Crossword Genius

Eastender who takes small part in reviving production? (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tea leaf

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'reviving production?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'eastender who takes small part' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'part' could be 'leaf' (leaf is a kind of part) and 'leaf' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'tea' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tea leaf that I've seen before include "Dried part of a plant, used to make cuppas" , "Cockney thief" , "Part of plant used to make drink" , "ending up in hot water" , "One from Assam perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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