Ford found the scenes difficult to film, following the then recent death of Maggie Jones who played Blanche.

Maggie Jones took over the role, playing Blanche in over 830 episodes between 1974 and her death in 2009.

Ms. Jefferies, who played Blanche in a 1998 Hartford Stage production of "Streetcar," makes that easy to believe.

Mr. Reilly should have plenty of help, what with the powerhouse Natasha Richardson playing Blanche, the troubled vixen at the heart of Williams's classic potboiler.

She played Blanche in the 2006 film Le secret de ma mère, earning her a Best Actress in a leading role Genie Award nomination.

Prior to playing Blanche in Coronation Street her best-known role was in Sam with Mark McManus.

She couldn't have played Blanche except as a total mental case.

In Washington, she said, "I was a bass note to Patty's high note," referring to Patricia Clarkson, an old friend, who played Blanche.

Who played Blanche in that first production?

John Garfield turned down the lead role of Stanley as he did not want to be overshadowed by the lead actress playing Blanche.