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|years= 2009–12
|years= 2009–12
|first= 29 December 2009
|first= 29 December 2009
|last=
|last= 7 June 2012
|alias= Afia Khan (maiden name)
|alias= Afia Khan (maiden name)
|classification= [[List of EastEnders characters#Departing characters|Present; regular (departing)]]
|classification= [[List of EastEnders characters#Departing characters|Present; regular (departing)]]

Revision as of 19:34, 23 May 2012

Afia Masood
EastEnders character
Portrayed byMeryl Fernandes
Duration2009–12
First appearance29 December 2009
Last appearance7 June 2012
ClassificationPresent; regular (departing)
Introduced byDiederick Santer (2009)
Bryan Kirkwood (2010)
In-universe information
Other namesAfia Khan (maiden name)
OccupationReceptionist (until 2011)
Delivery driver (since 2011)
Restaurateur (since 2011)
FatherYusef Khan
HusbandTamwar Masood (2011—)
AuntsShameem
Other relativesTariq

Afia Masood (née Khan) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Meryl Fernandes. Afia appeared in five episodes between 29 December 2009 and 5 January 2010, and returned on 18 November 2010. This is Fernandes' second role in EastEnders, her first being a schoolgirl in 1993. Due to Fernandes' character initially being a guest, the character was not announced. Afia was introduced as a love interest for Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel). Her father was later introduced as Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti) who was the former husband of Tamwar's mother, Zainab (Nina Wadia). Upon hearing Fernandes' return in late 2010, Patel said he was "glad" that he is able to explore another side to Tamwar's character. Patel and Fernandes said that they want their characters to have a happy ending. Fernandes said she wants the characters to "live happily ever after". Tamwar and Afia's wedding was voted best wedding at the Inside Soap awards 2011. Afia is described as "adventurous and straight to the point, doesn't sugar-coat the truth, and doesn't follow everyone else." She has also been described as "slightly erratic" and "aloof". It was announced in May 2012 that Fernandes had finished filming her final scenes and that Afia would leave EastEnders in June.

Afia is first seen attending Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Amira Shah's (Preeya Kalidas) Mehndi celebration. Afia's friend Zulekha (Lisa Shah) gives Tamwar Afia's mobile number, though he thinks it is Zulekha's, and arranges a date. He is surprised when Afia turns up instead, and she says he is cute in a "geek chic" way. Afia contact Tamwar later in 2010 and arranges to meet up. After metting Afia's father, Tamwar's parents forbid him to see Afia as her father was Zainab's former husband whose family set her on fire. Tamwar ignores them and goes on to marry Afia. Masood and Zainab soften towards Afia and buys Tamwar and Afia the Argee Bargee restaurant. Afia's father marries Zainab, and he starts to control and abuse her. Yusef starts a fire at the local bed and breakfast and dies in the blaze while leaving Tamwar badly disfigured.

Storylines

Afia first appears on 28 December 2009 where she attends Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Amira Shah's (Preeya Kalidas) Mehndi celebration with Bushra Abbasi (Pooja Ghai) and her daughter Zulekha (Lisa Shah). Zulekha gives Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel) Afia's mobile number, though he thinks it is Zulekha's, and arranges a date. He is surprised when Afia turns up instead, and she says he is cute in a "geek chic" way. At Syed and Amira's wedding, Afia gives Tamwar some contact lenses, saying Zulekha might prefer him without his glasses. Tamwar tells her he is a student at Oxford University and she is told by Bushra that he is not. Despite this, she was willing to stay with him until he refuses to laugh at the situation, at which point she dumps him. She leaves after the Mehndi on 5 January 2010. Afia's mother later dies off screen.

