Denise Welch has signed a six-figure deal with Netflix to star in the comedy series Marbles, weeks after announcing her exit from ITV's Loose Women after 25 years.
The 68-year-old actress will appear alongside Timothy Spall, Robert Webb, Loo Brealey and Alexandra Roach in the show, created by Robert Popper. Marbles follows a couple raising two lively boys while caring for ageing parents and coping with life. Filming is set to begin in autumn this year, with six episodes being produced for Netflix.
Move to streaming
Welch is among several ITV names who have moved to the streaming platform, including Michelle Keegan, Holly Willoughby and Emma Willis. The announcement was made at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where Netflix unveiled its upcoming slate.
Anne Mensah, Vice President of UK Content at Netflix, said: "In the amazingly competitive UK landscape, it's not good enough to be just ok. You need to swing for exceptional. Across drama, comedy, entertainment, live and factual programming, our slate underscores the risks we are happy to take and the extraordinary UK creativity we are proud to champion. Bring on 2027, we can't wait."
Exit from Loose Women
Welch announced her departure from Loose Women this month, describing it as a difficult decision. In a video shared on Instagram, she said: "I'm leaving Loose Women after the best part of 25 years, off and on. I did leave for about seven years and went back in 2018. This show has been part of mine, and my family’s life, for nearly a quarter of a century."
She added: "I have the most wonderful, wonderful memories and it's just that acting has always been my first love and, I think, the thing I'm best at. At the moment, I'm having the most wonderful opportunities coming my way and I'm grabbing them by the you-know-whats and running with it for this new chapter of my life."
Welch, who first appeared on screens in 1982, has recently returned to Waterloo Road and also appeared in Emmerdale, Tip Toe, and Benidorm Is Murder.
