E20 New Cast Line-Up Revealed

Written by Lynn Swift

Thursday, 29 July 2010 00:01

E20 - New Series Cast

Following the success of the first series, EastEnders: E20 returns to the BBC for a second series from 7^th September with a whole new cast for the teenager aimed saga. The latest signings include former Hollyoaks actress Roxanne Mckee.

Series One of the online soap had over 3.3 million requests across the EastEnders website, BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button. It has since been shown on BBC Three and received over a million viewers.

The latest 10-episode series will once again transmit via the EastEnders website followed by a weekly omnibus on BBC Three. The episodes are around 14 minutes each.

Bryan Kirkwood, Executive Producer of EastEnders: E20 commented: “EastEnders: E20 made a real impact the first time round, and this second series is set to do the same. The show is a fantastic platform for young, aspiring writers and actors to set the agenda. The audience are in for a real treat as these four exciting new characters will arrive in Albert Square with a bang”.

The show welcomes four brand new faces to the Square, with the story starting with Bad boy Ash and brother Sol need a place to crash. Naz needs a place to escape and Stevie is abandoned in the middle of Walford. One by one our strange quartet find themselves under one roof. All have something to hide, and something they’re desperate to get away from…

John Yorke, Executive Producer of EastEnders: E20 commented: “I’m really proud of the fact that E20 has pioneered the training of aspiring writers and actors from different backgrounds. Its made big steps in getting a whole new generation into the industry – and a whole new audience to the internet and television too.”

Meet The Cast

Solomon Levi, played by Tosin Cole. Sol has been looked after by his older brother ever since he can remember and is struggling to establish an identity of his own. Falling for Naz, a psychopathic mother and a fearsome temper threaten his one chance of happiness

Tosin Cole has previously been seen in a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar set in urban London, with the theatre company Intermission. Tosin said: “It’s a privilege to work on something so big but so different. Everyone is fantastic to work with. I’m really excited.”

Asher, played by Heshima Thompson. Ash is fresh out of jail and looking for a chance to redeem himself – but his brother and his mum, and his inability to say no to easy money, make life much more complicated than he might wish.

Heshima Thompson’s past projects include The Bill and Spooks. He says: “It’s a great project to be a part of and I get to dance so this is going to be fun.”

Naz, played by Emaa Hussen. Naz is a girl torn between two worlds. To her friends she’s a fun-loving party girl; at home she’s the apple of her Turkish father’s eye. Then she meets Sol, and the two worlds collide with terrible consequences…

Newcomer Emaa said: “This is the first thing I’ve done professionally so it’s a really exciting place to start my career. I’m from east London and a big fan of EastEnders which is one of the reasons I wanted to do the show.”

Stephanie ‘Stevie’ Dickinson, played by Amanda Fairbank-Hynes. Stevie is utterly clueless when it comes to real life. Abandoned by her rich parents for travelling and eternally unlucky in love, Ash turning up looks like the answer to her prayers. The only problem is, Ash has brought three people with him.

Amanda has previously been seen in the Oscar nominated film An Education. She says: “It all happened so quickly but I’m really excited to be working on EastEnders. It’s an amazing group of people and they are great to work with.”

Pippa, played by Roxanne Mckee. Former Hollyoaks actress Roxanne Mckee will feature in a few episodes as Pippa; the rich attractive sophisticated partner of Stevie’s ex. However, Stevie soon discovers that Pippa isn’t what she seems.

Viewers will also get the chance to see the Britain’s Got Talent dance act Flawless and Avant Garde will also make an appearance.