List of EastEnders characters (2010)

The following is a list of characters first appearing in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2010, by order of first appearance. Executive producer Diederick Santer left EastEnders on 26 February 2010, handing over to Bryan Kirkwood, who fully took control from 1 March 2010, onwards. Santer introduced five new main characters in January, three from the online spin-off EastEnders: E20 (Zsa Zsa Carter, Leon Small and Fatboy) as well as two members of the long-established Mitchell family, Glenda Mitchell and her son Danny. February saw the show's first birth of 2010, with Kamil Masood, the fourth child of the established Zainab Masood and Masood Ahmed. The character of Harvey Freeman was introduced in April, and the fourth main character from EastEnders: E20, Mercy Olubunmi, joined EastEnders in May. Kirkwood's first major casting was Zöe Lucker in the role of Vanessa Gold and later cast her daughter Jodie and Mercy's grandmother Grace, all of whom appear in June.

Zsa Zsa Carter

Main article: Zsa Zsa Carter

Zsa Zsa Carter is played by Emer Kenny and made her first appearance on 5 January before appearing in the Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20. She is one of four characters created for the spin-off who also appear in the main show. Kenny's casting was announced on 25 November 2009. She was cast while writing the second episode of E20. Zsa Zsa is the niece of regular character Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), with whom she is said to have a lot in common. She is described as "Beautiful, funky and an outspoken tomboy," as well as "a lone wolf [who] doesn't care about anyone." Zsa Zsa was axed in May 2010 by new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood, though Kenny will continue to write for EastEnders: E20. Her storylines mostly revolve around her relationship with Leon Small (Sam Attwater).

Leon Small

Main article: Leon Small

Leon Small is played by Sam Attwater and makes his first appearance on 5 January before appearing in the Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20. He is one of four characters created for the spin-off who also appear in the main show. Attwater's casting was announced on 25 November 2009. Leon is described as "Sexy and effortlessly cool [with] a short fuse and a lack of respect for those in authority." His mother died when he was a child and he was left in charge of his alcoholic father. He also practices boxing. He was axed in May 2010 by new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood. His storylines revolve around his relationships with Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny) and Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield).

Fatboy

Main article: Fatboy (EastEnders)

Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb is played by Ricky Norwood and made his first appearance on 5 January before appearing in the Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20. He is one of four characters created for the spin-off who also appear in the main show. Norwood's casting was announced on 25 November 2009. Fatboy is described as having "invented all manner of personas since he was seven years old – in an attempt to avoid being his real self. His current and most sustained self-creation is brash wheeler-dealer Fatboy."

Glenda Mitchell

Glenda Mitchell
EastEnders character
File:GlendaMitchell.JPG
Portrayed by	Glynis Barber
Duration	2010—
First appearance	7 January 2010
Classification	Present; recurring
Introduced by	Diederick Santer
In-universe information Family Mitchell family Husband Archie Mitchell (1972–91) Sons Danny Mitchell Daughters Ronnie Mitchell Roxy Mitchell Granddaughters Danielle Jones Amy Mitchell Uncles Daniel

Glenda Mitchell is played by Glynis Barber and first appears on 7 January 2010. On 17 October 2009 it was announced on the EastEnders website that veteran actress Jill Gascoine had been cast as Glenda, the mother of established characters Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), and ex-wife of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), and would appear in 2010.

Of the casting, the show's executive producer Diederick Santer stated: "I'm so looking forward to welcoming the hugely talented Jill to EastEnders. I have a very clear memory of watching C.A.T.S. Eyes every Friday night, [and] Jill's character, Maggie Forbes, was always my favourite – tough, glamorous, and exciting – perfect qualities for Glenda Mitchell." On joining the show Gascoine added: "I'm thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders and I am really excited to be back on British TV." However, it was announced on 23 October 2009 that Gascoine withdrew from her filming commitments during her first day on set, as she felt that she "lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama". She said "I was so looking forward to playing Glenda but having spent the last 15 years working in America [...] I felt, on arrival, I lacked the right experience to film such a big continuing drama. I have tremendous respect for EastEnders and the cast so I didn't want to let the show or my fellow cast members down."

The part was subsequently recast to Glynis Barber. Barber said in an interview with media website Digital Spy: "I think they originally cast Jill [Gascoine] because she's of a similar age to Barbara [Windsor] and on screen, they're sisters-in-law, so it made total sense. The fact that they then cast me was a sign of the complete desperation to get someone quickly! To be perfectly honest, though, I think it worked out really well." She added "Glenda's very important in the whole Mitchell saga and because I had to come in at such short notice, within 24 hours of meeting [the cast], I was on set shooting 38 pages of dialogue! If someone had said to me beforehand, 'You're playing this really important character, Ronnie and Roxy's mum, you're a Mitchell, you have tons and tons of dialogue', I'd probably have been so nervous and completely freaked-out. It's a real blessing that I had no time to have a single nervous thought. There was no time for nerves and no time to over-think it." She explained that on her first day, she was told Glenda's backstory and had no time to read all the scripts, filming the character "on a need-to-know basis." Barber initially appeared in nine episodes in January 2010, and returned again on 2 April 2010.

