Kate Oates makes her first EastEnders casting announcements

[Cal.]

Danielle Harold will return as Lola Pearce

Danielle Harold: "I'm so excited to be returning to EastEnders next year. EastEnders was my first acting job and I have so many happy memories from my time there. I can't believe it's been over three years since I left and I can't wait to get back and find out what Lola's been up to."

Kate Oates: "As a viewer I always admired Lola's fiesty, fiery spirit and viewers will have a lot to look forward to with her return. How will Jay respond seeing the love of his life walk back into Walford after all these years and for Billy to have his best girl back in town, I can't wait."

Chantelle Taylor to arrive in Walford

The Taylor family will be expanding in the New Year as Karen and Mitch's daughter Chantelle joins EastEnders.

Described as an "easy-going girl next door", "kind and bubbly" and "very much her mother's daughter", her parents are delighted to see her in Walford, but it becomes clear there is some tension between mother and daughter.

Kate Oates: "The Taylor family are set to be complete when Chantelle arrives in Walford and she certainly has that feisty Taylor streak. Things are set to get a lot louder in Walford in 2019."

Casting for Chantelle is yet to be announced.

Meet the Ahmed sisters!

EastEnders have announced the casting of two new members of the Ahmed family; Mariam and Arshad's granddaughters, Iqra and Habiba Ahmed.

Television newcomer Priya Davdra will be playing Iqra, the elder sister. She is billed as "no-nonsense, bold and intelligent, with a clear goal". Younger sister Habiba will be played by Rukku Nahar, who has previously appeared in Hollyoaks as Asha Kaur, as well as Casualty and CBBC's Wolfblood. Habiba is described as "full of heart, bubbly [with] the best intentions, but trouble never seems to be too far behind". Iqra often has to clear up her sister's mess. The sisters spin Masood a lie about why they're in Walford, but it soon becomes clear that their arrival may not be all it seems.

Priya Davdra: "EastEnders was sucha big part of my life growing up and I couldn't be more excited to be joining the show. Walking on to the set for the first time was such an amazing experience. I can't wait for viewers to meet the sisters and see how much drama they're going to cause."

Rukku Nahar: "I'm so excited to have joined EastEnders. It's a show I've grown up watching and stepping onto Albert Square is just unreal! Habiba is great fun to play and I'm so happy to be working alongside Priya. Can't wait for you all to see what we get up to on the Square."

Kate Oates: "The sisters are certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with. Their arrival will throw number 41 into chaos as they become a nightmare for Mariam and Arshad. Residents of Walford beward, take on the sisters and you take on the pair."

The Ahmed sisters will arrive in early 2019. In the pictures below, Habiba is on the left and Iqra is on the right.

https://keyassets-p2.timeincuk.net/wp/prod/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2018/12/Iqra-and-Habiba-1-630x420.jpg

[Cal.]

Absolutely delighted with all of this!

[reece(:]

Happy with these announcements :clap1:

[RileyH]

Lola & Asha from HO whew I may have to perch <3

[Rob!]

Danielle Harold will return as Lola Pearce

Danielle Harold: "I'm so excited to be returning to EastEnders next year. EastEnders was my first acting job and I have so many happy memories from my time there. I can't believe it's been over three years since I left and I can't wait to get back and find out what Lola's been up to."

Kate Oates: "As a viewer I always admired Lola's fiesty, fiery spirit and viewers will have a lot to look forward to with her return. How will Jay respond seeing the love of his life walk back into Walford after all these years and for Billy to have his best girl back in town, I can't wait."

Chantelle Taylor to arrive in Walford

The Taylor family will be expanding in the New Year as Karen and Mitch's daughter Chantelle joins EastEnders.

Described as an "easy-going girl next door", "kind and bubbly" and "very much her mother's daughter", her parents are delighted to see her in Walford, but it becomes clear there is some tension between mother and daughter.

Kate Oates: "The Taylor family are set to be complete when Chantelle arrives in Walford and she certainly has that feisty Taylor streak. Things are set to get a lot louder in Walford in 2019."

Casting for Chantelle is yet to be announced.

Meet the Ahmed sisters!

EastEnders have announced the casting of two new members of the Ahmed family; Mariam and Arshad's granddaughters, Iqra and Habiba Ahmed.

