Two decades after leaving EastEnders, the soap favourite has bagged a role on a rival show.
Laura and Ian Beale in EastEnders

Laura and Ian Beale in EastEnders (Image: BBC)
An EastEnders legend is making a return to the world of soap, but this time she’s trading the cobbles of Albert Square for the sun-drenched beaches of Australia.

Hannah Waterman, who won over audiences as Laura Beale in EastEnders from 2000 to 2004, has joined the cast of the enduring Australian soap Home and Away.

During her four-year tenure on EastEnders, Hannah became a household name as Ian Beale’s (Adam Woodyatt) third wife. However, her stint on the soap culminated in one of the show’s most shocking plotlines when her character met a tragic end.

Laura was written out in 2004 after she tripped over a toy at the door and tumbled down a flight of stairs. Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) was implicated in Laura’s death following one of their heated arguments and the discovery of an incriminating receipt in Laura’s flat.

Hannah is best known for her iconic role as Laura Beale

Hannah Waterman as Laura Beale in EastEnders (Image: BBC)
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The plot twist remains one of the most unforgettable moments in EastEnders history, reports the Mirror.

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Since bidding farewell to Walford, Hannah has maintained her acting career, featuring in British television favourites such as Doctors, The Bill, New Tricks, and Holby City.

Over ten years ago, she made the life-altering decision to leave the UK for Australia, where she continued to forge a successful acting career.

One of her notable roles in Australia was in the drama Bali 2002, which recounts the harrowing tale of the 2002 Bali bombings. Now, Hannah is set to make a splash as she returns to the world of soaps by joining the cast of Home and Away.

The beloved series has been an Australian television mainstay since its debut on January 17, 1988.

A source told The Sun: “Hannah moved to Australia years ago for a new life, but she’s still acting.

“She loved dipping her toes back into the world of soap briefly, and who knows it could mean she finds her way back more permanently.”

Home and Away follows the lives, loves, and losses of Summer Bay’s residents, with the show recently marking a remarkable 35 years on the airwaves.

Hannah Waterman on Instagram in a lei
Hannah has joined a rival soap(Image: Instagram)
Since Channel 5 acquired the rights in 2000, UK viewers have consistently followed the soap’s gripping storylines. Alongside this professional achievement, Hannah has also enjoyed significant personal milestones down under.

She tied the knot with actor Huw Higginson, famed for his role as PC George Garfield in The Bill, three years ago. In October 2022, Huw posted a wedding day photo on social media, showing the couple aboard a boat in Sydney with their 11 year old son Jack.

He affectionately captioned the family photo: “Got married to my love yesterday. We had the best of days.”

In the snapshot, Hannah radiates happiness next to Huw, dressed in a patterned blue frock, complemented by gold sandals and a navy pashmina.

She is also clutching a bouquet of cream flowers. Prior to making Australia her home in 2014, Hannah was wedded to EastEnders co-star Ricky Groves.

The pair exchanged vows in 2006 but parted ways in 2010 and finalised their divorce four years later.

EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm. All episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.