EastEnders confirms Penny Branning return after 15 years away

Fans will remember she's always had a troubled relationship with Jack and has been living in France with her mum, Selina.

But she's returning to the East End with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) - but what has brought them back?

Furthermore, in the promo picture below, why are they both wearing all black? Are they attending a funeral? And is it for the Christmas victim? Say it isn't Jack, EastEnders!

Penny will be played by Kitty Castledine, a rising star who has recently graduated from London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA) only this summer.

The role was previously played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, who is now starring in the acclaimed film How to Have Sex.

Penny is Jack's only child from his first marriage to Selina Branning (Daisy Beaumont) and was left paralysed from the waist down when one of Jack's criminal associates ran her down and left her for dead.

After guest appearances in 2008, Selina moved to France with Penny later that year, but Penny visited and caused trouble between Jack and his on-off love interest Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), with Penny preferring her dad's other love interest at the time - his sister-in-law, Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner).

In 2013, Jack left Walford for two years and went to live in France near Penny.

Speaking of joining the show, Castledine 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.

"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 immediately, 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.”

Clenshaw had previously hinted that Lauren wouldn't be returning alone, but few would've guessed it would spell the return of Penny, with some wondering if her devious dad, Max (Jake Wood) would be back.

Read more:

• 4 EastEnders spoilers: Bobby Beale trapped as Rocky's fire scam goes horribly wrong
• EastEnders winter preview 2023: Chris Clenshaw on Christmas, exits, returns
• EastEnders boss explains Dean Wicks return to Walford in Halloween shock
• EastEnders boss teases "huge consequences" for Reiss Colwell lie
• EastEnders' Lauren Branning "won’t be returning on her own", teases soap boss
• EastEnders confirms festive "miracle" for Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.