Jessie Wallace, best known for playing Kat Slater now Moon in EastEnders for over 25 years, previously starred in a historical film and fans love it20:16, 10 Jun 2026EastEnders icon Jessie Wallace has been entertaining soap fans as Kat Slater now Moon since 2000, when she moved onto Albert Square with the Slater family.‌Since Kat's arrival, she has been revealed as the biological mother of her sister Zoe (Michelle Ryan), married local gangster Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), and endured a turbulent relationship with her one true-love, Alfie (Shane Richie).‌She also discovered her own son, Luke Slater, didn't die at birth and confessed to being a victim of sexual abuse by her uncle Harry (Michael Elphick) in a harrowing storyline.‌It's hard to imagine Jessie portraying anyone but the Queen Vic's beloved landlady, Kat. However, away from the BBC soap, she starred in a period movie that has been hailed by fans as a "masterpiece".Miss Marie Lloyd first aired on BBC Four in May, 2007, and is a biographical film that explores the life of the famous Edwardian music hall star.‌The early Victorian era saw the rise of music halls in East London, which offered theatrical entertainment featuring music, dancing, and jokes. Marie Lloyd personified the halls' comedy and energy, and soon became a legend.But away from the stage, Marie Lloyd's musical fiction paled next to the facts of her own outrageous life.The film, written by Martyn Hesford, features some of her most famous songs, including My Old Man Said Follow The Van and her theme song A Little Of What You Fancy Does You Good, painting a poignant portrait of public success and personal sadness.‌Marie scandalised respectable society with her rebellious attitude and with a string of love affairs, which were salaciously covered in the tabloid papers.In the movie, Jessie looks a world away from her EastEnders role as leopard-print-clad Kat, as she dons late 1800s fashion, including big ringleted hair, grand flowing dresses, and even bigger hats.‌The film also starred Richard Armitage as Percy Courtney, Annette Badland as Nelly Powers, and Shaun Parkes as The Showman.Taking to Instagram, Jessie recently shared photos from her time playing as Miss Marie Lloyd alongside her former co-star Lee Andrews, who played Freddie in the film.‌Fans of the soap star wasted no time in praising Jessie for her role in the filme, with one person writing: "A wonderful drama and you were brilliant playing Marie."A second stated: "You were absolutely incredible and helped me to fall in love With Miss Marie Lloyd. I watched it over and over again, thank you."A third chimed in: "You were INCREDIBLE," while another added: "This was a sheer masterpiece and masterclass in acting by the wonderful and talented Jessie Wallace."Article continues belowEastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer