Actors Danny Hatchard and Maddy Hill are returning to EastEnders as siblings Lee and Nancy Carter for a dramatic storyline where “jaws will drop”.
The announcement follows the news that Kellie Bright, who plays their mother Linda, is leaving the BBC soap.
Bright has played the glamorous Linda Carter since December 2013, when she was introduced as one of the new owners of the Queen Vic pub in Albert Square.
Linda has four children with her husband Mick Carter, who was portrayed by Danny Dyer, including their ex-military son Lee (Danny Hatchard) and tomboy daughter Nancy (Maddy Hill).
Speaking during a Q&A, EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey said that viewers will see Bright’s character Linda “at her best” ahead of her exit.
Kellie Bright has starred in EastEnders since 2013
He continued: “We’ll be welcoming Lee and Nancy back into the fold for a period in a story that… I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see the first cliffhanger.”
Lee Carter was involved in storylines such as a turbulent relationship with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) during his time in Albert Square.
He left in 2017 but made a brief one-off appearance in December 2024.
Actor Hatchard said he is “absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders” as Lee.
“Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I’m proper buzzing to be back grafting with the Enders family,” he said.
Viewers saw Lee’s on-screen sister Nancy diagnosed with epilepsy and navigate romances with the likes of Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) during her time in Walford.
Hill, who left the show in 2022, said: “I am so excited to be returning to Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy’s shoes.
“I’ve missed her! I’m especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family.”
EastEnders is teasing a big autumn ahead
Wadey said he is “absolutely thrilled” to welcome Hatchard and Hill back to the show.
“Whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she’s got a lot to catch up on,” he teased.
Hatchard and Hill have already started filming, and their first scenes will air later this year.
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One Monday to Thursday.