EastEnders legend returns to Albert Square with familiar face and has began filming
Laila Morse, who played Big Mo in EastEnders between 2000 and 2021, is set to make a dramatic return to Albert Square alongside her on-screen great-grandson Freddie Slater
EastEnders fans will no doubt be buoyed by the news a familiar face is to make a dramatic return to Albert Square.
Laila Morse, who first arrived in Walford as Big Mo Slater in 2000 has already began filming her comeback scenes, which will air in the spring. The 78-year old actress last appeared in the BBC soap in 2022 as she attended her on screen granddaughter Kat Slater’s wedding.
Famed for her one-liners and dodgy dealings, Big Mo was never far from drama in her collective 19 years on the show – most notably her feud with Pat Butcher and faking Kat’s death in a money-making scam. The character also helped deliver a young Sonia Jackson’s baby on Dot Cotton’s settee shortly after her arrival on the programme.
Mo’s departure as a full time cast member came in 2021 as she embarked on a cruise with her on-off love interest and later fiancé and business associate, Fat Elvis.
EastEnders bosses have revealed that prior to Laila’s re-emergence, an exclusive first-look at Mo and Freddie’s decision to return home will premiere on the EastEnders TikTok channel in a special limited series. The spin-off will show the pair in Mo’s caravan, where she has been living since her cruise.
Discussing the prospect her return, Laila said: “I’m delighted to be coming home to Walford to bring Mo back to life. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to be reunited with my on screen family, who are like my family, as well as old and new faces.”
Executive Producer, Chris Clenshaw added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back Laila Morse to the role of Mo Harris. Although her time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Slater family has endured a huge amount of drama since she last appeared on screen and Mo’s return will be no different.
“We’re delighted to welcome Laila back permanently as she is thrust into the heart of the drama alongside great-grandson Freddie [played by Bobby Brazier].”
Another star set to make a return, meanwhile, is Letitia Dean – whose character Sharon Watts has not been seen since January when she fled with her son, Albie. Her shock exit came amid the huge Christmas storyline that saw her fiancé Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) get murdered.
Pulling along a suitcase, she told her son they were heading off to the airport. Stacey Slater was later shocked to find out from Zack Hudson that Sharon had gone away to Australia for a while to visit her friend Michelle Fowler.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
