Keanu returned in episode 6607, broadcast on 13 December 2022, again becoming a regular on the soap. His personality was slightly altered as he was now portrayed as being more mature and deceitful. Keanu's storylines in his return stint focused on the resume of his romance with Sharon, becoming involved in drug trafficking, and faking Albie Watts's (Arthur Gentleman) abduction before his second departure on episode 6826, broadcast on 25 December 2023. He is the victim of "The Six" storyline, being stabbed to death with a meat thermometer by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), which led to his departure. He makes five additional appearances as a hallucination from 10 January 2024 to 20 February 2024 before his body was found by Bernadette on 3 April 2024.
Creation and development
Casting and Introduction
Actor Danny Walters (pictured) portrayed Keanu Taylor from 2017 to 2020, and then from 2022 to 2024.
Walters said that he gained the role after attending a workshop organized by the show, as producers were unsure to introduce a new family or not.[2] Walters was informed later that day that he had been cast as Keanu, with details initially being kept vague, with little information about the character specifically.[2] Once the BBC announced Walters's casting on Facebook, Walters announced it to his friends and family after shaving his head for the role.[2]
The Taylor family's arrival was announced on 10 May 2017, with the family being described by executive producer Sean O'Connor as "noisy, brash and not to be messed with".[3][4] Keanu is introduced alongside the family, being described as a "charming" and "happy-go-lucky" guy who sees himself as the man of the family and tries to protect his siblings wherever possible.[3][4][5] Danny Walters described Keanu as "very mature for his age" due to growing up without a father figure and he has "had to grow up quite quickly to fend for himself and his family".[2][6] He also described Keanu as a hard-worker, as he is the only source of income for his family, and that he would do "anything" for his family, especially his mother Karen and sister Bernadette.[2] Walters also decribed Keany as "a good lad [who has] got morals".[2] And that the viewers should not judge the Taylor family as it would become clear that they were "an absolutely beautiful family".[2][6]
Keanu, alongside his mother Karen (Lorraine Stanley), half-sister Bernadette (Clair Norris), and half-brothers Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs) made their first appearances on 15 June 2017.[3][7][8] When asked, Walters said the family is "the sort of neighbours you wouldn't want moving into your beautiful square".[2][6] Walters said the family would clash with everyone on the show.[2] Walters said: "Everyone has been so friendly and kind and gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome and supported. There has been a huge buzz surrounding the new family and I am so excited to see what the future holds for the Taylors".[4][7] And that his character will "try his very best not to disturb the peace" in the square.[4][7]
First departure
In October 2019, Walters said to expect "big emotions" and "big stunts" in that year's upcoming Christmas episode.[9] He also said that the storyline about his affair with Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) would become "much more serious" and "more interesting – to watch, to perform and to be a part of".[9] Keanu's first exit was announced on 1 November 2019 by executive producer Jon Sen, promising that Keanu would go out in "spectacular fashion" after over two years on the show,[10][11] and in a "dramatic and blistering conclusion" to Keanu's storyline with Sharon that would come to a head on Christmas Day 2019.[12]
"Keanu's story is set to come to a dramatic and blistering conclusion in the near future as one of the best kept secrets on the Square is finally revealed with devastating consequences. We'd all like to thank Danny for his nuanced performance as Keanu Taylor over the last two and half years. What Danny has brought to his character has been one of the reasons the 'Sheanu' affair has been such compulsive viewing for fans. Everyone at EastEnders wishes him well for the future."