The character is described as "polished, demure, dynamic and assured" – a complete contrast to the nervous and quiet woman the Mitchell family knew previously – and is said to cause a shock when she turns up in Walford unannounced. In December 2009, Santer hinted that Glenda would provide intrigue for fans of the Mitchell family following Archie's murder, saying "The question for the audience – and for the rest of the Mitchells – is what does she want? On the face of it, she wants Archie's money because his will is read – and she's the original Mrs Mitchell. But is there more going on than just her being a gold digger? I'd suggest that there is." Barber described Glenda has having "a real edge, but at the same time, she's very vulnerable. She's such a complex character, too. Generally, what she's saying is true but the words she's encasing them in are lies."

Backstory

Glenda is the estranged mother of Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), and estranged ex-wife of Archie Mitchell. Barber commented on Glenda's backstory in an interview with Digital Spy, saying "[Archie] was an abusive bully. An abused woman can be intimidated, but at the same time think they need the man and they're scared to leave because the bully convinces them that they need each other. That's different to love. Glenda didn't love Archie but she loved her girls. However, because she didn't love Archie, she was able to leave – she had to get away. She's a very strong-minded and tough woman. Leaving an opulent lifestyle, her daughters, her family, a big house and her protective husband behind was a risk. She had no qualifications and she's had to live by her wits." She also said, "When she lived with Archie, he was very controlling of her. Even though she lived in a beautiful house and had a glamorous lifestyle, life became unbearable and she had very genuine reasons for going off. She's never got back to the life she once had, and it's been very tough for her ever since."

Glenda married Archie in 1972 when she was young and they had two daughters and lived in Romford. During their marriage, she watched as Archie controlled Ronnie, and on discovering she was pregnant with her third child, she decided she did not want him to control another, so she left him, leaving Ronnie when she was five months pregnant. Danny was born but she did not tell Archie, Ronnie or Roxy about him. Since her departure from her daughters' lives, Roxy could not forgive her for abandoning them, but Ronnie is more understanding as she witnessed the change that occurred in their mother. Archie told their daughters that Glenda was living in Australia and Ronnie wrote to her regularly, but this turned out to be another of Archie's lies. She did attempt to track Ronnie and Roxy down once but finding they had moved on, she gave up looking for her daughters.

Storylines

Glenda arrives in Walford on 7 January 2010 after reading about Archie's murder in a newspaper. She walks in just as Peggy has said Ronnie and Roxy are still her girls, saying they are her girls, not Peggy's. Glenda talks to her estranged daughters, who are shocked at her sudden appearance after 21 years. She explains why she has not been in touch but Ronnie and Roxy are not interested. Roxy is angry and tells Glenda that she stopped being her mother the day she left and that Peggy has been more of a mother to them but Glenda explains that Peggy is not their stepmother as she and Archie never divorced. Ronnie is upset that Glenda has only talked about herself, and asks her to leave. Peggy talks to Glenda, who says she was jealous of Peggy and reveals a scar on her wrist from a suicide attempt. Glenda gets frustrated with Peggy for making such a fuss over her. Glenda stays overnight and the next day she tells her daughters about her life in France. She apologises for missing half their lives. Peggy decides to cook a dinner for the family but Glenda upsets her by saying she has booked a table in local restaurant Fargo's. After the meal, Glenda's credit card is declined, and Peggy accuses her of being a fraud as she found new clothes in her suitcase, saying she obviously had to leave her past behind in a hurry. Glenda explains that her fashion designer friend gave her samples on loan, and realises her card is out of date so uses another one, leaving Peggy embarrassed. Ronnie, Roxy and Glenda then start to get along. Peggy receives a phone call during Archie's will reading saying that Archie and Glenda were divorced. Glenda says she did not sign anything but Archie's lawyer, Emma West, says if she was untraceable for two years then her signature would not have been needed. She leaves, and later talks to Ronnie, telling her she only came back to contest the will to make sure Ronnie and Roxy got what they deserved. Roxy asks her to go back to France but she then reveals she never lived in France but instead lives in a council estate in South London, and the clothes were from a catalogue. Ronnie says she is just like Archie, and just before she leaves Ronnie asks her why she left them, and she reveals that she was pregnant.

Ronnie tracks Glenda down and pays her a visit, demanding to know if what she said was true. Glenda tells Ronnie about Danny, and says he does not know he has sisters as she wanted a new life and kept no pictures of her daughters. Ronnie then tells Glenda about Ronnie's daughter Danielle Jones and shows her a picture but Glenda shows little interest, and instead, talks about her expensive cups that she has had for three years. Ronnie says if Glenda had not left, Danielle might still be alive, and then asks to see a picture of Danny. Glenda does not want to show her a photo, leading Ronnie to think Danny does not exist. Glenda breaks down, saying she should never have left. She reveals she has not seen Danny since she threw him out as he was as bad as his father, and says she wants to make up for lost time with Ronnie. When she calls Ronnie by the name Veronica, this upsets Ronnie, who leaves without saying a word. Then Danny appears, startling Glenda, who smashes one of her beloved cups. The following week, Ronnie and Roxy come to find Glenda but she pays her neighbour Reg to tell them she has moved. Glenda shows Danny his father's obituary and gives him the address of The Queen Victoria public house where Ronnie and Roxy live. After Danny turns up, he calls Glenda so she can confirm he is who he claims to be. Glenda only wanted him to go to the funeral, not to find his sisters, and wants him to have nothing to do with them because Archie is still "inside their heads". Danny defies her and decides to stay, so she leaves. In April, Danny and Glenda plan to con Roxy out of at least £1 million. When Danny thinks Ronnie may have figured out his plan, Glenda arrives in a taxi and Danny tells her this, to which Glenda says they cannot leave empty handed and Ronnie cannot stop them. Glenda urges Danny to find out if Ronnie knows. Ronnie denies overhearing Danny's telephone conversation with Glenda, though Danny tells Glenda that Ronnie is playing games with him. Danny gives Glenda a plane ticket to the United States and says he will meet her at the airport. Ronnie tells Danny she has worked it out – that Danny is seeing someone. Danny agrees and says it is a married woman, and then calls Glenda to say Ronnie knows about their scheme and Glenda should go to the States on her own. However, she simply tears up the ticket. Weeks later she arrives at The Queen Victoria and asks for a bed.

