EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One
In true Mitchell style, Nicola Mitchell storms into Walford with a mission and an unstoppable determination. Fresh from Bali, Nicola’s arrival is no casual visit; she’s here to protect her family and throw her weight around, and it’s bound to shake things up. Actress Laura Doddington gives us a peek into what Nicola’s got planned.
‘Nicola has been away in Bali, and she’s got back and had a tip-off that Harry is going to be arrested,’ Laura explains. ‘She comes to Walford to help deal with that – in her unique, bombastic Nicola Mitchell way!’
But Nicola’s family isn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat. ‘It’s safe to say she’s not necessarily in their best books,’ Laura reveals. ‘That’s why there’s been no forwarding texts saying, “I’m coming to help!”’
It’s no surprise Nicola arrives guns blazing. Fresh from her recent divorce with Teddy, she’s ready to prove herself as the family’s matriarch. ‘The divorce with Teddy has made Nicola look at herself and how she’s behaved, and she wants her family back as a unit,’ Laura shares. ‘She’s a fixer! Her way of showing love is to come in and fix things.’
And Penny is first in her crosshairs. ‘She’s like a cat with a mouse! Nicola is so protective of her children and she’s not trusting the way Penny is with Harry,’ Laura adds. ‘Nicola doesn’t trust Penny at all – her dad’s in the police force! So Nicola’s very watchful of Penny’s every move and loves intimidating her.’
Nicola’s complex relationship with ex-husband Teddy also adds fuel to the fire. ‘Nicola loves Teddy and wants him back,’ Laura says. ‘But they were definitely not what we would call a functioning couple. She’s quite manipulative with most people, but she can’t manipulate Teddy like she used to, and that infuriates her.’
Despite Teddy’s desire to move on, Nicola’s not ready to let go. ‘I think it’s heartbreaking and infuriating,’ she admits. ‘Nicola is used to getting what she wants. With Teddy, her thoughts are, “I want him. Why can’t I have him?”’
But Teddy’s no pushover, especially when he reveals a major secret about Nicola to their son Barney. ‘Nicola is angry and embarrassed, and she feels exposed,’ Laura admits. ‘She’s usually one step ahead, but she isn’t when Teddy does that. Nicola wants her boys back and she’s going to fight to do that.’
Then there’s the inevitable face-off with Sharon Watts. ‘The scene is so much fun because they clash right away!’ Laura teases. ‘Nicola is not a woman’s woman, and she’s just not interested in female friendships. But once she finds out Sharon and Teddy have a flirtation, she sees Sharon as an obstacle to overcome.’
It’s clear Nicola isn’t intimidated by anyone in Walford, especially her new in-laws. ‘She’s heard of Phil because of his reputation, and she’s intrigued by him,’ says Laura. ‘With Honey, she spots that she’s nice, so Nicola thinks she can get her claws into her if needed. She’s looking to see if she can turn any situation to her advantage.’
As for her new co-stars, Laura couldn’t be happier. ‘It’s been absolutely divine. Roland, Elijah and Lewis have been so lovely,’ she gushes. ‘It feels like we’re family already.’
So, what can fans expect from Nicola Mitchell’s opening act? ‘Nicola is a woman who knows her mind and isn’t intimidated by anyone or anything,’ Laura promises. ‘You can expect a woman who is not afraid to make her mark.’
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