Several months later, Afia contacts Tamwar and they meet up and they start a relationship. Tamwar meets Afia and her father in a restaurant where Tamwar believes Yusef will think he is not good enough for his daughter but Yusef accepts Tamwar as his lack of wealth is unimportant to him but he obviously cares about Afia. When Yusef meets Tamwar's parents Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) and Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra), it is revealed he is Zainab's ex-husband whose family set her on fire for infidelity. On this discovery, Tamwar tells Afia they cannot see each other again. At the opening of the Masoods' new restaurant, the Argee Bhajee, Afia turns up having been invited by Tamwar. Tamwar is again forbidden from seeing her, so says he will move out so he no longer has to live by his parents' rules. Eventually, Zainab is told by Denise Fox (Diane Parish) that they will force the couple together by forbidding their relationship, so Zainab and Masood agree to let them see each other in the hope that it will fizzle out naturally. Zainab starts to take a liking to Afia but although they are happy, Masood and Zainab do not want Yusef to become part of their family.

Afia and Tamwar marry in secret on the night before their mangni (engagement party). Afia and Yusef make the move to Albert Square. However, when Afia and Tamwar learn that Masood kidnapped Yusef and threatened him, this leads to Masood being banned from the couple's mehndi, causing a strain between Tamwar and his father. However, at the mehndi, Tamwar and Afia admit their secret marriage to the family (including Masood who turns up uninvited), and the couple begin living with each other at the Masood family home. Afia's relative Tariq (Antony Bunsee) arrives and her father says that he will give him the Argee Bhajee. Tariq tells this to Afia and she says it does not belong to her father, leading to Tariq telling Afia that Yusef started the fire that Zainab was trapped in when she and Yusef were married, rather than his family. Afia then changes her mind about going to Pakistan with Yusef and Zainab, though Tamwar has also changed his mind and wants to go. She tells Yusef she knows he started the fire and threatens to tell Zainab if he does not do so first.

When everyone learns Yusef has been abusing Zainab, Masood tries to make sure he is arrested. However, Afia is left in charge of keeping him the kitchen before the police come and instead lets him out through the back door and says they can not make up. On Christmas Day, Yusef starts a fire in Kim Fox's (Tameka Empson) bed and breakfast. Zainab lies to Yusef, saying Afia is trapped in the fire. However, Tamwar also hears this and races in the burning building as well. Yusef soon hears Afia screaming outside the house and realises Zainab had lied to him, before perishing in the fire when the floor below him collapses. Devastated, Afia screams out and Tamwar runs out of the house with burns to his back. While Tamwar recovers in hospital, he refuses to see Afia, whom he blames for lying to him, and he continues to ignore her when he arrives home, but she reminds him that she is still his wife. Masood then reveals that Yusef hit Zainab, and Tamwar says he wishes he had never met Afia. Eventually he starts to talk to her, but does not allow her to see his body, changing in the bathroom. He shows her his scars after being convinced to do so by a friend, and she is shocked. When Tamwar and Afia discover that Zainab has inherited all of Yusef's money and that she wants him and Afia to take it, Tamwar repeatedly declines the offer, saying that he wants nothing to do with his money and that they should get rid of it. Tamwar then decides to leave Walford after discovering that Afia planned to spend the money on surgery for him. However, Tamwar is later convinced to stay by Zainab and his friend Fatboy (Ricky Norwood). Tamwar tells Afia that if she does not like him as he is, she should leave him. Zainab then states that everything that has happened is her fault, and Afia realises that Zainab was the reason Yusef believed that Afia was in the burning building. Tamwar stops Afia from leaving, and Zainab then explains why she did it—because Yusef tortured her mentally about killing Masood. Afia decides not to call the police, and then after an incident at the restaurant, Afia and Tamwar make amends and go with the rest of the family to a Khatam. However, their marriage is put under strain by the long hours at the retaurant, and Zainab's interference in their affairs.

Character creation

Casting

Meryl Fernandes (pictured) was cast as a love interest for Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel) in 2009 and was re-introduced as a regular in late 2010.[1]

