The look of love? (Picture: BBC)
This is the moment that Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) meets future love interest and ‘socially awkward’ Reiss Colwell, the great-nephew of Dot Cotton (June Brown).
EastEnders has cast Silent Witness actor Jonny Freeman in the role, with it being all but confirmed that the pair will get close.
Reiss is Dot’s great-nephew but his grandfather was Gerry, Dot’s half-brother – who had the same mum.
Though the Colwell clan only saw each other occasionally, Reiss has always wished he was closer to his extended family.
The actor shared: ‘I am delighted to be joining the cast of EastEnders, especially as part of the iconic Dot Branning’s extended family.
‘Everybody has been so welcoming and I’m very lucky to have been working so closely with the lovely Natalie Cassidy who is not only a fantastic actress but a delightful person; she has very kindly helped me navigate my first few weeks.
‘I hope I can do Reiss justice. He is kind but socially awkward and seeing how he manages, or doesn’t manage, his early exchanges with Sonia and her nearest and dearest has been quite interesting!
Reiss and Sonia share a moment on a sombre day (Picture: BBC)
‘I’m looking forward to seeing how both audiences and the residents of Walford respond to him.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, added: ‘Reiss Colwell is a somewhat studious, humble and dependable kind of guy and, like his great-aunt Dot, is incredibly kind hearted.
‘Jonny is a wonderful addition to the EastEnders cast; it’s a joy to see him transform into Reiss when he puts on Reiss’ reading glasses and cardigan.
‘And we’re all excited for Sonia to have a new squeeze in the Square – it’s been a while!’
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Sonia is heading up the funeral for Dot, having put in the arrangements and preparing to give a moving eulogy to her.
Natalie Cassidy described the episode as a ‘moment in television history.’
‘I think she’d [June Brown] be absolutely thrilled by it’, she told us recently.
‘Absolutely bowled over. She was such a modest lady at times, and she didn’t ever want any fuss. She wanted truth. All June was ever interested in was truth. Watching it, and that was the first time I watched it, I think that was truthful.
‘I see it as something that you have to sit down and watch. I think everyone should sit with a small glass of sherry. It’s an occasion, we miss occasions and, in these times, I don’t think we can have many occasions.
‘I think this is absolutely needed for June’s send-off, Dot’s send-off, to sit down with your family and say: “This is a piece of television that’s very, very special”’.
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Dot’s great nephew makes an impression as they grieve together.
