Poppy Merritt

The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' which aired in 2008 (by order of first appearance). All characters were introduced by executive producer Diederick Santer. Santer introduced four characters in January: Mr Lister, a new market inspector; Christian Clarke, the brother of Jane Beale; and two members of the Branning family, Selina and Penny. In March, he introduced Jalil Iqbal, a new love interest for Shabnam Masood. In April he introduced Ricky Butcher's fiancée, Melinda as well as Bianca Jackson's children, Whitney, Morgan and Tiffany. In April he also introduced Denise Fox's ex-husband, Lucas Johnson, and Opal Smith, the aunt of Gus and Juley Smith. In May, he extended the Johnson family and introduced Lucas's son, Jordan, as well as introducing Brenda Boyle, a new love interest for Charlie Slater. In July, he introduced two members of the Mitchell family: Archie Mitchell and Danielle Jones. In August, he introduced Callum Monks, the son of Vinnie and in September Tony King was introduced as the partner of Bianca. Poppy Merritt was also introduced as the new GP of Walford. November saw the only birth of the year, Amy Mitchell, the child of Roxy Mitchell and Jack Branning. The final introduction of the year was Dotty, Nick Cotton's daughter, in December.

Mr Lister

Robert "Bob" Lister, usually referred to as Mr. Lister, played by Nick Wilton, is the market inspector at Bridge Street market, the successor of Marie Matthews (Susan Cruse). He makes his first appearance on 3 January 2008, but his first name is not revealed until 7 June 2013, his last appearance for three years. Wilton reprised the role in 2016 for one episode broadcast on 15 August. The character was reintroduced for a story with Robbie Jackson ( Dean Gaffney) in July 2017, and again in December 2017. He then appears in one episode, broadcast in July 2018. The character returns again for one episode, broadcast on 7 January 2020. He then returns again in the episode broadcast on 28 December 2021.

In his first appearance, Lister sacks his assistant, Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements). He appears on a recurring basis thereafter, his next appearance being when Tamwar Masood ( Himesh Patel) seeks approval for a new stall, which Lister accepts. In August 2008, Billy Mitchell ( Perry Fenwick) gets a job as the market cleaner but Lister sacks him when he loses his cart. In October 2008, Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) phones him because Danielle Jones ( Lauren Crace) is selling stolen nightwear on the clothes stall. In May 2009, Lister closes down Stacey Slater's (Lacey Turner) stall and in September that year, he closes it again and gives it to Ryan Malloy ( Neil McDermott). In February 2010, Stacey and her friend Becca Swanson (Simone James) decide to set up a stall but Lister turns them down as he does not like Stacey. Becca dresses up and pretends to be from Walford Council and tells Lister that Stacey has lodged a complaint against him and makes legal threats. Lister then gives Stacey her stall.

In April 2010, Lister is seen investigating Fatboy's ( Ricky Norwood) van, as Fat boy is trying to sell T-shirts from the vehicle without a market license. In May 2010, Syed Masood ( Marc Elliott) asks Lister if he can start a market stall, and Lister suggests a mobile phone stall, whilst having a drink with Syed, Roxy Mitchell ( Rita Simons) refuses to serve Syed, Lister interprets this as racism. In October 2010, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) squirts water at him, so he orders Stacey to discipline or sack Kat, but Stacey refuses and squirts him as well, so he revokes Stacey's market traders' license. In March 2011, Lister offers Fat boy a month's trial on his own stall after Fat boy and Mo Harris ( Laila Morse) argue over it.

In April 2011, he complains to Billy that his stall is in the wrong position, but Billy says nobody cares. Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) asks for her stall back, and they get chatting. He moans about his life as he gets abused by stallholders regularly, and his wife has left him so he rarely sees his two children. He then invites Whitney for a drink and comforts her saying that her stepfather, Ricky Butcher ( Sid Owen), is doing what is best for her. Lister gets up to leave but falls onto Whitney, so Janine Butcher ( Charlie Brooks) threatens him and calls him a pervert. In May, Denise Fox ( Diane Parish) asks Lister to get involved with Patrick Trueman ( Rudolph Walker) but Lister says he has no say over the shop, which Patrick owns. In June, Whitney and Lauren Branning ( Jacqueline Jossa) ask Lister for a stall, but he is reluctant as Whitney lost a stall for not paying her rent. However, he agrees as long as the owed rent is paid and a month's rent is paid in advance. In July, Lister issues Fat boy with a warning for kicking his own stall, but Fat boy decides to abandon his stall before he can be disciplined. He warns Eddie Moon (David Essex) about fly tipping and is threatened by Eddie's son Tyler (Tony Discipline). Lister later accepts a bribe from Eddie. In November, Lister appears following reports that someone is selling Dutch Father Christmas toys, and asks Alfie Moon ( Shane Richie) if he knows anything. Alfie denies this, although it is his relatives Tyler and Anthony Moon (Matt Lapinskis) who have done it. Anthony asks Fatboy to change them so they no longer speak Dutch, and when Lister sees Fatboy with one, it plays a jingle in Fatboy's voice.

