EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy teases huge makeover as she quits BBC soap after 32 years
Natalie Cassidy is leaving Sonia Fowler after starring as the beloved nurse for more than three decades. And she's planned to mark the end of her EastEnders era with a makeover.
Soap fans are waiting with baited breath for Sonia Fowler’s departure from EastEnders, but Natalie Cassidy is already looking ahead and has planned a huge physical transformation to mark the end of an era.
The Islington-born actress, 41, has been starring as the beloved nurse on the BBC One drama since 1993, making her a staple on the London-based soap.
Over the years, Sonia has been involved in an array of powerful storylines, from her lesbian affair to her murder trial, but her never-changing appearance has since inspired a need for change.
“I’m really professional and good so I’ve always felt that Sonia should have the hair I have and no nails, so I’m going to get my nails done straight away,” says Natalie Cassidy. She’s now planning to change Sonia’s dark brown hair to a lighter hue.
“I’ve always wanted red hair,” she says. “I might put extensions in, get it a bit longer. I haven’t been able to change my hair. I never changed it, even when I was doing other things. But I want a drastic change.”
She’s been inspired by Florence and the Machine singer Florence Welch for her transformation, though her husband Marc Humphreys isn’t completely sold on the idea. “He thinks I won’t recognise myself,” she says. “It’ll probably go back after two weeks and I’ll look like Natalie again.”
Sonia Fowler has been a staple in EastEnders since 1993 ( Image: BBC)
The character was most recently sent to prison after being framed for the murder of Reiss’ wife Debbie but she’s finally catching on to the real k.i.l.l.e.r ( Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Beyond Walford, Natalie took a break from EastEnders last year to host Channel 4 consumer affairs show, What’s The Big Deal?. More recently, she was unmasked as Bush on The Masked Singer, though she did her best to throw everyone off the scent. She even accused Australian impressionist Morgana Robinson of impersonating her!
However, Natalie isn’t leaving acting behind – she’s already lined up her next role in the second season of BBC3’s Boarders alongside Alan Cumming.
The toughest part of leaving EastEnders will be waving goodbye to her on-screen sister and real-life friend, Patsy Palmer, 53, who plays Bianca. After playing sisters for more than two decades, the pair are as close as siblings in real life.
Sonia Fowler star Natalie Cassidy is ready for a change after portraying the nurse for 32 years (
She’s admitted she would love to debut a new hair colour and she’s settled on red – though her husband isn’t as keen on the idea ( Image: BBC / Kieron McCarron)
“She’s playing my sister and she is like a sister to me,” Natalie says. “She’s amazing and the stuff she’s done as Bianca is incredible,” Natalie enthuses.
Patsy recently paid tribute to Natalie with a nostalgic throwback to Bianca’s 1997 wedding day with Ricky Butcher on Instagram, recalling how they both went to the same stage school.
“I have known Natalie for too many years to add up,” she says. “She was an old head in the cutest shoulders,” Patsy remembers, “I was her biggest protector from day one. When we started EastEnders, we started together.”
In the 90s, Patsy would pick up her co-star from London’s Bethnal Green for their commute to the set in Elstree, north London. Since Patsy’s move to Los Angeles in 2014, Natalie has returned the favour.
“She makes sure I am safe and comfy when I am here, so far away from my family,” Patsy says. “She often gives me a lift nowadays from work to stay with her. I am truly grateful to call her my sister on and off-screen.”
