List of EastEnders characters introduced in 2017

Keegan Butcher-Baker (also Baker), played by Zack Morris, is a friend of Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) who also goes to school with Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield), Travis Law-Hughes (Alex James-Phelps), Alexandra D'Costa (Sydney Craven) and Madison Drake (Seraphina Beh). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 9 January 2017. ==Emerald Fox==

Emerald Fox, played by Doña Croll, is the mother of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Kim Fox-Hubbard (Tameka Empson). Her introduction to the series was revealed on 1 January 2017, in a trailer for upcoming storylines. It was revealed the character would be appearing in "a handful of episodes". The character was previously referred to in the series as "Ada", though in the 5 January 2017 episode, Denise asks if her mother is "still calling herself [Emerald]", implying that it is a nickname, rather than the character's name being changed. Emerald and Kim arrive at the hospital for the birth of Denise's son, Raymond. Kim finds out Denise has decided to keep the adoption plans for him and both Emerald and Kim are upset with her. Emerald researches adoption, and is pleased to learn that Denise is allowed to change her mind. Over a year later, Kim and Denise take a DNA test, which reveals that they are biological sisters and that Emerald lied. ==Raymond Dawkins==

Raymond Dawkins (also Fox) first appears in the episode broadcast on 13 January 2017. He is the son of established characters Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). In 2020, Raymond returned to the serial following the death of his adoptive parents in a car accident. Since 2020, he has been played by Michael Jose Pomares Calixte. Raymond was conceived when Denise had a drunken one-night stand with Phil, who was battling with cirrhosis of the liver from his battle with alcoholism. Denise puts him up for adoption immediately after his birth, visiting him in his cot and telling him her reasons. Social worker Trish Barnes (Tessa Churchard) visits Denise a few weeks later to inform her how her son is doing with his potential adoptive family and that he has been named Raymond after Ray Charles as the parents are a fan of his. Denise later reads a letter from his adoptive parents informing her that Raymond is living a happy life with them. In July, Phil's eldest son, Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid), is angry when he finds out about Raymond. Raymond has been mentioned by Phil on some occasions. In September 2020, Raymond is involved in a car accident along with his adoptive parents and sister. Denise visits Raymond in hospital and meets Raymond's adoptive grandmother, Ellie Nixon (Mica Paris). As part of Phil's alcoholism storyline, in April 2016, he has a one-night stand with Denise after being estranged from his wife, Sharon; the "unlikely pair" are brought together by parenting issues. The one-night stand leads to a "much bigger plan" when Denise finds out she is pregnant with Phil's baby. It was reported that this would "spark a huge storyline" due to the "hatred" expressed between them. When it was reported that Denise would opt for adoption, Kim would make the plan "increasingly complicated" when she offers to adopt the baby. Phil discovers he is the father of the baby because Sharon feels she "has been left with no option but to tell" Phil as she wants to give him the option of meeting his child. ==Madison Drake and Alexandra D'Costa==

