Latest news with #LauraDoddington
Metro
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Major EastEnders star almost quit acting until she landed role in BBC soap
Laura Doddington has revealed she considered a career change (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes) EastEnders star Laura Doddington is already making quite the impact on Albert Square as her troubled character Nicola Mitchell. Across the last month we've seen her try and conceal the fact she murdered son Harry's (Elijah Holloway) ex-girlfriend Shireen. He subsequently learnt the truth in episodes that aired this week, and on the very same day it was revealed to husband Teddy (Roland Manookian) that he isn't the father of their youngest son Barney (Lewis Bridgeman). After an explosive argument in front of their neighbours, the family returned home and resumed normality. But something tells us it won't be long for things to kick off again! The actress, 44, has appeared in Doctors, Casualty and Holby City, as well as in one episode of the BBC's flagship soap in 2009. It wasn't until November when she stepped into Walford as a regular, and now the star has revealed she almost gave up the acting profession had she not landed the part. Speaking to The Mirror, Laura explained that she considered retraining as a hairdresser. She joined the cast as Nicola Mitchell in November (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) Laura has already plunged into some huge storylines for her character (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes) 'The industry is hard at the moment' she said. 'Before this audition came through, I'd been looking at retraining to do something else, I've got a young kid. And that makes you think about their future and stability for them. 'I cut my son's hair and I'm sort of reasonably good at it, so I thought that might be an option. 'I was in Prime Suspect when I was in my 20s and The Midwich Cuckoos, but they weren't massive parts. I was beginning to think it might not be possible to have that lead role.' She continued: 'Unfortunately in this industry when you get to over the age of about 35 and you haven't made a name for yourself, the interesting roles sort of start drying up. It's just the way that it is and the way the world is a little bit. Follow Metro Soaps on WhatsApp and get all the latest spoilers first! Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! 'That's why I love soaps and continuing dramas as they champion individuals of all ages and put characters at the heart of storytelling.' This weekend she faces competition from Coronation Street's Jacob Roberts, Emmerdale star Shebz Miah and Isabelle Smith, better known as Hollyoaks' Frankie Osborne in the Best Newcomer category at the British Soap Awards. Metro will be heading down to the red carpet for the event, so keep an eye out for chats with your favourite soap stars. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Arrow MORE: TV legend renews Coronation Street contract to stay on into next year Arrow MORE: EastEnders star Kara Tointon, 41, undergoes double mastectomy Arrow MORE: Hollyoaks star Paul Danan's death at 46 ruled misadventure
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders star Laura Doddington reveals she nearly quit acting for a VERY different career path before landing her role on the soap
She's become one of the soap's breakout stars, with a nomination for Best Newcomer at this year's British Soap Awards. But EastEnders star Laura Doddington has revealed that she came close to quitting her 22-year acting career, before she landed her role on the soap. The actress, 44, has fast become a fan favourite as Nicola Mitchell in the BBC soap, with her character's historic affair causing huge fireworks in Albert Square this week. Speaking to The Mirror, Laura shared that she was considering changing her career before she landed her breakout soap part. She said: 'The industry is hard at the moment. Before this audition came through, I'd been looking at retraining to do something else, I've got a young kid. And that makes you think about their future and stability for them.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Despite roles in Doctors, Holby City and Casualty, as well as work on the stage, Laura shared that she debated training as a hairdresser before the Walford role came along. Having previously starred in Doctors, Holby City and Casualty as well as on the stage - the lead role Laura had hoped for just wasn't coming. She added: 'I cut my son's hair and I'm sort of reasonably good at it, so I thought that might be an option. I was in Prime Suspect when I was in my 20s and The Midwich Cuckoos, but they weren't massive parts. I was beginning to think it might not be possible to have that lead role.' Laura landed her role as Nicola just nine months ago, and already she's made a huge splash and become a fan favourite. The actress added: 'Unfortunately in this industry when you get to over the age of about 35 and you haven't made a name for yourself, the interesting roles sort of start drying up. It's just the way that it is and the way the world is a little bit. 