Get the latest OK! breaking news on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More infoJoin us on WhatsApp Mo Harris, better known as Big Mo, has been a big part of EastEnders since arriving on Albert Square in 2000. The matriarch of the Slater clan, Big Mo is grandma to the iconic Kat Slater, as well as former characters Little Mo and Lynne. Played by Laila Morse, Big Mo has had plenty of juicy storylines over the years, from her feud with former bestie Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement) to an ongoing romance with the rarely seen Fat Elvis. In recent years, Big Mo has mellowed, and now mostly pops up to make cheeky quips or sell some dodgy goods to Walford’s residents. Most recently, we’ve seen Big Mo trying to solve the mystery of who attacked Cindy on Christmas Day, dubbing the attacker the ‘Walford Whacker’.
Laila Morse has played Big Mo on and off since 2000
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
But what many EastEnders fans might not know is that Laila isn’t the only actor in her family. And the clue to her famous brother’s identity lies in her real name. Laila was born Maureen L Oldman, later changing her surname to Bass due to marriage, and going on to use a stage name as she made her professional acting debut at the age of 51. Laila’s younger brother is none other than Gary Oldman, one of the highest-grossing actors of all time and winner of an Oscar in 2018 for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the movie Darkest Hour. Gary has starred opposite some of the biggest names in showbiz, working with Winona Ryder and Anthony Hopkins on Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992, and playing Sirius Black in the Harry Potter movies.
Laila Morse with her actor brother Gary Oldman
(Image: twitter.com/lailamorseuk)
Gary even helped his big sister get her big break in acting, casting her in the first movie he wrote and directed in 1997; Nil By Mouth. The role led to Laila winning Most Promising Newcomer in any Category at the British Independent Film Awards, and led to several TV roles before she joined EastEnders. Laila’s stage name even has an A-list connection. It was thought up by Italian actor Isabella Rossellini, back when she was dating Gary. “Laila Morse” is an anagram for “mia sorella” which is Italian for “my sister”. EastEnders fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their surprise. “I will NEVER get over the face that Gary Oldman’s sister is Big Mo from Eastenders” said one, while another commented: “Wrecks my head that Gary’s sister is big Mo in Eastenders. What wildly differing acting careers.” Catch EastEnders Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm or on BBC iPlayer.
