EastEnders star Laura Doddington has quickly become a fan favourite in her role as Nicola Mitchell, yet the talented actress sounds remarkably different away from the cameras, leaving viewers utterly gobsmacked.
Nicola Mitchell's On-Screen Drama
Laura joined the BBC soap in 2024 as the former wife of newcomer Teddy Mitchell, played by Roland Manookian, and mother to Harry and Barney, portrayed by Elijah Holloway and Lewis Bridgeman respectively. From blazing rows and bitter feuds to confessing to murder, Nicola's stint on Albert Square has been packed with intense drama.
Recent Emotional Storylines
In recent episodes, the drama escalated as Nicola gave birth to baby Ivy, whom she shares with George Knight, played by Colin Salmon. However, with Ivy arriving prematurely and vulnerable to infections, Nicola has been kept apart from her newborn daughter, adding to the emotional turmoil.
In Monday's episode on April 6, Nicola grew increasingly frustrated at being unable to see her baby. During a visit to the NICU, George was offered the opportunity for skin-to-skin contact but turned it down, feeling strongly that Nicola should be the first to share that moment. Still kept away from Ivy, a distraught Nicola later turned on George, convinced he was too preoccupied with Knight Fusion to focus on what truly mattered.
Off-Screen Accent Revelation
Off-screen, however, it transpires that actress Laura Doddington sounds quite unlike her on-screen character, and fans have been left stunned by her real accent. In the comments beneath a TikTok interview with Laura, viewers were quick to pick up on the fact that she speaks without a trace of a cockney accent in real life.
Fan Reactions and Praise
One astonished viewer exclaimed, "Oh my god she sounds so different." Reinforcing the sentiment, another fan concurred, "Her natural accent is so posh showing what an amazing actress she is so natural. She imitates the cockney accent marvellously."
A third wrote, "She is so well-spoken and seems like such a delight of a person. Hopefully she's here to stay." Yet another fan chimed in, "Didn't expect her to sound like that in real life." These reactions highlight the surprise and admiration for Laura's acting skills.
Laura's Joy at Joining EastEnders
Laura revealed her delight at being cast as the recurring character Nicola earlier last year, confessing she kept "pinching" herself over landing the role. The actress commented at the time, "I still can't believe I've joined EastEnders – I keep pinching myself! I grew up watching the show, so the first time I filmed in The Vic, I was like a kid at Christmas to be in such an iconic place with such a brilliant cast and crew."
EastEnders continues to air Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One, keeping audiences hooked with its compelling storylines and talented performers like Laura Doddington.
