EASTENDERS has signed up a Holby City star for a major new role – and it’s bad news for Zoe Slater.
The recent jailbird – who is played by actress Michelle Ryan in the BBC soap – is in for a shock later this month when her long lost son and Jasmine’s twin brother, Josh arrives in Walford having followed his adopted mother Sandra Goodwin to Albert Square.
Sandra turns up seeking answers about Jasmine – who is currently awaiting trial for killing her dad Anthony Trueman at Christmas – and she is set to expose new details about her daughter’s past.
Meanwhile, and unbeknownst to Sandra, Josh has followed her to Walford looking for her, not knowing his birth family are closer than he realises.
Holby City star Dawn Steele has signed up to play Sandra and will join the soap alongside her on-screen adopted son Joshua Vaughan as The Sun exclusively revealed.
Dawn said: “I was thrilled to be asked to play the role of Sandra who arrives and throws a spanner or two into the Square!
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“It was so great to go back to Elstree after the end of Holby City. Lots of the same crew (and a few cast!) are still there so it was joyful to see them all again.
“Everyone was so welcoming and I really enjoyed learning new ways of filming, it really is a well-oiled machine, and everyone works so hard.
“But it was Sandra’s storyline and character that really made me want to do it and I’m sure viewers will be thrilled with another piece of the puzzle ahead of the trial, Sandra’s timing couldn’t be better, or worse…”
Joshua Vaughan added: “It has been incredibly humbling to join the cast of EastEnders and find myself at the intersection of the iconic Trueman and Slater families.
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“Getting to work alongside such legacy actors is a masterclass, and I’ve learned so much from them.
“Josh is a big ball of love and I’m so excited for the audience to see the drama unfold as he arrives onto the Square”.
Executive Producer, Ben Wadey said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Dawn Steele and Josh Vaughan to EastEnders as they step into the roles of Sandra and Josh Goodwin.
“Since her return last year, Zoe has searched for her long‑lost son, and we’re excited to finally add the missing pieces to her story.
“As always with the Slaters and Truemans, nothing is ever straightforward, and the arrival of Sandra and Josh promises even more drama for Walford at a pivotal moment as Jasmine’s trial begins”.