—Jon Sen, executive producer of EastEnders from 2019 to 2022, talking about Danny Walters leaving the show.[12]
Walters left on his own accord to pursue other projects, telling Digital Spy that "It has been a joy to play Keanu" and that "EastEnders will always hold a special place in [his] heart".[12][10] Walters said the storyline's conclusion would be "explosive, like a classic [EastEnders] Christmas".[10][11] The actor "bowed out" of the soap on his own accord for the purposes of the storyline about his affair with Sharon and to pursue other projects.[13][14] The nature of his departure was left ambiguous by both Sen and Walters.[15]
Walters and Lorraine Stanley were seen filming in an airport on 25 November 2019, which were initially believed to be Keanu's final scenes.[13] Keanu left the show to avoid the Mitchell family, as his death was being plotted.[16] Stanley believed Keanu would only return if Phil died, as the affair enraged Phil, saying "Maybe he'll come back one day? Never say never".[17] After the airport scene was aired, the actor was seen filming on the River Thames in January 2020.[18][19] The scenes were heavily speculated to air on the show's 35th anniversary.[19] On filming there, Walters said: "It's a fantastic feeling to be a part of something so iconic. I grew up watching EastEnders, so to be a part of this anniversary I feel really lucky".[20]
Return
Walters made an unannounced return as Keanu on 13 December 2022.[21][22] Executive producer Chris Clenshaw explained that he wanted to bring Keanu back because "he's got unfinished business and it's been almost three years".[22] When discussing his return, Walters was given brief details, but was excited about being set to return in the episode featuring the funeral of Dot Branning (June Brown), saying, "when I got the call from Chris, he told me about some of the storylines and When I heard what he wants Keanu to do, I couldn't help but want to come back. I'm very privileged to be coming back in such an iconic episode". Walters promised viewers a new side to Keanu, saying "The way I'm playing him now, there's a new type of character that you'll see from Keanu".[23][24]
Discussing his character's development, Walters said: "Sharon's a strong force but he's now got a child, Albie, who's two".[21] Clenshaw promised a more mature version of Keanu, adding that Keanu has grown up since his original stint, saying "I think Keanu left a boy and he returns as a man".[22] He also promised that the character was no longer afraid of Phil, saying "I don't really think Keanu thinks too much of Phil," the actor said. "What I mean by that is Keanu's focus and energy is on his family. Right now, Albie is the most important person to him".[25] "In Keanu's head, he's had the advice from Sam and Karen about how to make a relationship work".[25]
On his character's reunion with Sharon, Walters believed Keanu's attraction to Sharon tended to drive his decisions, saying "Sharon was always the reason that Keanu had a bit of purpose, really, and a bit of drive". There was a deep, deep attraction to Sharon that I guess even Keanu couldn't explain. There is something that he's drawn to and I think it's reciprocated because Sharon has someone, not just because he's younger, but someone who appreciates Sharon for who she is, and that's why that relationship works so well"[23][24] and that in his time away, Keanu got into bad habits and then fixed them, saying "he goes into those old habits where he sees himself becoming like his father so he tries to change those habits. I think while he was in Portugal and away from the Square he's had time to think about things, to grow up".[23]
Walters wanted to explore more of Keanu's family with his return, particularly his father, saying: "It's something I've always wanted to explore because, one, I think it's something that the audience will start to see a different side of Keanu's character and where the father comes into it, and why Keanu has been shaped the way he is, and the decisions he's made over the years, and I think he's been very lost over the years, not having that father figure. And which is really interesting, which I don't know whether this was ever scripted, but the way I played it when we were being myself and Steve McFadden is that Keanu is like the son that Phil never had and Phil was like the father Keanu never had and that's why looking back over the years ago, what happened, the whole complexity of that, how much he loved Phil and admired him and adored him, but obviously Keanu's decisions took them both down a very different path".[26]
Speculation for why Keanu would potentially be killed at Christmas generally centered on his and Karen's abduction of Albie being discovered[31] or his fling with Sam Mitchell being exposed.[32] Laura Denby of Radio Times initially ruled Keanu out of possibly being the victim as the suit he was wearing for his wedding was different than the one the body was wearing.[33] When asked if Keanu was the body, Walters said "I think there are multiple characters that are potential players for the cufflinks. This is what's great about the storyline, there's so many players involved, and anyone attached to those six women, or maybe not even attached to those six women; it could be any of us".[34] When asked if Keanu could be the victim, Letitia Dean said "Keanu obviously isn't the man Sharon thinks he is and although she is wracked with guilt over Albie's paternity she has no idea he is keeping this massive secret. Family is everything to Sharon, and the idea that Keanu would purposely play with her emotions in such a cruel way would absolutely break her. I don't think she could forgive him for that".[35] Chris Clenshaw said "As we head towards Christmas, it will become apparent and it will become very clear who the potential body is," he teased. "Not who the body actually is, but who the potential ones we're looking at are and the ones that it could be".[36] Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said "Christmas Day in Walford is always momentous" and praised the fans' speculations.[37]
