List of EastEnders characters (2023)

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the British soap opera EastEnders in 2023, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the show's senior executive producer, Kate Oates, and the executive producer, Chris Clenshaw.[1] The first character to be introduced is Brett Nelson (Fabrizio Santino), a man from Zack Hudson's (James Farrar) past; he debuts in January. Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit), the estranged mother of Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), and Jed, a lodger for Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), also first appear in January. Additionally, multiple other characters were featured during the year.

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Brett Nelson

Brett Nelson, played by Fabrizio Santino, first appears in episode 6625, originally broadcast on 9 January 2023.[2] The character and Santino's casting details were announced on 29 December 2022.[2] Brett is introduced as someone from Zack Hudson's (James Farrar) past. He is described as "enigmatic".[2] Producers used the characters of Brett and Zack to explore the issue of HIV and worked with the charity Terrence Higgins Trust to develop the story. Having previously tackled the issue in the 1990s using the character of Mark Fowler (Todd Carty), EastEnders aims to highlight the developments in HIV research in the last 30 years.[3] The shared backstory between Brett and Zack states that the latter contracted HIV from Brett after they shared needles from steroid injections.[4]

Emma Harding
Emma Harding
EastEnders character
Portrayed byPatsy Kensit
First appearanceEpisode 6635
25 January 2023 (2023-01-25)
ClassificationPresent; guest (departing)
Introduced byKate Oates and Chris Clenshaw
In-universe information
Other namesNicole
DaughtersLola Pearce
GranddaughtersLexi Pearce

Emma Harding, played by Patsy Kensit, first appears in episode 6635, originally broadcast on 25 January 2023.[5] The character and Kensit's casting details were first reported on 5 November 2022,[6] with further details announced on 20 December 2022.[7] Emma is introduced as the estranged mother of established character Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), who is terminally ill with a brain tumour.[7] Kensit was contracted for a “short stint” and began filming in November 2022.[7][6] Chris Clenshaw, the show's executive producer, thought Emma shared some similarities with Lola, including "a striking resemblance; successful, the capacity to hold her own [...] and she's a fighter".[7] He noted that Emma is also "softly spoken and measured", unlike Lola.[7]

The character's backstory states that she left Lola and her father, Dan, when Lola was three years old.[7] Clenshaw explained that Emma wants to reconcile with her daughter, having felt guilty since she left.[7] Kensit expressed her joy at appearing in the soap and praised the show's cast and production team.[7] Clenshaw called Kensit the "perfect fit" for the character of Emma, who he described as "a long-awaited character that we know very little about".[7] He added, "Patsy's portrayal is bound to set off fireworks in Walford and cause havoc for the Mitchell household."[7]

Jed

Jed, played by Bradley Jaden, first appears in episode 6638, originally broadcast on 31 January 2023.[8] The character and Jaden's casting details were announced on 24 January 2023.[8] Jed is introduced as a lodger for Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) at number 25 Albert Square. He is billed as a "free spirit" who charms Sonia.[8] Lewis Knight from the Radio Times suggested that Jed may be involved in a love triangle with Sonia and Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman).[8] The character departs in episode 6644, originally broadcast on 10 February 2023, when he is evicted.[9]

Other characters
Character Episode date(s) Actor Circumstances
Josie 1 January 2023 Sabrina Puri[10] A paramedic who treats Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) at 31 Albert Square following a collapse. She suspects carbon monoxide poisoning and asks for the house to be evacuated.[10]
Doctor Saed 1 January 2023 Walles Hamonde[10] A doctor who treats carbon monoxide poisoning victims from 31 Albert Square. He tells Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) where her mother, Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), and daughter, Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), are being treated. Doctor Saed also treats Lily and informs Stacey that Lily is pregnant.[10]
Holly Riley 2 January 2023–present Lauren Drennan[11] A social worker who leads an investigation into the pregnancy of 12-year-old Lily Slater (Lillia Turner). She is present when Lily's mother, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), tells Lily that she is pregnant, until she is asked to leave.[11] Holly and DC Sally Booth (Sanchia McCormack) visit Lily's stepfather, Martin Fowler (James Bye), to discuss Lily's pregnancy, unaware that he does not know about it. They later visit the men who live with Lily: Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie); Freddie becomes defensive about the questioning and worries they believe he is the father of the baby. Holly and DC Booth are concerned to learn Stacey knows who the father is and explain that they may have to take Lily into police protection to safeguard her.[12] Holly and DC Booth reach an agreement with Stacey to have no men living in the house with Lily. When they visit again, they encourage Stacey to tell them the truth and explain they need to inform the father for safeguarding measures. Lily interrupts their meeting and nearly tells them, but becomes upset, so Holly and DC Booth leave.[13]

References
  1. Kilkelly, Daniel (12 November 2021). "EastEnders appoints new executive producer as Jon Sen steps down". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  2. Knight, Lewis (29 December 2022). "EastEnders casts former Hollyoaks star as mystery man from Zack's past". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  3. Harp, Justin (5 January 2023). "EastEnders confirms issue-based HIV storyline for Zack Hudson". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  4. Dainty, Sophie (14 January 2023). "EastEnders' Zack Hudson to take HIV test as his story continues". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  5. Knight, Lewis (24 January 2023). "Who are Lola Pearce's mum and dad in EastEnders and how is she a Mitchell?". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  6. Dubey, Shivani (5 November 2022). "EastEnders casts former Emmerdale and Holby City star Patsy Kensit". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  7. Knight, Lewis (20 December 2022). "EastEnders first look as Patsy Kensit joins as Lola's mum Emma". Radio Times. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  8. Knight, Lewis (24 January 2023). "EastEnders casts West End star as Sonia Fowler's new lodger Jed". Radio Times. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  9. Natalie Mitchell (writer); Audrey Cooke (director); Chris Clenshaw (executive producer) (10 February 2023). "Episode dated 10/02/2023". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  10. Executive Producer: Chris Clenshaw; Writer: Lauren Klee; Director: Ian Barnes (1 January 2023). "Episode dated 01/01/2023". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  11. Executive Producer: Chris Clenshaw; Writer: Kevin Rundle; Director: John Howlett (2 January 2023). "Episode dated 02/01/2023". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  12. Executive Producer: Chris Clenshaw; Writer: Daran Little; Director: Sheridan de Myers (9 January 2023). "Episode dated 09/01/2023". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  13. Executive Producer: Chris Clenshaw; Writer: Kim Revill; Director: Sheridan de Myers (10 January 2023). "Episode dated 10/01/2023". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
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