Gemma Ranstone

Gemma Ranstone is a fictional character in the soap opera Beverley Terrace, played by Lin Blakley. She was created and introduced by Ashley Rivera and Charlotte Smith alongside his on-screen wife, Gemma Ranstone (William Roache). The pair made their first appearance on 10 November 2014.

Creation and development
Blakley's casting in the show was revealed in September 2013 alongside Roache's. Co-creator Ashley Rivera described her as a "pillar of the community, and cares about everyone on the terrace".

He commented on her character as "completely mad, but lovely". She made her first appearance as one of the 27 regular characters who were introduced in the show's first episode on 10 November 2014.

2014–
Gemma appears close to fellow resident Candice McDowell (Shahnequa Duprey), despite the age difference and Gemma's clear annoyance for the character at times, showing comfort in her after her old enemy, Jacqueline Smith (Jennifer Metcalfe), framed her by faking documents to prove that she is the real owner of a night club that Candice claimed she owned, accusing her of fraud. Candice is later sent to prison, though Gemma finds faked documents in Jacqueline's flat in which she immitates Candice's identity, freeing Candice and instead putting Jacqueline in prison.

Critical reception
The character received praise from the public before the show even began, with many stating that Lin Blakley "falls into place" as Gemma. Viewers of the show mentioned that they "adore" Peter and Gemma's scenes and that the two "click".