LIVERPOOL (Azat TV) – Acclaimed actress Samantha Womack, widely recognized for her role as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders, is set to captivate audiences at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre with the Olivier Award-winning production “Dear England.” The show, which opens next week, holds particular significance for Womack, who has expressed a profound and enduring connection to the vibrant English city.
Womack’s ties to Liverpool are deeply personal and familial. She was previously married to local actor Mark Womack for nine years, a union that ended amicably in 2018. Despite their separation, Samantha Womack continues to visit the area frequently with their two children, Ben, 24, and Lili-Rose, 20. Her daughter, Lili, is an alumna of the esteemed Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), while her son, Ben, has recently made Liverpool his home, further cementing the family’s bond with the city.
‘Dear England’ and Womack’s Role
In “Dear England,” Womack takes on the pivotal role of Pippa Grange, the transformative psychologist for the England football team. The play itself, though framed by Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England manager, delves into universal themes of love, loss, fear, and national identity. Womack is particularly enthusiastic about bringing the production to Liverpool, a city she believes will deeply resonate with its emotional depth.
Speaking to the ECHO, Womack articulated her excitement, noting, “You’d think the show is about football but it’s not; football is just the framework to tell a story about love, loss, fear, and what it means to be English.” She anticipates that Liverpool’s rich emotional landscape will fully embrace the show’s blend of music, laughter, and tears, believing that “if any city will get it, Liverpool will get it.”
Samantha Womack’s Enduring Connection to Liverpool
Describing Liverpool as her “second home,” Womack shared that her family history is intertwined with the city, recalling her grandmother’s work at the iconic Cunard Building. She expressed immense pride and a protective sentiment towards Liverpool, characterizing it as one of the best cities in the world. Her conviction is strong: “I probably feel closer to Liverpool than I do any other city,” she stated, highlighting its constant presence in her family’s life over the past 25 years.
Football also plays a significant role in her family’s narrative, with Womack reminiscing about her son’s early experiences attending games at Anfield with his father. She acknowledged the unifying power of football and the joy it brings to communities, themes that perfectly align with the essence of “Dear England.” The production is scheduled to run at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre from March 3 to March 7, 2026, promising a heartfelt story that Womack is eager to share with local audiences.
Samantha Womack’s consistent engagement with Liverpool, both professionally and personally, underscores the profound impact the city has had on her and her family, making her return to the stage there a meaningful convergence of career and personal history.