Why Danny Dyer's Bafta win has finally broken ‘EastEnders Curse' that plagued soap for years… he's in a different league

The Sun

13-05-2025

CLUTCHING a first ever Bafta in his hand, Danny Dyer beamed 'I've earned this one' having finally been recognised for his acting talents.
And a major reason why the Londoner can feel extra chuffed about taking home the prestigious gong is he's finally broken the infamous ' EastEnders curse', which has plagued ambitious former and current Walford residents for decades.
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Indeed, by winning a Bafta on Sunday - for his role in Sky comedy series My Bigstuff - Danny achieved the extremely rare feat of securing mainstream acting success, and now critical acclaim, after leaving Albert Square.
What it also represents is the final nail in the coffin of his relationship with the soap, which he's been critical of in recent months.
Because unlike other cast members who've tried - and failed - to go onto bigger things, he doesn't need the safety net of the soap now.
Leaving EastEnders is always a huge risk for its stars.
Many believe they have both the acting skills and pedigree within the industry to bag a major role on another platform, and make a huge name for themselves away from Walford.
It's tough as so many are typecast due to their roles on EastEnders and being watched so regularly by viewers.
It's hard to break free from that and be seen as an entirely different character, which is why so many struggle by either fading into obscurity or returning to Walford with their tails between their legs.
Danny has proven it can be done and deserves his flowers for making it happen.
Some of EastEnders' biggest names have tried and failed to make it big outside of the soap.
Out of the current crop still plying their trade on the Square, Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, featured in The Road To Coronation Street in 2010 - a BBC Four one-off drama about the creation of the ITV soap - before returning to Walford shortly after.
First look at Danny Dyer's comedy debut as he leads new show Mr Bigstuff from creator of Brassic
Lacey Turner filmed one series of BBC1 military drama Our Girl in 2013 before being replaced by Michelle Keegan and coming back to EastEnders in the same year.
Shane Ritchie, aka Alfie Moon, briefly left to star as Arthur Daley in a panned Minder reboot in 2009, while Patsy Palmer tried her luck in a BBC crime drama McCready and Daughter in 2001 which was axed after just five episodes.
And Michelle Collins, who recently returned as Cindy Beale - having been killed off in 1998 - appeared in BBC1 drama Two Thousand Acres of Sky in the early Noughties, which was binned after three series, and later turned up in rival soap Corrie as Rovers Return landlady Stella, a stint which lasted just three years from 2011 to 2014.
Historically, it was just as tough to go out alone.
Grant Mitchell actor Ross Kemp, who was regarded as the soap's biggest star in the Nineties, made a number of ITV dramas which didn't quite capture the imagination - he had better luck with his documentaries which earned him his own BAFTA.
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Former Spandau Ballet heartthrob Martin Kemp impressed on the Square as gangster Steve Owen but also ended up in graveyard that is ITV dramas, including the (very) forgettable Daddy's Girl, Can't Buy Me Love or, ironically and Back in Business.
Tamzin Outhwaite, one of Ian Beale's many wives, Mel Owen, jumped ship for another military drama, Red Cap, which lasted just three series before she made a return to Walford in 2018, which eventually saw her character killed off.
And of course there's Martine McCutcheon (Tiffany Mitchell), who bagged a breakout film role in Richard Curtis's Love Actually opposite Hugh Grant in 2003 after a brief pop career, but has failed to hit the heights acting-wise since.
Danny left EastEnders in typically memorable style on Christmas Day in 2022.
His character, lovable Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, was deemed 'lost at sea' after jumping into the English Channel to save estranged wife, and love of his life, Linda Carter only never to be seen again, while she managed to survive and remains on screen today.
But since packing in EastEnders, where his profile was at an all-time high, Danny has thrown himself into work on various channels to build up his brand even more.
Critics 'fuming'
He bagged a Netflix gameshow, Cheat, an E4 travel series with daughter Dani - his co-host on their popular podcast.
Live and Let Dyers - a Channel 5 drama, Heat, and Mr Bigstuff, which secured his Bafta.
Plus, he's also earned praise for his role in raunchy drama Rivals on Disney+, now about to start filming a second series, and even hosted a reality game show on Channel 4 called Scared of The Dark - and returned to the big screen in Nick Love movie Marching Powder.
His heavy-workload wasn't just taken on to cover his lost EastEnders wage packet - he was one of the highest earners - but also to heavily distance himself from the soap.
But soap insiders believe Danny's new-found success and status as one of the most-sought after actors in the business is heavily down to EastEnders, as his role showcased his acting talents in ways his previous roles could not.
Danny was hugely typecast before EastEnders thanks to his gangster Brit flick past and laughable crime documentaries.
But playing Mick allowed him to show depth for the first time, so viewers could see a softer side.
Therefore, it wasn't just young lads who were awe of him, he managed to carve out a big female fanbase, too, who have now stuck with him
Seeing him excel in sensitive storylines including supporting his son after he came out, caring for his wife after she was raped and his own character being a victim of historic sex abuse saw Danny in a new light and no doubt helped spark all these other acting offers.'
After winning his Bafta on Sunday, Danny also said many of his 'critics' will be fuming he's bagged such a big acting award.
No doubt they'll be some envious glances from the Walford area too.
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Danny Dyer's career so far
By Conor O'Brien
Danny Dyer has played several film and TV roles across a three-decade acting career.
Here's a look back at some of his most memorable performances.
Prime Suspect (1993): Danny made his screen debut in an episode of the long-running ITV police procedural. He appeared as a character named "Martin Fletcher".
Human Traffic (1999): Danny's debut film saw him portray "Moff", a dealer. Directed by Justin Kerrigan, the coming-of-age comedy drama also featured John Simm, Andrew Lincoln and Richard Coyle.
Mean Machine (2001): An adaptation of The Longest Yard, this sports comedy also featured Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham. Danny played "Billy the Limpet".
The Football Factory (2004): Loosely based on the novel of the same name by John King. Danny led the cast of this sports drama, directed by Nick Love. He portrayed "Tommy Johnson".
EastEnders (2013-2022): Danny appeared in the London-set BBC soap opera for almost a decade. He played Queen Vic landlord "Mick Carter", opposite Kellie Bright as his on-screen wife Linda.
Rivals (2024): The actor was among an all-star ensemble cast in this Disney+ series based on Jilly Cooper's novel. Danny played the role of "Freddie Jones".