Natalie Cassidy to depart EastEnders

EastEnders regular Natalie Cassidy to leaves Sonia Fowler role after decades in Albert Square…

Natalie Cassidy is officially departing the BBC One four-times-a-week saga after nearly 32 years playing Sonia. While bosses remain tight-lipped on whether her mainstay character will be killed off, Beeb execs have confirmed, tabloid newspaper The Sun reports, that she will film her final scenes next month during the 40th-anniversary week.

“I feel extremely sad to be writing this, but also very excited. After another 11 solid years back on The Square, I have decided it’s time to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones so I will never forget where I started my career and I will continue to love the show. Thank you to Chris Clenshaw for the opportunity to be such a big part of the 40th anniversary – it’s an honour. See ya, Sonia, going but never forgotten.” – Natalie Cassidy

Early days: Sonia with baby Bex and as a schoolgirl / BBC

Great love: Jamie Mitchell and Sonia, only separated by his death / BBC

The highly anticipated anniversary week, beginning Monday, February 17th, will feature a dramatic explosion tearing through the Queen Victoria Pub, leaving several key characters caught in the chaos.

Natalie, 41, informed bosses of her decision to exit the Walford-set serial last summer, sparking speculation that Sonia could meet a tragic end during the storylines marking forty years of drama in Albert Square. Sonia was first seen as a teenager in 1993 part of the Jackson family.

Fowlers: Sonia becomes part of the Fowler family when she marries Martin, they have a child together, Bex / BBC

Reiss and Sonia, a troubled union / BBC

“The 40th week was always going to be shocking, but could they really kill off Sonia Fowler? Viewers have watched her grow up on screen and she’s been at the heart of some of the soap’s biggest storylines. It would be a proper soap shocker if she was to die during the 40th but equally it will be one that viewers will never ever forget.” – BBC ‘insider’ speaking to The Sun

Sonia is currently expecting a baby with killer Reiss Colwell, unaware that he was responsible for the death of his ex-wife, Debbie—a crime she was later accused of. Fortunately, a jury found her not guilty of murder after Reiss presented a video of Sonia’s sister, Bianca Butcher, confessing to the crime. But all isn’t as it seems.

Bianca has been held captive in a storage lock-up for months by the manipulative Reiss and was forced to record the confession. However, it’s only a matter of time before the truth is exposed.

Fowl up: Sonia and Martin still parent Bex despite their divorce