That Gaby Roslin Podcast: Reasons To Be Joyful - Sophie Khan Levy

Episode Date: October 7, 2025

Gaby sits down with Eastenders star, Sophie Khan Levy, for a chat about all things joy! They chat about Gaby's favourite show (has she mentioned that she's never missed an episode!) and about what makes Sophie smile! (might it be the new ring on her finger?) Sophie actually likes watching Eastenders too (when she's not in the scenes). Remember you can watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel - as well as get our extra nuggets of joy (our Show n Tell episodes) every Friday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Can't leavey, at last, this has taken a year or something, hasn't it? I know, it has taken a year. I don't know why. Just busy people. Hold on. Well, I do know why. You're now in EastEnders and all of you guys work about a thousand hours a week. It is a thousand hours a week.

And just for me, because I've never missed an episode. I don't know if I've ever mentioned that. I've never missed an episode, even though I'm 33. I've never missed an episode of these tenders and I love it. I actually love it. I love watching it with a cup of tea and sitting there. Still? Yeah, I like watching it when I'm not in the...

Whenever a scene when I'm in it comes on, I'm like, oh, can I just relax, please? With my cup of tea, just watch it. Do you know what? Okay, here's the thing, which you're not going to like because you'll get all embarrassed. But when you're on, I'm like, bang, there. You came in with such a plumb and... And sort of here I am. There was no, I'll just come around the side.

And then you are just, and you're there, and you're such a key part of it. And brilliant actress as you are. I remember all creatures great and small on Channel 5, but also Shakespearean actress. But now, to me, I know maybe this is quite a sweeping statement, but the moment your storyline is very Shakespearean, yeah, the love and then the,

obviously the drugs are one side and you're getting back with your husband and then you're not I mean goodness Welcome to EastEnders But I've always thought, welcome to EastEnders But I actually, I said to a few people I was like this is very close

to Shakespearean rep Really, you're asked to do such massive emotions so immediately so quickly and the scripts just keep coming that I feel they're very similar You know, and you're asked to someone's dying, someone's this, someone's that, there's always a massive drama

that's at Shakespearean level and you're asked to deliver that as if you've just read your lines in the same way that people did with Shakespeare. So let's go back to... Let's start with Shakespeare. Let's start with EastEnders and then go back to all the other stuff that you've done

and your mum as well, a famous actress. But let's start with EastEnders. So did you get the call? I love to know how it all happened. happened? So I, well, it just came like an email, you know, and it says Sophie Connoevee, Priya, EastEnders. And then you go into it and you think, well, firstly, you think EastEnders. Oh my God. So did you think that? Well, yeah, I was like, oh my God, can't believe I've auditioned. Because also, whenever you tell anybody you're an actress, you know, you go, and they're like, why didn't

you come on EastEnders? You're like, it doesn't work like that. And then the audition came through and I read the script. And like, you say I, came in with like a massive force but when you read it on the page honestly she she was there the writers and whoever that you know everyone that had built that character had built something so strong i remember reading that script and i thought i can do this i know who she is because she was so vivid on the page and i i had all these plans on the weekend and it was quite a quick turn around i cancelled them all and i thought i need to i need to i need to to dress the part.

I need to... So I bought this whole PREA outfit. I got all her jewelry and everything. I did this whole makeup look. I felt my tape. Oh, that's amazing. And I spent ages on it making sure it was just perfect. And yeah, and then I sent it off.

And that was the start. So you sent it off? It wasn't a face-to-face. No, it wasn't a face-to-face to begin with. And then the face-to-face came after... I think it was the second round or something. And I thought, oh, there is a gap between me and Priya, and I don't want to give anyone any reason to think I can't do this,

because I can. Especially with these senders, these scripts come in so regularly that, you know, to be able to do something off the cuff. I just didn't want anyone to think she's not going to really be able to keep this up long term. So I went in fully as Priya, with the outfit, the brash, The security guard I was like Are you okay?

Like Priya Fantastic You know She's like here Whereas I'd be a bit more relaxed And sort of laid back

I just did the whole thing I love that Yeah That's great advice For another actor Who's listening to this And thinking I really want that part

So really immerse yourself Yeah Although when I got it I then felt like a fraud And so I There's an episode of friends where Ross puts on an accent. And then he has sort of slowly dial it back.