Madison Drake played by Seraphina Beh, and '''Alexandra D'Costa''', played by Sydney Craven, are school friends of Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper). They first appear together in the episode broadcast on 17 January 2017, Alexandra and Madison help Louise come up with a plan to get revenge on Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) and Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), who have teased Louise about how scared she was during the crash, and Louise inadvertently shows them a naked photo that Shakil sent to Bex. Under Madison and Alexandra's instruction, Louise gets Bex's phone and sends Shakil's naked photo to them and Bex is left distressed when she finds out what Louise did and that the photo has been sent to another person. Bex receives an anonymous Valentine's card and believes Shakil sent it, however, realises that Madison and Alexandra sent it as a joke. After finding out Bex has had sex with Preston Cooper (Martin Anzor), Madison and Alexandra spread it around online. Madison and Alexandra overhear Bex insult them when she confronts Louise over their friendship. In the toilets, Madison and Alexandra push Bex, Madison tears her shirt and Alexandra writes "dirty" on her face while Louise stands outside. Bex then admits to the headteacher, Mrs Robyn Lund (Polly Highton), and teacher Mr Gethin Pryce (Cerith Flinn), that Louise, Madison and Alexandra were responsible for sending the photo, When Bex works alongside her aunt Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell) in the café, Madison and Alexandra make remarks about them both being with Preston and laugh when Bex shouts at Michelle. When Alexandra sees Bex in the local shop, she knocks the sugar she is buying out of her hands and sticks chewing gum in her hair when she goes to pick it up. Later, Bex goes to the café where her great-aunt Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) asks her to serve Alexandra and Madison their drinks; they insult her and Alexandra trips Bex, causing Kathy to spill soup on Madison. They leave and order Louise to come with them. They later find Bex in the local chicken shop and Madison tells Bex that she owes her a new top, and Alexandra insults Bex's weight. They then tell Bex that they will always be around and she cannot escape them. Later, Louise, Alexandra and Madison arrive at Bex's house and her stepmother, Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner), lets them in, where Alexandra threatens to smash Bex's guitar. Louise tries to stop her from doing it but Alexandra stamps on the guitar, leaving Bex in bits. The next day, Madison apologises to Bex, saying that she is no longer involved with Alexandra and warns her that Alexandra is planning to cut her hair. Later the same day, Alexandra and Louise tell Bex that they are planning revenge on Madison, so Bex warns Madison of this; Madison thanks her and they meet up, where Madison offers her truffles. As Bex is revulsed by the taste, Alexandra and Louise emerge, filming Bex's reaction, saying it was cat faeces. Bex later watches a video they posted online of them making the fake truffle from mud and showing Bex's reaction. Bex's mother Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) reports Bex's bullying to the school but keeps Louise's name out of it on Bex's request. Madison and Alexandra take Louise's school books and hide them, but later return them to her after she gets detention. This causes Louise to miss a drama rehearsal and they tell her she cannot miss another one or she will be unable to take part in a talent show. When Michelle starts community service, Louise, Madison and Alexandra tease her. Madison and Alexandra graffiti "cougar" on a wall, targeted at Michelle. They tell Louise she could have a chance at going out with Travis, and though she says Alexandra is more his type, they laugh at Louise's crush when she leaves the room. Later, when Louise's stepmother, Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) and Michelle get home drunk, Alexandra and Madison are amused when Louise berates them and tells them how alcohol has affected her family, so they decide to use it against her. Louise is taken to hospital with paralysis and when she is sent home, Madison and Alexandra turn up and they tell her that Keegan filmed what happened and was going to post it online but they stopped him, and they tell Louise, Sharon and Ben that Travis was responsible for spiking her drink. Louise believes Travis could have been