In April 2012, Lister complains to Bianca Butcher ( Patsy Palmer) that the rubbish from the café is over spilling into the market, so she angrily empties the rubbish into the street. A few days later, Bianca attempts to steal a handbag belonging to a market seller. She is caught and in the struggle, Lister is injured after Bianca hits him. He calls the police, resulting in Bianca's arrest and imprisonment. It later emerges that he has taken out a restraining order against Bianca, meaning that she cannot go to the market or Bridge Street. In September, Lister threatens to call the police on Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), who is lying drunk in the street. Later that month, he reprimands Syed for not selling his usual stock. In November, Lister accuses Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) of stealing a bag that he donated to the charity shop she manages. This leads to Cora being fired. Lister goes to the salon for a haircut, where Bianca gives him shampoo. It is awkward at first, but then they start to bond when they talk about their children, as Lister's daughter is getting married and he thinks he will feel left out at the wedding. Lister agrees to have the restraining order dropped and gives Bianca a £5 tip, accidentally leaving £20 behind. He later accuses Bianca of stealing it, but when it is found, he apologizes and gives her the money. In April 2013 Lister temporarily bans Bianca and Kat from trading on the market after they play various pranks on him. Kat pretends to seduce Lister and Bianca takes a photo of him with his trousers down, which they use to blackmail him to get their stall back. In June, Lister speaks to Ian Beale ( Adam Woodyatt) about his new restaurant and introduces him to Danny Pennant ( Gary Lucy). Ian hopes that Danny will find someone to invest in his new business. After Lister loses his job, he is replaced by Aleks Shirovs ( Kristian Kiehling). after apparently being given a promotion from the council.

In August 2016, Mr. Lister interviews Carmel Kazemi ( Bonnie Langford) for the market inspector position. In July 2017, Mr. Lister has a meeting with new Market Inspector Robbie Jackson ( Dean Gaffney) to discuss 'big changes' to the market and orders Robbie that he has until Christmas to eject Donna Yates ( Lisa Hammond) from the market.

In December 2021, Stacey and her ex-husband Martin Fowler ( James Bye) both apply for the role of Market Inspector. Mr. Lister gives the job to Martin, after discovering that Stacey lied on her CV. However, Martin declines and recommends Stacey. Stacey's pride is bruised when she discovers that Martin was the first choice, and she resigns. Martin tells Lister he would like to accept the job, but Lister has already appointed Honey Mitchell ( Emma Barton).

Development

In April 2013, when Bianca and Kat puts a note on Lister's back saying "prat", ''Heat'' said, "we know Lister ''is'' a prat, and a pompous one at that, but you were never going to get away with it." Wilton confirmed his departure on his website, adding that he was unable to film Lister's departure scenes as planned, due to pantomime commitments. Wilton said, "I originally went into the soap for three episodes that went out in January 2008, and ended up staying for 6 years, during which time I met some lovely people, had a lot of fun and a few really good story lines".

Christian Clarke

Christian Clarke, played by John Partridge, is introduced to the show as a new gay character and the brother of Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) as the show's bosses had seen how popular Antony Cotton was in the role of Sean Tully in ''Coronation Street''. However, Partridge's character is not as camp as Cotton's, and is described as "very suave and a real charmer" and a "savvy, bright character ho isvery fun." He made his first appearance on 17 January 2008. His main story line is having an affair with Muslim character Syed Masood ( Marc Elliott), while Syed is engaged to Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas).

Ashley Jennings

Ashley Jennings played by Tony Boncza, is the fiancé of Christian Clarke (John Partridge), who appeared in the episode broadcast on 17 January 2008. He was described by ''Soaplife'' as Christian's rich " sugar daddy". In the episode, Ashley and Christian have a meal with Christian's sister Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) and her husband Ian Beale ( Adam Woodyatt). Ashley leaves the meal early after Christian reveals that he was in love with Jane's ex-husband David Collins (Dan Milne). He and Christian break up, and Christian moves in with the Beales.

Tegs Teague

"Tegs" Teague, played by Ben Smith, is the main leader of a gang called the 'E20'. He appears between 17 and 22 January 2008 along with the rest of the gang. The gang harass Dot Branning (June Brown) by wolf-whistling at her and calling her a "zombie". Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) sees them and tells them to leave her alone. The gang, including Tegs' friend Ziggy (Ashley Horne), steal DVDs from Winston's (Ulric Browne) market stall with the help of Jay Brown ( Jamie Borthwick). Tegs asks Jay if he wants to join the gang and gives him a mobile phone so they can call each other. Jay later sneaks out and Tegs hands him a knife, which is found by Jay's father, Jase Dyer ( Stephen Lord) and his girlfriend Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon). The next day, the gang steal several packs of cigarettes from the local shop, the Minute Mart. They harass Dot by making silent phone calls and knocking on her door and running away. Tegs pulls a knife on Minty Peterson ( Cliff Parisi), who confronts the group of youths. After Jay criticizes Tegs's harassment of Dot, they have a fight. After appearing to have reconciled their differences, Tegs is asked by his gang whether he is with them or Jay, at which point he stabs Jay in the leg, leaving him bleeding on the ground in the park. Tegs' mum, Tina Teague (Kerry Ann White) arrives before the trial to try and persuade Jay to drop the charges against Tegs but he does not and Tegs is sentenced in an off-screen trial on 29 February to two years in a Young Offenders Institution for his crime.

