EastEnders legend addresses potential return to soap: ‘Albert Square holds a place in my heart’

Natalie Cassidy, who used to play a character on EastEnders, has hinted she’d be willing to make guest appearances on the show again, after her character left earlier in the year.

Actress Natalie Cassidy, known for playing Sonia Fowler on EastEnders, first joined the show in 1993. She left in 2007, but returned for short periods between 2010 and 2011, and again in 2014.

The actress shared with Prima magazine that leaving EastEnders has been a very positive experience. She described feeling free and happy with the changes in her life since departing the show.

I’d absolutely love to return to EastEnders! Albert Square will always be special to me, it feels like a second home. I think a short return, maybe for a week, could be fantastic – it would be great to be part of a storyline again.

It was just very time-consuming. I used to spend my evenings memorizing lines, but I don’t have time for that anymore. Plus, I had to wake up at six every morning.

I don’t have a highly skilled profession like a builder or doctor, so it used to take up a lot of my time. Now, I finally have my evenings back, except when I’m recording a podcast from home.

She explained that she’s enjoyed the chance to redefine herself after the show ended. While acknowledging her character, Sonia, wasn’t known for being glamorous, she made a point of staying true to that by refusing to change her appearance with things like hair extensions or dye.

I was really struck by her honesty. She described herself as someone who’d always been a hard worker, dedicated to the NHS, but financially struggling. Then, after making a change in her life, she realized she wanted something *more* – a chance to express herself, to embrace a bit of glamour, like getting colorful nails, and simply feel like her authentic self. It was a surprisingly powerful moment, a celebration of self-discovery after years of selfless service.

She explained that her face looks different since she stopped playing Sonia on EastEnders. She believes this is because she was often sad or angry while portraying the character, which caused frown lines. Now that she’s moved on, those lines have softened, and she’s happy about that.

Don’t miss EastEnders! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now to get daily TV recommendations, exclusive features, and more.

Read More

2025-09-25 15:04