Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Helen's Work
- Where and when was Helen's acting training?
Helen trained at the Drama Centre London, c.1993-96.
- What was Helen in before... ? / Who did she play in...? / What's she done since...? / Was she in...? / (etc)
You can view a complete list of her TV, theatre and film credits by selecting those items from the menu.
- I have seen Helen's name credited to a project that isn't listed here / has Helen directed a film with Chico from Pop Idol? (etc)
There are at least three other people with the name Helen Grace working in the media. One is an up-and-coming film director from Cardiff, known for her involvement in a film that starred former Pop Idol contestant Chico. The second is an Australian TV actress whose last known role was in the early 80s. The third is an Australian academic who lectures in Media and Cultural Studies. Any credits for a 'Helen Grace' you find elsewhere that are not mentioned here probably belong to them.
- How does the stage version of Dirty Dancing compare to the film in terms of the story and setpieces?
By all accounts, the stage version is very true to the film, featuring all the classic scenes and songs. One difference is that the musical puts slightly more emphasis on Baby's relationship with her parents and why they disapprove of Jonny - which, from the point of view of Helen playing Baby's mum, is obviously good news. The musical also includes some extra songs that were especially written for the stage, and two more 60s motown hits that were intended for the film but weren't able to be used at the time.
- How do those involved in Respectable respond to criticisms that it demeans female victims of the sex trade?
Different members of the production team have repeatedly said the same thing: that the programme is intended as a comedy. As such, it should not be expected to offer a realistic insight into sex work, any more than any sitcom offers a realistic insight into any industry. In a Radio Times feature on the making of the programme, writer Shaun Pye talks about how the programme was made.
- What was/is Helen's response to criticisms of the Brookside incest storyline?
For the most part, objections to the story came from a vocal minority of moral crusaders, who aimed their grievances at Channel 4 and at Brookside's production team rather than at the cast. Neither the writers or the cast intended the story to "condone" incest.
- I'm a [media/social science] student researching the Brookside story as part of my [essay/project/Dissertation]. Do you have any [information, pictures, clips etc ] I can use?
This site contains an overview of the storyline, and a few publicity photographs and press features that may be useful. Unfortunately, HGuk can't supply video clips, screen captures or un-watermarked versions of pictures.
- What happened to the other actors involved in the Brookside storyline?
John Sandford (who played brother and incestuous lover Nat Simpson) gave up acting some years ago and lives anonymously in London. Sarah Withe (who played Nat's ill-fated fiancee Jules) divides her time between acting and looking after her young daughter. Lesley Nightingale (who played mum Bel Simpson) appeared with Helen in the Poirot mystery Lord Edgware Dies in 2000, and has since retired from acting. Michael J. Jackson (who played dad Ollie Simpson) has recently appeared in Murphy's Law and Mobile on television. Andrew Butler (who played youngest brother Danny), now 25, graduated from LAMDA in 2004, and is acting under the name Andrew Scott Butler.
- What happened to Roger Roger?
See the entry on Helen's CV.
- Is Roger Roger? available on DVD?
A DVD boxset of the first two series' was available for a short time in 2006 and is currently deleted. There are rumours of a reissue in late-2008. Second-hand copies and recordings can sometimes be found on eBay.
- Was she in the advert for [...]? / Which adverts has she been in?
Helen hasn't appeared in many British commercials, though her work includes Virgin Trains (with Rik Mayall), the Royal Bank of Scotland and, more recently, Ocado.com.
- Given some of the roles she has taken on in the past, does Helen particularly like playing controversial / unpleasant characters?
It is safe to say that she likes a challenge - which can include playing unpleasant characters - and probably equally safe to say she would be keen to avoid anything under the heading of controversy "for its sake".