Development

The story line in which Tegs stabs Jay was to be the first teenage gang-related attack that ''EastEnders'' has featured. Kris Green from ''Digital Spy'' described him as 'out of control'. Ofcom received seven complaints about the stabbing episode. A BBC spokesperson responded to the complaints about the scenes being shown before the watershed: "The BBC has a strict set of editorial guidelines that all programs must adhere to, to ensure that the violence portrayed was suitable for per-watershed viewing." Kris Green from ''Digital Spy'' defended the episode saying, "I have to say that it wasn't as gruesome as I'd imagined it would be. There's no screaming, no scuffling—it's all quiet and it happens in about 10 seconds."

Selina Branning

Selina Branning, played by Daisy Beaumont, is the ex-wife of Jack Branning ( Scott Maslen), and mother of their daughter Penny Branning (Mia McKenna Bruce). This was Beaumont's second role in ''EastEnders'' as she previously played Helen Graham in 2000. She was listed by Digital Spy as a suspect in Max Branning's (Jake Wood) hit-and-run. However, Lauren Branning ( Madeline Duggan) was the culprit. She appears between 21 January and 1 February 2008.

Selina is first heard when she leaves a message for Jack and Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) speaks to her on the phone. Ronnie later visits Selina and speaks to her about Jack not being allowed to see their daughter, Penny. It is revealed that Penny is in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down. Jack sleeps with Selina in his club's office and they are seen by Ronnie's sister Roxy Mitchell ( Rita Simons). A week later, Selina phones Jack to say that she and Penny are leaving to live in France. On 1 December 2008, Jack tells Ronnie that Selina is engaged to remarry. It is revealed on 2 March 2009 that Selina got married over the weekend to a man named James and that Jack did not attend.

Penny Branning

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. Maslen who plays Penny's dad revealed that Penny will be returning to the serial intermittently, though she has not returned since her departure.

Jack's girlfriend Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) finds tickets for a ballet, which Jack says are for Penny as it is her birthday on the day of the performance and she loves dancing. Later, Jack finds a message on his answerphone from Selina, ranting about the birthday present. Ronnie answers the phone and meets Selina. At the house, while talking to Selina about the circumstances of her and Jack's relationship, Penny enters the room in a wheelchair. Selina asks Ronnie if she knows why Penny is paralyzed from the waist down. Later, Jack tells Ronnie 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, causing Penny's spine to be severed. It is later revealed that it was due to Jack being a corrupt police officer and 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 takes Penny and Selina out for Penny's birthday and they go back to Selina's flat and kiss. Selina reveals the next day how upset Penny was that Jack was not there when she woke up. Selina decides to move to France where her parents live and takes Penny with her. Penny visits Jack in April 2008 and is cold towards Ronnie, preferring her aunt Tanya Branning ( Jo Joyner) with whom she goes shopping. Tanya cooks Penny a farewell meal, but Ronnie still struggles to bond with her. She decides that she does not want to return to France but is persuaded to go back to Selina by Jack. In March 2010, Ronnie asks Jack about Penny and he says she is doing fine without him and that Penny made the right decision to go to France. In October 2013, Jack moves to France to reconnect with Penny, briefly returning to Walford for a visit during Christmas 2015. After Jack permanently returns to Walford, Penny calls Jack in December 2016 to tell him she cannot attend his second wedding to Ronnie because of a doctor's appointment in Paris.

Roger Grant

Roger "the Dodger" Grant, played by Max Gold, is a dodgy old friend of Mo Harris ( Laila Morse). He appears on 5 February 2008, selling some clothes to Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) for her stall. Mo insists that the stock is faulty, and tries to make the dye on a shirt run by pouring tea over it, and when Stacey's mother Jean Slater ( Gillian Wright) tries to wash the tea stain out, the top gets ruined. Gold also played Dougie Briggs in 1994, and his casting as Roger was criticized by entertainment website Digital Spy's television critic Dek Hogan, as Briggs was "such an iconic role", calling it "an insult to the audience".

Edward Tunstall

Edward Tunstall, played by Miles Anderson, is a councilor who appears between 7 and 29 February 2008. He meets Ian Beale ( Adam Woodyatt) at a council lunch and wants to throw a party, so decides to use Ian and Christian Clarke's (John Partridge) events organizing business, Fit for a Queen, to organize it. He assumes Ian is gay, and asks him out for a meal. During the meal, Ian admits that he is not totally in love with his wife, Jane Beale (Laurie Brett). Edward invites him to be his guest when he collects his MBE from the Queen, but due to Ian's daughter Lucy Beale's ( Melissa Suffield) disappearance, Ian is unable to attend. In January 2009, Tunstall is reported to be involved in a scandal with a young man, mentioned in the ''Walford Gazette'' newspaper. It is then revealed that he has stepped down as Councillor.

Jalil Iqbal

Jalil Iqbal, played by Jan Uddin, is a friend of the Masood family who appears between 17 and 28 March 2008. Jalil was described as a "hunk" and it was said that he and Shabnam Masood ( Zahra Ahmadi) would embark on "an affair of the heart".

