‘Whitney’s a survivor - she’s very close to my heart’
EastEnders’ Shona McGarty talks to Tony Cowell about playing Whitney Dean since she was a teen, her battles with anxiety and her secret ambition…
Shona McGarty joined the cast of EastEnders as a teenager, playing the role of troubled Whitney Dean. Here, the star talks about how she copes with feisty Whitney’s often dramatic storylines, her joy at being nominated for Best Serial Drama Performance at this year’s National Television Awards, and how she still struggles with anxiety. Shona, 29, currently single, lives with her two beloved pooches, Coco and Cene.
Shona, you joined EastEnders as a teenager in 2008. Do you remember you first day on-set?
I do, yes. I remember trying on Whitney’s costume and loving it, putting on her big hoop earrings. But the shoes they gave me didn’t fit. Adam Woodyatt, who played Ian Beale, came over and helped me get the right size. I was totally starstruck. On that first day, I was petrified – suddenly I had to work with all these people I had grown up watching on telly!
How did you cope with all the sudden attention – people stopping you on the street for photos?
It took me quite a while to get used to that because it all happened literally overnight. In the early days, I would be out shopping with my mum and I would say to her, ‘That girl keeps staring at me and I don’t know why.’ And Mum would be like, ‘Shona, she recognises you from the show!’ People were really nice, though, and said such kind things.
EastEnders fans were very excited when they heard you singing for the first time recently!
I know! I honestly didn’t expect that reaction, it came as a complete surprise. There is going to be a bit more singing coming up – as Brian Conley will be doing a song with me a bit later this month. So that should be fun. I’m not a trained singer, I just grew up listening to my mum’s Motown records. I just love to sing.
What do you love about playing Whitney?
She has been on such a journey, right from the time she was abused by her stepfather – so that formed everything, as far as her
storylines went, going forward. I love playing Whitney because she is a survivor, and she is very close to my heart. I feel very lucky that I still get so many strong storylines. When I joined EastEnders, I thought I would only be there for a couple of episodes. How did you feel to be nominated at the NTAs this year?
It’s kind of like a really nice pat on the back, isn’t it? It’s a form of recognition as an actor. Of course, we all want to win, but just to get that nomination meant the world to me. You’ve been very open about your struggles with anxiety. How did you cope during the lockdowns?
I never really get the opportunity to talk about anxiety. It has cropped up every now and then for me. I didn’t realise how common it was. Lockdown was strange for everyone. My parents came over and formed a bubble with me. We played cards, and listened to country music. It was nice. It was difficult during lockdown not to be working, I think everyone struggled. I know I had moments of feeling unsure. Not knowing what’s happening to the world. Mental health is so important to talk about. I’m not ashamed to say I do suffer with anxiety, but I recognise it for what it is now, and have ways to cope. I don’t let it control my life or stop me from doing what I want to do. Your dogs Coco and Cece are adorable – who looks after them when you’re filming?
My mum. She comes round and takes them out for walks for me every day. I’m very lucky. My dogs mean the world to me – I love them to bits. They are my fur babies! If you weren’t on EastEnders, what would your alternative dream job be?
Well, I love to sing, and it gives me such a different buzz from acting. I get nervous before
I go onstage, but once I have done one song, I can’t wait to do another. So, I think I would try and go into the music business. Apart from that, my other ambition is to do a period drama on television – that’s another big dream of mine…