Viewers of Eastenders will spot a new face when the BBC soap returns as a mural of a black woman has been painted on Ian Beale’s house opposite the Queen Victoria pub, adding a permanent backdrop to story lines.
Nottingham-born artist Dreph – real name Neequaye Dsane – called having his work on the wall a “really great opportunity”.
Dreph is best known for his large-scale murals and oil paintings, which are often a tribute to living unsung heroes and heroines.
Of the new mural on the set of Eastenders, he said he was pleased the show “has found a way to reflect modern-day UK in a time when so many of us are finding ways to voice anti-racism.”
An Eastenders spokesperson said the mural had been inspired by a real person, but aren’t going to be disclosing her identity. Executive producer Jon Sen said: “It was a timely addition[…]that reflects events taking place in the real world.”
The mural, which measure 5×2 metres in size, was painted over several days before the cast returned to work after filming was cancelled due to coronavirus.
Eastenders is expected to return to our screen on BBC One in Autumn.