Family matriarch Zainab Masood ( Nina Wadia) invites Jalil to stay with the family and work in their post office for a while, trying to set him up with her daughter, Shabnam. Shabnam is initially against this, as she remembers Jalil as a "geek" from her childhood, though when she sees him, she is attracted to him. Zainab sets them up with a romantic meal, listening in on their conversation using a baby monitor. Shabnam discovers that Jalil has a girlfriend, though Zainab sees a picture of her and says she is ugly and that her make-up looks like it has been done by Edward Scissorhands. Shabnam later bumps into Jalil on a night out in R&R nightclub, where they flirt. Jalil and Shabnam later share a kiss, but during a conversation with the Masood family, he says that he thinks modern Muslim women like Shabnam provide "great entertainment" but are not marriage material. Zainab is offended by this and sends him away.

Melinda

Melinda, played by Siobhan Hayes, is the fiancée of Ricky Butcher ( Sid Owen). She appears between 1 and 4 April 2008. Melinda comes to Walford with Ricky for funeral of his father, Frank Butcher ( Mike Reid). Throughout the day, she spends most of the time on the telephone to her father asking him for £25,000 as a property deposit, which he later fails to provide for her. She makes several attempts to introduce herself to Pat Evans ( Pam St Clement) and is dismissive when Ricky mentions his ex-wife Bianca Jackson's ( Patsy Palmer) absence from the funeral. At Frank's wake, it becomes clear that Melinda is only interested in what Frank has left to Ricky in his will. There is no financial gain, so Melinda quickly leaves in a bad mood. Later, Ricky announces that he and Melinda have split up, and Bianca tells Pat that Melinda was responsible for Ricky's lack of contact with their son Liam Butcher (James Forde).

Speaking of the announcement of Melinda's arrival, an ''EastEnders'' source told Digital Spy: "Ricky returns to the Square for his dad Frank's funeral and turns up with Melinda—but is it true love or just a fling between them?"

Whitney Dean

Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, is the adopted daughter of long-running character Bianca Jackson ( Patsy Palmer), and was introduced in April 2008 when Palmer returned to the series after a six-year absence. Whitney was described as "a teenage drama queen, unable to engage brain before mouth and constantly finding herself in and out of trouble". She made her first appearance on 1 April 2008. Her storylines have revolved around her fractured family life, including her sexual abuse by Bianca's partner Tony King ( Chris Coghill), and a sexual exploitation storyline involving Rob Grayson ( Jody Latham). The storyline with Tony won ''EastEnders'' a Royal Television Society Programme Award in 2008.

Morgan Butcher

Morgan Butcher (also Jackson-King), played by Devon Higgs, is the son of Bianca Jackson ( Patsy Palmer) and Ray Dixon (Chucky Venn). He made his first appearance on 1 April 2008. However, Higgs was not credited in the role until 8 September 2009. He departed in 2014 along with his mother and half-sister, Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith). Morgan made an unannounced return on 3 November 2016 when he and Tiffany return for their sister, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), and Lee Carter's ( Danny-Boy Hatchard) wedding.

Storylines

Morgan, his mother and siblings Tiffany Dean (Maisie Smith), Liam Butcher (James Forde) and Whitney, are evicted by their landlord. After the family sleep at a bus shelter and Bianca assaults a police officer, Morgan and his siblings spend a week in care, but the family later move to Walford, where they move in with his great-grandmother Pat Evans ( Pam St Clement). The same week, a family party is held, where Morgan and his half-siblings meet their extended family. Bianca enters Morgan into a 'Beautiful Baby Competition' held at The Queen Victoria public house but is forced to withdraw, due to his age. A few days later he celebrates his third birthday by going to a restaurant with his family. Initially it is thought that Morgan is the son of Bianca's partner, Tony King ( Chris Coghill), but it is apparent that this is not the case when Tony is released from prison, due to Morgan's ethnicity. Bianca reveals that Morgan was the result of a one-night stand she had with an unknown man but has always seen Tony as his father as they met while she was pregnant and he has always been a consistent figure in Morgan's life.

Morgan becomes ill and is diagnosed by Dr. Poppy Merritt (Amy Darcy) with chicken pox. This leads to Pat having to move out briefly as she had never had the illness. When Tony is arrested for having had a sexual relationship with Whitney, Morgan starts asking for his dad, so his family make up an excuse as he is too young to understand what Tony had done. Janine Butcher ( Charlie Brooks) and Ryan Malloy ( Neil McDermott) use Morgan to raise money for their rent, pretending they are his parents and they are collecting money for a new playground. While trying to make a sandwich, he accidentally squirts tomato ketchup on a hoody belonging to his newly deceased uncle, Billie Jackson (Devon Anderson). Liam hides it and later tries to wash the stain out but their grandmother Carol Jackson ( Lindsey Coulson) sees it and slaps him. Morgan starts to follow Liam around, fearing that he will die as well but Ricky and Janine reassure him. He runs away from home after Bianca is put into prison but is found. Morgan starts asking questions about who his father is so Bianca tells him that his father is Barack Obama. Knowing the truth, Whitney secretly takes Morgan to see Ray Dixon (Chucky Venn), his real father. Ray did not know about Morgan's existence and is delighted to meet his son. However, Whitney pleads with Morgan not tell Bianca that he has met his father. Ray soon comes to Walford to see Morgan and Bianca tries to hide Morgan from him but soon realizes that they have already met. She does not want Ray to have contact with Morgan until Whitney convinces her, and they spend time together. Bianca allows Ray to cook a meal for the family but tells him to leave when he mentions his daughter, Sasha Dixon (Rebecca Sanneh). Morgan meets Sasha but Bianca is furious when she finds out.

