The Panesars’ mum Suki arrives
WALFORD NEWCOMER BALVINDER SOPAL LIFTS THE LID ON SUKI PANESAR – THE SQUARE’S FIERCE NEW MATRIARCH…
So far, we like what we’ve seen of Walford’s Panesar family. The three boys are edgy, but with good hearts – and Ash has the caring traits that we’d want in a friend. However, how will we feel about mum, Suki? With the newcomer described as an “overbearing matriarch” by Walford bosses, actress Balvinder Sopal has big shoes to fill if we think of the iron ladies who’ve ruled the Square in the past. However, that shouldn’t be too tricky for the star, who has been an avid viewer of Eastenders since day one – and knows her stuff…
Welcome, Balvinder! Is it true that you were a huge fan of the Square before joining the cast?
Thank you! And yes, when I was growing up, Eastenders used to be household viewing on a Sunday! My brother was an avid follower, so we’d do our chores, while mum and dad were cooking the roast dinner, and it would be on the telly. Back then it was all about Lofty [Holloway], Angie and Den [Watts], Sue and Ali [Osman] – and the Fowlers, of course!
Meeting original cast members Letitia Dean and Adam Woodyatt, who play Sharon and Ian, must have felt pretty surreal?
It was! There was a moment on the Square where I had to stop and say, “Can I just have a minute to take all of this in, please?” When you’ve grown up watching these people, and then all of a sudden Tish is chatting to you having a normal conversation it’s like, “Oh my God, I’m talking to
Sharon, this is madness!”
Tell us a bit about your character…
She is a little minx! Suki tells it like it is – and you either love people like that, or you hate them…
Are the two of you similar?
Well, I’m like her in some ways and not in others. If something needs to be said, I will say it – but there is a way to say it, right? [Laughs] So that’s the difference, plus Suki is a manipulative and very calculating character. She has secrets…
What can you tell us about Suki’s relationship with her children?
It’s quite clear that she has a very good relationship with Kheerat, Jags and Vinny, but that things are strained with Ash. They are both very strong-minded, and Suki thinks that she knows what is best for Ash, but Ash doesn’t want that!
How does Suki get what she wants?
She’s the sort of person who puts an idea into your head and lets the seed grow, as if you came up with it. She’ll have moments where she can be manipulative, and others where she can be tender – but is that genuine love? Or the controlling side to her coming out? I like Suki, yet I do question myself on that sometimes – it doesn’t help when I find myself looking through her wardrobe and thinking, ‘But I love her shoes’!
What did you think when you found out what Suki’s big secret is?
Shocked and excited! It’s a gift as an actor playing someone with so many secrets. Some of them are just ‘Oh, my God!’
I’m looking forward to seeing them revealed, and the reaction from Suki’s family, neighbours – and the viewers!
How do you get on with the Panesar actors when the cameras stop rolling?
It’s great – they are all wonderful, really talented and we laugh all day. I know Jaz [Deol, who plays Kheerat] as we worked together years ago, but I never thought I would end up playing his mum!
The Panesars are the first Sikh family to be properly represented in a British soap. Was that an exciting prospect when you won the role?
Yes, I’ve always pushed for Asian women to have a powerful voice. When I found out she was a Sikh, that was great too, as I’ve never played a Sikh character and I’m Sikh myself. Culturally what we’re playing is similar with some of the stuff that I’ve grown up with – like Punjabi, and the food. To see it every day on a show like Eastenders – I don’t think we’ve had that before in a soap, from a Sikh family anyway.
Are you braced for the attention you’ll receive from viewers?
It hasn’t sunk in! I do a lot of theatre and radio, and while people come up to me, it’s so f leeting. But come back to me in six weeks, and I’ll let you know. I might have to buy a hat!
Suki is a manipulative and calculating character…