Navin Chowdhry has signed up for EastEnders as Nish Panesar.
The actor will make his on-screen debut for the BBC One soap later this autumn, as he takes on the role of the patriarch of the Panesar family, Nish. Nish has just spent two decades in prison, but is desperate to reconnect with his family.
In scenes set to air later this year, charming and charismatic Nish returns to the Square after his incarceration, but hidden underneath his seemingly nice nature, he is cold and manipulative. He needs power and respect and he's determined to get his position back at the top of the family hierarchy and rekindle his marriage with Suki and his connection with the family.
But will they be willing to take him back - or will they see him exactly for who he really is? Either way, there is trouble ahead on the Square, not just for the Panesar's, but for the wider community too as he settles back into normal life.
On joining the soap, Navin said: "It’s been great – everyone has been lovely. My role at the moment has been focused around the Panesar family, but everyone has been extremely welcoming.
"I’ve never worked on a show like EastEnders, so it’s been a new experience for me; but I loved the storylines and I’ve got a keen interest in this family because there’s so much happening at all times!"
Of what fans can expect from his character joining the show, he added: "Nish is an interesting character – slightly unconventional, and with that brings drama, and mayhem. I think there’s a good man under there but turmoil follows these guys [the Panesar’s] around so I'm excited to join in and set off a few more explosions and fireworks."
Chris Clenshaw, the show's Executive Producer, added: "The spectre of Nish Panesar is finally here, and it’s been a pleasure welcoming Navin to the cast, and take to the role so effortlessly; he brings something to the character that none of us could’ve predicted. His dynamic on and off-screen, and we’re excited to see where his character develops as the story grows."