Realizing that Bianca is having financial difficulties, Tiffany and Morgan go to see their step-great-grandmother Dot Branning (June Brown) at the launderette. She tells them that when she had problems as a child, she felt better after being given a bath. Tiffany and Morgan then decide to run a bath for Bianca but leave the taps on when they go out. When they get home, the bath has overflowed and is leaking into the living room. Bianca is later caught stealing money and returns to prison, this time in Suffolk. Morgan and his family then moves to Suffolk to be near his mother, leaving his father in Walford. He returns for Janine's wedding to Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), along with Ricky, Tiffany and Ricky's sister Diane Butcher ( Sophie Lawrence). Ricky and Ray argue over Morgan but eventually reconcile before Ricky and Morgan leave again. Morgan returns to Walford with his family for when Bianca is released from prison but is saddened when his father moves away. He is also not pleased when Bianca returns from a trip to Manchester announces that her new boyfriend, Terry Spraggan ( Terry Alderton), and his children, TJ Spraggan (George Sargeant) and Rosie Spraggan (Jerzey Swingler), are moving in. The couple split up but later reunite and decide to move to Milton Keynes, taking Tiffany, Morgan, TJ and Rosie with them.

Morgan and Tiffany return in November 2016 for Whitney's wedding to Lee. They tell her that Bianca cannot make it to the wedding because she is ill. Morgan offends Babe Smith ( Annette Badland) by heaving over her food, which infuriates her. Morgan attends the wedding and leaves again with Tiffany after the reception.

Development

Morgan is described by the ''Daily Mirror'' as "the most spoilt out of all of the acksonkids. He's a boisterous, adventurous lad and can hold his own among Bianca's rabble. Morgan only eats chicken nuggets". Morgan is the result of a one-night stand between Bianca and a man who is unknown to viewers. The man his family thinks is his father, Tony King is serving a prison sentence for assaulting a teenager who had allegedly threatened Morgan's stepsister, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), though it is found out that Tony is not his biological father. Morgan along with Bianca, Liam, Whitney and Tiffany, have been called 'The Jackson Five' In 2011, the character of Ray Dixon was announced, played by Chucky Venn, who was to play Morgan's biological father.

In April 2014, Palmer announced she was leaving ''EastEnders'' and in July 2014, the departure of Higgs and Smith was announced. Show bosses said that whilst they are "sad" about them leaving after six years, the decision "was right for the Butcher family as Bianca would never leave her youngest children behind." Vicky Prior from '' Metro'' commented that Morgan "recently proved an excellent comedy partner for Tiffany" and was "looking forward to seeing these two grow in character and also as actors."

Tiffany Butcher

Tiffany Butcher (also Dean), played by Maisie Smith, is the daughter of long-running character Bianca Jackson ( Patsy Palmer), introduced on 1 April 2008 when Palmer returned to the series after a six-year absence. Tiffany is described as having a "cute, butter-wouldn't-melt exterior", which "masks her somewhat mature understanding of adult matters. She sees all, hears all and knows all". She is also described as "a troublesome and cheeky lass" with a "feisty, red-head personality, which she no doubt inherits from Bianca". For her portrayal of Tiffany, Smith won the 'Best Dramatic Performance for a Young Actor or Actress' award at the British Soap Awards in 2009.

Lucas Johnson

Lucas Johnson, played by Don Gilet, is the estranged father of established character Chelsea Fox ( Tiana Benjamin) and ex-husband of Denise Fox ( Diane Parish), who he later remarries. He has a son, Jordan ( Michael-Joel David Stuart), from his previous relationship with Trina Johnson ( Sharon Duncan-Brewster). His profile on the official ''EastEnders'' website describes him as "an upstanding member of the community, a far cry from the youth he once was." His storylines include causing Trina's death and covering it up, murdering Denise's ex-husband Owen Turner (Lee Ross), and attempting to kill Denise. For his portrayal of Lucas, Gilet has received several award nominations, including Serial Drama Performance at the 2011 National Television Awards. He appeared from 3 April 2008 to 30 July 2010 and again from 1 January to 10 March 2016.

Opal Smith

Opal Smith, played by Rustie Lee, is the aunt of Gus Smith ( Mohammed George) and Juley Smith ( Joseph Kpobie). She was introduced in February 2008 for two episodes, on 8 and 10 April 2008. Opal is first mentioned on screen in May 2007, when Gus has to go to Wolverhampton to look after her following a fall. In April 2008 she visits Gus out of the blue, as she has a coach ticket to use. She embarrasses him by assuming that he is dating Keisha (Suzie McGrath), and later gives him his mother's engagement ring.

