Former EastEnders actors Natalie Cassidy and Jack Ryder have reunited for the first time in 24 years on a train as part of a National Rail campaign.
The pair, who played on-screen couple Sonia Jackson and Jamie Mitchell, last appeared together in 2002.
Their final scene drew 16 million viewers before Ryder's character was killed off.
National Rail launched the 'Proper Catch-Up Carriage' with themed conversation dice to encourage deeper conversations among passengers.
The dice will be distributed on October 2 and 3, following a survey that found 49% of British adults struggle to speak candidly about feelings.
Cassidy and Ryder reflected on their reunion and the importance of making time for meaningful catch-ups.
"We're all guilty of saying we'll 'properly catch up soon', only for weeks, months or even years to pass by," Cassidy said.
She added that even when meeting up, it's easy to get distracted or have surface-level conversations.
The former co-stars described the immediate familiarity of their bond after more than two decades apart.
"It's been more than 20 years since Jack and I last saw each other, so sitting down together again felt really special," Cassidy said.
Ryder noted that reconnecting onboard provided a rare break from digital distractions.
"Seeing Natalie again brought back so many memories," Ryder said. "It felt like being transported straight back to those early days of working together."
He emphasized that the conversation dice helped them move beyond small talk.
"The dice helped us get beyond the usual small talk and into the sort of conversations you don't always make time for," Ryder said.
In a separate interview, the pair discussed their history on the set of Albert Square and how their connection survived the hiatus.
"It's 24 years to be exact," Ryder said. "It feels like coming home."
Cassidy affirmed that their underlying personal compatibility had not eroded despite the passage of time.
"Our relationship is so strong and special and always has been," Cassidy said.
"We always wanted to meet up, but over the years, you're bringing up kids, you're doing life, aren't you?"
Ryder explained that direct physical contact had been absent since their departure from the television show.
"There's been the odd Whatsapp but this is the first time we've seen each other face to face since EastEnders," Ryder said.
The duo recounted the evolution of their maturity while recalling lighthearted moments from their younger years working alongside senior cast members.
"We've grown up," Cassidy said. "We're both parents now."
Ryder noted that their foundational sense of humor remained intact.
"But our personality and humour is exactly the same as it was," Ryder said. "That shorthand comes straight back."
Cassidy echoed the sentiment regarding their shared mindset during their youth.
"We like a laugh, but we're very old souls," Cassidy said. "We've always been 60!"
When reminiscing about everyday routines behind the scenes, Cassidy shared a recurring prank involving fellow cast members.
"When we'd go around to this McDonald's drive-thru, maybe with Dean Gaffney or Michael Greco - and ask for Ronald at the window," Cassidy said.
"Every time."
Ryder recalled early experiences joining the high-profile cast alongside veteran actors like Ross Kemp.
"Ross Kemp took me there my first day on set," Ryder said. "I remember thinking, I'm ordering McDonalds with Ross Kemp!"
Cassidy clarified the non-romantic nature of their off-screen friendship while working on demanding storylines.
"Like brother and sister," Cassidy said. "We had the same interests.
We liked the same music, and we'd listen to music, watch our films together."
Ryder recalled spending downtime between takes in his studio space on set.
"We watched a lot of Friends, or just hang out in my dressing room, me strumming away on my guitar," Ryder said.
The actors paid tribute to late colleagues who mentored them during their early careers in television.
"So many - some, sadly, not with us anymore like Barbara Windsor and June Brown," Cassidy said.
Ryder recalled a memorable encounter involving royalty and the late Barbara Windsor.
"I remember the day the late Queen came to set and Barbara was next to her, saying, 'This is our Jack,'" Ryder said.
"Surreal."
He added that Barbara was like a grandma to him, always with her arm around him.
The pair contrasted their personal experiences with fan encounters during the height of the show's popularity.
"Me not so much, Sonia was a good person," Cassidy said. "I still get 'Sonia, where's your trumpet?
