Albert Square
Shabnam Masood will return to EastEnders' with a "terrible secret".
Rakhee Thakrar - known for her role in 'Holby City' - will play the opinionated daddy's girl in the BBC One soap when she steps on to Albert Square next year after taking over from Zahra Ahmadi.
However, her alter-ego is set to cause a stir when she attempts to settle back in with her father Masood (Nitin Ganatra) and brother Tamwar (Himesh Patel) after leaving for Pakistan five years ago.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer for the show, said: "Masood and Tamwar have been missing a female presence in their lives and Shabnam's return to Albert Square in January is well overdue - and, by that time, vital... We've been exhaustive in our recasting of Shabnam and when Rakhee walked in the room, everyone - including Nitin - knew that she was perfect.
"The Shabnam who returns home is older, wiser and a chip off her mother's block. And - of course - carrying a terrible secret from her time away from Walford..."
Shabnam is a loyal friend, but struggles to keep a secret, which doesn't go down well with the other residents of Walford, but Rakhee is looking forward to portraying the bolshie character.
She explained: "Having grown up watching 'EastEnders' with my family, I'm really excited to now be joining the show. I can't wait to become part of the Masood family and start working with Nitin and Himesh, as well as the rest of the amazing 'EastEnders' cast and crew."
Tagged in Eastenders