EastEnders icon Shona McGarty’s next big role has been revealed – and she’s following in the footsteps of her former co-stars.
Shona, 32, has played Whitney Dean in the BBC soap since 2008, but will soon be taking to the stage in 2:22: A Ghost Story following her exit.
The supernatural production, which follows four friends having a dinner party in a haunted house, has regular cast changes – with a number of soap stars appearing over the years.
EastEnders actors Jake Wood, Louisa Lytton, Joe Absolom and Ricky Champ have all appeared in the production during various West End stints and a UK tour.
Shona will appear in a limited run of the play when it arrives in Dublin from 21st June, alongside TV presenter Laura Whitmore and The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness.
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The show’s social media announced the news on Instagram earlier today (30th April): ‘MEET YOUR DUBLIN CAST – Shona McGarty, Jay McGuiness, Colin O’Donoghue and Lara Whitmore will be taking 2:22: A Ghost Story to Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre this Summer, 21 June – 11 Aug. For a strictly limited run. Do you dare to join us?’
Shona’s exit storyline is currently playing out, with Whitney embroiled in a huge scandal that has seen her pay a sum of money to an abusive mother in exchange for her neglected daughter.
She’s also been keeping the ordeal a secret from her boyfriend Zack Hudson (James Farrar), who is worried she’s putting the girl’s needs before her pregnancy.
In a further twist, he’s embarked on a steamy affair with Whit’s best pal Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), which was exposed in a heated argument with her adoptive mum Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) in last night’s episode.
Talk about messy!
In an interview with The Sun, she has confessed the reason for her departure is to take on other roles before she is ‘too old’.
‘It was a really difficult decision, because it’s all I’ve ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I’m leaving home’ she began.
‘But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older.
‘There are other opportunities and areas of the industry I want to explore before I get too old! All things come to an end and this is the new chapter of my life.
‘So although it was a big decision, once I’d made it, I was quite resolute that this was something I had to do. I mean, 16 years is amazing. I’ve had a really good run and Whitney needs a break.’