Watched by 3.58 million people,[38] "The Six" storyline unfolded on Christmas Day 2023, where it is revealed that while Keanu died after being stabbed by Linda Carter, he was not the body on the floor.[37][39] Clenshaw explained that several fake scenes which included Keanu were filmed with the intention of throwing fans off the scent.[40] Walters felt honored to play the victim in Christmas episode,[41] calling it a "privilege" to play a major role in such an important moment.[42]
After a disagreement, Phil fires Keanu. Keanu sees Sharon Mitchell's (Letitia Dean) son Dennis Rickman Jnr (Bleu Landau) being given a bag full of phones by a gang, and he confiscates the bag and confronts the gang, who steal everything in The Arches as revenge. The gang later attack Dennis and Keanu, but they are interrupted by Phil, who drags Dennis and Keanu back to his house. Sharon later thanks Keanu for defending Dennis. When Dennis is left alone in The Arches, the gang tries to kidnap him, but are stopped by Sharon and Keanu. Sharon thanks Keanu for helping save him. Keanu shuts down the Sharon's claims of being a bad mother and kisses her on the cheek, promising not to tell Phil about it. When Phil finds out about the attack, he is furious that Keanu and Sharon kept a secret from him, so he punches Keanu in the face. Sharon later finds out Phil is going on a business trip, so texts Keanu once Phil leaves and they sleep together. When Sharon discovers Keanu is only 19 years old, she briefly ends the affair but they later reconcile and go on to have numerous sexual encounters, including one where Sharon accidentally sends a voicemail of it to Phil's daughter Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), who blackmails them by threatening to tell Phil. Phil encourages Keanu to start seeing Louise, and they briefly date before Keanu breaks up with her, which infuriates Phil, who threatens Keanu and sends him to Spain. Keanu is left devastated when Phil tells him Sharon came up with the idea. He tells Sharon that the holiday is a charade and he will be doing criminal activities for Phil.
Keanu returns to Walford after being attacked by a rival gang of Phil's. Keanu and Louise become a couple again and Louise discovers she is pregnant with Keanu's baby. Keanu has a one-night stand with Sharon after Louise lies to Keanu about having an abortion. After Keanu expresses that he wanted to have a baby with Louise, she apologies and admits she is still pregnant, leaving Keanu delighted. Sharon discovers she is pregnant takes a paternity test, which says that her baby is Keanu's, but she opts to tell everyone that it is Phil's. After Keanu discovers that Sharon's baby is his, he threatens to tell Louise and Phil about the affair as he can't take it anymore, so Sharon and Karen drug Keanu and tie him up in an abandoned warehouse. Keanu agrees to keep the secret. After Louise is taken hostage by her ex-boyfriend Hunter Owen (Charlie Winter), Keanu tries to rescue her, but is shot by Hunter. Keanu survives and Hunter is killed by police. Hunter's mother Mel (Tamzin Outhwaite) vows revenge on Sharon, after Sharon calls Hunter a heartless psychopath. Mel tells Louise's mother Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin) that Sharon is not pregnant with Phil's son, who then tells Phil. Phil assumes Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is the father of Sharon's baby and tortures him in The Arches, preparing to kill him. Keanu and Phil's son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) explain that Phil could have got it wrong, so Phil frees Jack.
On Christmas Eve, Phil discovers the truth about Keanu and Sharon's affair and tries to attack Keanu but Ben suggests having someone else kill Keanu to prevent any evidence linking it to Phil. Phil and Ben tell Louise about the affair and they conspire to kill Keanu. Ben hires Martin Fowler (James Bye) to kill Keanu, agreeing to do the hit as long as Ben erases all evidence. After Keanu admits to Louise that he is the father of Sharon's baby, he insists that he loves Louise and their daughter. Louise betrays Keanu and lets Martin to knock him out. Ben confirms to Phil that he gave Martin a burner phone and demanded a video of Martin killing Keanu. Martin takes Keanu to a warehouse but cannot bring himself to kill Keanu. A drunk Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who had heard the gunshot, walks in and Martin tells her everything. Linda plans to make a fake video, which they film before quickly bandaging Keanu up and telling him to leave Walford for good. Linda tells Sharon that her and Martin faked Keanu's death, so Sharon steals Martin's phone and sends the video to the police as revenge on Phil. Phil and Ben are arrested for murder but are released on bail, causing Phil to run away to Portugal.
