Amira Masood

Amira Masood (also Shah) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Preeya Kalidas. The girlfriend, and later wife, of Syed Masood (Marc Elliott), Amira first appeared on screen in the episode broadcast on 7 May 2009. The character was described as high maintenance, lonely and insecure. Amira and Syed's wedding on 1 January 2010 was watched by an average of 11.64 million viewers. Kalidas quit the show in January 2010 to concentrate on a career in music, filming her final scenes in March 2010. Her final episode was broadcast on 26 April 2010, after Amira discovered that her husband was gay and had been having an affair with Christian Clarke (John Partridge). She returned on EastEnders on 10 October 2011, but appeared in two extra scenes available on BBC Online and BBC Red Button called Amira's Secret, on 6 and 8 September 2011. The character departed on 8 March 2012. On 11 September 2012, it was confirmed that Kalidas would return to play Amira once more in a brief guest appearance, in the buildup to the permanent departure of Syed and Christian from the show. She returned on 6 November 2012, and departed once more on 12 November 2012.

Amira is introduced as the girlfriend of character Syed Masood, played by Marc Elliott. She made her first on-screen appearance on 7 May 2009. On 24 January 2010, it was announced that Kalidas had quit the show to concentrate on a career in music. According to Kalidas, her final scenes were filmed on 5 March and were shown on 26 April 2010. Kalidas teased about her exit the day it was transmitted. She told BBC News: "We were quite looking forward to this moment and we're both really excited about playing these scenes tonight. It was really emotional and really quite traumatic and really hard for us when we were doing it." She added: "She does leave but it's who she leaves with, and [under] what terms?" Marc Elliott commented: "I think the audience is ready now to see some sort of conclusion to a story that's been bubbling for a bit. John is brilliant and it's been fantastic building up to this moment, and we've had lots of emotion along the way." Kalidas said it was upsetting to watch her final scenes. Speaking to Holy Soap, Kalidas said: "I watched the aftermath of when Amira left because I had no idea what was going to happen. It was really upsetting. It was actually quite distressing. It was all very sad and everyone was down in the dumps. The moment that was really upsetting was when Zainab told Syed she would rather he died than being gay. That was so heartbreaking."

It was reported on 11 July 2011 that Kalidas would reprise her role as Amira from "autumn" 2011. A source for the show said, "Amira left Walford a heartbroken woman. When she finds out Syed is planning to marry Christian she is furious. Amira is manipulative and her presence looks set to turn the lives of the Masoods upside down. The question is, has she moved on from her husband or will she do whatever she can to get him back? Only time will tell." Amira returns with daughter Yasmin, of whom Syed is the father of. Nina Wadia said she can't wait for Syed's baby to come. She predicted that it will help Zainab and Syed get closer as she'll want her grandchild and it may make her feel like her son is a proper man. Amira eventually gives up on trying to win Syed back, and after he and Christian offer to buy her out of the business, Amira makes her exit. However, she leaves her daughter, Yasmin, behind. Amira departed on 8 March 2012. Speaking to Lorraine in April 2012, Kalidas said that it's possible that Amira would return again. She said that Amira has been through a lot and that her life needs to be sorted out. She added: "It was really difficult playing her because there were so many times when I thought, 'You poor thing — just be strong'. And by the end of it she was, and she left!" Kalidas also said that Amira needs some time out.

On 11 September 2012, it was confirmed that Kalidas would reprise the role again in a temporary appearance, in the buildup to the permanent departure of Syed and Christian from the show.

The character was described by actress Preeya Kalidas as "a bit of a socialite [who] kind of kicks up a bit of fuss in Albert Square." Elliot revealed that "she's a rich daddy's girl and it's hard not to make the association between Syed and money. There's certainly an honest attraction there and I think he does love her. But the money that her father has might be an additional aspect of their relationship. Amira comes in and ruffles a few feathers, especially [Syed's mother] Zainab's. Obviously with Syed being a mummy's boy, she has to have her say. I don't think Zainab would be happy with anyone that Syed's with — they'd have to be absolutely perfect. Mummy Masood will be doing a lot of meddling and locking horns with Amira." She has also been described as "very high maintenance", "spoilt and snobbish" and "a lonely and insecure girl". The BBC website describes Amira as "beautiful", "spoilt" and "unashamed snob" but also "charming and fun".

Princess Amira is stunning, spoilt and a snob to boot. Several Walford men have fallen under her spell, not least her brother-in-law-to-be Tamwar, who made an ill-conceived drunken lunge at her on his birthday – earning himself a smack across the face for his efforts. She might look like butter wouldn’t melt, but looks can be deceiving. Amira married heart-throb Syed, before realising his heart actually belonged to Christian. She left the square under a dark cloud, but watch out Chryed — she's back!

— The BBC's description of Amira (2011)

Kalidas insisted that "Amira truly loves Syed". She explained to Digital Spy at the British Soap Awards: "Her world collapses around her, so she ends up coming back to Syed, the man she truly loves. Amira does move in with [Janine] and we have some really great exchanges actually. Some very strong women together in one household."