framed, but Madison and Alexandra convince her that he is lying. After speaking to Sharon's son Dennis Rickman Jnr (Bleu Landau), about the party on Travis's behalf, Bex tells Louise that Alexandra followed Travis into the kitchen, and Alexandra interrupts them. Alexandra gets herself out of trouble by telling Louise and Bex that Travis may not have been responsible for spiking her drink and Louise insists that Madison and Alexandra are still her friends, but Bex worries that they have targeted Louise. Sharon wants to meet Travis, inviting him for dinner, but Louise calls it off when Madison and Alexandra plant doubts that Travis is a cheat. Keegan tells Louise that they had sex at the party, but Louise says he is lying, but worries after Madison and Alexandra tell her that Keegan is telling people about Louise's birthmark. Madison and Alexandra then tell Louise that Keegan has chlamydia and he gave it to another student. When Travis breaks up with Louise, Madison and Alexandra tell him that he did the right thing. When Louise decides to pull out of the school showcase, Alexandra asks Travis to sign her up to replace Louise as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and later Alexandra tells Louise that she is now playing the part but only because Mr Pryce was desperate and she did not really want it. Bex tells Louise that Alexandra is lying but Louise believes Alexandra. During rehearsal, Alexandra's acting is wooden but she confidentially kisses Travis, though Mr Pryce tells her she should act shy. Alexandra overhears Bex telling Shakil that Alexandra will mess up in the showcase so decides to take revenge. Before Bex's performance at the showcase, Madison and Alexandra break a guitar string and when Bex looks for one in the classroom, Madison and Alexandra pin Bex up against a wall. Shakil hears the bullying through headphones and intentionally turns up the volume through the soundboard for everyone to hear; exposing them. Alexandra and Madison are publicly shamed and humiliated after Louise smugly tells them that they are caught out. They are then angrily ordered by Mrs Lund to her office. Louise and Bex make statements against Alexandra and Madison to Mrs Lund and Louise realises what they are really like. Madison and Alexandra watch the prom from the balcony. Travis arranges an area behind the stage with candles for him and Louise. Alexandra and Madison turn up and Louise berates them and their actions and Alexandra pushes Louise onto lit candles, setting off the fire alarms and sprinklers. Louise is in agony as Mr Pryce and other students help her by cooling the burns with water. Keegan is sickened by Madison and Alexandra's actions and drags them onto the stage, where Alexandra denies it being their fault. The police arrive to get statements where Madison and Alexandra turn against each other as Alexandra tries to blame Madison. Madison and Alexandra are both arrested for GBH and students insult the pair as they are escorted out. Mr Pryce visits Bex and Sonia and tells them that Madison and Alexandra will be prosecuted. Development Beh's casting in EastEnders was announced on Twitter by her management, Hero Talent Group. Alexandra and Madison were called "mean girls" by a writer for ''What's on TV?, while Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said they are not as "trustworthy" as they seem. Lindsay also said that through the young characters, EastEnders "is nailing the representation of the various young characters you find in school environments" and that Beh and Craven "are doing a commendable job with those bitchy characters." Their revenge plan against Shakil was called "spiteful" by Sophie Dainty from Digital Spy''. Laura-Jayne Tyler of Inside Soap dubbed Alexandra the "vilest villain in soap right now", and added "No one has us screaming more abuse at the telly!" Tyler later said Alexandra was "a vicious, spiteful girl... but she has a spark about her." She compared the character to a young Tiffany Mitchell (Martine McCutcheon) and hoped she might be redeemed in the future. When Madison and Alexandra began to bully Louise while still pretending they were friends, they spiked Louise's drinks at a party resulting in her collapsing, they were described as "vicious" and "evil teens." Beh and Craven hinted that the backstories of their characters could be explored, saying "there's a reason why" their characters are the way they are as "most people who have that kind of lifestyle tend to have a reason behind it." ==Travis Law-Hughes==

