Sonia’s Emotional Exit and Final Mystery Twist in EastEnders

by

For the past year, EastEnders has seen its fair share of emotional farewells, and it looks like another heart-wrenching exit is on the horizon with Sonia Fowler bidding adieu (or temporarily) from Walford.

Sonia no longer finds Albert Square comforting,” she expresses. “Bianca’s true crime podcast about Sonia and Reiss has infuriated her. She’s distressed and agitated, as the idea of others privy to her personal affairs and loitering outside her home taking photos leaves her feeling vulnerable.

“Ghostly apparitions lurk in every nook. She’s been left without Martin, who was deeply cherished, and the hope of creating a content family with Reiss and their newborn has faded. Her recent delivery has left her particularly exposed. The prospect of starting anew, away from Walford, seems attractive to her.

The chilling tale about Reiss, who cold-bloodedly killed his comatose wife and falsely accused Sonia of the crime, has transformed the Square’s longtime resident into a local celebrity of sorts. Crime enthusiasts are swarming to catch a glimpse of where this late villain once resided, which is unsurprisingly causing Son to feel displaced in her own home.

However, it’s not just curious fans seeking a peek at the woman betrothed to the murderer; another individual is hiding in the shadows, eager to converse with Sonia. For the time being, we don’t know who this enigmatic figure is, but Cassidy suggests he has a significant role in Sonia’s final act on the soap opera.

Over the past week, Sonia’s journey has been nothing short of magnificent. It’s like she’s reached the peak of her story’s symphony, and it’s a beautiful sight to behold. There’s a sense of finality in the air that is undeniable. I first left in 2007, returned a few times since, but this time around, it felt like I was bidding a heartfelt farewell.

Cassidy informed EastEnders producers well in advance about her wish to embark on a new journey. She’s eager to explore other creative avenues beyond acting, as she currently hosts Channel 4’s consumer show What’s the Big Deal: Britain’s Best Buys? and co-hosts podcasts Life with Nat and Off the Telly with Joanna Page. Her goal is to devote more time to her loved ones.

Cassidy’s kids (Eliza who’s 14 and Joanie who’s eight) are growing up quickly. I want to spend more time with them before they grow into adults. Balancing work on a soap opera can make it challenging to attend events like sports days or important milestones. Additionally, having the flexibility to decide when I work is another key factor.

Additionally, characters may grow weary and it’s wise to give them some downtime. I wouldn’t presume to declare when Sonia will return, as that isn’t within my control, but one can never predict the future. At this point, I have departed, so I’m not contemplating her return. Sonia remains an integral part of everyone’s lives, maintaining connections to the Square, and will not be easily forgotten.

It’s quite an underplay – Sonia stood out remarkably since her debut on screen in 1993, joining the dynamic, passionate Jackson family. The second-youngest child of the stern yet nurturing mother Carol, Sonia was unique, candid, and possessed a maturity beyond her age, which isn’t much different from how Cassidy describes herself when she landed the role.

She reflects that she felt older than her years. After school, she often visited hospitals due to her grandmothers’ poor health. On the elderly wards, she amused patients by dancing and singing old Frank Sinatra tunes, which had been played at home. She enjoyed performing and was always at the forefront during school plays.

I, Cassidy, found myself drawn towards the spotlight and made the decision to join the renowned Anna Scher theatre school, situated not far from my childhood home in north London. Many esteemed actors from EastEnders, like Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson), Sonia’s on-screen sister, honed their craft there. At the tender age of 10, I had no inkling that this passion would eventually unfold a significant path for me.

One day, I unexpectedly accompanied a friend to Anna’s place. There was no particular schedule or obligation, like drama school, that prompted this visit; it was purely by chance. Over time, my visits grew from occasional to twice a week, and I found myself being labeled as a ‘Young Professional’, or YP, which indicated that I was added to the list for professional roles. A few weeks later, Tony McHale, the creator of the Jacksons, spotted me during an improv class.

It seems they had chosen Lindsey Coulson to play Carol, and wanted a smaller, blonde girl to resemble her, like a waif. They found me amusing and decided to cast me instead! For the first time, we all – the Jacksons – met each other at Elstree for a group photo. We immediately got along.

As a follower, I remained composed and poised when offered the chance to be part of one of the nation’s most popular TV shows, as I hadn’t even watched it before. “Coronation Street was what we watched at home,” I confess. “At that age, I was only familiar with children’s programs, unaware of who were the famous faces. I had no clue Wendy Richard, known as Pauline Fowler in my new show, was once Miss Brahms from Are You Being Served? I hadn’t even heard about it!

Cassidy’s mentors, Wendy and Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell), instilled in her both professional and personal values she still adheres to today. They were seasoned professionals who showed me the ropes. Pam St Clement (Pat Evans) and Mike Reid (Frank Butcher) were kind to me, and it was a very collaborative environment. I had already interacted with adults a lot, so I wasn’t intimidated by talking to them. I learned everything while chatting with the grown-ups in the green room.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I developed an exceptionally close connection with Dot Branning, much like Cassidy formed an unbreakable bond with June Brown, who breathed life into the character. A two-person episode in 2002, where I shared the screen with Dot, was one of the most challenging acting experiences for Cassidy and further strengthened our bond with June Brown.

In my 18th year, she was likely in her late seventies. Every June, she’d visit my apartment to review the script, and we’d spend evenings sipping red wine in our pajamas. I spent countless hours with June, our conversations frequently lasting two or three hours on end. Despite a significant age difference, the egalitarian nature of our acting roles ensured that all cast members, regardless of age, gender, or any other factor, were treated as equals. I firmly believe that June’s interactions with the younger cast and her welcoming attitude kept her spirit youthful.

June approached life casually, yet she applied intense dedication to her job. Regardless of whether Dot was merely ordering a bacon sandwich at the café or appearing as a minor character, she always gave thoughtful consideration to her actions. This diligent work ethic is deeply engrained within me – treat each scene with equal importance and strive for excellence every day.

Cassidy finds Cassidy an authentic and relatable figure who has earned icon status. Despite not being flashy or extreme on the Square, she is deeply cherished by the nation. Cassidy muses that this might be due to nostalgia as people have grown up with her character. She’s portrayed as kind-hearted, without any negative actions, and her progression from studying hard to becoming a nurse and rising through the ranks resonates strongly. Plus, t

Initially, when Sonia began playing her musical instrument as a child, I also took lessons to figure out even the most basic sounds. However, we eventually ceased these lessons since I was progressing too rapidly, while Sonia was supposed to be less skilled.

Cassidy showed remarkable grace when faced with Morgana Robinson’s well-known impersonation, which began in 2010. Robinson’s portrayal of Cassidy, humorously performing mundane, sometimes bizarre, household chores with the catchphrase “Just doing this now”, has not only led to them collaborating on sketches but also forming a friendship.

Admitting my delight, I found myself drawn to it immediately. The moment I laid eyes on the impression, it managed to brighten my day. To be the subject of such imitation suggests a level of recognition, and that’s truly humbling. It made me feel quite special indeed!

Morgana finds it remarkable how the ’90s photo of you in a peach bridesmaid’s dress with a trumpet has somehow seeped into popular culture – it’s simply genius!

Read More

2025-04-12 10:05