EastEnders fans know Chelsea Fox as a firm favourite, but many may not recall that the character was originally played by Tiana Benjamin. Benjamin portrayed Chelsea from her debut in 2006 until 2010, when she left the soap after four years. The role was later recast with Zaraah Abrahams in 2020, who continues to play Chelsea.
Debut and Storylines
Chelsea Fox first appeared on the long-running BBC One soap in 2006 as the daughter of Denise (Diane Parish) and half-sister of Libby (Belinda Owusu). During her original stint, Chelsea was involved in several major storylines, including romances with Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), a cocaine addiction, a prison sentence with step-brother Deano Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), and the discovery that her father Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) was a murderer.
Exit and Recasting
In 2010, Benjamin announced her departure from EastEnders. She told the Mirror at the time: “I have had an amazing time at EastEnders. And this has been a very difficult decision but now seems the right time to move on and leave Chelsea behind, even though she’s been such a fantastic character to play.” The character was brought back in 2020 with Zaraah Abrahams taking over the role, and Abrahams has remained on the show ever since.
Career After EastEnders
Since leaving Walford, Benjamin has continued acting in television and film. She appeared in the Tracy Beaker spin-off The Dumping Ground in 2016 as Bailey's mum Alison. In 2015, she had a guest role in Casualty as Cheryl, and in 2017, she appeared in Holby City as Alice Dujon. Benjamin also starred in the 2011 film Fast Girls alongside Lily James and Lenora Critchlow, and more recently in the 2019 films The Creatress and Absent.
Harry Potter and Comic Con Appearances
Benjamin is also known for her role as Angela Johnson in the Harry Potter film franchise, appearing in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005. She also voiced the character in the video game adaptation. She reportedly left the Harry Potter series to take on the role of Chelsea Fox in EastEnders. Benjamin is not active on social media but has made appearances at several Harry Potter comic conventions over the years.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.
