You will be ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED by Sophie Levy’s brutally honest verdict on her own character — especially as a risky affair takes a darker turn

EastEnders star Sophie Levy has slammed her character, Priya Nandra-Hart, as “toxic” and “chaotic”. This comes as she issues a warning to the soap’s characters over Priya’s “dangerous” affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood).

As Priya continues to pursue Max, despite his engagement to Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), it has become more and more clear that this is really about her heartbreak over ex boyfriend Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). Ravi brutally broke up with her upon leaving his hospital ward, but not before sleeping with her one last time.

Since then, Priya has been jumping into bed with Max, who fans know will wake up with a pregnant woman in his bed at the end of the year. As such, many are wondering if Priya is the one who will be pregnant – and if so, how Ravi, who has killed before, will react.

Ahead of some big twists in the soap, one of which sees Priya locked in a car boot, Sophie revealed what she really thinks of the storylines.

How would you describe Priya and Max’s relationship at the moment?

It’s all over the place. I think Max has finally met his match, and Priya enjoys that. She’s heard all about his reputation and lothario past, but he’s never met anyone like her; she sees him as small fry. Priya wants to be completely in control, but Max is also someone who likes control, so they’re constantly tussling over each other for that.

What do you think Priya really wants from Max?

In the wake of Ravi leaving her, she’s looking for a base-level distraction, and Max provides that. She doesn’t want anything serious at all and her focus is still her family and she’s reeling from everything that’s happened. She likes feeling like she has the power between the two of them; she often tells Max she’s out of his league because she’s trying to rebuild the self-worth she’s lost over the past year in her relationship with Ravi. She’s reclaiming the confidence she once had.

To what extent does Priya enjoy toying with Max?

When Priya first came to Walford, we saw this toxic and chaotic side of her, and her dynamic with Max is definitely bringing it back. She’s taking satisfaction from feeling in control again, something she’s felt she’s lost. On the surface it’s fun and distracting, but deep down I don’t think she truly enjoys it.

Priya reacts strongly when she hears Max has defended her to Cindy, why does that provoke such anger?

Because, in her mind, it crosses a line and starts to affect her real life. Their relationship is meant to be contained and emotionless, and she hates the idea of Max having an opinion on her parenting. She also wants to keep her children out of it as they’ve been through enough. She believed she could keep everything separate, so Max crossing that line is alarming to her.

After their close call, Priya finds herself in the boot of a car as Lauren drives away, what is going through her mind in that moment?

What isn’t going through her mind?! She’s trying to figure out how to get out of the situation, while also panicking about what happens if she’s caught, and by who. She’s also furious with Max for putting her in that position.

Should Max be worried about the consequences of leaving Priya feeling embarrassed?

Absolutely. Priya’s wrath after being embarrassed is not something to be taken lightly. The humiliation cuts deep, especially given what she was enjoying about the relationship. Max has shifted her from feeling in control to feeling humiliated, which mirrors how she felt when Ravi briefly returned during Ross and Vicki’s wedding, slept with her, and left again. It’s a trigger for Priya and a very dangerous game for Max to be playing…