In Phil's absence, Keanu returns and meets with Sharon, who agrees to leave Walford with him. Keanu kidnaps Ben's boyfriend Callum Highway (Tony Clay) and demands £100,000 from him. Ben tries to get the money but is unable to, so he calls Phil and tells him everything. Phil returns from Portugal, purchases a gun from Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and takes Karen hostage. Despite Karen's refusal to tell Phil anything, Phil finds Keanu and badly beats him, but Keanu tells him he is sorry and tells him where Callum is. Phil chases Keanu around the deck, causing the boat to crash. At the same time, Sharon gives birth to another son. Keanu, Ben, and Phil all escape, but Dennis dies by drowning. Sharon blames the affair for Dennis's death and demands Keanu leave, saying she never wants to see him again.
2022–2024
Keanu returns but Sharon refuses to let him see Albie (Arthur Gentleman). Ben warns Keanu that Phil, who is currently not in Walford, will kill Keanu when he returns. Keanu later meets DI Samantha Keeble (Alison Newman) and pretends he is helping her to get rid of Phil. When Phil returns, they fight before meeting up later, where it is revealed that Keanu and Phil working together to take down Keeble. Keanu gathers evidence on Keeble for Phil, but it is revealed that Keanu had a fling with Phil's sister Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) while away. Sam lures Keanu to Peggy's wine bar and kisses him, as Phil walks in. Phil double-crosses Keanu and tells him he has until midnight to leave Walford. Keanu tells Keeble about his plan and the evidence he has given Phil. Keeble demands the evidence back, but Phil refuses. Keeble hires people to kidnap Phil's fiancée Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and her son Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) as revenge. Keanu helps Phil track Keeble down, but Kat shoots Keeble before they find her. Phil offers to take her to the hospital to save her life if she agrees to end her vendetta with Phil. Keeble agrees and Phil tells Keanu to take her to the hospital. Keanu says he will if Phil lets him move back into Walford, which Phil agrees to as long as Keanu stays out of his way.
Keanu meets Sharon in The Queen Vic for a date, but Sharon hesitates to reunite, but she is able to forgive him. Keanu starts a job as a bouncer but is forced into strip dancing for customers by Kim Fox (Tameka Empson), and he catches the eye of Kim's niece Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams). They flirt and sleep together, but Sharon learns about their relationship from Karen and arranges a fake date. Sharon is furious when Keanu does not admit to sleeping with Chelsea the night before, and she throws a drink over Keanu. Keanu tries to win Sharon back, even asking her to marry him. Sharon admits she has feelings for Keanu but doesn't want to be hurt again. Keanu kisses Sharon and gives her some space. They reunite and plan a christening for Albie, but Keanu realizes he doesn't have enough money for it, so he approaches Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) for criminal jobs to make money.
Keanu agrees to a job supplyingmarijuana to a man named Christos, but after he is caught, the police find cocaine in Keanu's van, despite Ravi and Christos claiming it was marijuana. Ravi threatens to kill Keanu if he mentions his name to the police. Sharon bails Keanu out of jail but slaps him for getting involved with drugs. Phil fires Keanu from Peggy's wine bar, and Ravi is ordered to kill Keanu to avoid punishment. Ravi beats Keanu almost to death, puncturing his lung. Keanu is rushed to the hospital, and when he wakes up, Sharon asks him to marry her, which he accepts. Sharon calls the police to arrest Ravi, but he is released on bail. Keanu is released from the hospital and is watched by Ravi and his father Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry). Karen visits Nish's wife Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) to get Nish to leave Keanu alone, and Nish promises to leave them alone as long as they stay out of their way. Lisa returns with Keanu's daughter Peggy, revealing that Louise has been struggling with alcohol and drug addictions since Keanu and Sharon's affair was revealed. Lisa blackmails him for £3,000, prompting Keanu to steal £10,000 from Phil's safe to give to Lisa. Sharon discovers Lisa's gambling addiction and realises this is the reason why Lisa blackmailed Keanu, leading to an argument. Sharon agrees to get Peggy back for Lisa if she tells Keanu the truth and allows Keanu access to Peggy. Lisa tells Keanu the truth, but Keanu is furious when he discovers Lisa will only allow him to make video calls to Peggy. Keanu and Sharon break up after he discovers she betrayed him.
