EastEnders viewers have expressed their surprise after learning Sophie Khan Levy’s mum is also a soapstar.
The actress, 35, joined the BBC soap in 2023 as Priya Nandra-Hart, and has soon cemented herself as a real fan-favourite.
In recent weeks she’s been at the front and centre of the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations, as she began working for Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) to bring Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) down.
Cindy was adamant that her ex-husband had stolen her locket and whacked her over the head with a snow shovel on Christmas Day, and wanted to trace the jewellery to get some solid evidence.
She employed Priya to get close to Ian, in exchange for some cash, but their plan was soon rumbled.
Last night’s episode concluded with Cindy approaching the person holding the locket, before aiming a gun at them. We’re still in the dark about their identity!
Whilst she’s lighting up our screens on EastEnders, Sophie is no stranger to seeing soap fame first hand – as her mum Shaheen Khan is a former Casualty star.
Who did Sophie Khan Levy’s mum play in Casualty?
Shaheen Khan appeared throughout the third series of Casualty as Kiran Johill.
These episodes originally aired between September and November 1988.
Student Nurse Kiran faced a tough time in the ED, as she and Alison McGrellis (Julie Graham) discovered their flat had been broken into.
Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) scorned them for turning up late for their shift, but soon offered a helping hand.
Later in the series, she became concerned that her strict Asian parents wouldn’t agree to the girls moving into Cyril James’ (Eddie Nestor) home.
What has Sophie said about her mum’s soap fame?
Last year, Sophie paid tribute to her mum in a sweet social media post.
Taking to Instagram, she shared snaps of Shaheen’s Casualty cast card, and her EastEnders equivelant.
She captioned the post: ‘Happy Mothers Day @shaheen_khandem
‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, sorry for the side eyes, thank you for keeping me in check, making you have coffee when you’d rather a cup of tea, the dynasty starts with you, sunglasses and selfies, that face, the look of love.’
Fans flocked to the comments to express their surprise, with one writing: ‘No way she’s your mum wow.’
‘Oh my gosh!! I had NO idea this was your Mum!’ said another.
‘I spotted her in Three Body Problem earlier this year and instantly recognised her from 20 odd years ago in Bend It Like Beckham… she’s barely aged!!
‘I bet she’s the proudest Mum on the block with you in @bbceastenders , and so she should be! I’m afraid I’m one of those that has never missed an episode (yep, honestly! Not one!!) and you have slotted in perfectly, & are giving us one of the best comedically villainous characters we’ve had for years!
‘Please do stay with the soap for as long as possible.’
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here’s what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
Which other shows has Shaheen Khan appeared in?
Shaheen’s first role was as Rehana in TV film Love Match in 1986.
She has a string of soap parts to her name, also starring in London’s Burning, Grange Hill, Doctors and Casualty spin-off Holby City, though not as Kiran.
Surprisingly, she also returned to Casualty in 2014, as Elena Kalpar, and as three separate characters in The Bill.
Her most famous role was as Mrs. Bhamra in 2002 smash hit Bend It Like Beckham alongside Keira Knightley.
Last year, she starred in ITV’s pandemic set drama Maternal alongside Casualty co-star Julie Graham.
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