BBC EastEnders fans are only just realising Priya actress has famous soap star mum

EastEnders’ Priya has become a hit with fans since her debut last year – but it turns out acting runs in the family for star Sophie Khan Levy as she has a very famous mum

EastEnders fans have been left floored after realising Sophie Khan Levy, who plays Priya Nandra-Hart, has a mega-famous mum.

Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) rocked up to Walford last year with daughter Avani (Aaliyah James) as the ex-girlfriend and daughter of Ravi (Aaron Thiara). At the time, Ravi had no idea he had a secret daughter – leaving him and the rest of the Panesar family stunned.

And it didn’t take long for Priya and Avani to cause plenty of drama. Between the Panesar family drama and Priya’s own romance troubles, Priya and Avani’s time in the square has not been short of chaos.

Over in the soap this week, Priya was left rallying around Avani with support, following nasty grandfather Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) almost dying, amid his terminal illness battle.

Sophie has become a fan favourite playing Priya (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Away from the soap though, actress Sophie Khan Levy is no stranger to appearing on screens. In 2023, she played Gabrielle Ade in the harrowing true BBC drama, The Sixth Commandment.

She also played Florence Pandhi in veterinary drama All Creatures Great and Small in 2022 and Beth in James Corden’s Amazon Prime series Mammals. However, fans have since realised that Sophie has a rather famous relative.

Sophie’s mum appeared in Bend It Like Beckham (Image: Youtube)

Sophie’s mum is Shaheen Khan, who is best known for playing Mrs Bhamra in the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham. She also played Kiran Joghill in BBC’s medical soap drama Casualty in the late ‘80s, and has starred in the likes of BBC’s Doctors and Doctor Who.

Fans have shared their shock at Shaheen being Sophie’s mum, with one person writing on a TikTok video: “Omg didn’t know the bend it like Beckham mum was her mum.”

Sophie’s mum appeared on a soap too (Image: Instagram)

Someone else added: “I didn’t know this, I love the film bend it like Beckham and she’s so good as priya.” A third penned: “The way I went and told everyone in my household they’re mother and daughter in real life, so surprised.”

Speaking about joining EastEnders, Sophie said last year: “I’m super excited to be joining the show, and I can’t wait to see what trouble Priya gets herself into!

“I watched EastEnders when I was growing up, so to see so many familiar faces and to walk onto the set is a dream come true.”