Danny Mitchell

Danny Mitchell
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Liam Bergin
Duration	2010
First appearance	21 January 2010
Classification	Present; regular (departing)
Introduced by	Diederick Santer
In-universe information Occupation Motorcycle courier Barman (2010—) Mother Glenda Mitchell Half-sisters Ronnie Mitchell Roxy Mitchell Nieces Danielle Jones Amy Mitchell

Daniel "Danny" Mitchell is played by soap newcomer Liam Bergin and made his first appearance on 21 January 2010. The character's arrival and casting was announced on 26 December 2009. He arrives for his father Archie Mitchell's (Larry Lamb) funeral to meet his sisters Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy (Rita Simons). Archie did not know of Danny's existence before his death, as his mother Glenda (Glynis Barber) left Archie after discovering she was pregnant. A secret son for Archie was discussed by the programme's makers for almost a year before the character was announced.

The character is described as a "loveable rogue" and "a charmer with an eye for the ladies, while guys instantly see him as competition in the alpha male stakes." Speaking of his role, Bergin said: "The first time I walked into Albert Square and saw the Queen Vic was a very special moment and I'll have that memory forever. All of my on-screen family have made me feel very welcome from the first moment that I met them and I am enjoying every minute working here." Executive producer Diederick Santer said "Liam is a fine young actor, and a proper East Londoner, who I've been keen to bring into EastEnders for quite some time. His character Danny Mitchell is something of an enigma. [...] Is he simply [Ronnie and Roxy's] kid brother, keen to get to know his exciting big sisters? Or is there something else that he's after?" Bergin previously auditioned for another part in EastEnders early in 2009. Then he auditioned again for the part of Danny, but was not told the character was part of the Mitchell family, and was offered the part within 90 minutes of the audition. He was surprised when he was offered the part as he felt his audition did not go well. He started filming about a week and a half later.

Discussing his relationship with the rest of the Mitchell family, Bergin has assessed that Peggy is "the one person he wants to get on with" as she is the family matriarch. He feels that Danny genuinely likes and respects Peggy, impressed by her ability to handle trouble in the pub, explaining: "Danny wants to be liked and loved by the Mitchells and, most importantly, by Peggy." Asked why Danny desires to become part of the Mitchell family, Bergin responded: "He has no one else so maybe he wants to be part of a family. Or maybe it's because Roxy has suddenly got a lot of money. Perhaps he thinks a portion of that is rightfully his..." Bergin has heard speculation that his character may not be a Mitchell at all, but hopes that he is as he enjoys being part of the family.

In April 2010 it was announced that the character had been axed along with five others by the new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood as part of a plan to "breathe new life into the show". Bergin said of his departure: "I've had a great six months working on EastEnders playing Danny. He has been a great character to play and without giving too much away, he's sure to ruffle a few feathers before he leaves Walford." He said the conclusion of Danny's storyline was "satisfying for [him] as an actor" and that it was the ending the audience deserves. He added that he knew the length of his contract from the start, and although there is always a possibility of a contract being extended, he could never see that happening with Danny.

Storylines

Danny first appears in the show in the episode broadcast on 21 January 2010 when he turns up at his mother's house unannounced, startling her. The next week, Glenda shows Danny his father's obituary and gives him the address of The Queen Victoria public house in Walford where his sisters Ronnie and Roxy live. Danny goes to The Queen Victoria and interrupts an argument between Ronnie and Roxy. Roxy tells Danny to go away they have just buried their father, to which Danny says he thinks they have just buried his father too. After a visit from Glenda to prove that Danny is who he claims to be, Danny gets talking to his sisters who ask him to stay. Glenda wants him to have nothing to do with them because Archie is still "inside their heads". However, he goes against Glenda's wishes. His cousin Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) is unhappy, thinking he is possibly a younger version of Archie. Danny starts working behind the bar of The Queen Victoria where he meets Amira Masood (Preeya Kalidas). He compliments her, and they later kiss, but the next day she tells him it was a stupid mistake. Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor)overhears Danny on the phone to Glenda and is furious, asking him to leave. Roxy insists that Peggy does not make the rules, but Danny decides to go anyway and packs his things. Before he leaves the Square, Amira's husband Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) confronts him about the kiss, but he assures Syed he will never be returning.