Travis Law-Hughes played by Alex James-Phelps, is a friend of Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 17 January 2017, and makes his final appearance in the episode broadcast on 2 November 2017. Louise waits for Travis, however, it turns out she was set up by Keegan Baker (Zack Morris) and his friends. Louise's friend Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) invites him to her house for guitar lessons. Bex's former boyfriend Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) becomes convinced they are a couple. Madison Drake and Alexandra D'Costa (Seraphina Beh and Sydney Craven) tell Louise that Bex has been after Travis for a while. Louise confronts Bex but she insists they are just friends. Madison and Alexandra invite Travis to a party at Louise's house and Travis agrees to go, unaware that Bex overheard the conversation. Travis arrives at Louise's house for a party that Madison and Alexandra arranged, and Louise unknowingly has drinks that Madison and Alexandra spiked, resulting in her getting drunk and being sick. A concerned Travis tells Bex that Louise needs her, and he watches as she collapses. Travis humiliates Keegan in front of his schoolmates after Keegan makes fun of him. Louise decides to end her relationship with Travis. Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy wrote about Travis, "Proving that he's not a "total toenail" like the Square's other recent new arrival Keegan, Travis even helped Louise out when she was having some trouble with a pesky drinks machine. What a guy!" ==Gethin Pryce==

Gethin Pryce played by Cerith Flinn, is a teacher of Walford High School. He first appears in the episode broadcast on 23 January 2017. He appears in 36 episodes. Gethin is a drama teacher at Walford High School who advises Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) to use her time wisely at home to study for her music exam after the pupils are sent home due to a faulty boiler. Louise, Madison and Alexandra deny any involvement. Gethin meets with Bex's mother, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), and asks Sonia to encourage Bex to take part in an upcoming school showcase. Gethin then moves into one of Jack's flats. Sonia later meets him on the square and offers to wash his clothes when he finds out the laundrette is closed. Gethin tells Bex he cannot tutor her in music, but has found a new tutor. On Bex's 17th birthday, Bex's uncle and Sonia's half-brother Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) forces Gethin to take his place to give Bex a driving lesson and when Bex tries to pursue Gethin, he tells her again that it cannot happen. Sonia is furious, but Gethin claims that Bex kissed him against his will, however, when Bex says that he kissed her back, Sonia throws him out. She asks Bex for the whole truth and Bex insists it was just a kiss and asks Sonia not to report Gethin. Gethin gets drunk and tells Jack that he has been set up by a student and when Jack takes him to get his wallet from Sonia's, Sonia tells Jack about the kiss, so Jack evicts Gethin from his flat with immediate effect, and tells him to leave Walford, which Gethin does. The following day, Bex tells Sonia that Gethin was not in school and Sonia reveals that he called her, letting her know that he has resigned and will not be returning to Walford. In August 2017, Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy suggested that Gethin would be appearing more regularly and that he would be a love interest for Sonia, asking, "Could a new romance be on the cards for Sonia if they become neighbours?" ==Hugo Browning==

Hugo Browning, (initially credited as Chairman, Weyland & Co), is the Chairman of a development company called Weyland & Co. He made his first appearance on 26 January 2017, Hugo meets Max Branning (Jake Wood) at The Shard, talking about a plan to redevelop Albert Square as an act of revenge for Max's being falsely imprisoned for Lucy Beale's (Hetti Bywater) murder. Hugo meets with Max and tells him that Max's former cellmate, later revealed to be Hugo's nephew, Luke Browning (Adam Astill), has requested a prison visit and that Max needs to speed up his plans to take The Queen Victoria pub. In September 2017 when Max collects Luke when he is released from prison, he takes him home to be reunited with his sister, Fi Browning (Lisa Faulkner) and half-brother, Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre). Hugo is revealed to be the brother-in-law of James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde). When Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) have a meeting with Hugo and Fi, Hugo tells them they have five weeks to pay him £60,000 or else they lose the pub. Later, Fi gives Mick a document where the Carters would receive a payout if they left the Vic. Mick then signs the paperwork but he signs it as "Lady Di" which leaves Hugo furious. He then reveals that Fi had been sharing personal information about the Carters with him. Linda then throws a drink in Fi's face. Hugo and Fi then leave and Hugo threatens to evict the Carters if they do not pay the money. Fi tricks the Carters into believing they can pay £50,000, which they raise, but as this was a lie, James, Luke and Hugo serve the Carters with an eviction notice. When James suffers a heart attack after Fi believes Kathy Beale's (Gillian Taylforth) side of the story about James raping her, Fi puts together a dossier containing incriminating evidence against Weyland & Co. Fi threatens to give it to the police, bringing down the entire company unless Hugo signs all the Walford properties over to her. In order to ensure the survival of the company, Hugo signs all the properties over to Fi so that she can sell them back to their owners, and the Walford redevelopment plan is abandoned. ==Zayan Scott==

Zayan Scott, played by Alex Blake, appears in the episode first broadcast on 6 February 2017. ==Preston Cooper==

