{"id":746859,"date":"2026-08-23T05:10:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T05:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/746859\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T05:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T05:10:19","slug":"eastenders-boss-reveals-two-returning-stars-for-big-story-jaws-will-drop-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/746859\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders boss reveals two returning stars for big story: ‘Jaws will drop’ | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tGuess who\u2019s coming back?! (Picture: BBC\/Metro)<\/p>\n

We were all pretty devastated when we learned that Linda Carter<\/a>\u00a0(Kellie Bright<\/a>) would be leaving EastEnders<\/a>, weren\u2019t we?<\/p>\n

With the announcement that her son Johnny<\/a> (Charlie Suff<\/a>)\u00a0would be heading off with his mum<\/a>, it signalled the end of an era, with the other Carter\u2019s all having left Walford, either in the back of a cab or via presumed death via drowning, in Mick Carter<\/a>\u2019s\u00a0(Danny Dyer<\/a>) case.<\/p>\n

As we officially wave goodbye to one of Albert Square\u2019s most beloved families, though, according to Ben Wadey<\/a> we\u2019ll be getting a reunion of sorts before we do.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019ve got some returns coming up,\u2019 he teased. <\/p>\n

\u2018You may have read that Kellie Bright is very sadly leaving us after so many brilliant years in the programme. I am quite close to Kellie. She is such a phenomenal actor. <\/p>\n

\u2018Linda Carter is one of the all time great EastEnders characters, so losing her is such a big moment to the show and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months. <\/p>\n

\u2018We will be welcoming Lee and Nancy back for a period in a story where I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see it.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"STRICT
\n\t\tLee Carter will be back(Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"STRICT
\n\t\t\u2026as will Nancy (Picture: BBC\/Kieron McCarron\/Jack Barnes)<\/p>\n

While it\u2019ll surely be devastating to say goodbye to Linda after all this time, the return of her missing children is undoubtedly exciting.<\/p>\n

The Carters weathered plenty in their absence so fans can expect the duo\u2019s upcoming reunion to be anything but smooth. The reason for their comeback is currently being kept under wraps wraps but complications will be aplenty. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n

Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n

On her return, Nancy star Maddy Hill said: \u2018I am SO excited to be returning to Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy\u2019s shoes (or basketball shorts!). I\u2019ve missed her! I\u2019m especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family.\u2019<\/p>\n

On his return, Danny Hatchard said: \u2018I\u2019m absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders as Lee Carter. Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I\u2019m proper buzzing to be back grafting with the Enders family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Executive Producer, Ben Wadey added: \u2018We are absolutely thrilled to have Maddy and Danny back in Walford, bringing two much-loved pieces of the Carter family back together. And whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she\u2019s got a lot to catch up on\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

Nancy (Maddy Hill) appeared in the show from 2014 until 2016 before leaving to go travelling with boyfriend Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel), returning for a short stint between 2021 and 2022 before leaving again.<\/p>\n

Lee (Danny Hatchard) appeared between 2014 and 2017, taking centre stage in a critically-lauded depression plot<\/a>, and made a brief reappearance in 2019 before departing once more.<\/p>\n

Fingers crossed \u2013 we\u2019ll be keeping Linda\u2019s mum Elaine Peacock<\/a>\u00a0(Harriet Thorpe<\/a>) \u2013 and hopefully Lee and Nancy aren\u2019t the only Carter\u2019s who\u2019ll be reappearing, and we\u2019ll get a glimpse of a seaweed covered-Mick or a cigarette-smoking Shirley (Linda Henry)\u2026<\/p>\n

We can dream, right?<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Nancy,
\n\t\tIt\u2019s the end of an era (Picture: BBC\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

\u2018EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye,\u2019 said Linda actress Kellie, discussing her decision to leave<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and\u00a0Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay.<\/p>\n

\u2018I will miss my friends and colleagues hugely, but I am looking forward to my next chapter and spending more time with my wonderful boys.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Linda
\n\t\tLinda will be bowing out later this year (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

\u2018Enders boss Ben Wadey added: \u2018Kellie has been at the beating heart of EastEnders for the past 13 years, and her characterisation of the fiercely lovable, protective, and brilliant Linda Carter has made her a favourite amongst the viewers and cemented her as a classic EastEnders icon.<\/p>\n

\u2018Kellie has been involved in some of the show\u2019s most explosive and iconic storylines, and everyone at EastEnders will miss Kellie and Linda dearly.<\/p>\n

\u2018When Kellie told us of her decision last year to leave, we already had big plans for Linda, so we were delighted that Kellie agreed to stay on to see them through.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019ve still got a long way to go before we say goodbye, but I can promise that Kellie\u2019s exit storyline will be full of unmissable drama. I\u2019d like to thank Kellie for her time here at EastEnders, and we wish her all the best for the future.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Coronation Street star reveals Grammy-winning sister sang at her wedding<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Emmerdale star in \u2018better place\u2019 as she marks major sobriety milestone<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Killer Janine is back for devastating funeral scenes as shock EastEnders twist explodes<\/a><\/p>\n


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