Former EastEnders star Danielle Harold shares future plans

Former EastEnders star Danielle Harold has opened up about her future plans after leaving the BBC soap earlier this year.

The actress played Lola Pearce-Brown in the show between 2011 and 2015, before returning in 2019 for a second stint. She left her role for good this summer, after Lola passed away from a brain tumour in an emotional storyline, which has won the actress several awards for her performance.

After picking up the prize for Serial Drama Performance at the 2023 National Television Awards last week, Harold told The Mirror that she has already been busy auditioning for new roles after her EastEnders exit.

danielle harold, ntas 2023
Jeff Spicer - Getty Images

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"I would love to do a series with a beginning, middle and an end to the story," she said. "Because with EastEnders as a soap, you're constantly thinking... so it'd be lovely to do something with a beginning, middle and an end."

She added: "Straight back into auditioning, so I can't wait to see what's next."

The star, who also won the Best Leading Performer award at the 2023 British Soap Awards, also spoke about whether she'd consider taking part in a reality TV series.

"I don't know really," she said. "That's what's exciting about leaving a soap when you've been in it for such a long time. It's like the world changes, the industry changes so much - I'm really excited to see what's next."

lola pearce, eastenders
BBC

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While at the National Television Awards, Harold also spoke to Digital Spy and other press about how her hard-hitting exit storyline will always stay with her.

"Personally I don't think you really disconnect from something like this," she said.

"When you work so closely with people that are suffering from brain tumours, family that have been affected by brain tumours... You just feel such a connection."

Following her exit, Lola has since been seen on screen again in recent scenes as her daughter, Lexi, watched a sweet video that Lola had recorded for her ahead of Lexi starting at secondary school.

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.


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