EastEnders' Lorraine Stanley stars in gritty new British film Departures

Lorraine Stanley's new role

EastEnders fans will see Lorraine Stanley in a whole new light as she takes on the role of Janet in the upcoming British film Departures. This marks her first acting gig since leaving her character Karen Taylor behind in Albert Square last year.

A star-studded cast

Joining Lorraine in Departures are soap legends including Hollyoaks' David Tag and Coronation Street's Kimberly Hart-Simpson. The movie, described as a mix of "Shirley Valentine meets LGBTQ Trainspotting," delves into the "toxic love story" of characters Benji and Jake.

Gritty storyline and character development

Lorraine's character, Janet, is portrayed as a strong and outspoken individual who has had to navigate through societal challenges, including coming to terms with her son Benji's sexuality and dealing with past experiences of domestic violence. David Tag's character, Luke, adds depth to the storyline with his portrayal of a man leading a double life.

Future prospects

Although Departures is set to premiere at the Manchester Film Festival in March, both Lorraine and David have expressed their enthusiasm for the possibility of a sequel. Lorraine humorously shared, "Oh definitely, we all want a sequel - it's another job!"