Natalie Cassidy Opens Up on EastEnders Legends and Her Shock Exit
Natalie Cassidy, the beloved face of Sonia Fowler on BBC’s EastEnders for over 30 years, has spilled the beans in Prima magazine about her soap journey and the legendary stars she rubbed shoulders with. She shared warm memories of working alongside icons like Wendy Richard, Barbara Windsor, and June Brown.
“Obviously the elders, because I am an old soul,” Natalie said. “I always connected with Wendy Richard and Barbara Windsor, and I would say that June Brown was my dearest, oldest friend.”
Sadly, these soap titans have all passed away: Windsor, famous for Peggy Mitchell, died in 2020; June Brown, who played Dot Cotton into her 90s, passed in 2022; and Wendy Richard, known as Pauline Fowler, died in 2009.
Why Natalie Cassidy Quit EastEnders – And How She’s Changed
Natalie walked away from EastEnders earlier this year, relishing the freedom after decades playing the down-to-earth NHS worker Sonia. She confessed to wanting to embrace a more glamorous side of life.
“Sonia isn’t the most glamorous of characters, bless her, but I wanted to stay true to her, so I never got extensions put in or dyed my hair,” Natalie revealed. “She was just a worker who didn’t have a lot of money and worked for the NHS. But coming away and breaking free, I just thought, ‘I want to be glam. I want to wear coloured nails. And just feel like me.’”
“I do feel like my face has changed a little since leaving EastEnders because I was quite sad and depressed when I was playing Sonia or angry all the time. So I feel like my frown lines have sort of faded away, which is quite nice.”
From Child Star to Soap Veteran: Turning Point at 40
First appearing as Sonia in 1993, Natalie quit in 2007, then returned on and off until 2014. Turning 40 was the big wake-up call that pushed her to step away for good.
“I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I think turning 40 is a milestone,” she admitted. “You know who you are, your friends, and where you are in life. After being in the business for so long, I just needed to be free and open to everything else.”
“EastEnders is a brilliant job, but when you’re there, you’re chained. You haven’t got any time to plan anything else, so it does take over your whole life.”
Despite leaving, Natalie says, “Albert Square will always hold a place in my heart.”
What’s Next for Natalie Cassidy?
Off-screen, Natalie is shaking things up. She recently starred in the Inside No. 9 stage production in Canterbury – her first theatre role in over a decade.
“A real moment for me as I’ve not been on stage for over 10 years so another little tick off my list of great things to do,” she shared on Instagram. “Can’t wait to go and see it myself now! It’s touring, have a look if it’s near you!”
The November 2025 issue of Prima featuring Natalie Cassidy is now on sale.