'That's why I love soaps and continuing dramas as they champion individuals of all ages and put characters at the heart of storytelling.' The new Mitchell clan made a dramatic arrival in Walford, with Teddy and his sons Harry and Barney revealed to be Stevie's secret family. Nicola then arrived in Walford later in the year, having been in prison for injecting unlicensed filler. In tense scenes earlier this month, Nicola confessed she'd killed Harry's girlfriend Shireen, in a bid to hide that Zack Hudson is actually Barney's real father. After the parternity bombshell came to light, Harry kidnapped Zack to prevent him from telling Barney, and they crashed into a lake. In Thursday's upcoming episode, Zack is still missing and feared dead. Laura is set to grace the red carpet for this year's Soap Awards, after landing a nomination for Best Newcomer opposite Jacob Roberts as Corrie's Kit Green, Emmerdale's Shebz Miah as Kammy Hadiq and Hollyoaks star Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne. The glitzy event will be returning to London to Hackney Empire, after previously taking place in Manchester, and will once again be hosted by Jane McDonald as it returns following a surprise hiatus last year. As always, the numerous accolades will be presented by an array of well-known faces from across the TV and showbiz world, with the TV event broadcasting a few days later in a primetime slot. The ceremony will celebrate a mammoth year in soaps looking back on 12 months of murder, mystery, make-ups, break ups, trials, tribulations and tears. Meanwhile Hollyoaks leapt a year into the future and in Emmerdale a dramatic limousine crash into a frozen lake left viewers stunned. The Viewer Voted Categories include Best British Soap, Best Leading Performer, Villain of the Year and Best Comedy Performance. The nominees for Best Leading Performer are Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater, EastEnders), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders), Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale) and Beth Cordingly (Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale). And the public has a tough choice when it comes to Villain of the Year with Calum Lill (Joel Deering, Coronation Street), Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar, EastEnders), Ned Porteous (Joe Tate, Emmerdale) and Tyler Conti (Abe Fielding, Hollyoaks) to choose from. The Best Comedy Performance category includes Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street), Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson, EastEnders), Nicola Wheeler (Nicola King, Emmerdale) and Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks). The ceremony, which first began in 1999, was rested in 2024 but is back with Jane hosting the ceremony which will air on ITV1 and ITVX in June. The Soap Awards will take place on Saturday at Hackney Empire, London and will broadcast at 8pm on June 5 on ITV1. British Soap Awards 2025: Full List of Nominations Viewer Voted Categories: Best British Soap: Coronation Street EastEnders Emmerdale Hollyoaks Best Leading Performer: Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater, EastEnders) Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders) Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale) Beth Cordingly (Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale) Villain of the Year: Calum Lill (Joel Deering, Coronation Street) Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar, EastEnders) Ned Porteous (Joe Tate, Emmerdale) Tyler Conti (Abe Fielding, Hollyoaks) Best Comedy Performance: Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street) Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson, EastEnders) Nicola Wheeler (Nicola King, Emmerdale) Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks) Panel Voted Categories: Best Family: The Platts (Coronation Street) The Slaters (EastEnders) The Dingles (Emmerdale) The Osbornes (Hollyoaks) Best Dramatic Performance: Peter Ash (Paul Foreman, Coronation Street) Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell, EastEnders) Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale) Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks) Best Single Episode: Mason's death (Coronation Street) Phil's psychosis: the Mitchells in 1985 (EastEnders) April's life on the streets (Emmerdale) Hollyoaks time jump (Hollyoaks) Best On-Screen Partnership: Alison King and Vicky Myers (Carla Connor and Lisa Swain, Coronation Street) Rudolph Walker and Angela Wynter (Patrick and Yolande Trueman, EastEnders) William Ash and Beth Cordingly (Caleb and Ruby Miligan, Emmerdale) Nathaniel Dass and Oscar Curtis (Dillon Ray and Lucas Hay, Hollyoaks) Best Newcomer: Jacob Roberts (Kit Green, Coronation Street) Laura Doddington (Nicola Mitchell, EastEnders) Shebz Miah (Kammy Hadiq, Emmerdale) Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks) Best Storyline: Paul's battle with MND (Coronation Street) Phil Mitchell: Hypermasculinity in crisis (EastEnders) Belle and Tom - Domestic Abuse (Emmerdale) Sibling sexual abuse (Hollyoaks) Best Young Performer: Will Flanagan (Joseph Winter-Brown, Coronation Street) Sonny Kendall (Tommy Moon, EastEnders) Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale) Noah Holdsworth (Oscar Osborne, Hollyoaks) Scene of the Year: Mason's death (Coronation Street) Angie Watts' shock return (EastEnders) Amy's deathly plunge reveals a grisly secret (Emmerdale)
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders star ready to quit acting for very different job before landing role
EastEnders' Laura Doddington has revealed she planned to retrain in a very different career after giving up hopes of securing an acting role before taking on Nicola Mitchell Laura Doddington has quickly become a soap favourite after her bombshell entrance as Nicola Mitchell in EastEnders. Since then her character has been embroiled in a murder and this week an historic affair was uncovered which blew up some major drama. With the makings of a true soap matriarch - it's no surprise Laura, 44, has found herself nominated for Best Newcomer at this weekend's Soap Awards. But before bagging her dream role, the actress of 22 years admitted she mused the idea of changing careers after thinking her big break wouldn't come. 'The industry is hard at the moment,' admitted mum-of-one Laura. 