Fans of EastEnders were taken aback this week when it was announced that Nicola, Teddy Mitchell’s ex-wife, would be making a dramatic return to the BBC soap opera. Since moving to the square earlier this year, Teddy (played by Roland Manookian) and his sons Barney (Lewis Bridgeman) and Harry (Elijah Holloway) have left their mark. Now, a new family member is about to get involved in the drama.
Teddy’s history is about to come back to haunt him in the form of Laura Doddington’s character, Nicola, his ex-wife. Laura said the following on joining EastEnders: “I still pinch myself because I can’t believe I’ve joined!
I grew up watching the program, so when I first shot in The Vic, I felt like a little child filming in a famous location with an amazing cast and crew.”
Filming is currently underway on the set, and Laura has revealed: “Nicola is a complex woman who walks in like the Tasmanian Devil! She is a powerful woman who doesn’t even regret who she is. My Mitchell brothers, Roland, Elijah, and Lewis, have taken me under their wing and we already feel like a family, so I’m really fortunate to have them. So far, I’m enjoying every moment.”
Fans expressed their joy when her debut and photo were revealed on social media, but several viewers were taken aback by the new star’s striking similarity to a young Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). One admirer on X said, “She’s giving 1985 Sharon,” while another chuckled, asking, “OMG why did I think this was sharon in classic EE lmaooo.”
A third person commented, “Didn’t know Sharon has a sister,” and included some eye emojis. Another person added, “Not just me right? She resembles Sharon, I think. Fans of EastEnders legends weren’t limited to comparing Laura to Sharon; some also made the analogy between the newcomer and Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks).
One joked, “She’s giving Janine Watts,” meaning a hybrid of Janine and Sharon. Another person remarked, “Until I read this, I thought it looked like Janine. Some have even begun to speculate about the new character’s plot, with one person asking: “Will Jack go there if there’s another blonde Mitchell?”
Laura has been on television in shows including Doctors, Holby City, Casualty, The Bill, and The Midwich Cuckoos, so fans may recognize her from those appearances.
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