Ronni Ancona has opened up about her time on EastEnders as the manipulative Bea Pollard, calling the role a 'compliment' and revealing her next projects, including a World War II film and a production company venture.
Playing the Villain Bea Pollard
Ancona, known for her impressions on The Big Impression, said she was 'honoured' to be approached for the part. 'They thought I’d be perfect for it because she was a very annoying, deranged, delusional woman. ‘Great!’, I thought. It was a compliment,' she told Metro.
The actress emphasised the complexity of Bea, who she believes sees herself as the hero. 'Bea is very complicated – I didn’t want to play her as just the villain. She genuinely thinks she’s right. Nobody wakes up one morning and decides to become Bea. Somewhere along the line, something has gone very wrong.'
EastEnders Ending: 'Single White Female Meets Misery'
Ancona described the climax of her storyline as 'Single White Female, Gone Girl, Misery all blended up into one denouement'. She revealed she was asked to extend her stint, knowing from the start where Bea's arc would end. 'Once Bea starts losing control, everything unravels very quickly. Playing someone whose carefully constructed world is collapsing around her is exhausting but brilliant.'
From Impressions to Albert Square
The transition from impersonating EastEnders characters in sketches to playing a real role was surreal. 'It was very surreal – and quite terrifying… for about 10 minutes and then I realised everyone was so welcoming. It was like joining a family who have been together for 40 years.'
Reflecting on her impressionist roots, Ancona said she started as a child to be liked. 'All I wanted to do with the impressions was to make people laugh but I’m not desperately proud of it. It’s a bit of a useless skill – at the scene of an accident: ‘Let me through, I can do Olivia Colman!’' She believes a show like The Big Impression would struggle today due to social media, as 'everybody knows what everybody is doing'.
Career Highlights and Future Roles
Ancona listed her proudest achievements, including her drunk character in Last Tango In Halifax and working with Catherine O’Hara on a film. 'That was very, very special for me working with her.' She also mentioned a production company with Sally Phillips called Captain Dolly, producing a mockumentary film.
Upcoming projects include a World War II film titled Think of England out in cinemas this autumn, and another film Fortitude starring Nicolas Cage, Michael Sheen, and Sir Ben Kingsley. She continues her podcast Hal and Ronni in Pieces with Hal Cruttenden.
Would She Return to EastEnders?
When asked about a potential return, Ancona said, 'I had such a lovely time with her, she was so delicious to play, so never say never.' She also expressed a desire to play a more adorable character like 'the woman next door', noting she has never played a wife in anything.
Despite her on-screen confidence, Ancona admitted she is shy and amazed by reality TV stars. 'I’m horribly self-conscious.' She hopes to create a comedy film that 'really made people laugh because I think that’s a great gift to leave as a legacy.'