Several weeks later, Peggy receives a call from the police station. When she gets there, she finds Danny shouting to be let out, bloodied and bruised. He explains he had an argument with Glenda and left home, then got in a drunken fight and was put in cells to sober up. He tells her he hoped Roxy would come as Peggy hates him, but she confirms his identity and he is able to leave. He reunited with Roxy who is very pleased to see him, and after a heart-to-heart with Peggy, he vows to help her get The Queen Victoria back from Roxy. Roxy is angry with him for putting the bust of Queen Victoria back on the bar as it was used to kill Archie, but he tells her it is what Archie would have done and she should make him proud. He later sabotages a pump at the pub so Roxy is forced to ask for Peggy's help, and convinces Roxy to buy the beauty salon that is coming up for auction. He is befriended by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), who wants to turn him against his family in order get Roxy's inheritance. Ronnie tells Roxy he cannot be trusted, but he reveals Janine's plan, cementing his place in the Mitchell family. He and Glenda then plan to con Roxy out of her inheritance themselves. He later tells Ronnie that Roxy has hardly any money left because she is spending it on expensive things she hardly uses.

Roxy is curious when Danny asks her for a £700 investment, which he later returns in full, having apparently made a profit. She asks him if she can invest £1000 for his friend to do the same for her, and she is satisfied when she sees him going into a building and meeting somebody. Danny speaks to Glenda on the telephone and tells her to pack a bag. Later, Roxy overhears him on the phone saying he can get a bigger return if he invested more money, so she offers to go halves with him. Danny thinks Ronnie may have figured out his plan when she asks to invest as well, and says he was too late and the deal is off. Glenda arrives in a taxi and Danny tells her he thinks Ronnie is on to him, to which Glenda says they cannot leave empty handed and Ronnie cannot stop them. Glenda urges Danny to find out if Ronnie knows. Ronnie denies overhearing Danny's telephone conversation with Glenda, though Danny tells Glenda that Ronnie is playing games with him. Danny gives Glenda a plane ticket to the United States and says he'll meet her at the airport. Ronnie tells Danny she has worked it out – that Danny is seeing someone. Danny agrees and says it is a married woman, and then calls Glenda to say Ronnie knows about their scheme and Glenda should go to the States on her own. However, she simply tears up the ticket.

Kamil Masood

Kamil Masood
EastEnders character
Duration	2010—
First appearance	23 February 2010
Classification	Present; recurring
Introduced by	Diederick Santer
In-universe information Father Masood Ahmed Mother Zainab Masood Brothers Syed Masood Tamwar Masood Sisters Shabnam Masood Uncles Inzamam Ahmed First cousins Jamila Inzamam Ali Inzamam

Kamil Masood is the son of Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) and Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) who is born on screen in the episode broadcast on 23 February 2010.

In August 2009, Zainab is forced come to terms with the fact that she is 15 weeks pregnant in her mid-40s, and the pregnancy means that her and Masood's plans to see the world have to be cancelled. Wadia stated that Zainab is terrified due to her age and the fact a baby will interfere with her career, and she feels trapped because she does not want the baby but abortion is forbidden by her faith.

On 23 February 2010, Zainab becomes locked inside her office unable to contact anyone when her labour starts. She is found by Christian Clarke (John Partridge) who contacts Masood and his two sons Syed (Marc Elliott) and Tamwar (Himesh Patel). Christian calls for an ambulance, but the baby starts to come so Christian passes on instructions while Masood delivers the baby. Kamil is not breathing when he is born, so Christian instructs Masood to perform CPR, saving the infant's life. Zainab is then admitted to hospital where she and Masood name their son. After returning home, Masood looks after Kamil while Zainab goes back to work.

Kylie, Connor and Mitch

Kylie (Elarica Gallacher), Connor (Arinze Kene) and Mitch (Theo Barklem-Biggs) are friends of Billie Jackson's (Devon Anderson) from his housing estate in Balham. Kylie appears between 24 February and 1 April, Connor between 1 March and 2 April and Mitch between 2 and 29 March. Billie returns to Balham with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Kylie tells him he belongs with his crew. The next week, Whitney goes there looking for Billie, and when she meets Kylie, she insults her and Kylie and her friends attack her, telling her to ask Billie for their gun back. They later arrive in Albert Square and apologise to Whitney, and Billie insists he has disposed of the gun. Kylie and Connor turn up at a grime night at The Queen Victoria where Kylie gets Whitney drunk, insults Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and throws drink over her, and Connor steals a bottle of tequila. Outside, Connor sprays graffiti on a bench and then Kylie and Connor run off, leaving Whitney and Billie to suffer the consequences. Kylie, Connor and Mitch return a few weeks later and take Billie for drinks where they are told to leave by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). The gang decide to rob the pub using a fake gun, and they get away with the money. Billie then realises the real gun that he hid has gone missing after Kylie found it earlier. Kylie tells Billie he must choose between the gang or Whitney. Billie chooses Whitney, so Kylie takes revenge by trying to shoot him during a family party. However, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is the one who is shot, and Kylie tackled by a club employee. The next day, Connor arrives looking for Billie, and reveals that Kylie has been arrested.

