The queen of knock-offs and the matriarch of the Slater family

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the world of EastEnders, Mo Harris is a force of nature. Known as 'Big Mo,' she is a tough-talking survivor famous for dodgy deals, tax evasion, and her fierce loyalty to the Slater family, often acting as a surrogate mother to her granddaughters.

Introduced on 18 September 2000 and portrayed by Laila Morse, Mo Harris was part of the 'classic' Slater family. This family was created by executive producer John Yorke and writer Tony Jordan through improvisational workshops to bring 'traditional values' and solid family units back to the soap, replacing the axed di Marco family.

Mo is characterized by her resilience and her questionable business ethics. Often compared to 'female Fagin' or 'Del Boy,' she is a 'tough cookie' known for selling stolen goods, cigarettes from Spain, and even swan meat disguised as turkey. Despite facing 100 hours of community service for tax evasion, her involvement in shady transactions and trivial fun has made her a series regular.

Her history is deeply intertwined with other characters, most notably her long-running rivalry with Pat Evans. This animosity, rooted in Mo allegedly cheating on Pat's late brother Jimmy Harris, lasted for decades until the two reconciled at Jimmy's grave. Despite her criminal inclinations, Mo serves as the elder stateswoman of the Slaters, a role she has maintained through various departures and returns to Walford between 2000 and 2024.

Mo's character has undergone several shifts in the series. After her contract was not renewed in July 2012, she made occasional appearances until 2016. Following a full-time return in 2018, she departed again in June 2021, only to be confirmed for a permanent return in May 2024 alongside her great-grandson, Freddie Slater.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The launderette's religious gossip: how Dot Cotton became a cultural archetype
• The soap opera matriarch who was cast to 'save' a show
• The complex, award-winning evolution of EastEnders' Stacey Slater
• A soap opera patriarch whose life is defined by betrayal, secrets, and recurring returns.
• The soap opera character who cost a million pounds to save
• The Mod subculture was a stylish, amphetamine-fueled rebellion against Britain's rigid class system.
• A thunderstorm over Chicago inspired one of the most famous jazz standards in history
• How Molly Ringwald evolved from 1980s teen icon to a multifaceted creative force
• The reality-warping imp who treats Superman like a toy for his own amusement
• The British monarchy is a constitutional office defined by tradition rather than direct executive power.
• How a 1966 television concept evolved into a global cinematic spectacle of death-defying stunts
• The 2025 Money in the Bank event redefined professional wrestling stakes in Los Angeles

More in UK & Irish culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics