Matthew James Morrison, known for his role as Felix Baker on the BBC soap EastEnders, has shared his experience of struggling to find acting work a year after his character was written out of the show. Morrison portrayed Felix Baker for three years and was notable for playing Tara Misu, EastEnders' first regular drag queen character. His departure from the series occurred in 2025.
Morrison discussed his career trajectory since leaving the soap on the Missleighdingfortunes podcast. He noted that while he secured theatre roles following his exit, he is now facing unemployment. "This is the first time since really leaving EastEnders – I finished the tour over a week ago – and I don't have anything lined up," Morrison stated. "It feels like I am stood in the desert just being like what do I do next?"
He mentioned that he is considering using this period to develop new skills, such as learning to ride a horse or mastering a new accent. Morrison was among several cast members who left the program last year, reportedly the sixth. His character's introduction three years prior was met with acclaim, with Morrison expressing gratitude at the time for the opportunity to portray Tara Misu.
Despite his impactful role, some viewers criticized EastEnders for underutilizing the character, particularly after Tara Misu transitioned to a less prominent role as a barman at The Albert. The soap, which attracts approximately 3.5 million viewers per episode, has faced criticism from its audience regarding the departure of popular actors, with some fans expressing concern about the show's future quality. Comments from viewers indicated disappointment, with sentiments such as "They are losing all their best actors" and "Why are they getting rid of the good actors?" reflecting a broader sentiment among the show's fanbase.