The storyline was criticised by Ruth Deller of lowculture.co.uk, calling it flawed and unrepresentitive of the real Balham, and describing Kylie as an "irritant".

Harvey Freeman

Harvey Freeman
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Martin Jarvis
Duration	2010
First appearance	15 April 2010
Last appearance	3 June 2010
Classification	Former; recurring
Introduced by	Diederick Santer
In-universe information Occupation Freelance journalist

Harvey Freeman is a freelance journalist, played by Martin Jarvis. He appears between 15 April and 3 June 2010. He is described as a mysterious 60-something and a perfect gent who arrives to report on local elections for Walford Gazette, and is said to be a potential love interest for characters Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement). Jarvis said on his casting: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be a potential thorn between two roses working with two actresses I greatly admire and have had the pleasure of working with before. I'm delighted to be reunited with Pam and Barbara and to have a part in EastEnders."

He arrives in The Queen Victoria public house to interview Peggy on the upcoming council elections in which she is running. He later interviews Pat Evans for the same reason, but Peggy plies them with free drinks and Pat gets drunk. Peggy tells Harvey that Pat cheated on her husband with Peggy's husband, and that anything she has said about the Mitchell family is a lie. After Pat pours a drink on Peggy's head, Harvey announces that he has more candidates to interview and leaves, after wiping Peggy's face. After hearing that Pat and Peggy have both chosen to withdraw from the election, Harvey visits them indidually, giving them his card and inviting them out for drinks. A week later, they both decide to call him on the same day. He takes Pat out for lunch and Peggy out for dinner without them knowing he is seeing them both. The next day he tries his best to stop them finding out but eventually they realise what he has been doing, so he quickly leaves. Pat and Peggy argue over him but eventually agree not to let him come between their friendship. They tell him so and tell him to get out in unison. Later, Harvey talks to Pat and she asks who he would have chosen if he had to choose. He says Pat as he prefers a more intelligent woman. He then waits for Peggy and she asks him the same question, to which he says he would have chosen Peggy as he prefers a woman with class. Pat and Peggy meet again and agree they did the right thing, but then both their mobile phones receive text messages at the same time and they walk away from each other smiling.

Harvey spends time with Pat while Peggy is away but when Peggy returns he invites her to the theatre. She says she cannot make it so Harvey invites Pat who agrees. Peggy later says she can come but Harvey says he has given the tickets to someone else. Peggy buys tickets of her own and Pat and Peggy both turn up at the theatre together, and Harvey's face drops when he sees them both. He explains that they are at fault for not telling each other they were seeing him. Pat and Peggy begin to argue so Harvey leaves and escapes onto a tour bus. Pat and Peggy catch him up and take over the tour guide's microphone, saying that Harvey is vermin and slapping him before they get off. Harvey returns to Walford to explain that he wants to carry on seeing them both, but if it can only be as friends then sobeit. When he goes to the toilet, Pat reveals that she has slept with Harvey and Peggy reveals that she has not. They realise he is just trying to get as much sex as he can and plan to humilate him. Pat leaves Peggy and Harvey alone and Peggy says that night she was going to sleep with Harvey and they could still do so. He goes upstairs and Peggy steals his clothes. When he comes downstairs, Pat and Peggy are waiting and they tell him to leave after Pat throws his clothes out the door. Harvey has a sheet around him but Pat snatches it off him before he leaves humilated.

Mercy Olubunmi

Main article: Mercy Olubunmi

Mercy Olubunmi is played by Bunmi Mojekwu. Mercy originally appears in the Internet spin-off series EastEnders: E20 as one of the main characters, alongside Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny), Leon Small (Sam Attwater) and Fatboy (Ricky Norwood), between 8 and 25 January 2010, however, she was the only character from the spin-off to not feature in EastEnders. Mojekwu's casting was announced on 25 November 2009, and It was subsequently announced on 24 January 2010 that she would feature in EastEnders due to positive reaction to the character. Executive producer Diederick Santer said that once he had seen the completed episodes of EastEnders: E20, he wanted Mercy in the main show as well. She is described as "funny, warm, sensitive and rather mysterious." She has always been a good girl but she feels abandoned when her parents move back to Nigeria, leaving her with her grandmother, Grace. She first appears in EastEnders on 31 May. Her storylines include suffering a miscarriage after discovering she is pregnant by her local church's youth minister, Benjamin (Damien Lynch).

Grace Olubunmi

Grace Olubunmi is the grandmother of Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu). She appears in episode 8 of the EastEnders spin-off EastEnders: E20, credited only as Mrs Olubunmi and played by Jay Byrd, in which she tells Mercy that her friend Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) is a bad influence on her. New executive producer Bryan Kirkwood introduces the character to EastEnders in his first episode on 4 June 2010, this time played by Ellen Thomas. When the character arrives, she urges Mercy to tell Fatboy that they are moving to Lagos. She makes friends with Liz Turner (Kate Williams) and later tells Fatboy about their plans. She hosts a lunch at the community centre and tells Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) that she has grown fond of London but is going to Lagos for Mercy's sake. Fatboy then realises that neither Grace nor Mercy want to go and makes them realise this after Mercy has returned the key to their former home. Fatboy then says he has a plan for somewhere for them to live.

