Within These Walls: The Two Faces of Linda Robson (inmates Gillie and Pip)

One of the most fun aspects of watching 'Within These Walls' from a 21st century perspective is being able to spot so many now well-known faces from the world of television - in many cases, actors starting out on a lengthy and varied career. And some of these would appear on the programme playing more than just one role. For example, Linda Robson (now best known for 'Birds of a Feather', 'Shine on Harvey Moon' and, latterly, 'Loose Women') starred in ‘Within These Walls’ as two different inmates. She first appeared relatively early on in the show's run, playing a 16-year-old remand prisoner called Gillie in the Series 2 episode 'Remand Wing'. Robson is, of course, no stranger to being part of a double-act, and here her loud and excitable character has the perfect complement in the form of stoical and ever-so-slightly moody fellow teen Joyce. Gillie and Joyce are largely - although not entirely - comedy relief in a thoughtful and sometimes depressing story about the remand section of Stone Park Prison, where many of the inmates are merely teenagers, struggling to deal with the adult realities of prison life while they await sentencing. Linda then appeared again a couple of years later, in the Series 4 episode 'On Trial', playing another young inmate, but this time a more self-possessed, if still somewhat lost, character called Pip Phelps. Pip has form for 'smashing things up' and is not afraid to stand up to ‘creeps’ like Kathleen Marsh when she doesn't care for what they're doing. However, beneath the antagonism, she's something of a free spirit and an intelligent woman, and the governor is determined to help her curb her aggression. Scenes feature (in order of appearance): Linda Robson (as Gillie); Doreen Ingleton (as Joyce); Patricia Haines (as Stella Kyprianou); Nadia Cattouse (as Clemency); Patricia Heywood (as Mrs Bostock); Linda Robson (again - as Pip Phelps); Sally Watkins (as Jill); Judy Wilson (as Maisie); Ann Mitchell (as Kathleen Marsh); Elaine Wells (as Officer Meg Spencer); and Katharine Blake (as Governor Helen Forrester). You can see more from the episode 'Remand Wing' here! 👇    • Within These Walls: First night in th...      • Within These Walls: Stella vs Faye! (...      • Within These Walls: "It's a different...      • "Get stuffed!" #shorts #WithinTheseWa...   And you can see more from the episode 'On Trial' (including a trailer) here! 👇    • Within These Walls: Phelps hits Marsh...      • Within These Walls: "Don't cut yourse...      • Within These Walls: "Wet and spineles...      • Within These Walls: "You mean she'll ...   The episodes 'Remand Wing' and 'On Trial' are available in full on the 'Within These Walls' DVD boxset, released by Network on Air. #WithinTheseWalls #classictvshows #70sdrama #LindaRobson #PatriciaHaines #AnnMitchell #PatHeywood