Afterward, Naomi faded into the background and Sonia ended up back with Martin, seeming to forget entirely about the same-sex attractions she once had [] It was a sad but not unexpected ending to a rare chance for the BBC to acknowledge lesbian sexuality in its programming and for viewers to witness a positive lesbian relationship that didn't ruin anybody's life [] Sonia or Naomi [] had the potential to develop a loving depiction of lesbian sexuality but were failed by the show's writers and, arguably, the BBC's institutionalized homophobia".[24]. The actor first announced his wife was expecting again with an ultrasound pic, bunch of blooms and a wooden sign reading: "Baby Champ. Bun in the Oven Tanya realises she's pregant, but doubts she can rely on Max to be a good father anymore. Everyone's so pleased to have them back. [17], Sonia returned permanently on 14 January 2014. Sonia Fowler (also Jackson)[1] is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Natalie Cassidy. [31] Joyner then went on to appear in the episodes broadcast on 19 January 2018 and 16 February 2018 as part of her on-screen daughter Abi Branning's (Lorna Fitzgerald) death and funeral. In an interview with Digital Spy, Joyner admitted that she prefers playing a "feisty" character and would like to explore that side of Tanya. Sonia returns in January 2011, following Bianca's disappearance following her attack on Connor Stanley (Arinze Kene), who had also dating Whitney. When Cora visits Walford, she senses that Lauren does not love her fianc Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) and questions whether he is controlling her. Sonia kisses Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), which Tina's girlfriend, Fiona "Tosh" Mackintosh (Rebecca Scroggs), finds out about, so Tina end her friendship with Sonia to protect her relationship. Lauren is involved in a car crash and tells Tanya that she is in love with her cousin, Joey Branning (David Witts). During the conversation, she reveals that she is taking part in a fashion course in Manchester and asks Max if Oscar can move in with him for a while, as he would be stuck with a nanny most of the time if he went with her, due to Tanya's commitment to the course. Lauren continues to drink but Tanya refuses to believe she is addicted until she keeps Lauren in the house and she reveals that she has been sipping vodka from a water bottle. In February 2015, Tanya returns to Walford, to attend Ian and Jane's wedding and after the reception, she agrees to sit and have a conversation with Max. [16] Sonia's one-off return was broadcast on 21 January 2011. Speaking of her past, she added:"Tanya remembers her mum looking at her dad with pity and she'd hate that happening to her. Fans of the show were upset that anyone (let alone a lesbian) had come between Sonia and Martin. [16], On 26 June 2011, it was announced by EastEnders that Tanya will feature in a cervical cancer storyline. Later, when Tanya and baby are safely in hospital, Stacey and Bradley visit and Stacey and Max agree to move on. 386 episodes, 1991-2022 Clair Norris . Honey's sat at home unwrapping presents that she's going to have to return. Tanya is sentenced. Ian's private investigator, Ros Thorne (Clare Grogan) tracks Cindy to Italy in 1997. "[21] Joyner later said that she does not become depressed over the cancer plot, saying she can switch off from the emotions instantly. ", In a July 2008 interview with the Sunday People, Joyner revealed that she was disappointed that Tanya's wild child past had not been explored more in the aftermath of her character burying Max alive, saying "I didn't think Tanya would be as mumsy at first. Max finds Tanya in the hospital's chapel, who is angry with Max that Abi has to die because of him, and agrees to stay away. She remembers her mum looking at her dad with pity [when he was ill] and she'd hate that happening to her. Are Sonia and Martin still together? Sonia is better known for her problematic marriage with Martin Fowler (James Alexandrou/James Bye), which ends in 2006 when Sonia begins an affair with nurse Naomi Julien (Petra Letang). Max then reconciles with Tanya and they become a couple again. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [18] Kirkwood said in a news release that EastEnders worked closely with experts to ensure that the issue is accurately portrayed and that viewers will see how Tanya will use her inner determination to deal with what will be one of the toughest challenges of her life. Joyner was nominated for the "best actress" award at the All About Soap Awards in 2012[33] and later won the award. [21] Asked whether Tanya will start to look ill, Joyner said to Soaplife: "I'd like her to and I made a point of saying, 'Unless we ever see Tanya looking tired these references are going to be rubbish', because she's keeping up the pretence and putting on lots of make-up. Later, when Peggy helps Honey carry the presents that she was supposed to be returning back into The Vic, she's shocked by what she finds in the wardrobe, Elsewhere, Peggy lays into Roxy about losing the charity money; Libby realises how much she missed Chelsea; and Lauren finally gets round to burning the wedding video onto a DVD, The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal on season 3, Neighbours announces seven more returning cast. "That is mine and your little secret," she quipped. [10] She was spotted doing improvisations at the Anna Scher Theatre School by Tony McHale and EastEnders' Casting Advisor Jane Deitch. [37] In March 2008 viewers watched Tanya bury husband Max alive. Tanya gives birth! Tanya then has to face her sister, Rainie (Tanya Franks), turning up as she did the year before, claiming she is clean of drugs, though tests positive, so Tanya orders her to leave. Just as Pauline intends, Martin ends his relationship with Sonia in order to care for her, but when the truth finally comes out, a furious Martin moves out anyway. She endured a short stint in prison after 'confessing' that she attempted to murder her husband Max (Jake Wood . she wants no more treatment as she does not have the strength to fight, despite the fact she could die. Fearing imprisonment, Sonia abducts Rebecca and goes on the run. Tanya announces that her divorce from Greg will soon be finalised and proposes to Max. Join the community by leaving a comment below andstay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Carol has the BRCA gene and Sonia finds out she has inherited it. