Petra Letang: 'Viewers didn't take to my character in EastEnders, but I hope they do in Holby'

By
( )
published

Former EastEnders star Petra Letang has admitted she was worried about getting typecast joining hospital drama Holby City.

Petra played nurse Naomi Julien, who became Sonia Fowler's lover, in the BBC soap between 2005 and 2007. She has now taken on another medical role as healthcare assistant Adele Effanga in Holby.

Petra told Inside Soap: "I did worry about being typecast, and I know the public didn't take too well to my character [in EastEnders].

"But I hope viewers will like Adele, because she tells it like it is. You can't help but love her."

Adele is the younger sister of established character, surgeon Mo Effanga, played by Chizzy Akudolu.

Petra, who is about to make her screen debut in Holby City revealed: "Mo and Adele are both feisty and very quick with their mouths. Initially Mo isn't even aware Adele is there - they bump into each other in the corridor.

"Mo assures Adele that she won't last because this is a serious job and Adele isn't a serious girl."

 

Patrick McLennan
Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.