Keanu discovers Phil has cheated on Kat with Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit) and blackmails him with the threat of telling Kat. Phil lies to Keanu, telling him he has already told Kat about him and Emma and that she has forgiven him. Keanu reveals this to Kat's ex-husband Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), who agrees to keep quiet as long as Phil never lets Kat down again. Phil marries Kat and threatens to kill Keanu if he tells anyone else about him and Emma. Keanu takes Albie out for the day, gets his ear pierced, and brings him back late. Sharon realises Keanu is jealous and warns if he does not give Albie back on time again he will regret it. Sharon wants a solicitor to arrange a parenting plan for her and Keanu, and Keanu agrees. They meet at the Boxing Den with Karen, where Keanu discovers Sharon has the right to decide Albie's future. Karen suggests marrying Sharon to get rights to Albie and take everything from Sharon. Keanu reluctantly agrees and seduces Sharon. Keanu then kidnaps Albie, who calls out for Sharon. Keanu calls Karen to take Albie to Kandice Taylor's (Hannah Spearritt), before Sharon and her half-brother Zack Hudson (James Farrar) call the police. Keanu claims he took Albie to the park and he was abducted when he turned his back. Keanu posts a ransom note demanding £50,000 in exchange for Albie's return. Phil and Kat hear about Albie's kidnap and offer to give them money and help. Keanu convinces Sharon to allow Karen to drop off the money instead of Phil, and Karen returns Albie from Kandice's husband Malcolm (Greg Haiste).
Mitch finds out the truth about Albie's kidnap and confronts Keanu, who aggressively tells him to back off. Phil becomes suspicious when he sees Karen spending money in The Queen Vic, and when he finds his marked notes that were given to Sharon to pay off Albie's kidnapper, he is convinced that the Taylors kidnapped Albie. Phil confronts the Taylors and reveals the true circumstances behind Albie's kidnap in front of Sharon. Karen admits to being behind the kidnap and takes the blame for it to protect Keanu. Phil angrily confronts Keanu and demands his money back, while Sharon slaps Karen. Karen tells Mitch she is going to take Phil's money and flee Walford, but Mitch decides to stay and tells Keanu that he is dead to her. Phil tells Keanu that the Taylors' debt is now his and that Keanu owes him £50,000.
On Christmas Day 2023, Keanu asks Bernadette to move in with him and Sharon, but Keanu tells her to leave him alone. In revenge, Bernadette tells Phil that Keanu was behind Albie's kidnap, leading to Phil interrupting their wedding. Sharon punches Keanu and reveals to him that Albie is actually Phil's son, leaving both men shocked. Later, Sharon, Suki, Linda, Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) have a heated argument with Nish, who is knocked unconscious by Denise. Keanu arrives and demands to see Albie, but Sharon insists that Albie is not his son. When Keanu gets violent and tries to kill Sharon by strangling her, Linda stabs Keanu with a meat thermometer, killing him instantly. The women debate what to do with Keanu's body, but decide to hide it under the Bridge Street Café floorboards, call an ambulance for Nish, and claim Keanu held them all hostage at knifepoint and that he attacked Nish.
Keanu begins appearing as a hallucination to Denise after the incident when she experiences a psychotic episode. When the cement concealing Keanu's body under the floorboards caves in, Denise asks Jack to retrieve her necklace from the crime scene which would have incriminated her. While Jack successfully retrieves the necklace undetected, the mess of the floorboards causes Bernadette to discover Keanu's body. Sharon is then arrested for his murder, however the women then frame Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) for killing Keanu.
After four months back on the show, Keanu's return was deemed "bland" and "unmemorable" by Alexandra Bullard of MyLondon.[48] Helen Daly of Radio Times called Keanu's character "loveable".[27] Walters described Keanu as "not an evil character, he just makes really poor decisions".[34] He also named his personal favourite scene as Keanu as Keanu's first scene, the arrival of the Taylor family.[41] In 2023, when discussing Sharon and Keanu's relationship, EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw told Digital Spy: "I think it was all kind of fun and lots of mischief when they were having an affair a few years ago, but they're quite different people when it comes down to it."[29] Lewis Knight of Radio Times called the character a "favourite"[41] and following his death, called Walters's performance "natural" and wrote that Keanu "succumbs to his worst impulses and loses his life in the process. A heartbreaking but logical conclusion to a character who started as a sweet hero and ended up a desperate villain no longer worthy of Walford icon Sharon Watts".[49]
Sharon Watts is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, played by Letitia Dean. Sharon was one of EastEnders' original characters conceptualised by creators Tony Holland and Julia Smith. She first appeared in the first episode broadcast on 19 February 1985 as the teenage adopted daughter of pub landlords Den and Angie Watts. Dean originally quit the role in 1995 after ten years, with Sharon departing following the breakdown of her marriage. In May 2001, Sharon was reintroduced by producer John Yorke, before departing in January 2006. Dean's return was announced in February 2012, and she later made her on-screen return on 13 August 2012 in a special week of episodes. Dean took a temporary break from the show and departed on 9 January 2024, and Sharon returned on 1 April 2024.
