Fans of EastEnders were taken aback upon learning the actual age of one of the show’s most recognizable characters.
In 2000, Mo Harris—portrayed masterfully by Laila Morse—was first presented as the Slater clan’s grandma. Most people undoubtedly know her for her shady efforts to get rich quick and her sly jabs at friends and family.
She stayed in the role until 2012, at which point her main cast contract was not renewed. During the following four years, she made guest appearances.
Since then, Mo’s made two returns for longer stints – the most of recent of these kicked off earlier in the year alongside great grandson Freddie (Bobby Brazier).
We later saw her form a relationship with Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford), and briefly adopt herself into his family. Iconic.
However, there’s one thing puzzling soap viewers – and it’s the fact that Big Mo is pushing 90 years of age!
The character was born on 18th February 1936, though actress Laila is nine years her junior, having been born in 1945.
What fans may not realise is that she was aged-up to accommodate Derek Martin’s casting as her son-in-law Charlie. Derek was born in 1933, but it was decided to make him four years younger than Mo.
It also helped to cement her youth spent as Pat Butcher’s (Pam St. Clement) best mate in a 2004 spin-off. Years before her time spent as Karen Taylor, future star Lorraine Stanley played a younger version of Mo.
When someone pointed out the anomaly on forum site Reddit, fans were quick to flood in with their disbelief over her age.
‘I know right! She doesn’t look it at all! Also I love Mo, she’s so funny. I hope she doesn’t leave again’ said one.
Another added: ‘She plays 10 years older, and June Brown played 10 years younger, which meant Mo and Dot were supposed to be the same age’, with another reflecting: ‘Back around 2010 or so there was a scene where Dot and Mo reminisced about living through the blitz. Laila Morse wasn’t even born until just after the war was over.’
It’s not a conversation about Laila Morse without someone mentioning her incredibly famous, real-life brother: ‘I still can’t get over the fact she’s Gary Oldman’s sister!!!’ they said.
The relation still manages to surprise many, who are probably unaware because of Morse’s use of a stage name – her real name is Maureen Oldman.
Every day’s a school day!