She was described as "the fiery aunt" by ''What's on TV'' and "the loud battle axe aunty of Gus" by BBC Birmingham. Speaking of her arrival, Lee said, "I'm absolutely over the moon to think I'm going to be in the Square. I can't wait." She said the opportunity was tremendous and brilliant as she had always wanted to appear in ''EastEnders''.

Inzamam Ahmed

Inzamam Ahmed, played by Paul Bhattacharjee, is the brother of Masood Ahmed ( Nitin Ganatra). He first appears on 13 May 2008, and returns on 1 January 2010 for the wedding of Masood's son Syed Masood ( Marc Elliott) and Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas).

Inzamam first visits Walford to check up on his brother's family while Masood is in Karachi visiting their sick father. He is rude and sexist towards Masood's wife Zainab Masood ( Nina Wadia) and daughter Shabnam Masood ( Zahra Ahmadi), but praises his son Tamwar Masood's ( Himesh Patel) achievements. He is shocked to see that Jay Brown ( Jamie Borthwick) has graffitied "Shabnam is a " on the Masoods' wall. He later meets up with Zainab, and she asks him for money. He makes a sexual advance to her, and she leaves, forcing her to consider selling her house. On the day before Syed's wedding to Amira, Masood takes Inzamam to dinner to ask if he can help with some money. Inzamam does not know who is getting married as nobody has told him about it and also does not know that Zainab is pregnant. Masood asks Zainab why she did not invite Inzamam to the wedding and she says she forgot, but he realises she did it deliberately. She tells him that Inzamam sees her as a fallen woman as she was previously married to Yusef Khan ( Ace Bhatti) when she met Masood, and Imzamam made many advances toward her. Masood orders Inzamam to stand and tells him that he knows what he has done. Masood returns Inzamam's money and says he is not invited to the wedding and is not welcome in their home and he walks out of their house with his wife, Fatima and children Ali (Omar Kent) and Jamila (Sara Aisha Kent).

In May 2015, Fatima returns to Walford after being contacted by Shabnam, and reveals to Masood that she and Inzamam have separated and Inzamam has moved back to Pakistan.

Jamila and Ali Inzamam

Jamila Inzamam, played by Sara Aisha Kent and Ali Inzamam played by Omar Kent, are the children of Inzamam Ahmed (Paul Bhattacharjee) and Fatima Inzamam, and nephew and niece of Inzamam's brother Masood Ahmed ( Nitin Ganatra). They make their first appearance on 13 May 2008, when they and their father attend a meal with Masood's wife Zainab Masood ( Nina Wadia) and her children, Shabnam Masood ( Zahra Ahmadi) and Tamwar Masood ( Himesh Patel), as their father wants to check up on his brother's family. They return on 1 January 2010 for Syed Masood ( Marc Elliott) and Amira Shah's (Preeya Kalidas) wedding. along with their father and mother Fatima Inzamam, when they are due to attend Syed and Amira's wedding, but they leave with their parents after Masood tells Inzamam he is not welcome. Unlike Inzamam and Ali, Jamila and Fatima are not credited in this appearance.

In May 2015, Fatima returns to Walford and reveals that she and Inzamam have separated and Inzamam has moved back to Pakistan, so only Ali is living with her. It is implied that Jamila went to live with either her father or another relative.

Jordan Johnson

Jordan Johnson, played by Michael-Joel David Stuart from 2008 to 2010 and Joivan Wade in 2016, is the son of Lucas Johnson ( Don Gilet) and the half-brother of Chelsea Fox ( Tiana Benjamin), who arrives on Chelsea's birthday with his father. He is described on the ''EastEnders'' website as a "cheeky chap" who "lights up the room with his winning smile". He is also described as a "talented boy who works hard at school". He first appears on 23 May 2008, and leaves on 21 December 2010. On 9 January 2016, it was announced Jordan would be returning with Joivan Wade taking over the role, and he made his first appearance on 8 February 2016. He appeared until 10 March 2016 when he was arrested for trying to help Lucas escape from prison. He made a further guest appearance on 1 April 2016.

When Lucas arrives in Walford, he tells Chelsea's mother Denise Fox ( Diane Parish) that Jordan's mother Trina ( Sharon Duncan Brewster) abandoned him shortly after he was born. He was in an incubator, addicted to heroin, as Trina was a drug addict. When Yolande Trueman ( Angela Wynter) tries to get Chelsea to bond with Jordan, he finds cocaine in her handbag. Chelsea claims it is sherbet but Jordan is not deceived and tells her that their father helps drug addicts. When Jordan forgets his key to Lucas's flat, Yolande takes him to her B&B. Denise is not pleased that he is there but eventually enjoys his company. Jordan leaves with his father after locals blame him for Tony King ( Chris Coghill) being allowed to work with children. Jordan and Lucas return a month later and stay at the B&B before preparing to leave for Leeds.

