Comedian and actress Ronni Ancona has opened up about the "bizarre" experience of joining the cast of EastEnders, years after famously impersonating its iconic characters on television. Ancona is set to debut as Bea, an old school friend of Linda Carter, in a storyline filled with unexpected twists.
From Impersonator to Albert Square Resident
Ronni Ancona, renowned for her spot-on impressions in The Big Impression alongside Alastair McGowan, confessed to feeling nervous about stepping onto the famous set. Her first scene was filmed on the bench in the middle of Albert Square, the very spot where she once performed a sketch titled 'The Bench of Tears'.
"It all felt rather bizarre and completely surreal," Ancona shared. The surreal feeling was compounded by reuniting with crew members from her sketch show days and by filming in The Queen Vic pub, which reminded her of her impression of the late, great Barbara Windsor's Peggy Mitchell.
Bea: A Complex and Mercurial Newcomer
Ancona's character, Bea, will be introduced at a school reunion, where she and Linda Carter reconnect after many years. The encounter is set to reveal contrasting memories of their shared past. "Bea was in a more senior year at school than Linda, but that didn't stop her being intimidated by her," Ancona explained.
She described Bea as a "mercurial character who is witty, and charismatic, yet vulnerable as well." The executive producer, Ben Wadey, wanted a character who blended tragedy and comedy. Ancona revealed that Bea is deeply misunderstood, with a touch of desperation that can turn dangerous when she feels cornered.
"She's the sort of person who 'window-shops' other people's lives, trying to reshape herself into whoever she thinks others want her to be," Ancona said, comparing her to a Walter Mitty-type figure. Bea's intelligence is undercut by a frustration that her life has not lived up to its potential, making her a complex and unpredictable addition to Walford.
A Warm Welcome from the EastEnders Family
Despite initial nerves about meeting cast members she had once impersonated, Ancona was met with warmth and humour. Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, even performed Ancona's own impression of her back to the comedian.
"Jessie Wallace even did my impression of her back at me, which was hysterical," Ancona laughed. "I may now have to do my impression of her impression, it could become an endless loop." This playful exchange helped settle her nerves and marked a full-circle moment in her unique journey to Albert Square.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
