The hallowed halls of Walford have witnessed countless dramatic moments over the decades, but the recent surprise return of a true EastEnders icon was shrouded in a level of secrecy usually reserved for espionage thrillers. The actress who first breathed life into the formidable Queen Victoria landlady, a character who reigned supreme over Albert Square from 1985 to 1988, has finally broken her silence, revealing the extraordinary lengths taken to conceal her jaw-dropping cameo. Her account paints a picture of clandestine operations, hushed whispers, and a level of deception that would make even James Bond envious.
Back in February, viewers of the beloved BBC soap were left utterly stunned when Angie Watts, a ghost from Sharon Watts’ past, materialized before her daughter’s eyes. Sharon lay trapped beneath the devastating rubble of the Queen Vic, the iconic pub torn asunder by a catastrophic explosion. Angie’s spectral appearance was not merely a fleeting glimpse; it was a poignant and emotionally charged moment that resonated deeply with long-time fans. The shockwaves of her return rippled not only through the viewing audience but also through the cast members themselves, many of whom were watching the episode from the comfort of their own homes, completely unaware of the iconic character’s resurrection.
Now, Anita Dobson, the actress who indelibly etched Angie Watts into the hearts of the nation, has lifted the veil on the elaborate measures taken to orchestrate her secret return. Reflecting on reprising the role that catapulted her to household name status four decades ago, Dobson likened the entire experience to navigating the intricate plot of a spy thriller. She revealed to Metro that she was “absolutely verboten” from uttering a single word about her impending cameo to anyone, with the exception of two trusted confidantes: her husband, the legendary Queen guitarist Brian May, and her loyal agent.
“I did tell Brian, and of course my lovely agent knew,” Dobson confessed, emphasizing the tight circle of secrecy. “But I kept that secret really well. We filmed it just before Christmas, and it didn’t come out till February, so it was a long time to hold on to it.” The logistics of her clandestine visits to the EastEnders studios further fueled the spy thriller analogy. Dobson recounted the almost comical lengths taken to ensure her presence remained undetected. “Getting in and out of the studios was such fun,” she chuckled. “It was like a spy thriller. They said, ‘Would you wear a hood please?’ and the dark glasses. I huddled down in the back of the car. It was just like something out of Bond.”
Dobson also shared her personal feelings about stepping back into Angie’s shoes, describing it as a “lovely piece of closure” for both the character and herself. She admitted to being genuinely surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reaction her cameo received. “I was amazed,” she exclaimed. “My godson phoned me up and said, ‘You are trending all over the place.’ I was very proud. I’m glad I did it. It was a lovely piece of closure for Angie, and for me. This was a finale, if you like, that she’s gone. And that one moment was to save her daughter’s life.”
However, the carefully constructed wall of secrecy nearly crumbled during an interview with Lacy Turner, the actress who portrays the beloved Stacey Slater. Turner, unaware of Dobson’s impending return, interviewed the EastEnders legend for the “We Started Here” podcast. Dobson recalled the moment with a hint of amusement and relief. “She didn’t know because she was veering very close to probing the whole thing about ‘Would you come back?’” Dobson skillfully steered the conversation away from the truth. “I kind of headed her off at the pass. She said, ‘What would you come back as if you did come back?’ Quick as a flash, I said the first thing that came into my head: ‘Bag lady.’ That put an end to that!”
While Angie’s ghostly return provided a poignant moment for Sharon and a nostalgic treat for viewers, Anita Dobson is set to grace our screens once again in a completely different guise. She will be reprising her role as the enigmatic Mrs. Flood in the highly anticipated new series of Doctor Who. Dobson revealed that the show’s returning supremo, Russell T Davies, had hinted at a more substantial involvement than just a brief cameo. “Russell had hinted to me that I had a bit more coming than just popping in and saying hello as Mrs. Flood,” she explained, adding, “But I didn’t know what to expect. I was very pleased and excited when I saw the scripts. I was quite shocked. I’m sure the audience are in for a lot of surprises.”
Reflecting on her experience filming the upcoming series of Doctor Who, Dobson shared a lighthearted anecdote about her costume and a compliment from the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. “I don’t know how much I can say, but I saw more of Enooti towards the end when the Denum was happening,” she teased. “I do love my costume. I remember I came on set, and Ini hadn’t seen me in it. He went, ‘My god woman, your waist is insane.’ Because it was tiny! I made sure that I slimmed down when I knew what the costume was and had a fitting. I thought, ‘Right, I’m going to lose a few pounds.’ It did look pretty good.”
Dobson’s account of her secret EastEnders return paints a vivid picture of a clandestine operation, a testament to the dedication of the production team to deliver a truly shocking and memorable moment for the viewers. Her willingness to embrace the secrecy, even finding “fun” in the cloak-and-dagger nature of it, underscores her affection for the show and its loyal fanbase. The revelation that she was hidden like a fugitive, complete with hoods and dark glasses, only adds to the legendary status of her return, solidifying Angie Watts’ enduring impact on the EastEnders universe. The spy thriller-esque lengths taken to conceal her cameo highlight the power of surprise in storytelling and the enduring love for a character who, even in spectral form, can still captivate and move audiences.