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Tanya avoids being around Max in the hospital and when Abi's life support is due to be withdrawn, Max asks if it can be withdrawn at Abi's time of birth. During her childhood, she becomes close friends with Clare Tyler (Gemma Bissix) and the two are inseparable until Clare falls in with the wrong crowd at school and starts bullying Sonia but they reconcile before Clare leaves in 1998. Abi overhears this and tells Lauren. Chelsea gave birth to her baby prematurely after trying to escape her killer husband Gray Atkins. Lauren tells Tanya that Derek stole from Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) and she confronts him about it. The Stacey Slater star, 34, is reuniting with Jake Wood and Adam Woodyatt, as well as joining . Tanya Franks . Bath Joyner was initially nervous about going back due to her mistake in the live episodes, but knew she had to return when the story was pitched to her. Several months later, following Madison Drake (Seraphina Beh), Alexandra D'Costa (Sydney Craven) and her former friend Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper) continuously bullying Bex, Sonia returns after Bex phones her in tears. EastEnders actress Tanya Franks has reportedly quit her role as Rainie Cross on BBC soap after seven years. Instead, Margaret's reaction was surprisingly representative of the public response to their relationship. The former BBC soap star, who played Dotty Cotton in EastEnders until her exit in December, took to Instagram, where she flawed followers with her beauty in a new glam upload. A few days later, she plans to visit Lauren and Abi with Cora, but Cora comes alone and slaps Max, blaming him for his daughters' injuries. If this seems like the most inopportune time to turn Sonia into a lesbian, well, the show's writers did it anyway [] Sonia's sudden lesbian affair was met with disapproval from all sides, and nobody the fans, characters or even the actors was particularly supportive of her relationship. Bex tells Sonia that she is feeling upset since her boyfriend Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) was killed and that she isn't ready for university, and Sonia supports Bex's decision. It is believed Joyner has signed an exclusive magazine deal to unveil her twins for the first time. On-screen mother: Joyner's EastEnders character Tanya Branning has three children, including baby Oscar, with on/off husband Max Branning (Jake Wood), She said: 'I was very sick for the first four months. Margaret decides to make the Fowlers' Rebecca's legal guardians but does not include Sonia when she finds out about her lesbian fling. This. Sonia and Martin face further upset when they discover that their daughter's adoptive parents have died in a car crash. The baby, who is named Chloe, is subsequently given up for adoption and renamed Rebecca, despite protests from Martin's mother Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard). She then arranges for Lauren to visit Tanya for relationship advice. New dad Stuart has been battling with postnatal depression ever since baby Roland was born earlier this year. She later inherits the majority of Dots estate, including her house, much to her disbelief and Dottys anger, which results in Dotty departing the square on bad terms with Sonia. Cindy soon follows Ian back to Walford with her new boyfriend, Nick Holland (Dominic Taylor). She discovers that Rebecca witnessed the slap and tries to silence her daughter, but Rebecca tells Dot at Pauline's funeral. . The episodes were shown live, and Joyner accidentally referred to Ian by his actor's name.[29]. He says I come back miserable, but once I've put the kids in the bath and had a laugh, then I feel good again. She decides that to resist temptation she must leave Walford, and Max is deeply disappointed. [1] Writer Colin Brake has suggested that Cindy was "the most important character for the future" to be introduced in 1988, despite her low-key entrance. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Abi and Lauren are excited when Bradley tells them that they have a baby brother. [9], In April 2006, it was announced that Cassidy would take a break from EastEnders, saying "it's time to try new things. Martin gets unwittingly involved with a stalker, Sarah Cairns (Alison Pargeter), who tries to ruin his marriage. Jo, who was last on the show in February 2018, said she. None of the actors cast as the Jackson family were matched for appearance or screen compatibility. I'm going to make it as honest and true to life as I possibly can. Later, Tanya agrees to let Max see Oscar for his birthday but Cora turns up instead and tells Max that she has told Tanya all about his work with Weyland & Co. and that she is not allowing Max to see Oscar. She's also appeared in a number of other big TV shows over the years including starring roles in Family Affairs, The Bill , Broadchurch , and teen drama Skins . Derek in response taunts Tanya about what he and Max did in Manchester. 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