{"id":348750,"date":"2026-03-16T08:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/348750\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T08:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T08:44:09","slug":"eastenders-airs-surprise-return-of-fan-favourite-character-after-7-years-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/348750\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders airs surprise return of fan favourite character after 7 years away"},"content":{"rendered":"

EastEnders<\/a> spoilers follow for Monday\u2019s episode (16 March), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn\u2019t yet aired on TV.<\/p>\n

EastEnders has aired the surprise return of a fan favourite character, for a very special Mother\u2019s Day episode. Lauren Branning started the morning still spooked by the car theft incident, that viewers know Mark Fowler is secretly behind<\/a> \u2013 but her day took a turn when she was surprised by her grandmother Cora Cross!<\/p>\n

Beloved matriarch Cora, played by Ann Mitchell, appeared in the soap from 2011 and 2015, followed by intermittent appearances in the years following, but she hasn\u2019t been seen on screen since November 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"ann<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Related: Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n

Peter told his wife in today\u2019s episode<\/a> that he had a surprise for her at the Beale and Fowler family lunch over at No.45. But it was clear Lauren was distracted by her assault when she refused to let a customer at the car lot test drive a vehicle.<\/p>\n

Max spotted this and gave his daughter much-needed support, so she decided to invite him to the Mother\u2019s Day lunch, to the annoyance of others in the family. However, Max got a shock when Cora made an unexpected arrival!<\/p>\n

Peter had invited both Tanya and Cora to the lunch as a surprise for Lauren, but Tanya couldn\u2019t make the trip to Walford. Max was still stunned though, as he and Cora have always had a turbulent relationship…<\/a><\/p>\n

In some hugely entertaining dinner table scenes, Cora caught up with her loved ones, was officially introduced to Cindy and continued to clash with Max \u2013 before he was asked to leave by Ian.<\/p>\n

After an emotional speech by Kathy, Mark presented Lauren with an opportunity<\/a> to sell some high-end cars at the lot. Lauren didn\u2019t look too enthusiastic about his offer, and Cora noticed this.<\/p>\n

\"max<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Related: EastEnders kicks off Suki and Penny clash as pregnancy secret is revealed<\/a><\/p>\n

Later, Cora had a chat with Lauren alone, and she admitted that she had lost her confidence following the car theft. Cora gave her granddaughter some tough love and reminded Lauren of her strength to move past any challenge she faces.<\/p>\n

While Cora only made a flying visit to Albert Square, she thankfully managed to catch up with Oscar before she left in a taxi, with the youngster having spent the day in bed hungover.<\/p>\n

Oscar was wary about facing his nan after the drama with his mum last year<\/a>, but Cora only gave him some words of encouragement. They shared an emotional embrace, and Kathy and Ian paid tribute to Lou as they witnessed this sweet moment.<\/p>\n

\"lauren<\/p>\n

BBC<\/p>\n

Related: EastEnders legend Steve McFadden signs up for new role away from the soap<\/a><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, having been buoyed by Cora, Lauren decided to accept Mark\u2019s offer \u2013 and chose not to tell her dad about this. Will she discover Mark\u2019s true criminal motives?<\/p>\n

EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.<\/p>\n

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/a><\/p>\n

For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast<\/a> from Inside Soap magazine. The latest episode<\/a> delves into next week\u2019s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale – and also includes a deep dive into what Weatherfield newcomer Jodie Ramsey is really up to!
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