A former EastEnders star appears in a new Hollywood blockbuster and fans are stunned by her transformation
Former EastEnders star Kara Tointon looks completely different from her Walford character in a brand new Hollywood blockbuster.
The actress rose to prominence when she joined the BBC One soap in 2005, as Dawn Swann, the step-sister of Joe Swash’s character Mickey Miller. And it’s safe to say it didn’t take her long to become a firm favourite with viewers.
Kara was also caught up in some major storylines playing Dawn. From her affair with married man Rob Minter (Stuart Laing) to her brief romance with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Dawn’s stint in Walford was packed with drama.
However, in 2009, Dawn departed Walford after discovering her happy ending with Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves), with the pair leaving on a canal boat alongside her daughter, Summer.
And according to Kara, the decision that bosses made to axe her character didn’t go down too well with her. She told the Daily Star at the time: “I was heartbroken when they told me, and I have to admit I did cry.”, reports the Mirror.
“I just have to dust myself down and get back out there. I’ve already told them that if they do plan to kill Dawn, I will refuse to close my eyes in the dying scenes!”
Since her soap departure, Kara has remained in high demand. In 2010, she won strictly-come-dancing>Strictly Come Dancing and has appeared in shows such as The Teacher, Archie, and Too Good To Be True.
Later this year, she’s slated to feature in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Kara portrays Willamae Abernathy, Haymitch Abernathy’s mother, in the film, which boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, and Kieran Culkin.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the original film’s events, depicting numerous beloved characters during their younger years, including Effie Trinket and Haymitch Abernathy.
This week, supporters received a massive update about the film when a full-length trailer dropped. Kara’s character made a brief appearance during the preview – leaving viewers absolutely gobsmacked.
“Shaking at ar Dawn Swann in the new Hunger Games trailer…Hollywood Queen!” exclaimed one person on X. Another fan added: “I knew it was her! Had to do a double take LOL.”
A third piped up: “Oh wow, I did not recognise her.” Mirroring their sentiments, another astonished viewer wrote: “Wth, they really got our Eastenders girl in the new Hunger Games.” A fifth commented: “OUR DAWN, F*** OFF! GO ON!”
