Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook is preparing for her dramatic return to the big screen after an eight-year absence from film and television.
A Landmark Return to Acting
The 52-year-old actress will begin filming Tales From The Trap in London this week, marking her first professional acting role since mid-2016. Westbrook, who originally found fame as teenage sensation Sam Mitchell in BBC's EastEnders, joins an impressive cast including producer and actor Terry Stone, Vas Blackwood, Frazer Clarke, Judith Shekoni and grime artist Amzzino.
This independent British film represents a significant milestone for Westbrook, whose career has been punctuated by personal challenges and health battles stemming from her past cocaine addiction.
Exploring London's Underground World
Tales From The Trap promises to deliver an unflinching look into South London's criminal underworld, focusing specifically on county lines gang operations and the drill music scene that has become synonymous with urban youth culture.
Producer Terry Stone, renowned for his work on British crime classics including the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise and Bonded by Blood, describes the project as "a powerful modern evolution" of the genre he helped define.
"I'm beyond excited to finally be making this film," Stone revealed. "The energy, music and raw truth in this story is something I've wanted to bring to the screen for a long time. Tales From The Trap is essentially Top Boy meets Blue Story on Steroids - think of it as Rise of the Hoodsoldier."
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Westbrook's return to acting follows extensive medical treatment to reconstruct her face after her septum collapsed from previous cocaine use. Earlier this year, the actress underwent what she described as a "very long surgery" to rebuild her facial structure.
Her battle with addiction has been well-documented, with the star previously revealing she spent approximately £250,000 on cocaine during the height of her usage. The damage to her nasal septum became publicly visible in 2002, leading to multiple reconstructive procedures over the following years.
Despite these challenges, Westbrook has maintained her determination to return to professional acting. Her most recent television appearance was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, where she surprisingly won the competition.
The exact nature of Westbrook's character in Tales From The Trap remains undisclosed, but the film is scheduled for release in September 2026, giving audiences plenty of time to anticipate this significant career comeback for the resilient actress.
