Judith Jacob facts for kids

Judith Jacob (born 13 December 1961) is a British actress. She is well-known for playing Carmel Roberts in the popular BBC show EastEnders. She was on the show from 1986 to 1989. Her character, Carmel, was a health visitor who faced many difficult situations, including a challenging marriage. Judith Jacob also helped start BiBi Crew. This was Britain's first comedy group made up only of Black actresses. She also created a live talk show called Judith Jacob Yabba Yabbas With Friends.

Acting Journey

Early Training

Judith Jacob started her acting journey at a young age. When she was 12, she joined the Anna Scher Theatre in London. Just one year later, at 13, she made her first TV appearance. This was in a BBC series called Play for Today. Interestingly, two of her classmates from drama school also became EastEnders stars. They were Susan Tully, who played Michelle Fowler, and Phil Daniels, who played Kevin Wicks.

Before EastEnders

Before becoming famous on EastEnders, Judith was part of the Black Theatre Co-operative (BTC). This group in London helped actors, writers, and directors. Their goal was to show Britain's diverse cultures through plays and TV shows. Judith also had regular roles in other TV series. She was in the hospital drama Angels from 1979 to 1981. She also appeared in the Channel 4 comedy No Problem! from 1983 to 1985.

Famous TV Roles

Judith Jacob is best known for her role as Carmel Roberts in EastEnders. She played this character for three years. After EastEnders, she continued to act in many other TV shows. These included the comedy sketch show The Real McCoy in 1991. She also appeared in The Queen's Nose (1995), Holby City (2003), Doctors (2003), and My Family (2004).

Comedy and Stage Work

In 1991, Judith Jacob helped create BiBi Crew. This was a groundbreaking comedy group. It was the first in Britain to feature only Black actresses. She also took her talents to the stage. In 2009, she hosted her own live talk show. It was called Judith Jacob Yabba Yabbas with Friends. This show took place at the Hackney Empire. She interviewed many talented performers. These included singers, actors, and comedians. She wanted to learn about their journeys and what inspired them. Judith explained that she wanted to show the hard work behind success. More recently, in 2021, she joined the cast of the play White Witch. This play by Barry Reckord was performed at the Bloomsbury Theatre.

Film Appearances

In 2006, Judith Jacob appeared in the drama film Provoked. In this movie, she played a prison guard. The film told the true story of a Punjabi woman who faced many challenges after moving to London.

Family and Legacy

Judith Jacob's daughter, Aisha, also followed in her mother's footsteps. Aisha worked with her mother on EastEnders in the 1980s. She played Carmel's young niece, Aisha Roberts. Today, Aisha is also an actress. She is known as Aisha Jacob Williams.