Meryl Fernandes was cast as Afia as a love interest for already established character Tamwar Masood.[1] Due to Afia initially being a guest character, Fernandes' arrival and filming was not announced. Upon hearing Fernandes return, Patel commented: "I'm glad that I'm able to explore another side to Tamwar's character. The best thing about him is that he's so layered. You peel away one layer and see something else underneath. I think the audience is going to be surprised by what they see next. Who knows, there could even be a wild side in there."[2] After her initial guest stint in 2009, Fernandes made her full time return on 18 November 2010.[3] Afia is Fernandes' second role in EastEnders with her first being a schoolgirl in 1993.[4] Patel praised the decision to bring back Afia. Speaking to Digital Spy, Patel said that he was "very happy" to hear that Fernandes would be back on set, explaining: "We filmed together for about three or four weeks when she first came into the show, which was about this time last year. We got on really, really well because she's such a lovely person and a great actress, so I was always asking people if she was going to come back. Then she dropped me a text to say that they'd got in touch with her and were bringing her back, which was fantastic." Patel also said that there will be "split-second change in Tamwar" as Afia makes him happy for the "first time in a while."[5] It was announced in May 2012 that Fernandes would be leaving the soap and that she has finished filming her final scenes. Afia will remain on-screen until June.[6] Adding to this statement, an EastEnders spokesperson said: "Since the traumatic events of the fire, things have not been the same in Tamwar and Afia's relationship. As their issues worsen, they are forced to decide whether their marriage is worth fighting for or whether they have grown apart."[6]

Personality

The EastEnders website describes Afia as "adventurous and straight to the point, doesn't sugar-coat the truth, and doesn't follow everyone else."[1] It continues to read: "She knows what she wants and cunningly knows how to get it, which she proved by bagging the Square's local nerd Tamwar Masood. But can they live happily ever after with the past that lies between both their families?"[1] When Tamwar and Afia resume their relationship in 2010, Patel said that Tamwar is grateful for his second chance with Afia.[7] The Mirrors says that Tamwar finds it "hard to stand up to his wife at the best of times and with those brand new eyelash extensions shes able to flutter his feeble resistance to a pulp."[8] In an online interview dubbed On set with...Meryl Fernandes, Fernandes explains that when kissing Tamwar, she adds Afia's "ness" and branded Tamwar the "best TV hubby ever."[9]

Development

"Yusef would die for his daughter - without question, at a moment's notice. At the moment, I think he's very happy that she's found love with Tamwar - he likes the combination between them and he likes the fact that Tamwar makes his daughter happy. He likes Tamwar, but at the same time, that wouldn't stop him from manipulating him."

—Ace Bhatti describes Yusef's relationship with Afia[10]

Himesh Patel and Meryl Fernandes said that they want their characters to have a happy ending. Fernandes said: "I hope they live happily ever after. They're so in love. They're really cute and I think they have a very beautiful innocent love that I definitely think will last." Patel added: "We told them to make us the couple that last.[11] In an interview with entertainment website Digital Spy, in response to Yusef tearing apart the relationship, Patel answered: "Every couple goes through problems. We both really hope it doesn't tear them apart."[12] Tamwar and Afia decide to marry earlier than planned and in secret.[13]

Talking to We Love Telly, Patel describes the reactions of the Masoods when they find out their already married: "With absolute fury! They will go absolutely insane." Asked what is ahead for Tamwar as he wonders how to break the news, the actor replied: "A lot more guilt and a lot more worrying… The only reason his parents are having money problems is because they are paying for a wedding that doesn't need to happen anymore."[14] Nina Wadia added: "I think all hell would break loose! It would actually break her heart more than anything else, because she would feel betrayed again. That seems to be a theme for the Masood family - a sense of betrayal and a sense of pride."[15] Asked how Zainab is feeling as Tamwar and Afia's engagement party approaches, Wadia replied: "She's very conflicted. It's a huge problem for her because obviously Yusef is Afia's father, so he's involved. I don't think she'd have a problem with Afia if she didn't happen to be the daughter of her ex-husband, but because that is the case, she's not happy with the situation. I think she does actually have a warm spot for Afia, though, and I think she also recognises a lot of herself in her - she likes her. So Zainab definitely has mixed feelings."[15]

