No Plans to Return — and Here’s Why
1. “Once you’ve done a soap, you’ve done a soap”
Lorraine has said repeatedly that she doesn’t intend to appear in another soap. In an interview she stated clearly:
“At the moment I wouldn’t go back… once you’ve done a soap, you’ve done a soap.”
This reflects her desire to move on creatively and not be drawn back into long fixtures of soap drama The Sun+15The Sun+15The Sun+15Digital Spy.
2. Focused on New Acting and Stage Work
She has transitioned into new roles outside EastEnders. Recently, she starred in the British film Departures, and also took part in pantomime (playing Queen Rat in Dick Whittington) in her hometown of Portsmouth Digital Spy+6Digital Spy+6Digital Spy+6. She expressed enthusiasm about theatre and longed-for stage roles, particularly at the National Theatre.
3. Timing and Personal Priorities
Now a busy mother to her daughter Nancy, Lorraine shared that she values the flexibility her exit brought:
“I’m a busy mum at the moment… I didn’t plan on doing anymore soaps.” She explained how she’s rediscovered her passion and prioritized family time above long-term soap commitments The Scottish Sun+2uk.style.yahoo.com+2Wikipedia+2The Sun+1The Sun+1.
4. Acting Struggles Since Departure
She’s been frank about the difficulty of auditioning post-EastEnders. Describing self-taped auditions as “soul-destroying,” Lorraine continues persevering but hasn’t yet landed a role to anchor her next step. Still, she remains optimistic and proactive with her craft Filmspoilers+15The Sun+15The Sun+15.
✅ Summary Table
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Soap exit is permanent (for now) | She believes she’s done her time in soaps and wants to explore other creative avenues. |
| New career direction | Working in film and theatre—departing from the long-run format of EastEnders. |
| Family commitment | As a busy mum, she wants flexibility and time with family, which long-running soaps don’t allow. |
| Industry challenges post-soap | Auditions are tough and feedback has been mixed—but she’s continuing to push forward. |
Final Note
Lorraine Stanley has spoken candidly: she does not plan to return to EastEnders soon, preferring instead to pursue stage work, film roles, and importantly, time with family. She remains grateful for her time on the soap but is clear about her intention to explore new directions—at least for now.
