For the past two decades, Rudolph Walker has been a familiar face in the homes of millions of Britons, making nightly appearances as Patrick Trueman, the lovable rogue of Albert Square.
During his time on EastEnders, Walker’s character has taken on complex and prominent storylines featuring depictions of ill health and the sexual assault of his on-screen wife.
That he has managed to do so as a black actor, born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, who only arrived in the UK at the age of 20, could be seen as an endorsement of the progressive culture of British TV and its ability to nurture such a talent.
But speak to Walker himself about better representation for black actors and there is a weariness to his language which betrays all too familiar frustrations.
Progress, he says, is “painfully slow. There is still a lot that needs to be done. They’re just touching the tip of the iceberg.
“I would like to see lots more actors involved, I’d love to see more black producers, black directors as a result of the sacrifices that a lot of people made,” he adds.
Before the publication of his autobiography, Walking with Dignity, and his 85th birthday later this month, Walker spoke with the Guardian about his decades-long career as well as the struggles he faced along the way.
One common talking point on his CV is the controversial 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour. The show depicted the strained relationship between the racist character Eddie Booth, played by the late Jack Smethurst, and his Caribbean neighbour, Bill Reynolds.
Despite criticisms for its portrayal of race relations in 1970s England, Walker says he is proud of the work and what it did for his own development. “I wouldn’t have been doing EastEnders if it was not for Love Thy Neighbour,” he said.
Looking back, he accepts the show has its critics but says he believes it displayed “the stupidity of racism” during a time which cannot be compared with the present.
From starring in a series that is held up as an example of how far attitudes to minorities have come on British TV, to taking part in an EastEnders special which made history as the first with an all-black cast (receiving almost 250 complaints in the process), Walker’s work has spanned social and cultural changes both off and on screen.
His fascination with drama began as a child but he never considered it a viable career. Raised by Carmen Bishop, a single mother of three, whom he says was a “disciplinarian”, Walker came from a family that had little money and resources. “As a youngster, you never think in terms of poverty,” he says. “Poverty was never a word in our vocabulary. You survive, you live.”
When he left school, he was encouraged by the late Trinidadian actor Errol John to pack his bags and emigrate to the UK for a better chance in the industry.
It was not an easy road because, as Walker describes, he was often not considered for roles because of his race. “My agent at the time would say, ‘Rudy, they sent me the breakdown for this play,’” he recalls. “‘There is a part there that I think you would do fantastically well. I’m going to submit you for it.’ And I would say, ‘Yes, why not?’ But of course the reply would come back: ‘Sorry, it’s not for a black actor.’”
Following an appearance as PC Frank Gladstone alongside Rowan Atkinson in the sitcom The Thin Blue Line, in 2001 Walker secured the EastEnders role of mischief-maker Patrick Trueman, a character he actively shaped around his own cultural experiences.
“I was bringing a different culture, bringing Caribbean culture to the square. To me that was important,” he says. “A Trinidadian or Caribbean man from the old school … I based him on characters that I grew up with, so keeping money in their hats.”
It is Walker’s commitment to diversifying the television industry that prompted him to create his foundation in 2009, which has supported 1,500 students in its arts projects so far. Walker says he hopes to see “society reflected” within the industry and is working toward a more “equal playing field in the future” to inspire younger generations of actors.
As for his future on EastEnders, Walker says he hopes to continue learning and growing, “even at the ripe young age of 85”. He says: “Here I am, 23 years after [joining EastEnders], still here. Enjoying every minute of it.”
