Major EastEnders star almost quit acting until she landed role in BBC soap
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.
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'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.
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