蜜芽传媒

Award-winning actress Balvinder Sopal, known for her powerhouse portrayal of Suki Panesar in EastEnders, is bringing her flair and determination to the Strictly dancefloor this season. Growing up in Gillingham, Kent as the eldest of four siblings, Balvinder discovered her love of performance early, often playing imaginative games with her family. After convincing her parents to support her acting ambitions, she studied Theatre Studies with Media at the University of Huddersfield and launched a career that spans stage, television, and voice work.

She made her theatre debut in 2001 in The Beautiful Violin at Oldham Coliseum and appeared in productions including Absent Friends and The Tales of the Harrow. On-screen, she has starred in Kidhaar!, Waterloo Road, Call the Midwife, Coming Up, Five Days, and voiced Simran Kaur in 蜜芽传媒 Asian Network’s Silver Street. Since 2020, Balvinder has captivated audiences as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, earning multiple awards for her portrayal of complex storylines that explore family, identity, and love.

Balvinder’s character has taken on groundbreaking and challenging arcs, from navigating family tensions and an abusive marriage to a celebrated LGBTQ+ storyline with Eve Unwin. She was also at the center of the 2023 The Six whodunnit, filming multiple endings to keep the Christmas Day reveal a secret. Her performances have won her recognition including a RadioTimes.com Soap Award, a Digital Spy Readers Award, and an Inside Soap Award.

When she’s not on set, Balvinder enjoys long walks around Kent, gardening, and experimenting with crochet (though she admits her creations didn’t catch on!). She’s ready to light up the Strictly dancefloor with her signature energy, charisma, and dedication, proving that there’s always room for drama and sparkle in her life.