Former EastEnders actress Lorraine Stanley has been spotted undergoing a remarkable physical transformation as she films her first major television role since leaving the BBC soap.
A New Role in Essex's Underbelly
The 49-year-old star, best known for playing Karen Taylor for six years, is diving into the gritty new Brit flick series Cash In Hand. The drama, according to Director Thomas Davis, will explore the secretive world of Essex grafters, focusing on cash jobs, dodgy site managers, and everyday hustle.
Insiders report that Stanley is fully embracing her new character, described as dripping with street smarts and attitude. This role marks a significant departure from her time in Walford, where she became a fan favourite for her portrayal of the loud-but-loveable matriarch.
The Personal Journey Behind the Transformation
Stanley's on-screen makeover is complemented by significant real-life changes. The actress has undergone a five-stone weight loss since her departure from EastEnders in 2023. She has been open about achieving this through a gastric sleeve operation, which she described as the best thing I’ve ever done.
In August, she revealed she now weighs 8st, stating, If you look at my little wrists and ankles, this is the weight I should have been. The mum-of-one has also embraced sobriety, recently celebrating five months without alcohol and confirming she can still have a good time while sober.
Life After Albert Square
Lorraine Stanley left EastEnders in December 2023 after a dramatic fake kidnap plot involving her on-screen son, Keanu Taylor. She made brief returns in 2024 for Keanu's funeral but has stated she is unlikely to return to the soap full-time.
Once you’ve done a soap, you’ve done a soap, she told The Sun last year. At the moment I wouldn't go back, I'm happy doing what I'm doing.
Her new project, Cash In Hand, promises to showcase a different side of her acting abilities, placing her right in the middle of the chaos and loyalty that defines the world of Essex hustlers. With her dramatic physical transformation and newfound sobriety, Stanley is proving she has far more to offer beyond the boundaries of Albert Square.
