Jill Marsden (EastEnders)

Jill Marsden
EastEnders character
Portrayed bySophie Stanton
Duration2001–2003, 2009–2010, 2012, 2015
First appearanceEpisode 2078
5 March 2001 (2001-03-05)
Last appearanceEpisode 5166
2 November 2015 (2015-11-02)
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Introduced by
Spin-off
appearances
Marsden's Video Diaries
(2009–2010)
In-universe information
OccupationDetective Chief Inspector

DCI Jill Marsden is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Sophie Stanton. She made her first appearance on 5 March 2001 investigating the shooting of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), which was part of the whodunit storyline "Who Shot Phil?". Marsden returned in 2002, 2003 and 2009 (for another whodunit storyline, "Who Killed Archie?"). She returned on 5 January 2012 for her third whodunit storyline, "Who's Stalking Phil?", departing four months later on 10 May 2012. Marsden returned for two episodes on 17 August 2012 to conclude the latter storyline. On 16 July 2015, she returned for part of the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" whodunit storyline.

When she was brought back in 2009, Marsden's feelings were explored in a segment of the BBC EastEnders homepage entitled "Marsden's Video Diaries", documenting the character's thoughts about the storyline in which she was involved.[1] Marsden's relationship with Phil has been explored since her first appearance, with the BBC describing their relationship as a "romance in negative...her ultimate dream is that some day she'll get [Phil] behind bars"[2] and the Daily Mirror's Tony Stewart calling her Phil's "arch enemy".[3]

The character has been criticised by police detectives who felt that Marsden's habit of discussing investigation details with suspects (as her colleagues accepted bribes) did not properly represent their profession. In response, the BBC said it had sought advice from a police consultant for storylines involving Marsden.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference MVD1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "D.C.I. Jill Marsden played by Sophie Stanton". EastEnders. BBC Online. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  3. ^ Stewart, Tony (14 January 2012). "EastEnders: What's in store this week". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 20 January 2012.