In late 2011, it was revealed that Tamwar is to be badly disfigured in a fire caused by Yusef. The Mirror revealed that Afia will stand by Tamwar but the injuries put pressure on their marriage. A source said: "Tamwar is lucky to be alive after the fire. He escapes but suffers serious scars to his face and it causes depression. For the actor it is going to be a huge challenge with a new look."[16] In an interview with Digital Spy, Ace Bhatti described Yusef's relationship with his daughter Afia, explaining that they have a "strong bond" and that Yusef would die for his daughter. He said that "it definitely hurts" when he finds out that Tamwar and Afia are already married as he is so close to Afia and she has betrayed him.[10] "That definitely hurts, because he's so close to his daughter and there's been a betrayal of trust. But he's happy about the relationship and he's happy that she's happy. It's also quite handy for Yusef because it gives him an excuse to hang around the Masoods!"[10]

Patel expressed that he is "eager" for Afia and Tamwar to stay together and settle their differences. Speaking to Inside Soap, Patel commented: "They love each other very much. But I think it'll be very difficult and tense as they try to move forward. This problem has surfaced very early in their marriage, so it'll be interesting to see what happens next. Hopefully Tamwar and Afia can come out the other side stronger - but nothing is really guaranteed, is it? The consequences of what's taken place are worse than anyone could have imagined," he continued. "Tamwar ran into that fire thinking Afia was caught in it, and he feels so betrayed by her. In the past, he's been stuck in the middle of everything going on around him. This time, it's all come down on him - and through no fault of his own."[17] Discussing where the story could go next, Patel added: "I never want Tamwar and Afia to get divorced. From the moment they married, Meryl and I have said we want them to be the couple who stays together."[17] Patel said that viewers will see his injuries caused by the fire. He told TV Times: "He doesn't want to show them to anyone and, when we do eventually see them, it won't be a sight for sore eyes. He becomes more of the Tamwar we saw before [he married Afia] - the one that hardly ever smiles. He shuts himself off from everyone."[18]

Reception

Tamwar and Afia's wedding was voted best wedding at the Inside Soap awards 2011.[19] Afia has been described by TV Pixie as "slightly erratic" and "aloof".[20] When Afia and Tamwar married, the website said that the Afia and Tamwar storyline had "ran out of steam" after leaving for their honeymoon.[21] The Mirror states that Afia and Tamwar's wedding is "the kind of sensationally explosive event we have come to expect in Soapland."[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Afia Khan played by Meryl Fernandes". EastEnders. BBC Online. February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  2. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "Patel: 'Enders plot will surprise fans'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  3. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "Billy discovers Shirley's secret". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Meryl Fernandes: Spotlight Actresses". Spotlight. London. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  5. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "'Enders actor praises Tamwar love story". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (23 May 2012). "'EastEnders': Afia Masood to leave Walford". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  7. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (16 November 2010). "Himesh Patel (Tamwar Masood, 'EastEnders')". Digital Spy. London: Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  8. ^ Simon, Jane. "We Love Soaps – Emmerdale, Coronation Street, EastEnders". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  9. ^ "On set with... Meryl Fernandes". EastEnders. BBC Online. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  10. ^ a b c Kilkelly, Daniel. "Ace Bhatti - 'EastEnders' Yusef Khan". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  11. ^ "EastEnders Himesh Patel And Meryl Fernandes Want Happy Ending". Huffington Post.
  12. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders' Himesh Patel on 'E20', Tamwar and more: Interview". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  13. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "Tamwar makes a bold decision". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  14. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders' star reveals Tamwar worries". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  15. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel. "Nina Wadia (Zainab Masood, 'EastEnders')". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  16. ^ Bryant, Tom. "EastEnders: Tamwar Masood to be badly disfigured in Christmas Day blaze". Daily Mirror.
  17. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders' Tamwar, Afia should stay together, says Himesh Patel". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  18. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders' Tamwar will show his scars, says Himesh Patel". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  19. ^ Millar, Paul. "Inside Soap Awards 2011: The Full Winners' List". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  20. ^ Tucker, Liam. "EastEnders - Phil Builds New Criminal Empire". TV Pixie. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  21. ^ Tucker, Liam. "EastEnders Update: Run Lola Run!". TV Pixie. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  22. ^ Stewart, Tony. "EastEnders: It's marital mayhem as Tamwar and Afia prepare to wed". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
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