Kathleen "Kat" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jessie Wallace. She was also played by Kate Peck in a flashback in 2001 and Sumar-Elise Sandford in a flashback in 2018. Kat is the second eldest Slater family sister and first appeared on 18 September 2000. Kat's usual dress is very short skirts and leopard-print tops, with much make-up and heavy fake tan. Her initial stint saw her involved in many storylines, most significantly in a plot twist that sees her supposedly sister Zoe Slater, revealed to be her daughter after she was raped by her uncle Harry Slater as a child. Kat and Zoe's relationship is tested several times, and a feud forms when they compete against each other for the affection of Anthony Trueman. Another key aspect to the character's storylines is her marriage to Alfie Moon, prior to which she became briefly engaged to Andy Hunter ; after Kat jilted Andy on their wedding day, he blackmailed her into sleeping with him in his revenge bid against Alfie and Kat. Kat was absent between November 2004 and May 2005 following Wallace's maternity leave, but returned early to tie in with Zoe’s exit storyline. Kat later left the soap on 25 December 2005.
The Queen Victoria is the Victorian public house in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. It has the fictional address of 46 Albert Square, Walford, London E20.
Sam Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The third member of the Mitchell family to appear on the soap, Sam was introduced as a 15-year-old schoolgirl in July 1990, originally played by Danniella Westbrook. Westbrook quit in 1993, but Sam reappeared from 1995 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2000. In both stints, Sam was written out earlier than the producers intended due to off-screen controversies surrounding Westbrook. In January 2002, Sam was introduced for a fourth time, but the role was recast to Kim Medcalf, who stayed in the role until November 2005. Diederick Santer later decided to reintroduce Sam for a brief stint in 2009 and opted to bring Westbrook back. Westbrook briefly reprised the role once again in 2016 for the funeral of Sam's mother Peggy Mitchell. In January 2022, it was announced that Sam would be returning to the show, this time played by Medcalf again. Medcalf’s return scenes aired on 18 April 2022. Medcalf took an extended break from the show in 2023, with Sam departing on 13 April 2023 and returning seven months later on 21 November 2023. On 18 January 2024, Sam made an unannounced departure from the show following Medcalf's decision to leave indefinitely.
Phil Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Steve McFadden. He was introduced to the soap opera on 20 February 1990 and was followed by his brother Grant, sister Sam and mother Peggy. Phil was one of the major characters introduced by executive producer Michael Ferguson, who wanted to bring in some macho male leads. Phil and his brother Grant became popularly known as the Mitchell brothers in the British media, with Phil initially portrayed as the more level-headed of the two thugs. Storylines featuring the Mitchell family dominated the soap opera throughout the 1990s, with Phil serving as one of the show's central characters and protagonists since the 1990s. McFadden temporarily left the series in late 2003, then returned in April 2005 for a brief appearance before making a permanent return in October 2005, and has now overtaken Dot Cotton as the second-longest-serving character in EastEnders, surpassed only by original character Ian Beale. A teenage version of Phil, played by Daniel Delaney, appeared in a flashback episode broadcast on 5 September 2022, which focuses on the Mitchell family in the 1970s.
Melanie "Mel" Owen is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Tamzin Outhwaite. Mel was introduced by executive producer Matthew Robinson and made her first appearance on 19 October 1998. Outhwaite made her departure on 12 April 2002. Outhwaite's return to the series was announced in October 2017 and she returned on 9 January 2018. The actress chose to leave the soap again in July 2019 and her final episode aired on 14 November 2019 when Mel was killed-off. Outhwaite proved popular in the role, winning multiple awards and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Mel as the character became prominent in the show.