Preston Cooper, played by Martin Anzor, is a former student of Michelle Fowler's (Jenna Russell), with whom she had an illegal relationship with in Florida. He appears in 16 episodes between 14 February Preston arrives in Walford unexpectedly on Valentine's Day and he and Michelle kiss. Michelle goes for a job interview at a teaching agency, but fails to get the job as they find out from her references about her relationship with Preston. Michelle insists that he should go home. They later kiss, and Preston encourages Bex to truant from school. Preston then texts Michelle that he needs to see her, but when she arrives, he is in bed with Bex and he acts surprised to see her. Michelle demands that Preston leave immediately but he ignores her, and she realises that he used Bex to make her jealous. Preston then leads Michelle upstairs; it is implied that they have sex. Dennis Rickman Jnr (Bleu Landau), who Michelle is looking after while Sharon is on holiday, sees Michelle and Preston kissing and starts blackmailing Michelle. Dennis tells Louise about Michelle and Preston, and Louise tells Bex. Bex, who has just made her relationship with Preston "official", does not believe her, but then sees Preston touching Michelle and Michelle flinching, so publicly asks Michelle if she is having sex with her boyfriend. Sharon returns from her holiday when she finds out that Michelle is in hospital and she convinces Preston that Michelle does not love him, that his presence is only hurting her and to return to the United States. Justin Harp from Digital Spy said "the romance is bound to cause trouble in Walford, since even Michelle's lifelong best friend Sharon reacted harshly when she first learned the truth". Jonathon Hughes from Radio Times said, "despite the scandal surrounding their romance they're both ready to pick up where they left off". ==Konrad Topolski==

Konrad Topolski, played by Piotr Baumann, is a Polish shopkeeper. He first appears in the episode broadcast on 16 February 2017. When loan sharks cut off Karen Taylor's (Lorraine Stanley) electricity, Shirley asks him to put it back on, which he does, however, he does not appear on-screen. The character is a new love interest for Shirley. The showing of graffiti reading "Poles go home" following the Polish-themed night was criticised by some viewers as showing anti-Brexit bias from the BBC, however, writer Leo Richardson defended his script, saying "That story was rooted in reality. That's how the main soaps generate a lot of their stories. A diverse array of writers, from all over the country get together with their story team and producers on a regular basis and they talk about what they're seeing. [...] Now, more than ever, in a divided world, it is the job of artists, of writers, of TV comedy and drama, not only to entrain us, but to reflect the things happening in our world, on screen. To show us not only what is familiar, but also wildly different. To reflect the lives of people who are underrepresented, so we can understand those who we didn't before. If getting a brief glimpse into the mind of a man [Konrad] struggling to find his place in the country he lives in makes you uncomfortable then perhaps you needed to see it." ==Josh Hemmings==

Josh Hemmings, played by Eddie Eyre, is a worker of Weyland & Co and colleague of Max Branning (Jake Wood) introduced as a love interest for Max's daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 17 March 2017, where he was initially credited as "Photocopier guy". and he departed on 16 February 2018. When Lauren visits Max's office to check on him, she sees Josh having trouble with the photocopier and helps him solve the problem. Josh is attracted to her and leaves his phone number for Lauren with the receptionist (Kristen Obank). Lauren is pleased and goes to text him when she gets home but bins it when her boyfriend, Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) arrives. Lauren later meets Josh in a restaurant to tell him about the job she applied for at Weyland & Co. On Lauren's first day, Josh does a presentation for two clients, Toby (Matt Jessup) and Nargis (Shanice Stewart-Jones) and asks Lauren to join him; he is impressed with her local knowledge. At Abi's party, she kisses Josh, and a jealous Lauren states he is engaged. Later, Josh admits flirting with Abi to get a reaction from Lauren, but she insists she does not want to cheat on Steven and tells him not to go after Abi. When Steven dies, Lauren contacts Josh and she tells him that she wants him to be with her at Steven's funeral. Josh is then revealed to be the brother of Fi Browning (Lisa Faulkner). When Luke sacks Lauren for refusing to serve an eviction notice on Steven's father, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), Josh gives Lauren a copy of Max's contract that shows he is owed 20%, after Max's copy was destroyed by James. With Luke missing, James asks Josh to serve the eviction notice on Ian. Josh visits Lauren and tells her the development can be stopped, but he needs her help whilst he accesses James's computer that has documents to prove that James bribes council officials. Whilst James and Fi attend a press launch, Josh downloads the files and Lauren gets arrested when she stages a protest at the launch to hold James and Fi up. When James returns, Lauren contacts Josh and James demands the downloaded files. Josh decides to quit his job and at the police station, he tells Lauren what he did and Lauren kisses him. ==Tommy==

