AFTER fifteen long years of absence from Albert Square, Penny Branning makes an explosive come back in the new year.
But the dearly missed EastEnders character is clearly struggling as she tries to find her mark in Walford.
Actress Kitty Castledine has joined the line-up of the BBC One soap as she was announced to take on the role of Penny Branning, who is none other than Jack Branning's daughter.
Penny was last physically seen in the Square in 2008, while she was struggling to warm up to the copper's then-girlfriend Ronnie Mitchell.
And while she was mentioned in the long-running show sporadically throughout the years, Penny was still staying away from Walford, mostly due to her lack of mobility as she is paralysed from the waist down and relies on a wheelchair.
However, in upcoming scenes of the London-based program, Penny has enough of a motive to finally return to Walford and leave France behind - and she won't be alone.
More EastEnders
Soap fans were excited when Jacqueline Jossa reprised the role of Lauren Branning earlier this year, just as members of the Beale family were finally reunited on our screens.
The enthusiasm was turned up a notch when it was confirmed that the 31-year-old soap star would be making another comeback.
Coming up, Lauren and Penny are in Paris when they make the decision to go back to Walford together due to recent events.
But in later scenes, Penny arrives back in the Square on her own and Lauren is nowhere to be seen.
How will Penny explain her cousin's disappearance?
What's in store for her?
With a shocking Christmas murder mystery ahead and Scott Maslen's soap land alter ego appearing in the list of potential victims due to meet their end before 2024, fans have speculated that Penny may be in mourning for her father as she comes back to the Square.
Clues were also dropped in a recent trailer for the storyline, leading to viewers guessing that Jack could even be killed by his jealous wife Denise Fox (Diane Parish) after his tryst with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
Jack and Stacey grew closer as they supported one another in their duties towards granddaughter Charli Slater, who was born in September, 2023.
Will Jack really pay for his proximity with Stacey?
Will Penny return to the Square in the midst of tragedy?
Who will die this Christmas?
All that and more from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