'Before this audition came through, I'd been looking at retraining to do something else, I've got a young kid. And that makes you think about their future and stability for them.' Having previously starred in Doctors, Holby City and Casualty as well as on the stage - the lead role Laura had hoped for just wasn't coming. 'I cut my son's hair and I'm sort of reasonably good at it, so I thought that might be an option,' she mused. 'I was in Prime Suspect when I was in my 20s and The Midwich Cuckoos, but they weren't massive parts. I was beginning to think it might not be possible to have that lead role.' But she got the breakthrough she wanted so much, landing the part of the latest fiesty Mitchell woman, Nicola, nine months ago. And Cambridge-born Laura made an immediate impression. 'I've been a jobbing actor for 22 years and over that time you deal with really amazing highs, but also lows,' explained Laura. 'Missing out on jobs, not even getting seen for jobs. So when I got the part, especially as I'd been in it before for a fleeting moment, I was ecstatic. 'I'm really lucky that Chris Clenshaw took a punt on a jobbing actor and gave me the chance. This came at the right time. It feels incredible.' She says her audition process was an emotional rollercoaster - fearing she'd missed out on the chance of a lifetime. 'I didn't hear anything for four weeks,' recalled Laura. 'I thought it had gone to someone else. Unfortunately in this industry when you get to over the age of about 35 and you haven't made a name for yourself, the interesting roles sort of start drying up. It's just the way that it is and the way the world is a little bit. That's why I love soaps and continuing dramas as they champion individuals of all ages and put characters at the heart of storytelling.' Writing the opportunity off initially, eventually the call came through and Laura had got the part. 'When I found out there were a lot of tears and a lot of expletives!' she laughs. Stepping out on the Albert Square set for her first scenes as Nicola, Laura said she was full of nerves. But said soap stalwart Adam Woodyatt, who was her mentor was on hand to steady them. 'He was amazing,' smiles Laura. 'He came in, he was on set on my first day in case I had any questions. It was his day off, bless him. Everyone on the are so welcoming and kind. It was also daunting doing scenes with soap legends as colleagues. 'Seeing Steve (McFadden), Letitia (Dean) - it was just like, 'Oh my god'. But they are amazing. And the boys, Roland, Elijah and Lewis, they were awesome. We gelled so quickly.' The new Mitchells - Teddy (Roland Manookian), and his sons Harry (played by Elijah Holloway) and Barney (played by Lewis Bridgeman) - arrived in Walford in June causing shockwaves when it was revealed they were Stevie's secret family. Mum Nicola joined later, having spent time behind bars for injecting unlicensed filler. Earlier this month she confessed she'd murdered Harry's girlfriend Shireen to her son. She did it to conceal how Teddy is not Barney's real father – Zack Hudson ( James Farrar) is. The paternity bombshell was exposed this week leading to Harry kidnapping Zack to stop him telling Barney and the pair crashing into a lake. Tonight's episode sees Zack still missing and feared dead. Laura says it can be intense filming dramatic scenes and often likes to lighten the mood in between takes. 'The boys and I often burst into song between takes,' she revealed. 'It's hilarious when you belt out a tune and no one else joins in and you're like, 'That song was too random'. 'I'm high energy, a bit like a cocker spaniel most of the time. Then I realise that I have to portray the character and I'll take a minute to focus and get into Nicola's head. Although very different to her villainous character, Laura says they do share one quality. 'I relate to her protectiveness of her children." Letting her young son watch her EastEnders entrance last year - it was the first and last episode he's seen. Laura recalled: 'He turned to me and he said, 'Mummy, you're not very nice in this, are you?' 'I went, 'No I'm not, lovely' And he asked, 'Do you mind if I don't watch it?' in my head I was going, 'Thank God - I mean you were never gonna watch it!'.' One thing she will let him watch is mummy's appearance at the Soap Awards. Laura is up against Jacob Roberts as Coronation Street 's Kit Green, Shebz Miah and Emmerdale 's Kammy Hadiq and Isabelle Smith and Hollyoaks 's Frankie Osborne. 'When you've been doing something for a really long time and then suddenly someone acknowledges it… it's special,' she beams. 'I was really overwhelmed by it because I wasn't expecting it. I spent a lot of that first day bursting into tears - and I'm not a crier.' Gracing her first event red carpet, she says she's both excited and nervous. 'I'm a little bit of a clown,' admits Laura. 'I'm slightly worried that I might, in my head, think it's funny on the red carpet to pull a stupid face and then it's there for forever, isn't it? 'I'm really worried about tripping. It's probably gonna be me that falls flat on her face on the red carpet in front of everyone. But I can't wait to celebrate EastEnders and all the other amazing people and shows.' With a murder, an affair and huge family secret now exposed, is there a future for Nicola on EastEnders? 'There's always redemption,' Laura jokes. 'The knock-on effect of the secret of 16 years coming out would bring drama to anyone's life. In Nicola and the boys' case I think there's a journey to be had in that. It'll be interesting to see what she would do in a situation, how she repairs it with Barney.' Hoping to become an EastEnders favourite for years to come, Laura vowed: 'I don't want to go! But in the end that's not up to me. Everything is finite. I will just enjoy every moment that I'm here.' ITV at 8pm on June 5. 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