Tommy, also called Tom in the show, is played by Jordan Coulson. He appears in the first episode shown on 21 March 2017. Cydney Yeates from the Daily Star called Tommy a "surprise new character", but said that he lacked a backstory, which also confused viewers. Laura-Jane Tyler from Inside Soap said, "Walford newcomer Tommy should definitely move in with Ben and Jay. He's hilarious!" ==Reverend Irene Mills==

The Reverend Irene Mills, portrayed by Melanie Kilburn, was a vicar who first appeared on 17 April 2017. She first appears as a prison chaplain who visits Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) in her cell because she knows Shirley is not planning to go to the funeral of her mother, Sylvie Carter (Linda Marlowe). Irene tells Shirley she did not go to her own mother's funeral and tells her where the chapel is if she wants to talk. Later, Shirley goes to the chapel and asks why Irene did not go to her mother's funeral, to which she says she hated her, and asks Shirley about her mother. Shirley explains that Sylvie was never a good mother, and Irene wonders if Sylvie needs to mourn for the little girl she used to be. Shirley tells Irene about her childhood, including a time Sylvie allowed her to wear makeup but then said she looked like a tart, and would often leave her alone in the house with no food. Shirley cries to Irene, asking why her mother never loved her. She visits Dot again because Dot has not been attending parish meetings, and she is worried that Dot dislikes that she is a lesbian, but Dot is only concerned with Mills's use of technology in her sermons. In February 2018, Irene performs Abi Branning's (Lorna Fitzgerald) funeral and again in July to conduct Shakil Kazemi's (Shaheen Jafargholi) funeral. Four years later, in 2022, Irene returns for the marriage of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), which is later postponed and the funeral of Dot. She appears throughout 2023 to discussing wedding plans with Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley) as well as discussing Lola Pearce's (Danielle Harold) illness with her husband Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), which leads her to discussing losing her partner Madga in a car accident. She also helps organise Lola's funeral with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and conducts the wedding of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), which is later cancelled. She appeared in Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) epiphany episode in 2024 and returned for Martin Fowler's (James Bye) funeral in April 2025. ==Woody Woodward==

