Veteran actor Rita Tushingham first appeared in the film A Taste of Honey in 1961, winning a BAFTA award, Cannes Film Festival Award, and a Golden Globe for her performance. She has since worked steadily in film and television over her long career, accruing further award nominations for her performances along the way. In recent years, viewers might recognise her for her appearances in Vera and The Pale Horse. The 79-year-old joins Ridley Road as Nettie Jones, Vivien's landlady in London. Although Nettie is self-sufficient, she is lonely after losing her three sons during World War II and is afraid of the pace of the changes happening around her.