EastEnders’ latest rising star Aaliyah James first graced Albert Square as Avani Nandra-Hart in 2023 and this week sees her at the heart of a gripping new storyline.
Originally Introduced as the secret teen daughter of Ravi Gulati (portrayed by Aaron Thiara), Avani finds herself in hot water with the law this week.
The drama unfolds as Avani skips school alongside Amy Mitchell (portrayed by Ellie Dadd) and Lily Slater (played by Lillia Turner), leading to an unexpected encounter with the shifty Marvin, who’s carrying drugs.
When the police close in, they stumble upon Marvin’s dropped bag of pills, prompting them to bring the teenagers in for questioning.
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Jack Branning (portrayed by Scott Maslen) and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) each rush to the station to retrieve their kids; however, no one responds to the call about Avani, reports Plymouth Live.
Tensions escalate as the police announce that Avani needs to undergo a strip search to confirm she’s not hiding any more illegal substances.
Avani’s family grows increasingly worried when her facade begins to crack, and rather than going back to her father Ravi’s (Aaron Thiara) home, she chooses solitude in the playground with a bottle of vodka in hand.
Later, panic ensues as her parents realise she’s nowhere to be found, only to be confronted with the alarming scene of her passed out in the playground.
Off-screen, actress Aaliyah is actually 24 years old, a fact she’s playfully acknowledged concerning the discrepancy with her on-screen age. Celebrating her birthday on social media, she quipped on Instagram: “Guys… I’m now 15.. I mean 24 years old.”
Landing a role on EastEnders marks Aaliyah’s first significant foray into acting. Her previous screen experience includes a part as a train passenger in the 2022 BBC One crime drama Inside Man, where she appeared alongside stars such as David Tennant, Dolly Wells, and Stanley Tucci.
Upon joining the iconic soap, Aaliyah expressed her gratitude, saying: “To be given this opportunity as my official debut to screen is a true blessing.”
She also shared her appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere on set, adding: “I have found home in the supportiveness of the cast and crew and I’m very thankful to feel a part of the EastEnders family already.”
Aaliyah is eager to explore her character Avani’s journey in Walford and is looking forward to what lies ahead, stating: “I can’t wait to bring Avani to life and to walk her path in Walford, and I’m excited to see what the universe has planned for my own future.”