And I found myself just sort of in the green room being like, hello. Slowly coming back to Sophie. But, you know, you can only play something that's somewhere inside you. But she is a fantastic character. And we all, you know, it is that she's a love-hate character. And I absolutely, I mean, you and I have met in real life as well. And I told you then, I love her as a character.

And actually, the show needs characters like her. And I'm watching it at the moment with the storyline. And also, I mean, you know, with you and your daughter, I mean, there was some very powerful stuff. Your daughter, who's only 10 years younger than you in real life. I know. But she does it so amazingly. She's 25, isn't she?

Yeah, I think she's 25. Yeah, I just, it's incredible. I know. But, you know, there's something so youthful in her energy. And especially when we're together, I don't have kids myself yet. But I say you're like practicing. She's like my firstborn child. Really, when we're together, it just feels like there's something very motherly.

There's a great relationship. But also the two of you, will they, they won't they? Are they going to get back together? And he is such, we need a baddie. We do. And now the old baddie's gone. We need... God, he was good.

He was a good baddie. He was a really good. Walking through London with you and him, that was so funny. For a charity thing. We weren't just suddenly wandering around. Yeah, but we needed another badie and he's bad. I know. He's horrible.

Yeah. He really is. He really is. But I think it's always... No, no. The character. No. Neither of the actors.

They couldn't be the... nicer baddies. I mean, really. But maybe that makes you a good baddie somehow, is that you're a very, very nice person. But he's a really, I don't want him to win, but I don't want them,

I don't want him not to be in the show because when you get a really bad baddie, then they have to have their comeuppance. Don't tell me anything. No, I'm not going to tell. My lips are sealed. But tell me a little bit. A little bit.

A little bit. I think the thing that the fans, have always loved and I love about this will they won't they is there's always hope and I think that is the thing that keeps Priya going for sure and keeps the audience kind of in this love-hate situation with both of them that you know they do things I mean particularly him but they do things that are you know you think not the best decision no not the best decision and we don't want I don't want you to get wrapped up in the whole drugs thing No.

No, no, no, no one needs, no one needs pre-involved in the drugs thing. I mean, I think, yeah. It's so well. Listen, it's brilliantly written. It's brilliantly done. Congratulations now, I can say it, because you've just won two huge awards as a show. Best Continuing Soap, congratulations on that. And I think in the 40th year, you know, to a show that's going from strength to strength.

And I do talks at. book groups of young people. Yeah. And I'm talking 20 to 25 year olds. And this is absolutely true. Absolutely true. There were about 300 young people there of that age. And so at the end of it all, we were talking about my book.

But we were talking about life. And at the very end of it all, I said, can I just ask you, do you still watch TV? Because I'm quite intrigued. Yeah. And they all said, no, no, we watch through YouTube. Right. Is there anything that you watch?

And then they said, well, and then, and this is honestly true, I said, okay, there's a show that I watch always, I've never missed an episode. EastEnders, anyone watch it? I'd say 90% of them put their hands up. They all young people love EastEnders. That is so interesting, isn't it? It's a massive, massive, massive thing. I know lots of people watch it on TikTok. Yeah, but young people think and they get it and they understand it and it helps them.

Yeah. It really does. I think that was the best thing, that is the best thing about it, is that it's up to date and it's constantly changing. And so there's something for everyone. There's always a storyline that's going to speak to someone at some point. And you can just hit so many areas. That's why it's so comforting, I think.

I love it. Anyway, okay, let's leave that for a moment. Right, so for you, you grew up with a mum who was in, Bend it, like Beck. I know. And Bargy on the beach. Just your mum's wonderful. And she had her own, started up her own theatre company.

Yeah, she was part of Tara Arts. And then with Suda, she's doing to Marsha and stuff. And she's written things. She's done such a, such a scope. Her work is like vast and broad. But I think as a growing up around that, it was just in the little things. It was more about the everyday play.

essentially she was just very very good she's she is the most amazing improviser that is her skill she's like no one else that's what she does and so i think that's what she brought to our childhood everything was play a game you know she's so youthful in her spirit you know brushing our teeth it would be like we're going to the dentist or everything was with a fun kind of improvised game and i think it was more having that in my life that made performance and storytelling and sort of the craft side of it all appealing. So was it inevitable then?

