EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last year

10 May 2023 , 15:01
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EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last year
EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last year

EastEnders actor Toby-Alexander Smith has set his sights on script writing in a surprise career move.

Toby, 32, played the villainous Gray Atkins on the soap for three years before he left Albert Square last year, after welcoming daughter Bonnie with his fiancée, Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh.

It came after serial killer Gray was finally caught and arrested for his crimes in a tense showdown.

Whole Toby is used to being in front of the camera, he's now working on a project which puts him firmly behind the lens.

On his Instagram story, the dad-of-one shared a photo of the front page of a manuscript, written on a computer.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness qhiqqkiqtqiquhinvEastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last yearToby played serial killer Gray Atkins on EastEnders (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

The soap star had covered the name of the work, leaving fans in the dark about the subject matter, but underneath the title, "written by Toby- Alexander Smith", had been typed.

Sharing the picture with his fans, Toby wrote over it: "Now to get this bad boy finished. #newproject #watchthisspace."

After his time in Walford came to an end, Toby said he was happy to spend time with his daughter as full-time dad.

He told Digital Spy: "Changing nappies, breast pumps and not getting any sleep probably.

"It’s all good. I’m very happy using this time now just to be present with Amy and Bonnie and I’m just loving every second of it.

EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last yearToby has teased a new career venture
EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last yearHe told fans to 'watch this space' (Mike Marsland/WireImage)

"Who knows what’s around the corner but for right now I’m very happy to just be a full-time dad."

Toby initially signed up for play Gray for six months, but soon he found himself the centre of a disturbing plot-line, when Gray murdered wife Chantelle, pushing her onto an upturned knife in a dishwasher in 2020.

Gray then went on to murder Tina Carter and Kush Kazemi, becoming Walford’s resident serial killer.

But in March last year, soap fans saw Gray's frightening killing spree come to a dramatic end as police officers handcuffed him on Albert Square after a dramatic showdown with Whitney Dean.

The actor hasn't ruled out Gray's return to EastEnders, but doesn't think fans want to see a redemption arc.

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy shows off grey hair and says 'it doesn't matter'EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy shows off grey hair and says 'it doesn't matter'

He told The Sun: "I don’t know, I’m not sure the audience would be too happy about seeing Gray redeemed, I have to say.

EastEnders super villain makes big career change after leaving soap last yearAmy and Toby with daughter Bonnie on Loose Women (ITV)

"I think justice needs to be seen and Gray needs to get his comeuppance. Who knows if we’ll ever see him again but it’s EastEnders so you never know."

A delighted Toby and Amy welcomed Bonnie in January last year.

Speaking about her daughter's name, Amy said: "Whenever we hypothetically talked about our family, we always said 'our little Bonnie'. When she came, she couldn’t have been more of a Bonnie."

Toby added that this was not the first Bonnie in the family, joking: "My parents had two King Charles spaniels and one was called Bonnie – but that had no part in it!"

Amy added: "Her middle name is Mae. We wanted something with one syllable that went with her first name and surname, Smith."

Katherine Heslop

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