IF THERE is one thing that is guaranteed on the anniversary episode of EastEnders, it’s high drama.
As the soap celebrates 40 years on BBC screens with a special live episode and a blaze in The Queen Vic, viewers are wondering what will happen.
If there is one thing that is guaranteed on the anniversary episode of EastEnders, it’s high drama.[/caption]
Sonia and Bianca in the Queen Vic which will go on fire in the anniversary episodes[/caption]
Natalie has played the role of Sonia for three decades[/caption]
Sonia in her early feisty days with the fan favourite Pauline Fowler[/caption]
Natalie Cassidy, 41, previously announced that she would be leaving EastEnders after three decades in Albert Square.
However, she stated that it was not her choice in the way Sonia leaves.
Ever since the decision was announced, fans have been wondering whether producers would really kill off such a legendary character.
What would such a move look like? Our writers battle it out.
Killing Ar Sonia would be a bad idea
By Joshua Rom
It’s fair to say that when it comes to the soap war, EastEnders is winning at the moment.
With multiple gripping storylines, live elements, stunts, pregnancies, both an attacker and a murderer on the loose, they are absolutely killing it.
But I don’t want the producers to become killers, which I think they might possibly be.
If Reiss dies, it will be a satisfying end to what has been a horrendously brilliant and gripping plot point.
There are rumours that Martin Fowler might get killed off after James Bye got rid of any mention of EastEnders from his social media bios.
That would be bad, but the worst mistake producers could make would be to kill off our favourite bisexual trumpet playing gal pal.
As a character, Sonia is simply an institution. The way she looks, the way she sounds, she is just so quintessentially EastEnders.
If she was allowed to grow old, I have no doubt that she would become a glorious London matriarch like we have seen before with Peggy, Pat, Angie and Dot.
Over the 32 (mostly) glorious years, she has helped to build the soap into what we see today.
Sonia Fowler’s biggest EastEnders storylines
Sonia Fowler has featured in EastEnders since 1993, and after starring in thousands of episodes, has been featured in storylines ranging from teenage pregnancy to a cancer scare. Here are some of her biggest.
- Teen Pregnancy and Birth of Chloe Jackson (1999-2000)
Sonia discovered she was pregnant at the age of 15. Viewers were shocked by the sudden birth, as the teen went into labour without even realising she was pregnant. Martin Fowler turned out to be Chloe’s father. Sonia initially decided to give the girl up for adoption. - Death of her boyfriend (2002)
Sonia’s boyfriend, Jamie Mitchell, was hit by a car driven by her baby’s father. Jamie had just bought an engagement ring for his girlfriend before being struck down by the thoughtless Martin, who was texting while driving. Although the Jamie was rushed to hospital, docs said his liver was irreparably damaged, and he ended up dying with Sonia by his side. - Marriage to Martin Fowler and Family Tensions (2004-2007)
In a shock twist Sonia went on to marry the man responsible for her previous boyfriend’s death. Their relationship was marred by conflicts and infidelity, and they went on to split up after just three years. At one point in their marriage Sonia was taken hostage by Sarah Cairns, who became obsessed with Martin after he flirted with her during a drunken night out. The couple went through struggles again when the adoptive parents of their daughter were killed in a car crash, leaving them responsible for Rebecca. Because of the tension in their relationship Sonia ended up cheating on her husband with one of her co-workers, nurse Naomi Julien. - Custody Battle for Rebecca (2005-2007)
Baby Chloe, who was renamed Rebecca, was kidnapped by her mum early in life before being returned to her adoptive parents. After Neil and Sue Miller died they awarded Martin full custody of the child because of Sonia’s extra-marital affair. The mum was left distraught to be cut out of her daughter’s life. - Gastric Band Surgery and Weight Struggles (2014-2015)
Sonia became insecure about her weight and arranged to have a secret gastric band surgery in Bulgaria. She later collapsed at an exercise class after suffering complications from the operation. - Discovery of Bex’s Suicide Attempt (2019)
Sonia’s daughter Rebecca tried to take her own life in a heartbreaking storyline which left viewers in tears. She found Bex unconscious after taking an overdose, and was devastated. Sonia blamed herself for pushing her daughter to breaking point, as she had tried to force her into going to Oxford despite Bex saying she didn’t feel ready for university.
She has had gritty and serious moments, but she has also made us laugh on many occasions.
Quite simply, the soap would not be the same without her. So if you can give her the option to return one day, why risk that?
But there is something else. Coronation Street is really struggling at the moment as both the audience and the cast look elsewhere.
It’s moments like the random killing of Les Battersby off-screen that solidify the mistakes in the minds of viewers at home.
As a character, Sonia is simply an institution
One might think that it shows that the lack of respect the writers and producers have for the legacy of the show.
Killing Sonia off on the live anniversary episode might be a good idea when it comes to spectacle and shock value.
However, when it comes to the long-term future of the soap, I might think again.
I want to see at least another 40 years of EastEnders on my screen, and a vital part of that is honouring the legacy that came before.
I don’t want to see Sonia’s death become just a headline in the Walford Gazette to be thrown away the next day.
Killing off an iconic and long-running character like Sonia, a role that still has potential, would be a big mistake.
Killing Sonia would be a great idea
I hear you Joshua but totally disagree, except with your opinion of wanting to see at least another 40 years of EastEnders on my screen!
As you say, just as Honey and Billy Mitchell are celebrating their wedding, a blast at the Vic will leave at least one character confirmed to die in the disaster.
The latest rumours flying around social media about who that might be include long term established characters Martin Fowler, Cindy Beale, Stacey Slater and Sonia Fowler.
The best choice the producers could make out of that list – would be the boring and sanctimonious Sonia.
No discredit to Natalie, who is a talented actor, who I hope goes on to bigger and better things.
Sonia is an annoying yawn fest now
But the writers have done her a huge disservice by turning her once lovable character into an annoying yawn fest.
Sonia grimaces around the square with her holier than thou attitude yet she is no saint.
Let’s remember she was in cahoots with Reiss stealing from his comatose wife and before that she even stole from the beloved Dot Cotton!
Believe me, this new Sonia would sell your Granny if there was something in it for her.
Yet she’s so often nasty to other characters who she thinks are doing wrong and argues with them in such a sanctimonious way.
Would you want to live on the same street as Sonia? Someone who’s constantly watching everyone and poking their nose in.
She’s into everyone’s business like she’s some great saviour who knows the answer to everyone’s problems especially if it’s a medical issue – Nurse Sonia will come to the rescue!
And if she was allowed to grow old, she would never become a glorious matriarch like we have seen before with Lou, Pauline and Dot.
She’s too dull, humourless and condescending for that.
Instead, we already have Eastenders’ women stepping up to the role in the form of the formidable Suki Panesar, unlucky in love Stacey Slater and of course survivor Cindy Beale.
So Sonia can take her trumpet and her whinging off to pastures new but the writers should be ashamed of what they’ve turned her character into over the years.
However, for the show to kill a main character, someone as iconic as Sonia – it would be such a brave and bold move.
And certainly not a disappointment unlike other big ticket episodes gone by in Soapland when it’s a more minor character who perishes as bosses aren’t brave enough to kill off a big name.
Sometimes, just sometimes, we have to let go of the past to move on to bigger and brighter things.
Natalie in her younger days on the soap[/caption]
Sonia with her sister Bianca and the vile Reiss[/caption]
