A FORMER Eastenders regular has revealed that he’s moving on from his time on the square and is taking on a gritty new role.
Max Bowden, who played Ben Mitchell in Eastenders, announced the news on his socials.
Max played the role of Ben Mitchell in Eastenders for four years[/caption]
He left the show last year after the soap’s producers didn’t renew his contract[/caption]
Max is keen to start a new chapter in his career by taking on a role in the Midnight Cowboy musical[/caption]
He’s going to be taking up the role of Rico Rizzo in a musical version of the 1965 novel and 1969 film Midnight Cowboy.
The novel was written by James Leo Herlihy and follows a pair of down on their luck hustlers in gritty 1960s New York.
Max appears in a poster for the musical alongside co-star Paul Jacob French who has appeared in west end shows like Grease and An Officer and a Gentleman.
The former Eastender can be seen embodying his character, who was famously played by Dustin Hoffman in the multi-Oscar winning film adaptation.
He’s huddled in a large overcoat and woolly hat looking very much the down and out that he will portray.
Max is used to gritty drama on Albert Square but Midnight Cowboy will push things even further as the story tackles the harsh reality of survival.
The story follows desperate Rico “Ratso” Rizzo and Joe Buck, take on a series of risky and dangerous schemes to make money including turning to prostitution.
The film adaption gave us Hoffman’s iconic line: “I’m Walkin’ here”. Which he apparently came up with on the spur of the moment when a taxi ran a red light during their filming in the big apple.
Max has performed in online based plays like Birdsong and The Hauting of Alice Bowles and his new musical project will be a far cry from the his time as a mechanic in the Arches.
His award winning stint on Eastenders stretched from 2019 until he left last year after bosses decided not to renew his contract.
Following that decision Max was recorded by a fan claiming he was: “so f*****g excited to get out” as he posed for photos with fans.
It seems that Max is now keen to start a new chapter as he excitedly announced his new role on his Instagram page.
He said: “Super excited to be bringing the world premier of Midnight Cowboy the musical to Southwark playhouse – playing the iconic role of Rico “Ratso” Rizzo, alongside an amazing cast. Buzzing for this one”
You can see the Midnight Cowboy musical at the Southwalk Playhouse April 4 – May 17th.
The actor says he’s put his off-screen antics behind him[/caption]