I mean, I hate it when people... I mean, my dad was worked for the BBC, so people who was going, oh, was it inevitable then? And it doesn't mean that, but did you feel inside you that this was something you wanted to do? I think I was always drawn to performance. I...

initially I wanted to sing. Well, you do sing. Well, I do sing. But I wanted to be a singer. But then I, mum was sort of, she wanted me to get a degree. Because being in the business, and now I can completely understand why she said all of this. It was like, just have a plan B. It's so hard because it is very, very hard.

It's difficult. Freelance in anything is difficult. And then music A level was just like maths. So I was not capable of music A level. So I did theatre and performance and then I went to Warwick and studied it. So that was kind of the path into acting.

But, you know, obviously the door was wide open because it was an option. For lots of people, they have to dream it themselves. And you have the support of your parents as well. Yeah, although mum was like, please, no. Oh, really? That's interesting. Because it's so hard. Because it's precarious.

It's precarious. It is a bit of a psychological challenge to constantly put yourself up for approval and then rejection, that cycle of things, I think, as a parent, you know, I think that can be challenging. But now, how does she feel? I mean, you join the RSC and I was reading some, you know, when I was doing all my research on you, wow, what the RSC said about you and the reviews and everything and everything that you've done

on stage as well. Did your mum turn around and say, well done? Did she say, yeah, you made the right decision? Yeah, she's very, very, she's very proud. And she is. She, I mean, especially now whenever she goes to Marks and Spencers or something, she'll sort of try to bring it up that I'm at least 10. Oh, do you know, hover around the magazines, you know, the inside-stove magazine or something, hoping someone's going to ask.

You know, I think she's very, yeah, I think she is. So she goes up, your mum, the very famous actress, goes up to. random people in Marx and Spencer says, my daughter's in EastEnders. Oh, that is so lovely. And then they ask for Aaron's signature. So, you know. Do they?

They is, he is, the ladies do like them. The ladies, yeah. So she's had to send, just be like they don't want yours. They would just like you to get his, if you don't mind. Oh, no. I love the idea of your famous mom

hanging around Marx's base. So if I see him, suspenses. Just ask her. Ask her about you. Just ask her if she knows anything about East End. Because you watch it? Yeah, she does. Oh, that's so lovely. Okay, so then

let's talk about your music as well, because you've been in musicals and is music still something you want to do? Please say yes. I mean, yes always. Good. Because music is such an amazing part of life. I think for me, the challenge was always finding the right time and space and way to do it, although I know lots of people could just, they just get up and do it. But I kept thinking I need to go back

and do some lessons again. Why don't you do, why doesn't they need a singer in the Vick? No, but, oh, here's a good story. Oh. So they, ages ago, and you may recall the episode because you've never missed an episode. They said, a writer would like to use Priya for, for the talent show in Walford. Do you have any talents? And I said, well, I can sing. And then they said she's going to sing Barbie Girl. And I thought, well, she can't really, like,

there's no way of properly singing Barbie Girl. So I gave a sort of karaoke version of Barbie Girl. And then I thought, they don't know that I don't think that means that's singing. Like, they might think, and still to this day, actually, I've never had the conversation of like By the way, I didn't mean I can sing And then that's what I do

Like singing bad karaoke barbicale version No, maybe there needs to be something else Christmas Because obviously, no, so She sang in the choir in the first year Yeah, no, you were in the choir I was in the choir in the first year But Christmas, don't give anything away

Are you filming Christmas now? Soon? Soon. Okay. Soon. Oh, your face, no, please don't tell No, I'm not telling you. Do you know what? I do, for the one show, I have to go, I go on to set quite often and I do filming on set. I've seen you there as well. And then I know things and I don't like knowing things. But Christmas will be extraordinary, I'm sure. I think there's obviously the whole gun thing, which is horrific, is all going to. I feel that that's Christmas. I might be right. I might be wrong. You're not, don't tell me. But we need some singing. And I think that's what you should do.

Well, I'll take some lessons first. You don't need lessons, you can sing. I get nervous, I think. To sing? Yeah, I think so. Why? I imagine the things don't make you nervous. Oh.

Really? Yeah, I'm like a swan. Underneath. Oh, really? Okay. I quite like that. Yeah, yeah. So what makes you nervous?

Then singing now? Singing now. So here's a mic sing. No, don't know. Look at your face. Oh, no. No. What else makes you nervous?

Really weird things will make me nervous. Like anything, like filling in a form, getting voicemails, you know, random things like that are known numbers calling me. Yeah, no, that's horrible. Yeah, don't answer. Just don't answer. No, don't answer. And then if I see that red voicemail, that's, oh, that's so very scary.

