Sophie Khan Levy has teased dramatic times ahead for her EastEnders character, Priya, as she navigates treacherous waters with the Panesars and faces a devastating family crisis.
Priya’s unauthorized use of Suki’s credit card has her daughter, Avani, begging her to stay out of trouble. Despite Avani’s pleas, Priya seems undeterred. Sophie Khan Levy explains, “Priya thinks she knows better than Avani, but she’s sad she’s upset her daughter. All she cares about is her two kids and making sure they’re looked after. But I don’t think she heeds Avani’s advice to stay out of trouble!”
In a bid to secure her family’s future, Priya strikes a deal with Nish. “She’s a scrapper, ferocious about making sure Nugget and Avani are taken care of,” Levy says. “Priya’s had a tough life, and she’s used to gritting her teeth for survival. She believes that even if her kids don’t see it now, they’ll understand later when they have their inheritance.”
The shock of Nugget’s sudden collapse hits Priya hard. “It’s a complete shock because what’s going on with Nugget isn’t on Priya’s radar at all. She feels incredibly guilty for missing it,” Levy reveals. The situation worsens when doctors diagnose Nugget with a kidney problem. “Priya catastrophises immediately, thinking she will lose Nugget. She’s on her knees in devastation.”
Initially, Ravi and Priya blame each other for Nugget’s condition, but they soon find common ground. “There’s an amazing moment when they see each other as parents, and that love unites them,” says Levy. This unity brings an unexpected vulnerability. “It’s a shock because, although they’ve flirted before, neither expected to get vulnerable. It takes them back to when they first met as teenagers.”
The discovery that Nugget has been taking steroids, coupled with Ravi being warned by Zack, leaves Priya feeling betrayed. “She’s already worried about being frozen out, and for Ravi not to tell her makes it worse. It feels doubly bad with all her guilt about missing so much of Nugget’s life.”
Levy admits she’s rooting for Priya and Ravi. “I’m a real romantic at heart. The kids are rooting for it, and Priya loves her kids. If they could get past their baggage, there would be something amazing. But nobody is going to back down or apologize in that pairing.”
Sophie Khan Levy enjoys playing Priya’s troublemaking character. “It’s a lot of fun, especially getting to say things Priya does. She says what people think but never dare to because of consequences. Priya doesn’t seem to understand the word ‘consequences’ at all!”
EastEnders continues Wednesday, July 3rd on BBC Two
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