"A lot has changed during Ash’s time away."
Sakira Vel will soon be making her debut on the BBC’s EastEnders.
The actress plays Ashneet ‘Ash’ Panesar – a character that was originally portrayed by Gurlaine Kaur Garcha.
Since her introduction in 2019, Ash has been feisty, rebellious, and never afraid to be who she is.
These traits caused her to have a troubled relationship with her mother Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal).
Suki and Ash shared friction due to the latter’s bisexuality and previous abortion.
However, now, Ash returns to face the fact that her mother has also come out as a lesbian, and has married Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace).
She first departed the Square in 2023, to pursue a new life in Canada.
Upon her return, the first person Ash will meet is her brother Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota).
By the time Ash comes back, Vinny will have had a baby with his partner, Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine). Currently, he believes he is the father.
Vinny will see Ash in a police station, where she has been arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
At first, Vinny thinks he is there to bail Suki out, but is stunned when he spots his sister instead.
Addressing Ash’s return to EastEnders, Sakira said: “A lot has changed during Ash’s time away.
“Returning to Walford forces her and Suki to confront old wounds as well as new realities.
“There’s a lot left unsaid between them, which makes it incredibly interesting to play.”
Ash’s return will undoubtedly cause shock for her family, as she announces her plan to stay for a few weeks.
Sakira continued: “Vinny and Penny are adjusting to life with a newborn, so Ash’s unexpected return doesn’t come at the most convenient time.
“Her relationship with Suki has always been complicated, and years of limited communication have only added to that tension.
“It quickly becomes clear that there are unresolved issues between them.”
At first, Suki and Ash are both hesitant to take the first step towards building bridges. However, Suki later receives some encouragement from Eve.
But Suki doesn’t realise that Ash has overheard her entire conversation with her wife.
Later, Ash is dejected when Suki insists that her priority is her and Eve’s foster daughter, Ria Virdi (Aaria Sharma).
Sakira explained: “There’s so much history between them.
“Before you add layers like culture and sexuality, I think many people can identify with the ever-evolving relationship between an adult child and their parent!
“I’m excited to explore that.”
Sakira’s casting was announced in September 2026. Divulging joining EastEnders, she added:
“From Day One, everyone has been so welcoming, and I’m genuinely thrilled to be working alongside actors like Bal and Heather.
‘When I found out I’d been cast as Ash, I was completely shocked.
“And there have been so many qualities of Ash that I identified with and felt serendipitous.
“The fact that I also worked as a NHS doctor and had also moved abroad for three years to pursue my medical career in Australia.
“Also, we share a South Asian background, and I innately understand what it is to be a third culture kid and the evolving dynamic with family and the older generations!”
EastEnders airs Sakira’s onscreen debut as Ash Panesar from the week commencing Monday, September 21, 2026, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
