EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy has finally spoken out about her decision to leave the role of Sonia Fowler after an incredible 32 years on the show. The shocking exit was confirmed last week, with her final scenes set to play a major part in the soap’s highly anticipated 40th anniversary episodes.
In an emotional statement, Natalie expressed mixed feelings about her departure, admitting she feels both sad and excited as she moves on to new ventures. “After another solid 11 years back on the Square, I’ve decided it’s time for a fresh start,” she shared. “EastEnders is a part of me, and it always will be. I’ll never forget where my career began, and I’ll always love this show.”
The news of her exit sent shockwaves through the cast and fans alike, with an overwhelming outpouring of support for the iconic soap star. Many are struggling to imagine Albert Square without Sonia, a character who has been at the heart of countless dramatic storylines.
Natalie, 41, opened up further in a recent interview, shedding more light on why she made this difficult choice. “I’m turning 42 this year, and I just feel like it’s time to be brave,” she revealed. “You don’t want to get to 70 and regret never trying something new. I’ve adored this show with all my heart. I started at 10 years old, and it’s been a part of me ever since.” 
While Sonia’s exit storyline remains a tightly guarded secret, one thing is certain—it’s set to be explosive! With Sonia determined to uncover the truth about her missing sister, Bianca Jackson, the stakes have never been higher. Could this lead to the downfall of evil Reiss Colwell?
Fans will recall that Reiss murdered his wife Debbie and framed Bianca, who has been held captive ever since. Meanwhile, Sonia remains in the dark, unaware that she’s living with a cold-blooded killer. But as her investigation deepens, will she finally connect the dots and bring Reiss to justice?
With Natalie Cassidy’s departure looming, fans are bracing for an emotional farewell. Will Sonia’s final scenes see her leaving Walford for good, or could she be in serious danger as she gets closer to the truth?
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this game-changing EastEnders exit!
