EastEnders Branning family reunion as Lauren returns with relative in huge twist

06 November 2023 , 20:06

1097     0

Lauren Branning and her cousin Penny will return to EastEnders in the coming months (Image: BBC)

Lauren Branning will be joined by another member of the Branning clan when she returns to Albert Square in the coming months – her cousin and Jack Branning's daughter, Penny Branning.

Penny will be making an explosive return to Walford after living abroad for 15 years. The policeman's daughter has always had a tense relationship with her dad and has been living in France with her mum, Selina.

It was revealed earlier this year that Jacqueline Jossa would be reprising her role of Lauren but little is known about her reasons for returning home to Walford. The mum-of-one will be joined by her cousin Penny and EastEnders bosses are refusing to reveal why the two Branning women have decided now is the time to return.

Rising star Kitty Castledine has been cast as Penny in her first major television role after graduating from the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA) this summer. She was previously portrayed by Mia McKenna-Bruce.

Lauren and Penny return to Walford together (BBC)

Lauren's return was confirmed earlier this year (BBC/Jack Barnes)

Speaking about joining the BBC soap, Kitty said: “I didn’t expect to start my EastEnders journey so soon out of drama school – I can’t actually believe it! My whole family are EastEnders fans, and I remember sitting on my Nanny Kay’s lap to tune in, and now they get to watch me in Albert Square.

EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness

"The inclusion of disabled talent on screen is so important to me as a wheelchair user, so I’m thrilled to be playing a character as feisty and cool as Penny. She’s thrown into the middle of the drama straight away, and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to.”

EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw added: “It’s been a long time since Penny Branning was in Walford, and she’s a very different person from the one our viewers might remember. Kitty is a terrific addition to the show, and we’re looking forward to seeing Penny back in Albert Square.”

Penny was last seen in Walford in April 2008 after it was decided she would return to France to live with her mum. In October 2013, Jack (Scott Maslen) moved to France to reconnect with his daughter before later returning to Walford in 2015.

Charlotte McIntyre