Vanessa Gold

Vanessa Gold
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Zöe Lucker
Duration	2010—
First appearance	4 June 2010
Classification	Present; regular
Created by	Simon Ashdown
Introduced by	Diederick Santer and Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Occupation Businesswoman Husband Harry Gold Daughters Jodie Gold

Vanessa Gold, played by Zöe Lucker, is a businesswoman who is described as "dynamic and assured" and is a love interest for Max Branning (Jake Wood). The character was announced on 20 March 2010 and will first appear in new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood's first episode originally scheduled for 7 June 2010, though actually broadcast on 4 June. Vanessa was the idea of EastEnders series consultant Simon Ashdown, who wanted a "Zöe Lucker-type" character. Lucker was approached and agreed to take on the role. She said of her casting "I'm a huge fan of the show and I'm really looking forward to working closely with Jake Wood." In a later interview with entertainment website Digital Spy, she said "It just felt so right, especially at this stage in my life. It's so perfect and lovely to be part of such an amazing show." Lucker is Kirkwood's third signing, following the reintroduction of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie). Kirkwood commented on the casting: "Zöe Lucker is absolutely perfect for the role of Vanessa. The character is a strong confident force of nature who will play Max at his own game. I can't wait to see Zöe come face to face with Jake Wood on screen." Additionally, a spokesperson said that "[Max and Vanessa] are both volatile and explosive characters and their meeting will be like putting a lit match next to a barrel [of] gunpowder." In an interview with Digital Spy, Kirkwood said Vanessa was strong-minded and quite positive, and they wanted a female character with a different energy to the many "strong, feisty, shouty" women in the show. He added: "She knows that she's likely to rub women up the wrong way and she knows what she wants. But she doesn't intimidate or use bullyboy tactics. She's clever, interesting and she might just have a secret." Lucker described Vanessa as glamourous, a risk-taker who gets bored very easily, complicated, hard-working, laid-back and a doting mother. Although Lucker is from the north of England and EastEnders is set in London, Lucker uses her own accent. Some of the first scenes she filmed required driving a five-and-a-half litre Mercedes, and Lucker had only passed her driving test four weeks previously so was worried she would drive into something. Lucker's initial contract was for seven episodes, with Vanessa appearing to make Max realise he still loves his wife Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner). Four days after the character first appeared on screen, it was announce that Lucker had signed a new contract to appear more permanently, as EastEnders producers were so impressed with Lucker's performance.

Vanessa arrives in Albert Square to buy a car from Branning and Son. After buying a car from Max, she gives him her card and leaves in her own car, which she says is one of many. Later, Max calls her offering an aftercare package. She returns to sign her paperwork where she and Max kiss. She then takes the car for a test drive, after which she puts her wedding ring back on, and hands the keys to her daughter Jodie (Kylie Babbington). After Max's employee Darren Miller (Charlie G. Hawkins) takes Jodie on a date, he realises that Vanessa is her mother and then walks in on Max and Vanessa having sex on the desk. After Darren reveals to Max that Vanessa and Jodie are mother and daughter, they decide to toss a coin and if Darren loses he has to dump Jodie and if Max wins he has to dump Vanessa. Darren wins and Max is told to dump Vanessa but does not.

Jodie Gold

Jodie Gold
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Kylie Babbington
Duration	2010—
First appearance	7 June 2010
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Diederick Santer and Bryan Kirkwood
In-universe information Occupation Beautician Father Harry Gold Mother Vanessa Gold

Jodie Gold, played by Kylie Babbington, is Vanessa's daughter. The character was announced on 10 May 2010 and first appeared on screen on 7 June 2010 when she arrived in the show's setting of Albert Square in Walford looking for her mother. She is a love interest for Darren Miller (Charlie G. Hawkins) and is described as big-hearted with "an infectious smile and a personality to match." Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood told entertainment website Digital Spy, "I'm really excited about Kylie taking on the role of Jodie. She brings yet more fresh energy to the show – she's a ray of sunshine." The character is 19 years old on her arrival and Jodie is Babbington's first television role.

When Jodie arrives, she is found by Darren Miller in the road, and says she is lost. Darren gives her £10 and offers to help. He goes to ask her out but changes his mind, but she accepts anyway. She then finds her mother who hands her the keys to her new car, and Jodie reveals she got the job she had interviewed for. The next day she goes for lunch with Darren and he tells her he owns the car lot. When Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) interrupts and asks him to look after George, Jodie assumes George is a dog. Darren admits that George is his son, which Jodie thinks is sweet. Darren realises that Jodie's mother is Vanessa after seeing her car, and she tells him that she lives with her parents, who are still happily together. As Darren takes her to the car lot to show her where he works, he walks in on Vanessa and Max having sex on the desk. He tells Jodie that Max is busy with a customer and she realises that he is not the boss but says he does not have to lie to impress her.

