'Goodness Gracious Me' actress joins 'EastEnders'

Digital Spy
A new two-member Muslim family, headed by Goodness Gracious Me actress Nina Wadia, will make their debut in EastEnders this summer.
The 38-year-old comedienne will play Zainab Masood, a strong-willed woman in her early 40s who owns a string of post offices including the Walford branch.
An EastEnders source revealed: "Her direct manner can be hugely intimidating and sparks will fly with Denise [Wicks]. Underneath her fierce manner, however, Zainab is great fun and has a wicked sense of humour."
Of her new role, Nina said: "I'm thrilled to join the show and I can't wait for Zainab to come to the Square and cause some trouble."
Arriving at the same time is newcomer Zahra Ahmadi, who will play Zainab's daughter, Shabnam.
The show source added: "Shabnam's definitely going to turn heads. She's 21, fresh from university and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. To keep her going, her mum gives her a job at the Post Office."
Speaking of her signing, Zahra said: "I've watched EastEnders as long as I can remember and I'm really excited to be joining the cast. It was very surreal walking into the Square and seeing all the face I'd grown up watching. I felt like I knew them."
Executive Producer Diederick Santer commented: "I'm enormously excited to welcome Nina Wadia to EastEnders. She's a brilliant comedy actress and I'm sure her character Zainab will showcase all her comic and dramatic talents.
He added: "Newcomer Zahra is a real find. She's warm and great fun. I'm confident that Masood will be a big hit with viewers."
Both actresses begin filming in the next couple of weeks and will be on screen from mid-summer.

I think this is good news...Im sure Nina will be an asset to the show! :thumbsup:

Now EE just need to clear out some of the dead wood....Keith and co...and things will definitely be on the up! :D

Glad to see new characters but they won't be any good unless the writers come up with decent storylines.

oooh the child has been to university, so that must mean that she's stark raving bonkers like Stella and May! :lol:

Oh goody some new people, so this is a MOTHER-DAUGHTER ..should be verrrrrrrrrry interesting,, wonder if Sean will be around ???
So these new gals are no relation to Preeti,,, ok,,,
So if they start filming in the mid Summer that means we will see them on screen in the fall ???:searchme:

Good to see some more Asian people in the square, I absolutely loved Goodnes Gracious Me, so I'm thrilled they pulled such a gifted actress into EE again.

Just give me an aubergine and I can make it at home......:rotfl:

More new people. Woopie do. However, I am a fan of Nina Wadia, so I hope she can make a good contribution to EastEnders.