After almost a decade away from TV and film, Danniella Westbrook is stepping back into the spotlight.
The 52-year-old actress is set to star in a gritty new British film, Tales From The Trap, with filming kicking off in London this week.
Fans of the former EastEnders star will finally see her on screen again, marking her first acting project since 2016.
A Star-Studded Urban Drama
Danniella will be sharing the screen with a notable ensemble, including producer and actor Terry Stone, Vas Blackwood, Frazer Clarke, Judith Shekoni, and Grime MC Amzzino, a newcomer to acting.
The film promises a raw look at South London’s county lines gang culture, the drill music scene, and the harsh realities of inner-city life.
Stone, known for his work on Rise of the Footsoldier, Bonded by Blood, and Anuvahood, calls this project a “powerful modern evolution” of the crime genre he helped define. He told reporters:
“Tales From the Trap is essentially Top Boy meets Blue Story on steroids — think of it as Rise of the Hoodsoldier.
The energy, music, and raw truth in this story is something I’ve wanted to bring to the screen for a long time.”
Danniella’s Mysterious Role
Details about Danniella’s character are being kept under wraps, leaving fans intrigued. The film is currently scheduled for release in September 2026, giving audiences plenty of time to speculate about her part in this intense drama.
From Soap Star to Reality TV Favourite
Danniella first became a household name at just 16, playing Sam Mitchell on EastEnders.
Her career has been a rollercoaster, with highs on reality TV including Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, where she reached the final and finished in first place, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2003, and Dancing On Ice in 2010.
She also appeared on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks in 2013.
Health Struggles and Surgical Battles
Alongside her professional comeback, Danniella has faced a long, public battle with her health and appearance.
Years of cocaine use and osteoporosis severely damaged her face, leading to multiple reconstructive surgeries.
In 2023, she revealed frustration with the results of earlier facial procedures and prepared for a “very long” surgery to rebuild her face, sharing candid updates on Instagram.
One post captured the emotional moment before going under the knife, with Danniella holding hands with her then-partner, Chasa Symonds, and writing:
“Big day for me heading down for a very long surgery right now to rebuild my face.
Then I can get back to work and we can get on with our life together.”
The couple split in August, but she has remained focused on her recovery and career.
A Long Journey to Recovery
Danniella’s battle with cocaine addiction is well-documented, with reports indicating she once used up to five grams a day.
Over the years, she has endured multiple procedures to repair the damage, including rib insertions, liposuction, fat grafting, jawline etching, and her septum reconstruction.
Despite offers from clinics worldwide, she opted to pay for her surgeries herself.
Now sober and determined, she is working to reclaim her health and confidence, with her latest film marking a major step back into the professional world.
Looking Ahead
With filming starting in London this week, Danniella is poised to remind audiences of her talent while tackling a bold, gritty story that promises to resonate.
Fans will have to wait until September 2026 to see her full return to the big screen, but the excitement around her comeback is palpable.
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