EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has warned fans are set to see more of her character Sonia Folwer’s fiery side as the storyline involving her killer fiancé Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) intensifies.
Sonia has stood by her partner despite his repeated lies about their financial situation, which has seen him steal money from comatose wife Debbie to fund their IVF, and fleece Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
The nurse has increasingly clashed with friends and family as she continues to defend Reiss, but what remains in the dark about, however, is that Reiss is actually a murderer.
Last month, fans saw him smother Debbie to death in her nursing home bed, as he faced a mounting bill for her care.
Teasing the drama ahead, Natalie said Sonia will be channelling her ‘inner Jackson’.
‘Many of Sonia’s speeches in these episodes remind me of the old days in the 90s when Carol Jackson or Bianca Jackson would have their say,’ she revealed. ‘Sonia has definitely got that fire in her, but we don’t often see it.
‘It’s been lovely to play those scenes and see that inner Jackson strength that Sonia has that both her mum and sister have, too.’
Next week sees Sonia discover more lies Reiss has told her, as she learns from Sharon that Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) has taken on his debts from Phil.
‘She finds out because Sharon tells her, so it’s third-party news yet again, which is a big disappointment to Sonia,’ Natalie explains. ‘She keeps finding out these bits and pieces from other people, not Reiss.
‘It’s such a shame because right now all Sonia just wants is to nest, enjoy being engaged and being in this early stage of pregnancy, and just have a quiet life.’
Natalie also predicted Sonia would probably have dumped Reiss over his lies had they not been on their IVF journey together.
‘There have been so many lies, but she’s so dead set on having this family that Sonia is just going with it,’ she adds.
However, next week will also see Sonia’s world turned on its head when the police arrive at The Vic during her and Reiss’ engagement party.
Armed with evidence Debbie was murdered, a warrant is out for their arrest – but will Sonia be able to prove her innocence?
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and from 6am on iPlayer.
