Soap fans have grown convinced that Sonia Fowler could be on her way out of Albert Square after the long-standing Walford resident stood up to Phil Mitchell, protecting her fiancé.
Sonia Fowler’s mention of the late Jamie Mitchell has triggered backlash among EastEnders fans, with many believing her recent antics are a sign she’ll soon be bowing out.
Actress Natalie Cassidy has portrayed the nurse since her first appearance on the BBC One soap in 1993 and while she has cemented her status as a firm favourite among regular viewers, her ill-fated relationship with Reiss Colwell has left many frustrated.
This Monday, August 19, the accountant portrayed by Jonny Freeman cowered at No.25 as Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) demanded he paid his dues, shouting the odds out in the Square.
Determined to protect her other half, Sonia bravely stood her ground against the Walford baddie, with Teddy Mitchell and Sharon Watts standing as witnesses as she coldly reminded Phil of the vow he’d made to protect her to his late godson Jamie Mitchell.
Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy has embarked on an upcoming project for Channel 4, just as her on-screen alter ego is arrested on this Tuesday’s instalment of EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Multiple viewers of the London-based drama took to X, otherwise known as Twitter, appalled by the brief mention and Sonia’s latest behaviour, most particularly her blind loyalty to her treacherous fiancé, has sparked outrage among soap fans over on Reddit as they speculated whether her isolation from the rest of Walford could be a sign she was due for an exit.
“It’s obvious she’s on the way out. When a character starts burning bridges left right and centre like this it’s never good”, one of them pointed out, while another lamented: “Honestly feels like the character is being punished for some reason.”
A third looked back on Pauline Fowler’s sad demise as they added: “I hate how she’s becoming the new Pauline in that, they made Pauline bitter and nasty towards the end – Sonia’s heading that way now.” And an early BBC iPlayer release seemed to confirm that Sonia is unlikely to be seen freely roaming the Square anytime soon.
Things came to a head for both Reiss and Sonia during this Tuesday’s trip to Walford as the police paid them a visit to grill them over Debbie’s death, which the accountant is responsible for, unbeknownst to his soon-to-be wife.
While Reiss gets wind of the authorities’ visit through Martin Fowler (James Bye), his guilty conscience catches up with him and Sonia is horrified when she finds him in the midst of a panic attack.
Reiss manages to throw her off the scent but the truth eventually emerges when detectives and police officers corner them at The Queen Vic, just as they gear up to celebrate their engagement – and Sonia’s pregnancy, confirmed moments earlier. Before long, Reiss and Sonia find out they are being arrested, suspected to have murdered Debbie together, and they’re carted away in front of their gobsmacked pals.
While viewers will have to wait and see what’s ahead for both Sonia and Reiss, Natalie Cassidy has been tipped to take a break from filming the long-running soap as she embarks on a new project.
The actress, 41, was spotted filming in Norwich this Monday according to reports, as she’s due to front a four-part consumer show for Channel 4 called What’s the Big Deal?, during which she will investigate the popularity of trending household items.
