Roland Manookian has become a familiar face on our telly screens after joining the cast of BBC One’s EastEnders last year as newcomer Teddy Mitchell.

Teddy has been embroiled in some major drama since his arrival on Albert Square, from his ex-wife Nicola (Laura Doddington) showing up, to discovering he’s not the biological father of his son Barney (Lewis Bridgeman).

Before joining EastEnders, Roland was best known for his roles in several hit films and TV shows, including the likes of Dunkirk and The Bill.

Here, we delve into Roland’s life, from his impressive acting credits to his early years…

Roland’s personal life

Born on 21 February 1980 in London, Roland grew up in Bermondsey and is of Romanichal Lom Armenian descent. He’s a fan of Millwall FC.

Roland prefers to keep his personal life private and doesn’t seem to have any active social media profiles. It’s unclear whether Roland is single or in a relationship, reports Belfast Live.

What has Roland starred in?

Roland began his acting career in 1999, but it wasn’t until 2004 that he got his big break, landing the role of Zeberdee in The Football Factory.

In 2007, Roland starred in Rise of the Footsoldier as Craig Rolfe, alongside stars such as Terry Stone and Craig Fairbrass.

He also appeared in Guy Ritchie’s popular film Rocknrolla, as well as The Business and Goodbye Charlie Bright. Other films Roland has starred in include Once Upon a Time in London, His House and No Reasons.

Roland has graced our screens in various TV series such as The Bill, where he portrayed Ben Glover, as well as esteemed productions like Dunkirk, The Vice, and Oliver Twist.

Roland’s EastEnders role

Come 2024, Roland stepped into the role of Teddy on EastEnders, which he described as a “great honour”.

“First and foremost, it’s a great honour to come into a show which is an institution in its own right, and to be part of a very well-established, stalwart family of Walford is a real honour,” he shared. “It also comes with a bit of pressure too, which is welcome!”

Joining him on the cast are Elijah Holloway and Lewis Bridgeman, who play Teddy’s sons Harry and Barney, respectively. Nicola Doddington later made her entrance into the soap as Nicola Mitchell, Teddy’s former wife and mother to Harry and Barney.