Jade

Jade, played by Niamh Webb, is a character who appears in the episodes broadcast on 8, 9 and 15 June 2010. Jade was originally scripted as a prostitute who Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) picks up and forces to pray for forgiveness before apparently strangling her. However, following the charging of Stephen Griffiths with the murder of three prostitutes in Bradford, the decision was made to reshoot the scenes to remove the prostitute references, less than a week before the scenes were due to air. A spokesperson for the programme said the decision was made to "ensure we do not cause distress to the families involved in these tragic events." Jade first appears when Lucas visits a bar and sees her on her own. He offers to take her somewhere more quiet and they leave together. He takes her to a secluded spot and tells her that drinking and throwing herself at men is wrong and that her soul is lost. He says she needs to be cleansed and forces her to pray, but she attempts to fight back. She escapes but Lucas catches up to her, again telling her to beg for God's forgiveness. Lucas then removes his tie, and when he returns home, there are deep scratch marks on his neck, though Jade's fate is unknown.

Others

Date(s)	Character	Actor	Circumstances
1 January	Fatima Inzamam	(uncredited)	Wife of Inzamam Ahmed and mother of Jamila and Ali. She appears before Syed Masood's wedding to Amira Shah but leaves when Inzamam's brother Masood Ahmed tells Inzamam he is no longer welcome at the wedding.
14–15 January	Emma West	Ellie Beavan	Archie Mitchell's solicitor. She arrives for the reading of Archie's will, but her paperwork gets dropped and blows around the Square. When Archie's second wife Peggy finds out that Archie divorced his first wife Glenda, Glenda denies it but Emma confirms that this would be possible even without Glenda's signature. Before she leaves, Billy Mitchell invites her to come back for a drink any time she wants.
18–22 January	Loretta	Nicola Hughes	The chair of the church's fundraising committee. She helps out Lucas Johnson with a jumble sale and Lucas's wife Denise takes a disliking to her. Loretta returns some clothes to Denise that she donated, implying they are unfashionable and nobody would buy them. Denise gets rid of her by getting Bianca Jackson to call her pretending to be from a lottery, saying she has won a prize and has to go to collect it. When Loretta calls Bianca back, Bianca says it must be a wrong number and hangs up.
18 January	Julia	Vinny Dhillon	A social worker who visits Ian Beale and Jane Beale, who are applying to adopt a child.
19 January	Nick Greenway	David Annen	Ian Beale's solicitor after he is arrested on suspicion of murdering Archie Mitchell.
21–26 January	Reg	Zig Byfield	Glenda Mitchell's neighbour. When Glenda's daughter Ronnie visits her, Reg is outside the flat and stares at Ronnie. He later tries to give Glenda some flowers and is very insistent that he sees her, but Ronnie tells him to go. Outside, he tells Ronnie that Glenda has never mentioned her. The following week, when Ronnie and her sister Roxy come looking for Glenda, Reg tells them she has moved on. After they leave, Glenda pays Reg with cigarettes for lying for her.
25 January	Dr Clayton	Claire Askam	A doctor who talks to Pat Evans' family after Pat suffers a heart attack.
26 January– 1 February	Leyton	Daniel Crowder	A man who Christian Clarke spends the night with, and wakes up not remembering anything. He annoys Christian, who tries to avoid him, but Christian later introduces him as his boyfriend to make Syed Masood jealous. The next week, Christian tells Leyton they need to talk. It is revealed later in the week that Christian split up with Leyton.
16–23 February	Sandy	Caroline Pegg	Dotty Cotton's mother. She turns up at Dot's house looking for her daughter, Kirsty, but Dot says she knows nobody of that name. Dot and Sandy meet up in the café and Sandy says she was an alcoholic but gave up the day Dotty's father Nick Cotton took her away. Dot later decides to tell Dotty about her mother, who wants to see her. After Sandy visits Dotty, Dot decides that she should live with her mother. Dotty receives an emotional send-off from Dot as she and Sandy leave the Square.
23 February– 2 March	Mr Allcock	Bill Buckhurst	Walford High School's headmaster. After Shirley Carter fails to get her niece Zsa Zsa into the school, Mr Allcock is paid a visit from Phil Mitchell, asking him for a favour. Zsa Zsa is given an appointment, which she decides to attend after talking a liking to Mr Allcock's physique. Zsa Zsa flirts with him, and when Shirley asks her to leave the room, she does too. Zsa Zsa gets a place in school but Shirley realises it is down to Phil's visit.
24–25 February	David Hensler	Jonty Stephens	David is Masood Ahmed's line manager at Royal Mail. He watches Masood on his round, and later turns up at the house with his colleague Steven Fuller from the Royal Mail Investigation Unit, saying there has been an allegation of stolen post and they must search Masood's house. They find a package for Max Branning that Masood was holding, and David later issues Masood with a caution.
	Steven Fuller	(uncredited)
9 March	Dave	John Cummins	A customer at the car lot. Carol Jackson attempts to sell him a car and uses Billy Mitchell to help increase the price, but when Billy goes too high, Dave says he cannot afford it and leaves.
11 March	Theresa	Dolya Gavanski	A florist who Libby Fox and Patrick Trueman visit to find out who sent flowers to Liz Turner. They pretend they were from Patrick's son whom they had not heard from until he sent the flowers, but when Theresa refuses to give out details, Libby steals a CCTV tape.