played Woody Woodward Harry "Woody" Woodward, played by singer Lee Ryan, made his first appearance on 18 April 2017. Woody initially appeared for a guest stint between 18 April and 19 May. It was later announced that Woody would be promoted to a regular role and that Ryan had signed a one-year contract with the show. His return aired on 3 August. Ryan made a temporary departure on 28 November. He departed in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2018. Woody arrives at The Queen Victoria pub (The Vic) as Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), Johnny Carter (Ted Reilly) and Whitney Carter (Shona McGarty), are looking after the pub in the absence of the landlords, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Mick Carter (Danny Dyer). Tina, Johnny and Whitney are surprised to see him there, but he explains to them and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), that Linda sent him to help out. When business consultant Fi Browning (Lisa Faulkner) tells the Carters that they must fire at least two of their employees, the Carters decide that Woody is the only one that should be fired. However, Woody refuses to go and Fi insists that the new freeholders, Grafton Hill, want him to stay, and Woody declares that until Linda tells him otherwise, he is the manager of the pub. Much to the disappointment of the Carters and Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), Woody fires long-serving barmaid Tracey (Jane Slaughter) and Tina warns him to be careful. Woody returns to Walford after five months and seeks to resume his relationship with Whitney, although she does not want to and is now in a romance with Halfway (Tony Clay). Woody takes a job at the club as a barman, run by Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite), competing with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). Much to Billy's dislike, Mel appoints Woody as the bar manager. When money is stolen from the club's safe, Mel's boyfriend, former police officer Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), finds out that Woody was in cahoots with Mo Harris (Laila Morse) and that he stole the money. Jack confronts Woody just before he is about to flee Walford with the money and succeeds in getting him to hand the money over. Before he leaves, Woody tells Jack that all he has ever done is run away after which, he departs Walford. The character and Ryan's casting were announced on 15 February 2017, when it was said the character would "cause lots of trouble" upon his arrival. Ryan was offered the part the day after his audition. He was invited to audition by EastEnders casting executive, Julia Crampsie, 18 years after she first approached him about him joining the show. Ryan insisted that the character is not a "bad boy", despite being "a little bit manipulative" and explained that in his "sad" backstory, Woody has travelled and experienced the death of a relative. He said that there would be tension between Woody and Shirley after he is brought in as a bar manager at The Queen Vic pub, adding that "I think Shirley would quite like Woody to get lost!" Woody departed the serial in the episode broadcast on 28 November 2017 after agreeing to manage a bar in Spain. It was confirmed that Ryan had not left the cast and would return following a temporary break. Daniel Kilkelly of entertainment website Digital Spy named Ryan one of "Soapland's rising stars", opining that despite heavy criticism following news of his casting, Ryan had "proved his doubters wrong". He praised Ryan's "easy chemistry" with his co-stars, noting that Woody's relationship with Whitney was eye-catching. He also commented, "In fact, in a pretty lacklustre year for the show, his scenes actually turned out to be one thing fans didn't have much to complain about." In May 2017, Laura-Jayne Tyler from Inside Soap hoped that she would see more of Woody, writing, "Like Danny Dyer, Lee Ryan has the natural charm and twinkle in his eye that's an essential requirement for the manager of the Queen Vic. He's been fun to have around these last few weeks. Don't be a stranger, Woody!" In August of the same year, Ryan was longlisted for Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards. He made the viewer-voted shortlist, but lost out to Julia Goulding, who portrays Shona Ramsey in Coronation Street. ==Freda==

Freda, played by Leila Hoffman, appears in two episodes on 22 and 26 May 2017. ==Ted Murray==

Ted Murray, played by Christopher Timothy, first appears in the episode broadcast on 26 May 2017, along with his wife Joyce Murray, played by Maggie Steed. The character made a previously unannounced departure from the show on 27 September 2019. was cast as Ted. Ted and Joyce are a married couple, who arrive in Albert Square after being rehoused. They finish packing up their flat at Walford Towers and arrive at their new home. Ted tells Joyce that Dot Branning (June Brown) is their neighbour, who they already know, and Ted mentions that Dot's son Nick Cotton (John Altman) used to be friends with their son, Alan. Joyce is upset that Ted has brought a box with them after agreeing to "keep the past in the past". Joyce instructs Ted to keep it out of her way and he opens the box, which has a gun inside. When a gas tank explodes outside the couple's flat, it smashes their windows and debris flies through. Ted panics, convinced that someone is trying to harm him and Joyce, who tries to calm him down. Ted arms himself with his gun and when someone checks on the couple, Ted accidentally shoots Johnny Carter (Ted Reilly). Of his casting, Timothy said, "The most exciting thing about joining EastEnders is not only that I'll be back on the television, but I'll also be working with Maggie. I have admired her for a long time. She is one of my favourite actresses. Filming not just our first scenes but our first episode together will be like first night in the theatre—very exciting indeed. And of course, I'm looking forward to meeting all the cast who I've been used to seeing on TV over the year." Executive producer Sean O'Connor added that he is "delighted to welcome Maggie and Christopher to Albert Square. They are both already much-loved by audiences and it's wonderful to have attracted such esteemed and acclaimed actors to the EastEnders cast". He said that the Murrays "are a breath of fresh air to Walford having achieved a long–standing marriage. But it's not long before echoes of the past catch up with them. I'm very excited to see what these wonderful performers—and these fascinating characters—bring to Albert Square." Timothy explained that Ted and Joyce were neighbours with Dot and "whether old animosities between Dot and the Murrays will resurface" and that "Joyce looks set to get annoyed with her husband when she discovers that he's broken a promise and brought a piece of their past with him." After their first appearance, where scenes showed Ted and Joyce having a gun, Jonathan Hughes from Radio Times said the Murrays "seemed like a harmless elderly couple, if slightly put out at being rehoused by the council due to the imminent demolition of the tower block they've lived in for 40 years." He questioned why "two plucky pensioners" have a pistol and if it has "something to do with their previous links to Walford" as well as wondering if their son Alan is "another nasty Nick Cotton." ==Joyce Murray==

