From Walford warrior to Essex grafter—ex-EastEnders star ditches Karen Taylor image for explosive new drama Cash In Hand

From Soap Chaos to Essex Hustle

Lorraine Stanley is stepping into a bold new chapter—and her jaw-dropping transformation is turning heads both on and off screen.

The 49-year-old actress, beloved by EastEnders fans for her fiery role as Karen Taylor, has been spotted on set filming her latest project: the gritty Brit drama Cash In Hand. With her Essex makeover and razor-sharp new look, Stanley is proving she’s far from finished after leaving Albert Square behind.

After exiting EastEnders in 2023, Lorraine’s comeback is already causing a buzz. Her character in Cash In Hand is described as a fierce, street-smart survivor embedded in the rough-and-ready world of site hustlers, cash deals, and back-alley graft. Think banter, loyalty, chaos—and Stanley front and centre.

“Best Thing I’ve Ever Done”: Her Transformation Journey

Lorraine has shed an incredible 6½st since leaving EastEnders, thanks to a gastric sleeve operation she underwent at a Harley Street clinic. “I weigh 8st now,” she shared. “If you look at my little wrists and ankles, this is the weight I should have been.”

She’s been open about the surgery, saying:
“It’s hands-down the best thing I’ve ever done—both for me and for my family.”

But that’s not the only transformation. Lorraine has also embraced sobriety. Now five months sober, she’s traded booze for mocktails—and says she’s never felt more alive. “I’m still dancing, still having fun,” she told fans, proudly posting about her sober nights out on Instagram.

Reclaiming Herself—And Her Career

When Lorraine first shared her new look online, the praise poured in. Diane Parish (Denise Fox) told her, “You look incredible!” while James Bye (Martin Fowler) wrote, “Look at you, skinny minny!” Fans agreed: “You look absolutely stunning!” “You have great style and look so happy!”

Lorraine responded:
“Thank you! I feel like myself again.”

After years playing Karen—the chaotic, cash-strapped matriarch entangled in one dramatic twist after another—Stanley is embracing new ground. Her final scenes in EastEnders aired in December 2023, after Karen fled with stolen money tied to a fake kidnap plot. She briefly returned in 2024 for Keanu’s funeral but has since confirmed she won’t be back full-time.

“Once you’ve done a soap, you’ve done a soap,” she told The Sun. “They left the door open, but at the moment, I’m happy doing what I’m doing.”

Cash In Hand: A New Kind of Drama

Director Thomas Davis describes Cash In Hand as a raw, high-energy dive into the lives of those working under the radar—“dodgy site managers, cash jobs, and everyday hustle.” And right in the middle of it is Lorraine, bringing her trademark grit and warmth.

“She’s loving every minute of it,” insiders say. “This is Lorraine like we’ve never seen her before.”