EastEnders’ Kat Moon actress Jessie Wallace starred in a historical film almost 20 years ago and fans are loving it.
Kat Moon has been a regular on EastEnders since 2000 (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders icon Jessie Wallace has been entertaining soap fans as Kat Moon since 2000 when she moved into Albert Square with the Slater family.
Since Kat’s arrival, she has been revealed as biological mother of his sister Zoe (Michelle Ryan)married local mobster Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and endured a turbulent relationship with her true love, Alfie (Shane Richie).
She also discovered that her own son, Luke Slater, did not die at birth and confessed to being the victim of sexual abuse by his uncle Harry (Michael Elphick) in a harrowing story.
It’s hard to imagine Jessie portraying everyone but the Queen Vic’s beloved landlady, Kat. But away from BBC soapshe starred in a period film that has been hailed by fans as a “masterpiece”.
First broadcast on BBC Four in May 2007, Miss Marie Lloyd is a biographical film exploring the life of the famous Edwardian music hall star.
The early Victorian era saw the rise of music halls in East London, which offered theatrical entertainment with music, dance and jokes. Marie Lloyd personified the comedy and energy of the halls, and quickly became a legend.
But away from the stage, Marie Lloyd’s musical fiction paled next to the facts of her own outrageous life.
The film, written by Martyn Hesford, features some of her most famous songs, including My Old Man Said Follow The Van and her theme song A Little Of What You Fancy Does You Good, painting a poignant portrait of public success and personal grief.
Marie scandalized respectable society with her rebellious attitude and with a string of love affairs, which were covered extensively by the tabloids.
In the film, Jessie sees a world away from her EastEnders role as Leopard Print Cat as she dons late 1800s fashions, including big ringed hair, grand dresses and even bigger hats.
The film also starred Richard Armitage as Percy Courtney, Annette Badland as Nelly Powers and Shaun Parkes as The Showman.
Taking to Instagram, Jessie recently shared photos from her time playing Miss Marie Lloyd alongside her former co-star Lee Andrews, who played Freddie in the film.
Fans of the soap star wasted no time praising Jessie for her role in the film, with one person writing: “Wonderful drama and you were brilliant playing Marie.”
Another said: “You were absolutely incredible and helped me fall in love with Miss Marie Lloyd. I watched it over and over again, thank you.”
A third read: “You were AMAZING,” while another added: “This was an absolute masterpiece and a masterclass in acting by the wonderful and talented Jessie Wallace.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
