After nearly 32 years playing Sonia Fowler, Natalie Cassidy opens up about her emotional departure from EastEnders, her evolving appearance, and her exciting new life beyond the soap.
Natalie Cassidy has spoken candidly about the profound impact that nearly 32 years on the BBC’s EastEnders has had on both her career and personal appearance. Having portrayed the beloved Sonia Fowler since she was a child, Cassidy left the show earlier this year, marking an end to a defining chapter in her life. The actress, now 42, revealed that her face has visibly changed since leaving the soap, attributing this transformation to a newfound sense of liberation and happiness after years of immersing herself in a character marked by struggle and hardship.
In an interview with Prima magazine, Cassidy reflected on how playing Sonia, a hard-working NHS employee with limited glamor, influenced not just her look but also her mood. She explained, “I was quite sad and depressed when I was playing Sonia, or angry all the time. So I feel like my frown lines have sort of faded away, which is quite nice!” She shared that during her time on the show, she stayed true to Sonia’s down-to-earth nature by avoiding glamour-enhancing choices like hair extensions or dyeing her hair, a contrast to the more polished image she now embraces.
Cassidy’s departure from EastEnders was made public early in the year, with her final episode airing in April. She described leaving the show as both a challenging and exciting milestone, linked closely to turning 40—a point in life when many reassess their paths and priorities. “You don’t want any rubbish,” she said. “For me, I just needed to be free and be open to everything else.” Cassidy noted that while EastEnders offered regular work and financial stability, it was also an all-consuming commitment that left little room for anything else. “EastEnders is a brilliant job, but when you’re there, you’re chained,” she reflected. Ultimately, she chose to be brave and explore new opportunities beyond the Square.
Her exit storyline was an emotional farewell for fans and characters alike, as Sonia left Walford on a speedboat, waving goodbye to family and friends, including her sister Bianca Jackson and daughters who were also departing for Bali.
Since leaving EastEnders, Cassidy has been busy branching out creatively. She has launched podcasts like Life with Nat and Off the Telly and continued appearing on television in shows such as The Masked Singer, where she performed as Bush, Cooking with the Stars, and the drama Boarders. Looking ahead, she is preparing to publish her debut autobiography, “Happy Days,” which will delve into her life growing up on television, her experiences with parenting, and the ups and downs she has faced. Cassidy called the book release “a dream come true” and expressed excitement for this new chapter.
Throughout her time at EastEnders, Cassidy was known and loved for her portrayal of Sonia Fowler, a role she affectionately described as being “in my bones.” Despite moving on, she remains grateful for the show’s role in shaping her career and identity, promising that it will always hold a special place in her heart.
📌 Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on an interview with Prima magazine, which is typically a high freshness indicator. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 24 September 2025, aligning with the Prima magazine interview. No evidence of recycled or republished content across low-quality sites was found. The report includes updated data, such as Cassidy’s departure from EastEnders and her new projects, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Cassidy, such as her feelings about leaving EastEnders and her personal transformation, are consistent across multiple reputable sources, including The Irish News and The Standard. No significant variations in wording were found, indicating the quotes are accurately reported. No earlier usage of these exact quotes was identified, suggesting potential originality.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Prima magazine, a reputable publication. The report is corroborated by other established outlets like The Irish News and The Standard, enhancing its credibility. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Cassidy’s departure from EastEnders and her personal transformation are consistent with information from other reputable sources. The narrative includes specific details, such as her final episode airing in April and her upcoming autobiography, ‘Happy Days’. The language and tone are appropriate for the context, and there are no excessive or off-topic details.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and supported by multiple reputable sources. The quotes are consistent and accurately reported, and the source is reliable. The claims are plausible and corroborated by other established outlets.
Supercharge Your Content Strategy
Feel free to test this content on your social media sites to see whether it works for your community.
