. In July 2025, Blakely revealed she was asked to reprise the role as Pam briefly ahead of a permanent return, an offer she declined due to scheduling restraints.

Emmerdale In June 2023, it was announced Blakley would be joining the cast of the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, portraying Georgia Sharma, the mother of Jai Sharma, taking over the role from Trudie Goodwin.

Personal life Blakley married founding member of the 1960s pop band The Tremeloes, Alan Blakley in 1969. Two years later they had a daughter, Kirsten, who would become the lead singer in indie band named Little Spitfire, and in 1974 they had a second daughter, Claudie, who became an actress, notable for starring in Pride and Prejudice and Lark Rise to Candleford. Episode: "This is Me" 2022 Vera Sandra Mallon Episode: "Tyger Tyger" 2023 Emmerdale Georgia Sharma Guest: 3 Episodes

Stage Year Title Role Notes 2004 Effi's Burning Effi Lead role All My Sons Kate 2006 You Never Can Tell Mrs. Clandon Hay Fever Clara 2007 Puntill and his man Matti Emma 2008 Talking Heads Lead One Woman Performance 2009 Vincent in Brixton Ursula Lead role The Entertainer Phoebe 2010 The Miser Marguerita 2019 Other People's Money Bea Sullivan Southwark Playhouse Murder, Margaret and Me Agatha Christie UK Tour