EastEnders stars Shona McGarty and Lorraine Stanley set to leave the soap
EastEnders star Shona McGarty has quit her role as Whitney Dean in the soap.
The Sun reports that the actress is bidding farewell to the BBC Elstree production after 15 years with her final scenes set to air early next year.
Speaking to the paper, McGarty said:
“I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show. I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure.”
McGarty has played Whitney since 2008, when she arrived in Walford as part of the new family built around iconic character, Bianca Jackson.
Since then, she has been involved in several hard-hitting storylines, including being abused by her stepfather Tony King, being pimped out by Rob Grayson, killing her stalker Leo, who was Tony’s son, and losing her baby to Edwards syndrome.
The Sun reports that McGarty’s departure is part of a mini ‘cast shake up’ that will also see Lorraine Stanley leave her role as Karen Taylor at the end of the year.
Since arriving in Walford in May 2017, Karen’s storylines have centred on her role as matriarch of the Taylor family. Viewers have seen her grieve daughter Chantelle, who was a victim of domestic violence and oppose her son Keanu’s relationship with Sharon.
It’s noted that the decision has been taken to write the character out “to keep storylines fresh”.
A source told The Sun:
“It’s always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters. Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans.”
EastEnders airs Monday-Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