15 March	Tim Brown	Keir Charles	A man looking at the beauty salon that Roxy Mitchell is thinking of buying. Roxy flirts with him but tells him it is a bad site as the last business had no customers. Roxy later tells him she will not be bidding and he reveals he is not bidding himself but was looking at the property on behalf of Roxy's sister Ronnie.
15 March	Bev	Nichola Jane Theobald	Two attractive women who come into The Queen Victoria public house. Phil Mitchell and Minty Peterson offer to pay for their drinks but they leave when Phil gets annoyed with Minty.
	Debs	(uncredited)
23–25 March	Dr Cameron	Aicha Kossoko	The doctor who Lucy Beale visits to have an termination.
29 March– 5 April	Terry	Jon Foster	A social worker who assesses Phil Mitchell's suitability for custody of his estranged daughter Louise. After questioning the family, he tells them Louise should be able to move in.
1 April	Luther	Peter McNally	An employee at R&R who takes charge after his boss Jack Branning is shot by Kylie.
1–22 April	Mr Steele	Simon Wilson	The consultant who tells Jack Branning's family that he could end up severely brain damaged after being shot. He looks after Jack and explains to the family that he is paralysed down one side of his body. When Ronnie Mitchell drops some paperwork at the hospital, he returns it to her and when she thinks he is coming onto her, she orders him out. He later returns to apologise and they end up dancing together and later, kissing. When Jack's brother Max tells Jack he saw Ronnie and Mr Steele kissing, Mr Steele makes a comment about Ronnie's lips so Jack punches him in the face. When Ronnie finds out, she breaks up with Mr Steele as she realises Jack still has feelings for her.
9 April	Cllr Singh Walia	Ranjit Krishnamma	A local councillor who comes to meet residents at The Queen Victoria public house. As Pat Evans and Peggy Mitchell tell him he is doing a bad job, he suffers a heart attack and is taken away in an ambulance. He stands down from the council, prompting Pat and Peggy to both apply for his position.
12 April	Julie	Amy Edge	Fatboy's date, who Fatboy brings on a double date with Leon Small and Zsa Zsa Carter. After the date, Fatboy tells Leon that she is bisexual and fancies Zsa Zsa.
12–16 April	Tasha	Charlotte Beaumont	The leader of a gang of schoolgirls that bully Ben Mitchell. After one confrontation, they chase Ben and take his new trainers. When Ben's father Phil discovers this, he tells Tasha to have the trainers cleaned. When she returns them, she apologises to Ben, but then tells her friends that she stood up to him. Shirley Carter hears her bragging and tells her that Phil is the least of her worries. After Phil and Shirley talk to Tasha's father, Ben reports that there have been no more problems.
15 April	Elaine	Joanne Zorian	Louise Mitchell's dance teacher. She encourages Louise's father Phil to stay for her first lesson to build Louise's confidence.
19 April, 25 May	Nurse Denton	Elicia Daly	A nurse who tends to Jack Branning, who is paralysed down one side after being shot in the head, and Jordan Johnson, who is in a coma after being hit on the head with a spanner.
20 April	Joseph	Robert Jezek	Tasha's Polish father who Phil Mitchell and Shirley Carter talk to about Tasha bullying Phil's son Ben. He agrees to talk to Tasha.
4–7 May	Dr Bickerton	Catherine Kanter	Jack Branning's doctor who Ronnie Mitchell talks to about sending him to a private clinic.
7 May	Jonno	Garry Lammin	A man who gives a quote to fix the electrics at R&R nightclub for Ronnie Mitchell. However, he tells her the club must remain closed for a few days as it is a big job.
10–13 May	Nadim Abbasi	Kriss Dosanjh	Bushra Abbasi's husband, an apparently wealthy man, who visits Masood Ahmed and Zainab Masood along with his wife. He also meets their gay son Syed Masood at the mosque and allows him in when some men are blocking the entrance, but later tells him people will not forgive and forget and he should attend a different mosque.
14 May	Alex	Ben Joiner	A man who meets Christian Clarke in The Queen Victoria. They get a bottle of wine but Christian leaves after hearing that Syed Masood is in hospital after an overdose. Later, Christian meets Alex again invites him out to dinner.
20 May	Carver	Simon Tcherniak	Phil Mitchell's solicitor.
20–21 May	Allen Conlon	Peter Vollebregt	A man claims he can cure Syed Masood of his homosexuality. Though Syed's parents Zainab and Masood and brother Tamwar are sceptical, Syed and Allen say it is possible and Syed can re-educate his mind.
31 May	Katy	Leila Mimmack	When Peter Beale and Fatboy attend a party in Hampshire, Katy kisses Fatboy and Hayley kisses Peter. A fight breaks out between Peter and Hayley's boyfriend Vince, and Fatboy gets involved when he insults Hayley. Peter knees Vince in the groin and Peter and Fatboy escape from the party.
	Vince	Oscar Ward
	Hayley	Charlotte Skeoch
31 May–1 June	Simon James	Peter Temple	A man who interviews Bianca and Ricky Butcher as their son Liam has not been accepted into his first choice of secondary school.
1 June	Andrew	Christopher Scoular	Two men that meet Pat Evans and Peggy Mitchell in a restaurant and buy them drinks. Pat and Peggy run out on them because they both have dates that night.
	Donald	Jack McKenzie
8 June	DC Walker	Alexander Newland	A police officer who visits Jordan Johnson to see how he is before his attacker Ben Mitchell is due in court. He explains that Ben could get up to four years detention.

External links

• Danny Mitchell at BBC Online