Eileen O'Brien is an English actress who has played a wide variety of roles in British television over many years. She appeared in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Beattie Dixon in 2013, having previously appeared in the show as teacher Bridget Burgess from 2006 to 2007. From 1987 to 1988, O'Brien had a recurring role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders; she played Edie Smith, the mother of Mary Smith