EastEnders star Tameka Empson to take break from soap for new role
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EastEnders spoilers follow.
Tameka Empson will be taking a break from EastEnders. The actress, who has played Kim Fox on-and-off since 2009, will be stepping away from Albert Square temporarily to star in the Theatre Royal Stratford East's production of The Big Life.
Empson co-wrote the musical and will be starring as Mrs Aphrodite in a special production celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Big Life's premiere on the Stratford East stage.
The Big Life blends elements of Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost with modern stories inspired by the Windrush generation of migrants from the Caribbean.
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This version of the musical will also feature Top Boy's Juliet Agnes, Olivier Award-nominated stage star Gabrielle Brooks and Hamilton's Khalid Daley, among many others.
The production will be running from Friday, February 16, 2024 through Saturday, March 30, 2024 in a limited run.
A spokesperson for EastEnders has confirmed to The Sun that Empson will be back on set once she completes work on the musical: "Tameka is taking a short break and will be returning."
The actress' most recent stint on EastEnders started in 2020, and she has been involved in an issue-based storyline throughout much of this year.
Related: EastEnders to bring back Johnny Carter as role is recast again
Kim started suffering from panic attacks following a car accident that left young Denzel Danes hospitalised. She was subsequently charged with dangerous driving and briefly imprisoned.
Kim initially tried to hide her mental health struggles from her friends and family, but finally agreed to seek professional help over the summer to cope with PTSD and anxiety.
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, organisations who can offer support include the NHS, Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393. Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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