ONE of EastEnders’ best-loved actresses has returned to TV, but it won’t be what fans expect.
Anita Dobson has fully transformed for a new role as a zombie killer in Channel 4’s Generation Z, to the point that many fans won’t recognise her.
With the Z standing for zombie her ‘killer’ new look is a departure for the 75-year-old soap star.
Anita is best known from her tenure on EastEnders, where she played Angie Watts for three years from the show’s inception in 1985.
Known for her big hair and even bigger personality, she captured the nation’s attention appearing as the alcoholic life and soul of any Albert Square party.
Now the pub tables have truly turned and her latest zombie makeover has shocked fans.
The new six-part miniseries is set to premiere on Channel 4 on Sunday October 27 at 9pm.
The satirical show takes a swipe at the current state of post-Brexit Britain.
The show leads to an apocalypse as an army convoy, carrying a toxic substance, overturns outside a care home.
The ensuing chemical leak turns OAPs into flesh-eating Zombies that attack younger people from the town.
The dark comic series was filmed in Wales in the Autumn of 2023 and stars Anita as Nan Janine alongside another TV favourite Sue Johnston.
Also unrecognisable from her role in hit shows including The Royle Family and Brookside, Sue, 80, is also an OAP zombie in the scary new series.
Sue will play the leading part of Cecily alongside co-star, Paul Bentall as Frank, famed for his role in The World’s End.
The series will follow flesh-eating couple Cecily and Frank as they develop a rich taste for teenagers in the blood-curdling horror-comedy.
The two queens of the TV soap scene make for a killer cast that has been eerily transformed.
Speaking about the brand new series, Rebecca Holdsworth, the commissioning editor at Channel 4, said: “Generation Z promises to have all of the unique visual flair and mischievous spirit that characterises Ben’s film work.”
“It is in turn wickedly funny, deftly political, and delivers on the kind of eye-popping shocks and thrills that mean this is shaping up to be a zombie drama like no other.”
Best horror films to watch this Halloween
Halloween is the perfect time for horror movie to fans to indulge in all the scares, shocks and thrills.
Whether old favourites or a new chilling tale, here are some top picks to watch this Halloween.
- Alien (1979)
- The Shining (1980)
- Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- Scream (1996)
- Poltergeist (1982)
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Hereditary (2018)
Over her 40-year-career Anita has appeared in Red Dwarf and Casualty, as well as musicals including Wicked and Annie.
In 1986 she reached number four in the UK Singles Chart with “Anyone Can Fall in Love”, a song based on the theme music of EastEnders.
Her husband, Brian May was a founding member of rock band Queen.