That's so funny. So opposite to Priya. Yeah, yeah. So let's talk about theatre work as well. So, because you love stage, don't you? Yeah, I spent, up until COVID, actually, I was just doing stage work. And I was in like big, long, like at the RSC,

you do these very long contracts. So I was kind of on stage all the time. And I loved it. And if somebody was asking you then if you'd like to do TV and film, what would your answer have been then? I would definitely have said yes. I think for me I definitely wanted to do a mix.

But now asking you, would you go back to theatre? Not yet, because you can't leave these centres. Not yet. But I would. It's a very hard way of life, actually, because I realised after 10 years in the theatre, and especially COVID was actually interesting for this because you had so much space and time.

And I realised that the theatre had filled my time of that time of like building my family or building my life and I always had these lovely families to go into which was the show and then every evening and every weekend was taken care of I didn't need to make plans

because I couldn't because I was in a show and it was lively and it was full and it was rich and then when you took it away I realized you know oh that's interesting I need another show to create a social life

or a thing that's very interesting so now that I'm in television and I feel that Sophie has more of her personal life than when I was in doing stage work. Even though the hours and you don't, you only learn your hours on the Friday. Yeah, the Thursday before.

Thursday before. Yeah. And then, so you can't really make plans. No, you can't make plans, but your evenings and your weekends, when most other people are available, are the things that are free. Whereas in the theatre, your days are all.

You're always free. And your evenings and your weekends are what's busy and occupied. So I like that difference, actually. But I would not say no to going back to stage. But can you stay in these centres, please? Yes, I thought I've obviously. Don't leave. No, no.

Please never leave. No, no. No, I actually really mean you don't live. Because I absolutely love prayer. Whilst you've been talking to me, I've noticed something. You've got a big smile on your face, but you also have a ring on a certain finger. Are you engaged? I am engaged.

Oh, my word! Oh, congratulations. That's fantastic. Thank you. Oh, I know. But you've... That's all very quiet. Good for you for keeping it quiet, actually.

I think with private life, it's keep it private. Good. But, yeah, I'm very happy. I'm very lucky. Congratulations. Yeah. And, yeah. Oh, I want to ask everything, but...

Don't tell me anything. It's like EastEnders all over again. I know. Oh, my word. The big reveal. Okay, so, but you're getting married, I presume. Very soon. Oh, soon?

Yeah, very soon. Oh, that's so wonderful. And does he watch EastEnders? That's all I'm going to ask. There we go. I don't want to know it. It's your private life. Is he an East End?

He watches some of EastEnders. I will say that. Every time his fiancée's in it. You're going to be a Mrs soon. I know, I'm going to be a Mrs. Oh, so does that mean we might not see you on the show for a little while? It's not that long of a wedding. Oh, okay.

No, no, no. Oh, few. Okay. You're not disappearing to Australia for six months to get. Oh, good. Okay. Nothing of the sort. That is wonderful.

I won't ask anymore because you are very secretive about it. And also, it's nowhere in the press and it's not on your socials. It's not on your mum's socials either. Some of my mom's socials. She must be so. She's very excited. She's very excited. All the conversations are about outfits at this point, so we've got a lot of outfits.

And are you going to have any traditional stuff as well? Yeah, we're going to do a Hena Day the Day before. And then there's a lot of outfits. Oh, I'm lovely. Lots of outfits. It's going to be wonderful. It's going to be wonderful. Well, congratulations.

I'm so thrilled for you, but also congratulations on your win. Please tell Steve McFadden as well. At last. Congratulations. I will. I felt so lucky to be there. when he won. But also Aaron did a picture, didn't he,

that he made black and white, of Steve McFadden hearing that he won the awards. And if people haven't seen it, it's all over, all of your socials. And there's this moment. He's just got his eyes closed. And I spoke to Diane Parrish on my radio show at the weekend. And I just said,

that moment is so beautifully captured. It's unbelievable. And he doesn't play Phil Mitchell for the accolades. No. But actually, Phil Mitchell is a staple of, even people who don't watch these senders, who've never watched these senders, are completely aware who Phil Mitchell is.

And what he's done for so many people, what his character and all the stories and all of the emotions. Exactly. Yeah. Very powerful and very important. So please will you pass on my love and congratulations? I will. I absolutely will.

Yes. But mostly congratulations to you. Thank you.