Anita Dobson, famed for playing Angie Watts, has made a surprise return to EastEnders for the show’s 40th anniversary. She appeared as a vision to her on-screen daughter, Sharon, after an explosion at the Queen Vic pub.
Here’s the Lowdown: After 37 years, Dobson reprised her iconic role, appearing in the original costume Angie wore in 1985. The scene shows a distressed Sharon, trapped under rubble, finding comfort in a vision of her mother. Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw called Angie “one of EastEnders most formidable and iconic landladies”.
What This Means Now: This is a one-off appearance to mark the show’s milestone anniversary, and a nostalgic moment for long-time viewers. It highlights the lasting impact of Dobson’s character on the show and British television.
The Bigger Picture: Dobson’s return underscores the enduring legacy of EastEnders and its ability to create memorable characters. It seems that many viewers are very happy to see her reprise the role. Dobson herself expressed joy at working with Letitia Dean (Sharon) again, describing it as “very emotional”. She kept the return a secret from everyone except her husband, Brian May. She describes being very proud that her work as Angie has had such a postive impact on viewers.