Joyce Murray, played by Maggie Steed, first appears in the episode broadcast on 26 May 2017, Joyce was killed off on 29 March. ==Tom Bailey==

Tom Bailey (initially credited as "nosebleed man"), played by Daniel Casey, first appears in the episode broadcast on 1 June 2017 On Halloween night, Michelle sees Tom outside her home again, so Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) goes out and shouts at him, so Tom runs off. Michelle gets on the train to go to a party, but Tom follows her. and at their dinner, he is unaware that she is filming everything on her phone. He claims that his actions were just to get her attention, as "some women need convincing". He admits that things got out of hand but he wanted her to realise that they are meant to be together. She says what he did was harassment, but he says he loves her and reveals he knows things about her private life that she has not told him. He tries to kiss her but she backs away, so he forces himself on her. At that moment, Sharon, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) walk in and Sharon hits him over the head with a vase, knocking him unconscious. When Tom wakes up, Michelle reveals that she had done research on his background, revealing that she knows his wife is not dead, merely divorced from him, and that he lied about his job to her. Michelle then reveals that everything has been recorded and says that if he comes near her again, she will show the video to his boss, clients and former wife. He agrees and leaves in shock. It was then reported that Tom would be a love interest for Michelle. Kate White from Inside Soap said there is a "spark" between them, and called him Michelle's "train crush". An EastEnders source said, "It's nothing short of a miracle to get someone to talk to you on the Tube in London, so Michelle should feel extremely flattered!" Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said Tom "has turned out to be a little bit unsettling as he has snapped pictures of [Michelle] and followed her home" and said that "many have poured scorn on the likelihood of two strangers regularly bumping into each other on packed London trains, [but] it seems that this was less accidental than we were led to believe". Sophie Dainty from Digital Spy said that Tom "gets even darker" in his fifth episode, and said Michelle "could be heading for serious danger after her new love interest Tom showed another worrying side", calling him a "weirdo" and his behaviour "nasty", as he seems "more and more dangerous by the day". ==Karen Taylor==

Karen Taylor, played by Lorraine Stanley, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with four of her children, Keanu (Danny Walters), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham Taylor (Alfie Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney. Stanley appeared in the 2004 spin off Pat and Mo as a young Mo Harris, and in EastEnders in 2016 as Thelma Bragg, the mother of Linzi Bragg (Amy-Leigh Hickman). She departed on 8 December 2023, and made a one-off guest appearance via a video call on 25 December. On 24 January 2024 it was confirmed Karen's story was not finished and she would return to the series in February for a short stint less than 3 months since her departure. On 22 April 2024 it was confirmed that Stanley will reprise her role as Karen for another brief stint in June. ==Keanu Taylor==

Keanu Taylor, played by Danny Walters, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with his mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and siblings Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney. On 1 November 2019, it was announced that Walters had decided to leave the series; and Keanu's last scenes aired on 3 January 2020. Not long after his departure, he was re-introduced for the 35th anniversary plans. He returned on 7 February and departed again on 21 February. Keanu made an unannounced return on 13 December 2022. Keanu was killed-off on 25 December 2023 after being murdered by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). ==Bernadette Taylor==