After Denise proposes to Lucas, Jordan reveals that Lucas is still married to Trina. Unknown to Jordan and Denise, Trina had been looking for Lucas and he knows her whereabouts. She asks about Jordan and says she is no longer addicted to drugs, and he says he is going to marry Denise. Eventually, Jordan and Trina bond, but he is unhappy that Trina is excluded from a family holiday. He tells Trina about the holiday and she arrives to try to stop it. Jordan becomes friends with Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones) and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald). Trina is killed while trying to seduce Lucas, and he leaves her in a shed on the allotment. Jordan tries to contact her on her mobile phone as she has promised to contact him. Jordan and Abi discover her body when they volunteer to clean the shed for Charlie Slater (Derek Martin). They decide to raise funds for a tree to be planted in Trina's memory in Albert Square's gardens, but unknown to everyone, Lucas murders Denise's ex-husband Owen Turner (Lee Ross) and buries his corpse under the tree.

Ben dares Jordan to drink alcohol that Ben stole from his family's pub. Lucas catches him and threatens to get Ben's father Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) involved but Jordan insists it was his idea and nothing to do with Ben. Jordan is annoyed when he sees Ben's sister Louise kicking Trina's tree and she later blames him for locking her in a shed when it was actually Ben. Jordan swears on the bible that he did not do it, so Lucas believes him, and he tells Phil that he thinks Ben did it. This eventually turns out to be true, and Ben reveals that Jordan has been bullying him, so Phil and Lucas leave them with Minty Peterson ( Cliff Parisi) to help them bond. After Minty leaves them alone, Jordan insults Ben, so Ben throws him to the ground and attacks him with a spanner, leaving him there. The next day he is found by Phil and taken to hospital where he is left in a coma with a fractured skull. Wracked with guilt, Ben confesses to the police that he attacked Jordan, while Jordan is brought out of his medically induced coma. When he is discharged, his family throw him a party. In Jordan's police statement, he says that Ben attacked him for no reason. However, after Denise is visited by Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), who doesn't believe Ben would attack Jordan for no reason, she talks to Jordan and gets him to reveal that he had been bullying Ben. Jordan then decides to change his statement.

When Owen's corpse is discovered under the tree, Jordan gets upset every time the tree is mentioned and reveals he had a dream where a hand came out of the ground. Lucas promises to get the council to replace the tree. Jordan and Abi argue when he feels she does not care and their friendship ends. He wonders if it is his fault that the people around him are dying. When the truth emerges that Lucas allowed Trina to die, killed Owen and kidnapped Denise, Jordan tries to stick by his father when the rest of the family run out, but then leaves in fear when he discovers that, rather than outright killing Trina, Lucas could have saved her but chose not to. Lucas is then arrested. When Jordan visits Denise with the rest of the family, he does not speak and just clutches his Bible. Finding it hard to come to terms with what has happened, Jordan eventually opens up to Patrick Trueman ( Rudolph Walker), crying on his shoulder. The next day he worries that no one will want to be friends with him because they all know about Lucas. However, after he ends his romance with Abi, he is happy that they agree to remain friends. Jordan then says goodbye to his sister Chelsea and Libby, who are moving away after their ordeal in Walford. On his birthday, Jordan receives a card from his father, but asks Ricky Butcher ( Sid Owen) to throw it away, and says he has to now look after Denise. However, Jordan is unable to speak to Denise about Lucas, so stays in contact with his aunt Gloria MacDonald (Michele Austin). Denise discovers they have been in contact for several months and allows Jordan to spend Christmas with her. Jordan is happy at his aunt's house, so Denise reluctantly lets him stay there.

Almost five years later, Denise receives a visit from the police, who say someone in custody has been arrested and given her address as theirs. Eventually, Denise discovers that it is Jordan, and he has been involved in a knife attack and has been released on bail. After learning from Gloria that she hasn't seen Jordan in years and after visiting Lucas in prison following her concerns, Denise decides to track Jordan down. After she gets into contact with him, Jordan arrives in Walford and confronts her in the gardens, warning her to leave him alone. Denise's sister Kim Fox-Hubbard ( Tameka Empson) sees Jordan and hits him with her bag, cutting him, so Denise takes him home to clean his wound. Kim, Patrick and Kim's husband Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) are against him staying even though he owes money to people who want to hurt him. Angry, Jordan pushes Denise but then apologies, but Patrick says he is just like Lucas, so Jordan leaves. He is then kicked and beaten by a gang. The next day, Denise hears from police that Jordan is in trouble again, so tracks him down to his squat, where he reveals that it was his girlfriend, Amelle Ellington (Sophia Brown), who took drugs but died from an overdose, and now he has inherited her debt. When Denise returns to Walford, she has brought Jordan back as well and it is revealed that he has a son, JJ Johnson (Zayden Kareem). Vincent pays off the drug debt and Jordan decides to enrol on a carpenter course at college. Jordan visits Lucas in prison when he finds a torn up visiting order and again with Denise, where Lucas tells Jordan he has a plan to get a job in the kitchens and then escaping. They persuade Denise to put in a good word so Lucas can get a job and on the day they plan to escape, Jordan takes Paul Coker's ( Jonny Labey) car and tries to get Denise to come. Denise tells Jordan that Lucas is poisoning him and she wants to protect him as he is her child like Chelsea and Libby. Jordan gets angry when he finds out the police have been called and Denise persuades him to tell them about Lucas. Jordan is then arrested and held on remand. Denise visits Jordan in prison, having discovered that JJ's mother, Amelle, is alive. Jordan convinces Denise that Amelle is a bad mother, but when Denise meets Amelle, Denise finds out Amelle is not a drug addict and JJ is actually called Jamie. Denise allows JJ to live with Amelle permanently.

