Nicola Mitchell star Laura Doddington debuted a new look on Monday’s episode of the BBC One soap

Nicola Mitchell star Laura Doddington debuted a new look on Monday’s episode of the BBC One soap (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders fans were quick to do a double take on Monday night as Nicola Mitchell star Laura Doddington debuted a new look.

The actress, 44, who previously had a peroxide blonde bob, unveiled a new look during the latest episode as she sported a cropped hairdo.

Laura’s character Nicola even referenced the new haircut to her on-screen family on Monday’s episode as she said: “Well I take it nobody’s going to compliment me on my new hairdo then?” to which Barney Mitchell replied: “Oh no, it looks good mum!”

Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers were quick to go wild for the new look. One person said: “Obsessed with Nicola’s gorge new hairdo #EastEnder” to which a different account replied: “She pullls it off Love her style!”

EastEnders fans were quick to do a double take on Monday night as Nicola Mitchell star Laura Doddington debuted a new look(Image: BBC)

Elsewhere, another soap watcher commented: “Nicola serving 90s Sharon with her new haircut #Eastenders”, another put: “Love ar Niccy’s new hair do #EastEnders” while a different fan added: “She really does look great.”

During Monday’s episode, Nicola and Teddy were left concerned when they discovered that Barney had failed a chemistry exam due to stress.

Laura first made her debut in Albert Square as Nicola back in November as the ex-wife of Teddy Mitchell and mother to Harry and Barney.

However, there were soon bombshells exposed as it was revealed that Nicola was responsible for Harry’s ex-girlfriend Shireen Bashar’s death.

Laura first made her debut in Albert Square as Nicola back in November as the ex-wife of Teddy Mitchell(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Zack Hudson was actually Barney’s father after a past fling.

These bombshells led to Nicola being arrested and isolated from her family following her release.

It comes as Nicola star Laura considered changing careers before bagging her dream role, where she was nominated for Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards last month.

Talking to OK! she said: “If I’m honest with you, the industry is hard at the moment. Before this audition came through, I’d been looking at retraining to do something else. I’ve got a young kid – and that makes you think about their future and stability for them.

However, there were soon bombshells exposed(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

“I cut my son’s hair and I’m reasonably good at it, so I thought that might be an option. I was in Prime Suspect when I was in my twenties and The Midwich Cuckoos, but they weren’t massive parts. I was beginning to think it might not be possible to have that lead role.”

She added: “I’ve been a jobbing actor for 22 years and over that time you deal with really amazing highs, but also lows – missing out on jobs, not even getting seen for jobs.

“So when I got the part, even though I’d been in it before for a fleeting moment, I was ecstatic. I’m really lucky that [former executive producer] Chris Clenshaw took a punt on a jobbing actor and gave me the chance. This came at the right time. It feels incredible.”