After a challenging few years for the resident nurse, EastEnders viewers will get to see another side of Sonia Fowler.
Since she joined EastEnders at age 10, Sonia Fowler (played by Natalie Cassidy) has been at the center of several suspenseful plotlines. In Rocky Cotton, there is everything from a teenage pregnancy and Jamie Mitchell’s (Jack Ryder) death to a cancer scare and a fake dad (Brian Connelly). Working for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic has left Sonia exhausted for the past couple of years. She was also recently left heartbroken by the passing of her cherished step-grandmother.
Sonia learned the heartbreaking news that Dot Cotton (June Brown), who shared a home with her grandson Charlie Cotton in Ireland, had passed away earlier this month (Declan Bennett).
When it came to organizing Dot’s funeral and wake, she was in charge, and the neighborhood came together to give her the help she needed that day.
However, Sonia’s experience at the funeral wasn’t entirely depressing because she also met Dot’s great-nephew Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), with whom she ended up sleeping.
Reiss stayed in Albert Square a bit longer after that so they could spend more time together.
Following his departure, Sonia and Reiss agreed to stay in touch, and the nurse received some additional good news.
Dot had bequeathed her home in Albert Square to her step-granddaughter in appreciation for all of her years of loving care and attention, but Dotty Cotton (Milly Zero) was obviously not content.
Rocky was able to stop her from setting the house on fire, and Dotty then left in the back of a taxi so that Sonia could have the house to herself.
Natalie Cassidy, an actress, told eastenders.live and other media outlets that Sonia will experience a significant change in 2023, in part due to Reiss.
“Let’s be honest, Sonia’s been a bit miserable, not only miserable but she had a lot going on”, Cassidy said.
“You’ve got to remember she’s a nurse, she works really hard, she’s got Dotty on her case all the time, Dot’s not been around.
“I feel saying goodbye to Dot and having this shining beacon of light [in Reiss] come in, I feel like it’s going to be a really exciting time [for Sonia].
“I can’t give too much away but with the stuff I’ve been doing lately, I really feel you’re seeing the comedic side of Sonia come back and the light.
“And I really am enjoying that because I haven’t done it in a while and it feels really special.”
While Sonia may not have had the best time in Walford, Cassidy’s life off of television is considerably more tranquil.
With her two kids and cameraman Marc Humphreys, with whom she has been engaged since 2015, she resides in Hertfordshire.
Eliza, Cassidy’s daughter with her ex-boyfriend Adam Cottrell, and Joanie, her youngest child, are shared with Humphreys.
As her family celebrated Joanie’s sixth birthday earlier this year, Cassidy provided a glimpse into her home life.
Cassidy and Humphries organised a rainbow-themed birthday party for their daughter, as well as a magician.
Along with a few adorable snaps on Instagram, the EastEnders star wrote: “Our gorgeous Joanie had the best 6th birthday ever!
“Celebrated with nearest and dearest, she loved the whole day.
“Where does the time go? I can’t believe she is 6 and getting funnier by the minute.”