(Image: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Lee and Nancy Carter are returning to Albert Square in a jaw-dropping storyline.
EastEnders fans will see the siblings back on screen this autumn as part of a dramatic plot that marks the final months of their mother Linda’s time on the show.
Actress Kellie Bright, who has played Linda Carter for 13 years, recently announced her departure from the BBC soap, saying “now is the right time for me to say goodbye”.
Lee and Nancy Carter to return to EastEnders
Ben Wadey, executive producer of EastEnders, said: "Kellie Bright is very sadly leaving us after so many brilliant years in the programme.
"I’m quite close to Kellie, and she’s such a phenomenal actor.
"Linda Carter is one of the all-time greatest EastEnders characters.
"Losing her is such a big moment for the show, and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months."
Linda Carter is the matriarch of the Carter family and has four children with her husband Mick, played by Danny Dyer.
Their ex-military son Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) and daughter Nancy (Maddy Hill) will return to Walford for the storyline.
Mr Wadey, 32, said: "We’ll be welcoming Lee and Nancy back into the fold for a period in a story that...
"I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see the first cliff-hanger."
Lee Carter ultimately left in 2017, but has continued to make occasional appearances since his exit.
He said: "I’m absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders.
"Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I’m proper buzzing to be back grafting with the Enders family."
Maddy Hill, who played Nancy until 2022, said: "I am so excited to be returning to Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy’s shoes.
"I’ve missed her.
"I’m especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family."
Mr Wadey said he was "absolutely thrilled" to have both actors back.
He said: "Whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she’s got a lot to catch up on."
Linda Carter’s time on the show has featured some of EastEnders’ most emotional storylines, including being raped by her brother-in-law Dean Wicks, long-term struggles with alcoholism, and an affair with Max Branning (Jake Wood).
During a recent Q&A, Mr Wadey also shared updates on other major storylines, including Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) battle with acute myeloid leukaemia.
He said: "Next week we’ll see some of the most powerful episodes I’ve watched since I’ve been here – so have a box of tissues ready.
"We have more of Denise’s extended family as part of her search to find her stem cell donor.
"We get to meet her long-lost brother Darnell, who she didn’t even know existed, and Darnell’s daughter Grace."
The new characters will appear later this summer, with Christopher Colquhoun playing Darnell Larson Jr and Krysstina Frempong as Grace.
Mr Wadey described them as "really joyous characters" who are "quite down to earth and normal" and have been "watching Walford from afar."
He also teased future storylines for Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) and Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), who "have something big coming up" regarding their ongoing adoption storyline.
Mr Wadey confirmed the return of Robert Kazinsky as Sean Slater.
He said: "I can’t wait for you guys to see him.
"We’ve got very exciting plans for him."
Are you excited to see Lee and Nancy Carter return? Let us know in the comments.