Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: Tina Carlyle ( Cameron Diaz 's character in the movie ) was absent , but reporter Peggy Brandt ( Amy Yasbeck 's character from the movie ) had become the main female character .
Simplified: Tina Carlyle ( Cameron Diaz 's character in the movie ) was absent , but reporter Peggy Brandt had become the main female character .