User:EEfamilytrees/Penny Branning

Penny Branning
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Mia McKenna-Bruce (2008) Kitty Castledine (2024–present)
Duration	2008, 2024–present
First appearance	Episode 3512 21 January 2008
Classification	Present; regular
Introduced by	Diederick Santer (2008) Chris Clenshaw (2024)
In-universe information Occupation Student Family Branning Father Jack Branning Mother Selina Branning Stepmother Ronnie Mitchell Denise Fox Half-brothers Ricky Branning James Branning Half-sisters Amy Mitchell Grandfathers Jim Branning Grandmothers Reenie Branning Uncles Derek Branning Max Branning Aunts April Branning Suzy Branning Carol Jackson Nieces Charli Slater First cousins Joey Branning Alice Branning Bianca Jackson Robbie Jackson Sonia Fowler Billie Jackson Bradley Branning Lauren Branning Abi Branning Oscar Branning Annie Carter Kevin Rebecca

Penny Branning, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, is the daughter of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and his first wife Selina Branning (Daisy Beaumont). She appears between 21 January and 1 February 2008, and returns from 15 to 18 April 2008. On 6 November 2023, it was announced that Penny would be returning to the show, played by Kitty Castledine. She returned alongside her cousin, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), on 1 January 2024.

Storylines

2008

Jack's girlfriend Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Janus) finds tickets for a ballet, which Jack says are for Penny as it is her birthday and she loves dancing. Ronnie answered the phone to Selina and later met her. Penny entered the room in a wheelchair, and Selina asked Ronnie if she knew why Penny was paralyzed from the waist down. Jack later claimed that when he was a police officer, he caught a drug dealer who deliberately hit Penny with his car when she and Selina were waiting at a bus stop. It was later revealed that Jack was a corrupt officer taking payment from a drugs baron in return for tip-offs. When Jack was unable to tip off the baron and he was arrested, one of his associates carried out the attack in revenge.

Jack took Penny and Selina out for Penny's birthday, and afterwards they kissed in Selina's flat. Selina revealed the next day how upset Penny was that Jack was not there when she woke up. Selina decided to move to France where her parents lived, taking Penny with her. Penny visited Jack in April 2008 and was cold towards Ronnie, preferring to go shopping with her aunt Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner). Tanya cooked Penny a farewell meal, as Ronnie struggled to bond with her. Penny did not want to return to France but was persuaded by Jack. In March 2010, Ronnie asked Jack about Penny and he said she was doing fine without him. In October 2013, Jack moved to France to reconnect with Penny, briefly returning to Walford for a visit during Christmas 2015. After Jack's permanent return to Walford, Penny called in December 2016 to tell him she couldn't attend his wedding to Ronnie because of a doctor's appointment in Paris. In February 2020, Penny was mentioned by Max Branning (Jake Wood) when Max and Jack were having a fight.

2024–present

Penny returns with her cousin, Lauren and Lauren’s son, Louie Beale (Jake McNally). They are seen in France in January 2024 at a party that they are hosting. It is revealed that Penny has a connection to a woman named Juliette Dubois (Lily Catalifo) and Juliette reveals that Penny is keeping secrets. The next morning, Penny, Lauren and Louie arrive in England and a sniffer dog smells something in Lauren's bag. A police officer finds a parcel of drugs in Lauren's bag and they are not hers but instead, likely Penny's. Penny then reunites with Jack at his doorstep and informs him on the conflict with Lauren. Jack tries to deal with it but isn’t allowed. After hearing the ‘full’ story, Jack questions Penny on if she planted the drugs in Lauren’s bag as that is usually the most likely outcome. After Peter Beale suspects that Penny planted the drugs on Lauren, Penny hands herself in to the police.

When at the police station, Jack quickly visits her to find out that Penny had denied a lawyer. Jack then instructs her to take any deal she’s offered. Peter and Jack talk in the square and Peter mentions Juliette, Jack then relays this to the police investigating with Penny. In an attempt of blackmail, Penny pushes herself out of her wheelchair but then blames it on the DI, she then tries to make a deal linked to her and Lauren being released but is caught in the act as the DI reveals there’s 2 cameras. The DI then asks Penny to confess everything about Juliette to get her and Lauren set free. Thankfully, Lauren is released although after a conversation with Peter Beale (Thomas Law), Lauren questions if Penny was behind the drug incident, Penny confesses and Lauren is raging over it and immediately plans to leave Walford with Louie. After finding out some home truths, Lauren consistently avoids Penny but after a conversation with Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), the cousins manage to make up.

Penny and Lauren make a plan to move in together although Peter disapproves of this due to the drugs, so therefore, Penny gets him drunk and makes him realise that she’s not a bad person. After some bonding, Peter approves of her. Lauren is surprised that Penny managed to change Peter’s mind. The next week, Peter assists Penny and Lauren by moving into 29A Albert Square. When Penny is trusted to keep an eye on Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)’s stall, she accidentally knocks a ladder into Jade Masood (Elizabeth Green), injuring her. Later, Penny gives Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) some relationship advice. When discussing Lauren’s upcoming 30th, Penny tries to encourage her to do something big and even tries to persuade Peter to be a part of it. At the party, Penny forces Lauren to do a speech.

When Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) is struggling with her relationship, Penny visits her and Amy reveals that she wants to sleep with Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega). Penny is a bit concerned at first but shows support to Amy and doesn’t stop her. A few days later, Lauren and Whitney fall out so Penny locks them in a van, they scream for help as the situation intensifies when Whitney’s waters break. When Whitney leaves Walford the next week, Penny becomes the owner of her clothing stall. The following week, Penny visits her mum in France.

Once she returns from France, she meets Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway), and things quickly become flirtatious between the two and they later sleep together, though Penny hides this from Jack. After some time, Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) steals some clothes from Penny's stall which causes conflict between the two, Penny threatens Avani and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) - demanding the dress back. She receives it from Ravi and then arranges a promo night at Peggy's with Chelsea Fox.

Penny manipulates Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) into drinking on the job, and is caught by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), her boss. Chelsea is then sacked and Penny spitefully takes the job, insulting Chelsea and belittling her. Chelsea attempts to tell Phil about Penny's true ways but Phil doesn't listen, and employs Penny. Penny continues to be a manipulative manager to Chelsea.

Some time later, Penny arranges a carnival night to prove herself as manager, but the booking is sabotaged and a Crush occurs. Penny panics when she notices Amy trapped but things escalate when the crowd stampede and Penny is knocked out of her wheelchair. Penny panics if anyone died, but thankfully, things are ok. Amy's condition stabilises in hospital but Penny is later taken in for questioning after CCTV proves illegal tickets were distributed. Penny tries to prove her innocence to Jack but fails to do so, and he admits his favouritism for Amy.