Dean Wicks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders played by Matt Di Angelo. He made his first appearance on 2 January 2006. It was announced on 18 August 2007 that the characters of Deano and his sister Carly Wicks were being axed by executive producer Diederick Santer. Deano made his final appearance on 7 February 2008. On 15 January 2014, it was announced that Deano, now called Dean, would be returning and he first reappeared on 11 April of that year. Di Angelo took a three-month break from the soap from January to April 2015, with a one-off appearance in February to tie in with the show's 30th anniversary celebrations. In October 2015, it was announced that Di Angelo would be leaving the show in early 2016. The character is arrested for attempted rape with his final scenes set in court airing on 4 and 5 February 2016. On 19 August 2016, Dean is acquitted of attempted rape after standing trial off-screen. On 30 October 2023, Di Angelo made an unannounced return as Dean.
Denise Fox is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Diane Parish. She made her first appearance on 11 May 2006 and temporarily left EastEnders in early 2008 to give birth to her second child. Her leave-taking had coincided with the departures of Matt Di Angelo, Phil Daniels and Kellie Shirley. She returned to Walford on 6 June 2008. This is Parish's second role in EastEnders, as she previously played singer Lola Christie in 1998.
Ben Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who has been played by six different actors since his on-screen birth on 21 March 1996. Matthew Silver appeared as an infant Ben between 1996 and 1998, and Morgan Whittle played him as a toddler between 1999 and 2001. After a five-year absence from the series, Charlie Jones assumed the role of Ben in 2006. In 2010, the character was recast with Joshua Pascoe in the role, who made his first appearance on 13 December 2010. Pascoe quit the role in 2012 and Ben departed on 24 August 2012. Ben's return was announced in May 2014 with Harry Reid in the role; Ben returned on 22 September 2014. Reid was written out of the series in 2017 and Ben departed on 12 January 2018. Ben was reintroduced in 2019 with the role recast to Max Bowden. Ben returned on 1 April 2019. In December 2023, it was announced Bowden would exit the role. Ben departed the series on 28 March 2024, after being extradited to America for credit card fraud.
Lisa Fowler is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lucy Benjamin. The character was introduced as a "home-wrecking blonde" by executive producer Matthew Robinson on 7 December 1998. The character made her initial departure on 3 October 2002, when she was written out by producer Louise Berridge.
Linda Carter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Kellie Bright. She first appeared on 19 December 2013 and her casting was announced alongside her on-screen partner, Mick Carter. Linda was introduced as the new landlady of the Queen Victoria pub by new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins as part of the Carter family. The introduction of Dyer and Bright was part of a large cast shake-up planned by new executive producer Treadwell-Collins in an attempt to improve ratings. Linda became landlady of The Queen Victoria public house and moved there with her family from her mother's pub in Watford. She has been compared to original landlady Angie Watts, and Bright has said that she had based her portrayal of Linda on Angie.
Danny Walters is an English actor, known for his roles as Tiger Dyke in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2014–2017) and Keanu Taylor in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
Louise Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who has been played by four different actors since her on-screen birth on 6 November 2001. Louise has been played by Rachel Cox between 2001 and 2003, Danni Bennatar in 2008, Brittany Papple in 2010, and Tilly Keeper from 2016 to 2020. Keeper's casting was announced on 16 December 2015, and she made her first appearance as Louise on 15 January 2016. The character's departure was announced in December 2019 after Keeper quit the role, with Louise making her last appearance on 24 January 2020.
Nishandeep "Nish" Panesar is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Navin Chowdhry. Chowdhry's casting as Nish was announced on 28 August 2022 and it was confirmed that he had already begun filming at the time. After being mentioned multiple times beforehand, Nish made his first appearance on 29 September 2022. Nish is introduced as the estranged husband of Suki Panesar and the father of Kheerat, Jags, Vinny and Ash. He is later revealed to also be the father of Ravi Gulati. His storylines have focused on rebuilding relationships with his family, the crumbling of his marriage to Suki and a feud with Suki's lover Eve Unwin, his involvement with "The Six" storyline and a fling with Kat Mitchell.
Zack Hudson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by James Farrar. He first appears in episode 6237, originally broadcast on 16 March 2021.The character and Farrar's casting details were announced on 31 January 2021. Zack is initially introduced as the estranged son of Gavin Sullivan and the half-brother of Sharon Watts.
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