In 2021, shortly after Lucas is paroled, he finds out that Jordan has died of a heroin overdose.

Maggie Townsend

Margaret "Maggie" Townsend played by Angeline Ball, is Bradley Branning's (Charlie Clements) boss. She takes over off-screen from Alex French (Pippa Hinchley). She made her first appearance on 27 May 2008 and her last on 11 June 2008.

She appears when Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) steals a crane from the building site she is in charge of, and later goes on a corporate night out at local nightclub R&R, where Mickey Miller ( Joe Swash) flirts with her, and she flirts with Bradley and Jack Branning ( Scott Maslen). She also clashes with Chelsea Fox ( Tiana Benjamin) and Tanya Branning ( Jo Joyner), when Chelsea does her manicure wrong, then shouts at her in the beauty salon. She later invites Bradley to dinner, but he pretends to be ill and does not go, as he is not attracted to her. He confides in Dot Branning (June Brown), who goes to the restaurant without Bradley's knowledge, and argues with Maggie, telling her to "keep her filthy hands to herself." Maggie later sees Bradley at a singles' night at The Queen Victoria public house, and fires him for lying to her. He runs after her when she leaves, and she takes him home and they have sex, but Bradley does not get his job back.

Olly Greenwood

Oliver "Olly" Greenwood, played by Bart Edwards, is the boyfriend of Lucy Beale ( Melissa Suffield). He makes his first appearance on 9 June 2008 and his last on 21 August 2008.

Lucy introduces her father Ian Beale ( Adam Woodyatt) to Olly, whom she met when she was homeless and is five years Lucy's senior, and tells Ian that Olly is moving in or she will leave. Lucy tries to antagonise Ian by telling him that she and Olly are getting matching tattoos, and insinuating that they are sexually active, at which point Ian throws Olly out. Lucy later persuades her stepmother Jane Beale's (Laurie Brett) brother, Christian Clarke (John Partridge) to let her use his flat to see Olly. Ian catches Lucy participating in foreplay with Olly, so takes him outside with Olly dressed in his underwear and makes everyone hurl sponges at him during a "Best of British" day on Albert Square. Ian then tells him to leave, which Olly does in an embarrassed state. Olly returns in August 2008 when Lucy throws a party at Christian's flat, then decides to go on the contraceptive pill after pressure from Olly to have sex with him. Ian finds out and visits Olly's mother Camilla Greenwood (Joanna Van Gyseghem), inviting her and Olly to a meal at the Beales' house. Lucy is shocked to learn that Olly is not all he seems; he comes from a privileged background and is expected to attend Oxford or Cambridge University. When this is revealed, Ian tries to set Lucy up for life by seeking Camilla's approval of Olly and Lucy's relationship. However, Camilla storms out of the house, followed by Olly.

Development

19-year-old Edwards was cast in the role after being seen in a musical by one of the directors of ''EastEnders''. The casting was announced on 13 May 2008, when he was described as "mysterious". Speaking of his casting, Edwards said, "It is just amazing. Everybody is lovely on the set. I watch ''EastEnders''... but I never expected to be on TV with those people." He described his character as "a laid back person who takes each day as it comes" and as 'scruffy' by the official ''EastEnders'' website. Olly was also dubbed "the son of Swampy.

Brenda Boyle

Brenda Boyle, played by Carmel Cryan, is introduced as Charlie Slater's (Derek Martin) new love interest. She appears from 9 June 2008 to 14 August 2009.

Jean Slater ( Gillian Wright) meets Brenda on a dating website and starts e-mailing her on Charlie's behalf. She visits Walford and Jean is forced to reveal the truth to an unsuspecting Charlie, and Brenda later discovers the deception. She is a member of the Salvation Army and plays the horn. When Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) makes a jokey off-hand comment about Charlie being a womanizer, Brenda leaves Walford, forgetting her horn. She gives Charlie a second chance when she comes to collect it, only to find out that Mo Harris ( Laila Morse) has sold it. She participates in a pub quiz with him and his family, and starts a relationship with Charlie, comforting him when he gets a spray tan to impress her and it goes wrong, leaving him orange. He later visits her in Clacton, where she lives.

Brenda buys Charlie a summerhouse for his allotment, but the concrete flooring is smashed by Suzy Branning (Maggie O'Neill), which looks like it will ruin the gift. However, the following day, Charlie sorts the problem so the concrete can be re-laid. Brenda helps raise money for Children in Need in The Queen Victoria but walks out of the pub after Linda Clarke (Lynda Baron) starts flirting with Charlie. On Christmas Day, Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) sings the song " Stop The Cavalry" to Roxy Slater