Jo Joyner has joined the cast of the upcoming Channel 4 school drama ‘The ABC’.
The former ‘EastEnders’ star – who turned her back on the long-running soap in 2013 before making a brief cameo in the 25th anniversary live episode two years ago – is set to play head teacher Mandy Carter in the forthcoming six-part series later this year.
The show will see Mandy attempt to make the new academy a success with her hot discipline and dedication but her determination to pour all of her attention into the school may wreak havoc for her marriage to P.E teacher Steve Ball (Paul Nicholls).
‘The ABC’ will explore the "chaos, humour, camaraderie, pride, prejudice, conflict, romance and jealousies that define the school experience for teachers, pupils and parents," while giving fans a glimpse into a community that has large ambitions.
Jo and Paul aren’t the only soap stars to jump on board the project as Sunetra Sarker – who was known for playing chain-smoker Dr. Zoe Hanna in ‘Casualty’ – has also agreed to portray dinner lady and single mother Kaneez Paracha in the forthcoming series.
The cast started shooting the young-adult show, which will see each episode last 60 minutes and air on a weeknight at 8pm, earlier this month in Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, although fans are no doubt thrilled that Jo will return to screens later this year, there’s probably a part of them that’s devastated as her recent signing means that she’s unlikely to reprise her role as Tanya Branning in ‘EastEnders’ any time soon.
Tongues started wagging this month when Tanya’s daughter Lauren (Jacequeline Jossa) referenced the beautician in an episode with Jane Beale (Laurie Brett).
Jo Joyner to star in school drama The ABC
