Natalie Cassidy has announced she is leaving EastEnders after 32 years playing Sonia Fowler on the BBC soap
Natalie Cassidy is saying a tearful goodbye to EastEnders and the iconic Sonia Jackson character after a remarkable 32-year stint in Albert Square. The drama doesn’t end as her character, Sonia, who is expecting the child of murderer Reiss Colwell, remains oblivious that he’s responsible for his ex’s death.
Clearing her name from a wrongful murder charge, thanks to Reiss’s footage showing Bianca’s confession, the plot thickens. Natalie, gracing our screens since she was just 10, shared her emotions over her exit. In a statement given to The Sun, she said: “I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited.”
“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. Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour.” She added: “See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.”
Natalie will be filming her final scenes in February, around the highly-anticipated 40th anniversary week. She reportedly told producers about her departure plans last summer, reports the Mirror.
Speaking of her being killed off next month, a source claimed to The Sun: “It would be a proper soap shocker if she was to die during the 40th but equally it will be one that viewers will never ever forget.” They added: “Bosses have pulled out all the stops to make the soap’s big 40th the most dramatic and unforgettable week in the history of EastEnders.”
The news has left soap fans reeling, with one fan saying: “Oh, this is sad.” While another lamented: “Just confirmed:- Natalie Cassidy is leaving as Sonia Fowler during the 40th anniversary week. They can’t kill her off.”
EastEnders’ executive producer Chris Clenshaw has since spoken out about Natalie’s departure, saying: “Over the last 31 years in EastEnders, Natalie has been involved in some of the show’s most iconic and explosive storylines. Her portrayal of Sonia has made her a firm fan favourite amongst the viewers.”
“I won’t be revealing the finite details relating to her exit, but I can say that she will take a central role in the 40th anniversary storylines in a week of truly unmissable drama that will change the lives of those in Walford forever. I’d like to thank Natalie for her time at EastEnders, and I wish her all the best for the future.”
Natalie’s character is best known for her poor trumpet playing, which angered her family and neighbours, during her early days on the soap.
Some of Sonia’s biggest storylines include her being bullied by her friend Clare Bates (Gemma Bissix) after she fell in with the wrong crowd at school, and her teenage pregnancy with later-husband Martin Fowler (Jon Peyton-Price/James Alexandrou).
Natalie made her first appearance in the soap in 1993, leaving the soap in 2007, before returning briefly between 2010 and 2011, and later coming back to Walford in 2014.