Nina Wadia heads new family in EastEnders

Actress Nina Wadia, best known for her part in BBC’s ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ show, will be joining EastEnders this summer.

The 38 year-old will play the character of Zainab Masood, who will form a two-member Muslim family on the popular soap.

Nina will play a strong-willed woman in her early 40s who owns a string of post offices including the Walford branch.

A source told the Sunday Mirror yesterday: “The Masoods are going to put noses out of joint. Zainab is Walford’s answer to Sir Alan Sugar she’s not there to make friends. Shabnam will put the cat among the pigeons too.”

“Her direct manner can be hugely intimidating and sparks will fly with Denise [Wicks]. Underneath her fierce manner, however, Zainab is great fun and has a wicked sense of humour.”

As well as Nina arriving on the Square, Zahra Ahmadi will be launching her EastEnders career, playing the daughter of Zainab by the name of Shabnam.

Nina, who played a nurse in the show in 1994, said: ” I’m thrilled. I can’t wait for Zainab to cause some trouble.”

Nina made her Bollywood debut opposite Rishi Kapoor earlier this year with the box office hit ‘Namaste London’.