EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman lands "celebrated" new role after Chrissie Watts exit

EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman has a new role on the horizon after her brief return to the Square. The actor reprised the role of Chrissie Watts over Christmas last year after having made a comeback earlier in 2025 for the soap's 40th anniversary.

Now, the star, whose other acting credits include Friday Night Dinner, has been announced for a role in an acclaimed play adaptation to be directed by Lindsay Posner. Oberman is set to play the lead role in a reimagining of Noël Coward's "celebrated and hilarious" stage play Present Laughter, which debuts at Theatre Royal Bath from 27 August to 5 September prior to a national tour.

After receiving acclaim for her gender-swapped performance of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice 1936, Oberman returns in another role written for a male actor. She is to play protagonist Geri Essendine, becoming the first female star to do so.

Jack Barnes//BBC

Written as Garry Essendine and originated by Coward himself, the lead role of Geri is described as a "hugely successful" star "who's been 39 for the best part of a decade".

"Her personality, wit and charm have earned her a legion of devoted fans, young and old, and a coterie of friends, acquaintances and hangers-on. Just as she is about to depart for a tour of Africa, Geri finds herself besieged by a bevvy of would-be lovers, not to mention her long-suffering secretary, estranged husband and an obsessed young playwright," the synopsis teases.

"Will she ever disentangle herself from their tightening clutches and incessant demands? And deep down, does she really want to…?"

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tracy ann oberman, james dreyfus, present laughter

Augusta Productions

Oberman is joined by James Dreyfus and Adrian Lukis as Monty and Len, respectively.

Cast is rounded out by Richenda Carey as Lady Saltburn, Seb Carrington as David Stillington, Eva Feiler as Rosina Maule, Gabriella Foley as Miss Erikson, Charlotte Randleas Henrietta, Jonathan Tafler as Morris, Perry Williams as Fred and Kit Young as Johannes.

The tour will stop in Cambridge, Malvern, Richmond, Cheltenham, York, Pool, Liverpool, and Chichester, where it'll end on 28 November.

Tour dates and venues as follows: