EastEnders reintroduces the character of Shabnam Masood in tonight's episode (January 13), with new actress Rakhee Thakrar in the role.
When Masood Ahmed arrives back from Pakistan following his mother's funeral, he has a surprise for Tamwar as he has brought Shabnam back with him.
Shabnam's first week back on screen sees her fiercely opposing Masood's new romance with Carol Jackson, but she also has plenty of her own dramas on the way as she is returning to Walford with a "terrible secret".
Digital Spy recently caught up with Rakhee for an exclusive chat about joining EastEnders and what's in store for Shabnam.
How have you found your time at EastEnders so far?
"So far I don't I think could have asked for a better experience. I have been completely welcomed in to the EastEnders family as if I have always been here, so I have been really blessed and have had a brilliant experience coming into the show."
When you're playing a character that has been recast, does that mean you have to approach it differently to other roles?
"I could understand why people could think that you might have to approach it differently, but no I have approached it like any other role, like a new character. But with any character that isn't a baby, they have a back story.
"I've been given all the information leading up to when she re-enters the soap this time and [executive producer] Dominic [Treadwell-Collins] has given me all the information needed about where her character is going and that's all I needed. It's pretty much been like any other role, to be honest."
It sounds like Shabnam ruffles feathers quite quickly once she returns! Has she become more outspoken and forthright since we last saw her?
"I think so, I think she has come back changed. Everyone keeps referring to her as a mini Zainab, which you can see because she is very direct about her opinions and she doesn't hold back. I think she's always been opinionated and as you get older you hone in on what you believe. She has very strong beliefs and she is not afraid to say them."
© BBC
Shabnam arrives back in Walford.
Why is Shabnam so disapproving of Masood's relationship with Carol?
"It comes down to what she believes her dad should do with his life. Secretly, Shabnam has a very tiny wish her parents would get back together - she is a real family girl and that would just make her so happy if her mum and dad got back together. That's the major reason and is what is driving her opinion on his relationship with Carol."
Just as Shabnam is settling back in, Masood's behaviour starts taking a slightly erratic turn. How will Shabnam respond to that?
"She is a doer so she would do something about it. She is not one to sit back and see how it unfolds, she would be the first one to try and sort things out."
What do you think Shabnam's place in the Masood family will be in the long-term? Will she take control of Masood and Tamwar in the same way Zainab used to?
"I think there is a slightly different dynamic because she is the daughter, so if she oversteps the mark, Masood will put her in her place. But also sometimes she is daddy's little girl and really looks up to him.
"She will take control when she needs to, when it's chaotic and when things are not the way she thinks they should be, but I think sometimes she will cross that line and there will be that push and pull between her and her dad, where he will push her back where she should be."
What is her relationship with Tamwar like?
"With Tamwar there is a real warmth and I think she can tell him what to do and boss him about a bit, but I think there is a real love. There is brother and sister banter and teasing between them."
We've heard that Shabnam is returning with a secret… Is it going to cause a stir?
"Yes! Of course it will be juicy, EastEnders would never have a secret that isn't!"
Where do you see Shabnam fitting into the Square? Will she be making friends or enemies upon her return?
"She will definitely be making some enemies. When it comes to something she believes is wrong, unjust or unfair she can't help herself sharing her feelings. She will want to put it right.
"If someone speaks out of turn or she sees an action that she thinks is unjust, she will do something about it and that is what I think will rub people the wrong way, as well as the way she goes about it. She can't hold back, there is no sparing of feelings sometimes.
"I think she will find it hard to make friends to begin with, but I think there will be people who she will become friends with. Like with any character that's like that, at the heart of it she is a good girl, she definitely is a goodie. It's always coming from the right place, but she just needs to figure out better ways to say it sometimes. Once people can see past that she will make friends with them."
How does EastEnders compare to your previous acting work so far?
"The pace is really quick as you are constantly filming and prepping for other episodes. There is a lot going on around you and you have to be very focused. So in that way it's like nothing I've ever done before, plus it's a show that everyone knows! It's something I have grown up watching so I know how good the actors are on it and how good the storylines are. So there is that different type of pressure."
Can you tell us about your first day?
"I was very nervous but I had Michael Owen Morris as my director for my first day and I couldn't have asked for anyone better. I felt in safe hands in my scenes with him and he made me feel completely at home, and the crew were fantastic. So I was really nervous in that first take, but after that I got it out of the way and felt at home so it was a really good first day."
How do you feel about the show being so high-profile and the likelihood of being recognised by fans?
"I am trying not to think about it! At the moment I am thinking that it's just like any other job because I can't imagine what it will be like to be recognised walking down the street."
The show is doing really well at the moment with lots of positive feedback from fans. Does it feel like an exciting time to be joining?
"Definitely, definitely! I remember I went to a meeting in my first or second week, and Dominic was talking about the show and what's coming up and what we could expect and it's so exciting. Even from when I first met him, I could tell that he absolutely loves this show. He knows what he is doing and we all feel that energy and that safety and it's really exciting! His energy really oozes out into the set it's a really exciting time to be a part of show."
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Originally Posted by lizann