Where's Robbie? Where's Wellard?'
It's nostalgia. But Jack did."
Ryder detailed the intense public reaction generated by his teenage heartthrob status.
"It was the heartthrob thing!" Ryder said.
"I remember being in a shopping centre once and having to escape because the security guards couldn't hold back all the screaming fans."
He added that girls would be fainting and that being in people's living rooms every night made them feel like they knew him.
Addressing whether they maintain viewership of the soap opera today, Cassidy acknowledged her current habits.
"I haven't watched it since I left," Cassidy said. "Actually, I lie, I'm always there for the big episodes, like Christmas Day.
My daughter still watches it; she loves it - I just never find the time."
Regarding a potential future return to her long-running role, Cassidy indicated she remains open to possibilities while feeling content with her decision to depart.
"Never say never," Cassidy said. "I left on really great terms.
It was a fantastic time, full of friendship and laughter, and tough times as well. But I don't miss that job - that's why I left.
It was time to go."
Both performers outlined their current career directions outside of serial television drama.
"I'd love to do stand-up but I'm still too terrified," Cassidy said.
"But I'm doing brunches at the weekend, panto at Christmas playing the Wicked Queen at The Grove in Dunstable, and the pod's going really well.
It's nice to be at home more as well."
Ryder explained his transition into directing and drama coaching following years in theater.
"I was in the West End for about 12 years directing, that was incredible," Ryder said. "Also abroad.
Then I became a dad when COVID hit, and I set up my actors coaching company, which is my passion now, really.
But I've got a quiet life in the country, and a six-year-old daughter I love spending time with.
It's a simple life."
Ryder also reflected on collaborating with musician Gary Barlow on stage productions.
"A really nice guy," Ryder said. "I worked with Gary while directing The Band and Calendar Girls.
One little moment I remember flopping on the sofa in the office.
We'd both had a long day and he just started tinkering on the piano in the corner.
Hearing him sing and play, just the two of us in the room, was pretty amazing..."
The two expressed enthusiasm about potentially collaborating on future acting projects together.
"We'd have to do a comedy I think, a sitcom," Ryder said. "I said to Natalie, I've thought about it over the years.
If there was the right script..."
Cassidy supported the idea of taking initiative to produce a joint venture.
"I think we'd have a blast," Cassidy said.
"Sometimes it's about being proactive and saying, let's do it - even if it's getting it out there ourselves."
Connecting their personal experience back to the National Rail campaign, Cassidy and Ryder highlighted the broader purpose of the initiative.
"It's about how sharing a journey together gives you those moments to actually sit down and have proper chats," Cassidy said.
Ryder emphasized the impact of modern schedules on personal relationships.
"We're always so busy, we're on our phones, permanently on the go," Ryder said. "So to actually sit on a train and have a proper conversation is lovely.
It's important, because sometimes they come too late."
Cassidy cited survey data regarding the quality of modern social catch-ups to explain her support for the movement.
"According to National Rail stats, 40% of people that say they're going to catch up with a friend, go away, and thinking, 'I haven't even had a proper catch-up,'" Cassidy said.
"Which I thought was sad. So it's a campaign close to my heart.
It's like with Jack -, the seasons, the years go by - but this brought us together."
Relationship psychologist Dr. Madeleine Mason Roantree collaborated with National Rail to design the prompts on the 'Catch-Up Dice.'
Additional data from the campaign poll revealed that 73 percent of respondents fail to follow through on promises to catch up, 59 percent have postponed gatherings due to daily busy schedules, and 52 percent reported becoming distracted by electronic devices during social interactions.
"Heartfelt conversations help us feel more connected, supported and less overwhelmed, but they can be difficult to prioritise in our busy lives," Dr. Mason Roantree said.
"Setting aside dedicated, distraction-free time together makes it much easier to have these meaningful conversations, and doing so can have a positive impact on our overall wellbeing."
