EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has undergone a dramatic makeover for new role in comedy Mandy.
The Sonia Fowler actress will play a cockney gangster in the BBC soap alongside creator of the show Diane Morgan.
She looks completely different from Sonia’s outfits – instead dressing in a stylish pant suit with her hair up.
If you know, you know. #Mandy pic.twitter.com/Igb65zOsRW
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) August 15, 2020
The writer and star of the show, Diane revealed how it all came about after Natalie messaged her on Twitter.
Diane told the Guardian: “She messaged me on Twitter one day and we started chatting. Then I wrote this part and thought, ‘Who can I get to play this Cockney gangster lady? Aha, Cassidy!’
Read more: EastEnders’ Ian Beale ‘written out’ as Adam Woodyatt ‘takes an extended break’
“Everyone knows her as softy Sonia with her trumpet. I thought I’d wrestle that trumpet off her and get her a bloody Oscar.
“I’m not sure how people will feel about her effing and jeffing. They’ll either be appalled or think it’s fantastic.”
The series is based on last year’s comedy short Mandy.
The BBC describes it as: “Mandy is a woman with dreams. Big dreams. Most of all she dreams of breeding Doberman Pinchers.
“But there are hurdles to overcome before that dream can become a reality.
“In the series we’ll see her go on a health kick, rent out her small back bedroom on Airbnb and attempt a series of short-lived jobs in the modern gig economy.”
As well as Natalie, stars such as Shaun Ryder, Tom Basden, David Bradley, Sean Lock and Maxine Peake will guest star.
EastEnders: Sonia has a major story coming up
Sonia’s been at a bit of a loss ever since daughter Bex left EastEnders earlier this year.
Missing her daughter and desperate for a connection, Sonia makes a big decision about her future and decides to track down her father – Terry Cant.
Viewers have never met Terry before but know he was abusive to Sonia’s mum, Carol Jackson.
Read more: EastEnders ‘bosses investigating Maisie Smith’s TikTok use’
She thinks finding her long-lost dad is the answer to her loneliness, but is she just setting herself up for more heartache?
The soap will pick the storyline back up when it resumes airing in September after a three-month break.
EastEnders returns on September 7 at 8pm on BBC One.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!