Rakhee Thakrar is one of the stars in new BBC drama Rules of The Game, which concludes tonight with its fourth episode, where she plays Maya Benshaw.
Maya, 37, is a rising star in British TV, having also bagged a number of huge roles including one of the biggest Netflix series of the last few years.
There will be many viewers watching on BBC tonight though who feel like they’ve seen her before though, and that’s because Rakhee spent a two year stint on none other than EastEnders earlier in her career.
READ MORE: BBC: Outnumbered child star looks completely unrecognisable 15 years after sitcom role
Rakhee had been on and off TV for years with small roles in Doctors, DCI Banks, and even Peep Show, when in 2014 she got her big break on Albert Square.
Playing the regular role of Shabnam Masood, Rakhee featured in 167 episodes over two years in Walford, as well as some big storylines.
Rakhee as Shabnam Masood on EastEnders
(Image: BBC)
Among the most memorable was the revelation that Shabnam had a secret daughter, Jade Green (Amaya Edwards) whose father was Dean Wicks, played by Matt Di Angelo.
Another tragic storyline saw Shabnam deliver a stillborn son named Zaair, the episode for which was nominated for ‘best single episode’ at the 2016 Soap Awards.
Speaking about the handling of the sensitive scene to DigitalSpy Rakhee said: “It is an experience that profoundly changes a person’s life forever, and we feel a heavy responsibility to tell the truth of this.
“Our hope is that we can encourage people to talk about their experiences and their babies that have died.”
Shabnam left Albert Square with Jade in 2016 after her husband Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) had a baby through an affair with Shabnam’s friend Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner).
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Since leaving EastEnders, a move which was her own choice, Rakhee has appeared in a number of big name shows including Netflix smash hit Sex Education, where she plays friendly teacher Emily Sands.
She’s also appeared in the American TV remake of Four Weddings and a Funeral, as well as BBC drama The Girl Before.
Most excitingly though she has an upcoming role in the brand new Wonka film, starring Timothee Chalamet.
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