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Having left Eastenders in dramatic style earlier this year, Shaheen gives us the lowdown on his current role as marty in Casualty…
How are you enjoying being on Casualty? it’s brilliant – i’m really grateful for the opportunity. i’ve come from Eastenders, where i was playing someone who is the polar opposite to marty, so it’s refreshing and really fun to do.
Is it fun to play someone so different from walford teenager Shakil? it’s been nice to do things in a different way and express myself as an actor with a completely different mindset. that was the most exciting part for me about the character and why i couldn’t wait to get in and do it. How are you getting on with the jargon? i can’t pronounce some of the words for the life of me. luckily, there’s a medical advisor on set to coach you through it.
are you still in touch with some of the Eastenders cast? i was lucky that bonnie langford played my mum and we became such great friends. she and tilly keeper, who plays louise, are two of my best friends in the world. ironically i see them more now than when we worked together.
are your friends and family excited? like me, my family are really happy. i’m so grateful to say i’ve been part of two such big shows in such a small amount of time. i’m really, really lucky.
✱ Casualty is on BBC1