She’s best known to millions as EastEnders’ Sonia Fowler, but Natalie Cassidy is worlds away from her soap character in her latest project.
The actress – who announced last month that she had quit the BBC soap after 32 years – is set to appear as a teacher in the second series of the popular comedy-drama Boarders.
The show follows five school students from London after winning scholarships to the elite boarding school St. Gilbert’s.
The first series debuted to critical acclaim last year and returned for a second outing on BBC Three and iPlayer earlier this week.
In it, Natalie appears as an eccentric teacher from a rival school called Sharon Hail.
She stars alongside The Traitors US host Alan Cumming, who also has a guest role in the series.
Speaking about her new role, Natalie said: ‘I loved series one of Boarders and was so thrilled to be asked to appear in series two.
‘There is such talent amongst all the cast and crew and I loved playing a very eccentric teacher. Don’t miss it!’
Speaking about his role, Alan said: ‘I’ve always said that letting people know you are a fan of theirs is a good idea. And, so it was with Boarders.
‘I mentioned this to the producers (who also happen to produce The Traitors), and very soon after, I found myself on the set having such a fun time!’
Boarders creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor added: ‘Welcoming the fantastic Alan Cumming and Natalie Cassidy to St. Gilbert’s was an absolute pleasure and they were a joy to work with.
‘I can’t wait for viewers to see what they got up to on campus!’
At the end of January, Natalie confirmed in a statement she’d quit EastEnders.
‘I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited,’ she said.
‘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. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.’
Sonia is at currently the centre of a big story as she attempts to figure out why sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) confessed to the murder of Debbie Colwell.
Little does she know, however, that fiancé Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) is actually the killer – and he’s been keeping Bianca prisoner at a secret lockup.
