Theatre legend joins EastEnders for cameo role
Mazz Murray has joined EastEnders as Cleo, the mother of Joel Marshall, who is portrayed by her real-life nephew Max Murray.
Theatre legend Mazz Murray has joined EastEnders, for a two-episode cameo role.
The 51-year-old singer and actress - who has played the likes of Patsy Cline, Dusty Springfield and Vivian Ellis while treading the boards - will arrive in Walford on Thursday night's episode (16.07.26) as newcomer Cleo.
Cleo will rock up in Albert Square with her son Joel Marshall, who is played by the star's real-life nephew Max Murray.
Mazz - who is best known in theatre for portraying Donna Sheridan in stage musical Mamma Mia! from 2019 to 2025 - said: "It was so wonderful to be part of these EastEnders episodes as we delve into Joel’s familial past, and my experience was made all the better working alongside my talented, gorgeous nephew Max.
"And also, my childhood school friend Alex Walkinshaw playing my ex-husband!"
Upon her arrival in Walford, Cleo will reveal that despite a previous arrangement, Joel is no longer able to live with her.
With ex-husband Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his new wife Vicki (Alice Haig) recently back from honeymoon, and with Joel previously prosecuted for an attack which left Vicki hospitalised, the news will come as a huge shock to the newlyweds.
Vicki was previously adamant that Joel couldn’t live in Walford for the sake of their relationship.
But Ross will be faced with a huge predicament when he must pick between his new wife, and his only son.
Last year, Mazz told how she was keen to join her nephew Max in the BBC soap.
Mazz went to theatre school to stay close to her sister Gina Murray, 52, whose son is Max.
The star explained: "I didn't want to be separated from her.
"I didn't even know what theatre school was, but by the time I got there, I loved it.
"Music and famous people at our home was the norm, so it was probably inevitable that we would do the same."
Mazz's mum is legendary stage and screen star Grazina Frame, 84, whose voice featured in the 1961 musical-comedy film, The Young Ones, and her dad is 1960s songwriter Mitch Murray, 86, who worked with The Beatles.
And they both told Mazz not to be "the same" as any other actor or actress.
She said: "I don't copy what people wear or things like that; I do what I want to do, however ridiculous or whatever it is.
"I've always been comfortable just being different."
