EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy is set to leave the BBC soap after nearly 32 years of playing Sonia Jackson.
The 41-year-old actress, who first joined the show in 1993 at the age of ten, has announced her departure from Albert Square.
Cassidy will film her final scenes next month, coinciding with the soap’s milestone 40th anniversary celebrations.
The actress informed bosses of her decision to exit the long-running series last summer.
Her character Sonia has been at the heart of numerous major storylines since her debut, with producers remaining tight-lipped about whether the beloved character will be killed off.
Cassidy’s departure marks the end of one of EastEnders’ longest-running character portrayals, having first appeared on screens when she was just ten years old.
In a statement given to The Sun, Cassidy said: “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited.”
Natalie Cassidy has starred as Sonia Jackson in EastEnders on and off for 32 years
BBC
“After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show,” she added.
The actress expressed gratitude to the show’s producers, stating: “Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”
Cassidy’s time on the show has included multiple stints, having initially remained with EastEnders until 2007.
She later returned for a year in 2010 before making another comeback to the show.
Natalie Cassidy has announced she will be leaving EastEnders
BBC
Her final scenes will be filmed during the soap’s highly anticipated 40th anniversary week, which begins on Monday, February 17.
The milestone episodes will feature a dramatic explosion at the iconic Queen Vic pub, with several beloved characters caught in the blast.
An EastEnders source told The Sun: “The 40th week was always going to be shocking, but could they really kill off Sonia?”
“Viewers have watched her grow up on screen and she’s been at the heart of some of the soap’s biggest storylines,” the source added.
The insider suggested that Sonia’s potential death during the anniversary episodes would be “a proper soap shocker” and one that “viewers will never ever forget.”
Producers have promised the anniversary week will be the most dramatic in EastEnders’ history.
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Natalie Cassidy has starred in EastEnders for three decades
BBC
Sonia’s current storyline sees her pregnant with Reiss Colwell’s baby, unaware of his dark secret.
Reiss is revealed to have murdered his ex-wife Debbie, a crime for which Sonia was initially charged.
Though a jury found Sonia not guilty after viewing a video of her sister Bianca Butcher confessing to the murder, there are more sinister developments in the plot.
The confession video was reportedly forced, with Bianca being held captive by Reiss in a lock-up for months.
“There are so many twists and turns in the lead up to the 40th anniversary week,” an EastEnders source told The Sun. “Sonia has no idea that Bianca is locked-up, and that Reiss is behind it all.”
The source added that as Sonia prepares to give birth, “things will start to unravel.”