An EastEnders legend recently shared how her superstar brother helped launch her into the acting industry.
Laila Morse, known for playing the outspoken Mo Harris since 2000, has become a staple on the Square as the Slater family’s no-nonsense matriarch. But fans are often surprised to learn that Laila’s brother is none other than Hollywood A-lister Gary Oldman.
Gary’s made a name for himself in blockbusters like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Immortal Beloved, Sid and Nancy, and, of course, as Sirius Black in Harry Potter.
Laila, however, only began her acting career at 51 and has openly credited her brother with helping her land her first role in the 1997 film Nil By Mouth.
In a chat with the Loose Women panel, she shared, “My big brother wrote and directed Nil By Mouth. He wanted something raw. He was with a friend and just said, ‘She could do that.’ I looked at him and said, ‘I can’t do that.’”
“He told me to come back to the hotel and read a bit. So I did…and he said, ‘Right, you’re doing it.’ That was my first-ever role.”
The siblings are close, even celebrating Christmas together at Gary’s place in California in 2018. Gary’s wife, Giselle Schmidt, shared sweet photos of their Christmas meal, including one of Laila preparing a traditional English Christmas dinner for the family.
In 2021, the pair also enjoyed a memorable trip to Las Vegas. Laila posted a throwback photo with Gary on Instagram, captioning it, “Throwback to our trip to Las Vegas.”
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