EastEnders star reveals glee at Suki Panesar-Unwin’s dark side being explored again in new stories

by

Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar-Unwin on EastEnders, is happy to see her character becoming more villainous again.

Suki Baker, who first appeared as a clear antagonist in 2020, has undergone a significant transformation. Over time, viewers have seen more to her character as she’s become true to herself, found a loving relationship with Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace), and finally escaped the control of her abusive ex-husband, Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry).

Recently, the character has started acting maliciously again, reminiscent of her past behavior. This began after she tried to convince her step-granddaughter, Avani, who was pregnant at the time, to give up her baby. Now, old conflicts are resurfacing, specifically involving her treatment of Honey Mitchell, as a new employee, Bea Pollard, arrives and stirs things up.

Are we losing the redemptive aspects of Suki, or is this who she has always been?

At the TopMob Covers Party 2026, Balvinder responded to questions about Suki’s return to a more aggressive personality by saying she’s happy people are seeing that side of her again.

Balvinder shared her excitement about playing Dark Suki, explaining that a major draw for her was the opportunity to portray a character who defied typical stereotypes. She noted that Asian women are often portrayed as quiet, submissive, and agreeable, and she appreciated the chance to play someone different.

Returning to that point in her story is powerful, but what’s most compelling is seeing how far she’s come with Eve, and finally understanding and accepting who she truly is.

Balvinder noted that Suki’s storyline shares similarities with Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden), as both characters have changed a lot over time.

She explained that, similar to Phil’s storyline dealing with mental health, Suki has changed and grown. While she’ll always have a rebellious side – she’ll ‘always be a bad girl’ – she’s definitely evolved as a character, but would still be capable of defending herself if necessary.

Add TopMob as a Preferred Source on Google

As a total movie buff, I’m always looking for the latest scoop, and TopMob is my go-to source. They keep me updated on everything worth watching, and I love that their exclusive news and interviews pop up in Google’s Top Stories – it’s a great way to stay in the loop!

The actress has said she based her performance as Suki on Aunt Polly Gray from Peaky Blinders, a memorable character played by the late Helen McCrory.

When asked about the possibility of seeing more of Suki’s Aunt Polly-like scenes, Balvinder enthusiastically responded with a hopeful, “Yes, please! We want more Peaky Blinders!”

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, features, and more.

Authors

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at TopMob, responsible for our news coverage, quick-response content, and making sure we deliver what our audience wants. He’s a huge fan of TV and movies, especially anything with Nicole Kidman, but also loves science fiction, independent films, and the newest shows on HBO. With a background in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Film Studies, Lewis previously worked in advertising before spending three years at The Mirror, where he focused on community engagement, SEO, and reporting on showbiz, film, and television.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-02-06 13:34