Latest news with #Andron
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Michelle Ryan's EastEnders to Hollywood Bionic Woman journey
The 41-year-old made her return to our screens last night (June 16) as the iconic Zoe Slater. Rewind to June 2005, and it was the last time the young actress would appear on the Square after being part of some of the soap's best-known storylines – including her bid to kill Dirty Den. National press were quick to speculate about Michelle's future, with headlines reading that she'd left EastEnders for Hollywood. At the time, Michelle was one of the soap's biggest names and bosses often hoped for her to return over the years. Maintaining a life away from the public eye, Michelle reportedly turned down previous offers for a Zoe Slater comeback. Michelle Ryan – Bionic Woman After her EastEnders exit, Michelle kickstarted her bid to crack America after landing the leading role in the TV show Bionic Woman. Michelle played bartender Jaime Sommers in the show, who was saved from a car accident and had her body repaired. However, the show was hit by the Writers Guild of America Strike in 2008, the Daily Mail reports. Production was halted after just eight episodes were filmed, and it was later axed due to low ratings. Michelle went onto star as villain Nimueh in the first series of BBC fantasy Merlin, and guest starred in Doctor Who Special Planet Of The Dead in 2009 alongside David Tennant. Michelle has since gone on to land roles in several independent films, starring alongside The Crown's Harry Treadaway and Danny DeVito. In 2010, Michelle joined a cast of future Hollywood favourites such as Emma Roberts in 4.3.2.1, and she also starred in the sci-fi Andron opposite Alec Baldwin in 2015. Michelle also took to the stage alongside Will Young in a 2012 West End production of Cabaret. When did Zoe Slater leave EastEnders? When Michelle quit EastEnders in 2005 she revealed that she had got 'bored' of the role. Recommended reading: She told the Bristol Evening Post at the time: 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things. 'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. 'I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.'
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Michelle Ryan's EastEnders to Hollywood Bionic Woman journey
The 41-year-old made her return to our screens last night (June 16) as the iconic Zoe Slater. Rewind to June 2005, and it was the last time the young actress would appear on the Square after being part of some of the soap's best-known storylines – including her bid to kill Dirty Den. National press were quick to speculate about Michelle's future, with headlines reading that she'd left EastEnders for Hollywood. A post shared by Michelle Ryan (@michelleryan008) At the time, Michelle was one of the soap's biggest names and bosses often hoped for her to return over the years. Maintaining a life away from the public eye, Michelle reportedly turned down previous offers for a Zoe Slater comeback. After her EastEnders exit, Michelle kickstarted her bid to crack America after landing the leading role in the TV show Bionic Woman. Michelle played bartender Jaime Sommers in the show, who was saved from a car accident and had her body repaired. However, the show was hit by the Writers Guild of America Strike in 2008, the Daily Mail reports. Production was halted after just eight episodes were filmed, and it was later axed due to low ratings. Michelle went onto star as villain Nimueh in the first series of BBC fantasy Merlin, and guest starred in Doctor Who Special Planet Of The Dead in 2009 alongside David Tennant. A post shared by Michelle Ryan (@michelleryan008) Michelle has since gone on to land roles in several independent films, starring alongside The Crown's Harry Treadaway and Danny DeVito. In 2010, Michelle joined a cast of future Hollywood favourites such as Emma Roberts in 4.3.2.1, and she also starred in the sci-fi Andron opposite Alec Baldwin in 2015. Michelle also took to the stage alongside Will Young in a 2012 West End production of Cabaret. When Michelle quit EastEnders in 2005 she revealed that she had got 'bored' of the role. Recommended reading: EastEnders' Michelle Ryan speaks of soap return 20 years on EastEnders fans concerned BBC soap star has 'quit' after 6 years as character EastEnders confirm BBC schedule change next week as something 'big' is coming She told the Bristol Evening Post at the time: 'Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things. 'I always saw EastEnders as an apprenticeship. I always wanted to go on and do different things. 'I just want to work with people I admire and respect, wherever that be – big budget, low budget, leading role, supporting role.'
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Minnesotans support Israel's flag football team ahead of 2028 Olympics
Football's international popularity is on full display in Minnesota this week. The National Under-17 Flag Football Team from Israel playing and practicing with Team USA. "Coolest thing in the world. Not only is it cool, it's also truly important to my country, to represent," said Eitan Andron, an American-born Israeli. Andron is quarterback of Israel's U17 National Flag Football Team — two-time defending European Champions. He can't wait to take the field in practice and friendlies this week with Team USA at TCO Stadium. He hopes to join Israel's men's national team as it looks to qualify for flag football's 2028 Olympic debut. "We're exposed to basically the highest level of football in the world," Andron said. The sport has had a presence in Israel for over 20 years, thanks in part to Steve Leibowitz, who founded American football in Israel. "We now say it's 'Hebrew in the Huddle.' It's become an integration of Israelis who have never seen the sport before, except on television potentially, joining with American immigrant kids and American immigrants themselves," Leibowitz said. Vikings Owner and President Mark Wilf is among those helping the league's development. "He's been supporting our tackle football program for the last half a dozen years," Leibowitz said. Dani Eastman plays for Israel's national team in both tackle and flag football and is the defensive coordinator of the U17 flag team. "You're trying to win, you're trying to compete but you're also representing the Israeli people, you're representing the Jewish people. It landed really heavy on me when someone said you might be the only Jew a guy meets on a tournament his whole life," Eastman said. On Oct. 7, 2023, the Hamas attack and the start of Israel's response changed life across the region. "My friends, my teammates have lost people. One of my best friends named Nadaf, his older brother was killed on Oct. 7," Andron said. "We've lost four guys, four tackle players — not national team players, but guys that we knew in our community and so those first weeks were spent mourning," Leibowitz said. Football in Israel stopped for seven months. Around 2,000 players, coaches and referees fought to return. Some of the current players may fight on the frontlines with the IDF in the future. "Football is this bonder, it's a unifier. It's a way to bring people together, bring nations together. It's a way to heal," Eastman said. For Andron, playing against Team USA is an opportunity to compete, learn and prepare for the ultimate Olympic goal. "Everybody that's playing flag football in Israel now, we're going towards that. We're going to be there and we're going to represent with everything we've got and we're going to show the world who we are," Andron said. The public is welcome to the USA versus Israel Flag Football Scrimmage on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are free, but must be reserved online .
