Masood’s first-class return
NITIN GANATRA TELLS US WHY THE TIME WAS RIGHT TO RETURN TO WALFORD…
As Albert Square’s former postman, Masood didn’t just deliver birthday cards and unwanted bills. He gave us bundles of warmth, heaps of humour – and occasionally a sneaky peek at his naughty side! So, when Eastenders bosses asked Nitin Ganatra to reprise the role just 12 months after he’d waved goodbye to Walford, it was a first-class move on their part – and a welcome treat for us viewers…
It’s lovely to see you again, Nitin! Was it a surprise to be asked back to Eastenders not long after leaving?
I’m usually aware of what’s going on around me and I can predict things, but when they asked me if I wanted to return it was so unexpected that it left me speechless. That’s not happened before!
When you left, did you think that you might go back one day?
I thought it was the end of a chapter for me, but not necessarily for Masood – he could have been recast as a much more handsome guy, as is sometimes the way in TV world! [laughs] But as far as I was concerned, it was the end of my time on the show and I was making new plans.
What was it that swung it for you to make a return, then?
The public reaction when I left was overwhelming. My Twitter feed went mad with a lot of love for Masood. So that, combined with the introduction of his extended family and working with
[Eastenders boss] John Yorke, were the main factors that helped me decide.
Remind us what Mas has been up to since he went away?
He’s travelled the world. I wanted him to be somebody who lives his dreams, broadens his horizons and makes his millions. He’s done most of that, but he’s broke! He pretends he’s doing really well, though, as we see him go on a series of adventures trying to get a job.
Masood’s new career path leads him to the Vic this week, as he persuades the Carters to take him on. But Mas is too ashamed to tell his Auntie Mariam and Uncle Arshad that he’s working at the local boozer – so he says the role is with an estate agent. The pair are so thrilled that they kit out Masood with a new suit, much to his horror as he’s forced to arrive at the pub looking very keen! And that’s before Mas finds out he’ll be washing up, rather than pulling pints…
Is Mas feeling sorry for himself?
It’s emotional, but there’s comedy as well. He’s not self-pitying, and Masood is more interesting when people are rooting for him trying to style it out. He has some fight in him, and people will get behind him even if he fails.
Is that why you enjoy playing him?
One of the best things about Masood is his relatability. Not every man can relate to Max Branning, and if they do, it’s a worrying world we live in! The majority of men can relate to Masood regardless of his religion and his colour, and that’s what is so beautiful about this.
How are you getting on with Indira Joshi and Madhav Sharma, who play Mariam and Arshad?
Great! They are seasoned professionals. The dynamic is good, and we’ve been finding little details as we go – like Mariam calling me Muno, as my own parents do at home when referring to someone as the baby of the family.
How have the show’s fans reacted since Masood has been back?
I work with young kids, and I went to an event at a school recently. When I stood up to talk, I told them I’d come straight from work at Albert Square because Masood is back – and everyone got on their feet screaming. There were 200 teenagers chanting ‘Masood’!