Four years after her departure from the BBC soap, former EastEnders star Milly Zero has landed a part in a new project which has been described as a “visceral exploration of the cost of ambition in the modern fashion world”.

The actor, who portrayed Dotty Cotton for three years before exiting the soap in 2022, has joined the cast for Where There is No Time, a new stage production from actor- writer Mohammedally Hashemi.

The story takes place at a “high-pressure Mayfair fashion atelier” and follows a British Iranian-Yemeni designer called Yusuf (played by Hashemi), who is preparing to unveil a “career-defining” collection of work.

Just as he begins to envisage his future career, Yusuf “grapples with the competing pressures of heritage, commerce and creative control”, all while he comes to terms with the death of his mother.

Per the logline: “The story interrogates whether global success demands the erasure, or sanitisation of cultural history. As commercial expectations mount, the play examines loyalty, artistic perfectionism and the psychological toll of building a legacy.”

Zero has joined the cast as Suzann, a “pragmatic entrepreneur” who saved Yusuf’s brand from bankruptcy. Kerena Jagpal, who appeared in the 2024 Christmas special for BBC sitcom Outnumbered, will portray Yusuf’s muse and best friend Nina.

Where There is No Time, which is being directed by Hamza Ali, will play at London’s Seven Dials Playhouse from 17-28 March, with performances running from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased here.

Following her departure from EastEnders in 2022, Zero has had roles on medical drama Doctors and Netflix sitcom Too Much, before landing a part in the BBC’s long-running period drama, Call the Midwife.

The actor portrayed Lana in the fifth episode of the show’s 15th season earlier this year, and she expressed her delight at appearing in the series as she shared a post on Instagram last month.

“What an incredible character to get my (very brown) teeth into!” she wrote. “Such a blessing to get to play Lana in such an iconic show as @callthemidwife.official tonight. Thankyou to the whole team there for making it such a beautiful experience.”