An EastEnders legend has candidly shared the personal challenges that fame brings to her family life, admitting that public recognition sometimes leaves her feeling "on edge." Natalie Cassidy, renowned for her long-running role as Sonia Fowler on the BBC soap, opened up about how her daughters react differently to being spotted in public, highlighting the complexities of growing up in the spotlight.
The Impact of Fame on Family Dynamics
Cassidy, now 42, first joined EastEnders at the tender age of 10, meaning she has spent most of her life in the public eye. She revealed on the Talks 90s to Me podcast that she "can't really remember" a time when she wasn't recognised by fans, describing it as "quite a weird thing." However, her perspective shifted dramatically after becoming a mother to two daughters.
Daughter's Divergent Reactions to Celebrity Status
The actress shares her eldest daughter, Eliza, with ex-partner Adam Cottrell, and her youngest, Joanie, with cameraman March Humphreys. While Eliza handles the attention with ease, Cassidy noted that nine-year-old Joanie "gets really p****d off with it" and dislikes the intrusion. This disparity in their responses directly affects Cassidy, who confessed, "that puts me on edge."
Despite the occasional discomfort, Cassidy emphasised the importance of gratitude towards fans, stating, "People come up to me and it's usually really positive... if I didn't have those people, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing." She stressed the need to "be really nice to people" and give them time, acknowledging fame as "the price you pay" for her successful career.
Cassidy's Journey from Accidental Celebrity to Family Focus
Cassidy clarified that she never actively sought fame, instead "falling into" it through her EastEnders role. She credited her "nice normal family outside of the celebrity world" for keeping her grounded. Her tenure on the show spanned three decades, with initial runs from 1994 to 2007, a brief return in 2010, and a final stint from 2014 to 2025.
Reasons Behind Her Departure from EastEnders
In an interview with Bella magazine, Cassidy explained her decision to leave the soap after 32 years, citing a desire for change and more family time. She described EastEnders as a "factory with 60 cast members and 300 staff," noting that producers "can't cater" for individual requests for extended breaks to pursue other projects.
"It had to be a clean break so I could focus on other projects and spend time with my family, which I haven't been doing in recent months," she said, underscoring her priorities post-departure.
Future Career Aspirations Beyond Acting
During a conversation on the Monday Mile podcast with Aimee Fuller, Cassidy expressed enthusiasm for branching out into new roles. While she "adores" acting, she revealed a preference for "just being myself," possibly more so than performing. She aims to take on more presenting work and explore comedy, having enjoyed her role in Motherland.
"I do love comedy so I would like to do more comedy at some point," she added, signalling a shift towards diverse opportunities that allow greater flexibility for her family life.
