EastEnders has lost one of its all-time legends. Sonia Fowler is gone from Walford. And it still doesn’t feel real. Natalie Cassidy says she feels free, lighter even, but fans? We’re still stuck thinking about all the chaos, the heartbreak, the drama she survived. And we keep asking ourselves, will we ever see her back? Keep scrolling to know more.
Natalie’s Life Beyond EastEnders
Natalie has opened up about the changes that have happened in her life since leaving the BBC soap. After leaving the soap, she had the opportunity to explore herself in more ways. And it was not possible while she was playing Sonia’s role in the soap. Natalie didn’t use hair extensions or dye because her role wasn’t glamorous. She wanted the character to look simple and genuine.
However, now that she is free, she has been trying various experiments. She is doing her nails, her looks and now she has the freedom to feel like herself. She also revealed that while playing the character, the storyline was such that it took an emotional toll on her.
And now her exit has eased that toll. She used to be under constant stress and get frustrated while working. She finally feels at peace. Her face looks softer, and there’s a new sense of happiness in her. Leaving the show has given her a personal refreshment. Now she enjoys her evenings alone. This wasn’t possible for her to do when she used to film for long days.
Sonia’s Journey In Albert Square
Sonia’s life in Walford was never simple. She was bullied when in school, and then she also had a one-night stand with Martin Fowler. Later, she received the shocking pregnancy news. For once, she wanted to give her child up for adoption. However, Dot Cotton convinced her to return the child. She saw many heartbreaks in her personal life. Her romantic life was never smooth. She had lost her love, Jamie Mitchell. And it was then that she married Martin, the man behind her tragedies.
She even tried exploring her sexuality through an affair with Naomi Julien. Later, she was even kidnapped and falsely arrested for Pauline Fowler’s murder. Sonia later left Walford for Manchester after she was free from all the charges against her. Martin and her children also accompanied her. However, when they returned to the Square again, Sonia faced even more challenges. She found out that she carried the BRCA gene. Her mum had been diagnosed with breast cancer before this discovery.
She also had to deal with her daughter’s mental health issues after she was bullied in her school and tried to commit suicide. To make things worse, she even suffered a gastric band operation in Bulgaria. And the biggest setback was when Reiss Colwell forced Sonia to take the blame for his crimes and gave birth during EastEnders’ 40th anniversary stunt.
Sonia faced so much in her life, yet she was someone who could still stand strong for her family and even herself. Fans could connect with her story in numerous ways. Natalie revealed that this soap will always be closer to her. However, she wouldn’t say no to a guest appearance in future. For more EastEnders spoilers and updates, keep following Soap Opera Daily.