Television newcomer Priya Davdra will be playing Iqra, the elder sister. She is billed as "no-nonsense, bold and intelligent, with a clear goal". Younger sister Habiba will be played by Rukku Nahar, who has previously appeared in Hollyoaks as Asha Kaur, as well as Casualty and CBBC's Wolfblood. Habiba is described as "full of heart, bubbly [with] the best intentions, but trouble never seems to be too far behind". Iqra often has to clear up her sister's mess. The sisters spin Masood a lie about why they're in Walford, but it soon becomes clear that their arrival may not be all it seems.

Priya Davdra: "EastEnders was sucha big part of my life growing up and I couldn't be more excited to be joining the show. Walking on to the set for the first time was such an amazing experience. I can't wait for viewers to meet the sisters and see how much drama they're going to cause."

Rukku Nahar: "I'm so excited to have joined EastEnders. It's a show I've grown up watching and stepping onto Albert Square is just unreal! Habiba is great fun to play and I'm so happy to be working alongside Priya. Can't wait for you all to see what we get up to on the Square."

Kate Oates: "The sisters are certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with. Their arrival will throw number 41 into chaos as they become a nightmare for Mariam and Arshad. Residents of Walford beward, take on the sisters and you take on the pair."

The Ahmed sisters will arrive in early 2019. In the pictures below, Habiba is on the left and Iqra is on the right.

https://images2.imgbox.com/b6/24/Fn7ff6tB_o.jpg

https://images2.imgbox.com/9d/1a/yEjLQXtt_o.jpg

Bloody hell, the left and right side of what? My house?

But yassss at Queen Oates starting her reign :clap1:

Lola is an interesting comeback. Slay at KO's first move being more material for Jay.

[Marsh.]

Not Chantelle getting a regular role before Miss Hannah Spearitt.

[Marsh.]

Actually howling at the new Ronnie and Roxy!

[Cal.]

Lola should have never been axed.

Chantelle's absence has never made sense.

A new Ronnie and Roxy :love:

WE LOVE Kate's reign already!

[Marsh.]

So Lola is return number 1. Not a huge fan of the character but she'd be a bit older now and it's a more interesting comeback and less predictable.

Makes me more intrigued about 2 and 3, as long as it's not Ben and Lauren.

[Ashley.]

The Ahmed sisters couldn't be more of a direct copy of Ronnie and Roxy and I'm absolutely here for it.

[Marsh.]

Chantelle's absence has never made sense.

It has! Have you seen the STATE of that family?

[Marsh.]

The Ahmed sisters couldn't be more of a direct copy of Ronnie and Roxy and I'm absolutely here for it.

Sam Womack looks absolutely radiant under all that makeup! :amazed:

Her 30% through her transformation...

https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article13437843.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/1_MAIN-Samantha-Womack.jpg

[Rob!]

So Lola is return number 1. Not a huge fan of the character but she'd be a bit older now and it's a more interesting comeback and less predictable.

Makes me more intrigued about 2 and 3, as long as it's not Ben and Lauren.

There is no way that she's not bringing Ben back. Kate Oates LOVES a tragic gay character and I genuinely believe she'll work wonders with him as a character.

[Rob!]

Sam Womack looks absolutely radiant under all that makeup! :amazed:

Her 30% through her transformation...

https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article13437843.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/1_MAIN-Samantha-Womack.jpg

Are we ready for the Christmas Day 2019 reveal when Iqra pulls off her mask to reveal it was Ronnie all along?

[Marsh.]

There is no way that she's not bringing Ben back. Kate Oates LOVES a tragic gay character and I genuinely believe she'll work wonders with him as a character.

She can create her own. :idc:

[Marsh.]

Not them announcing Chantelle before finalising Nicola McLean's casting. :think:

Nicola causing a ruckus during the screen tests with Lorraine Stanley?

[Cal.]

Some other Kate Oates tidbits could be released at midnight but these are her main casting announcements for now.

[Rob!]

Not them announcing Chantelle before finalising Nicola McLean's casting. :think:

Nicola causing a ruckus during the screen tests with Lorraine Stanley?

Waiting till the conclusion of Nicola's third CBB from her garden?

[Rob!]

KO's doing a question and answer to be released at some point tomorrow.

[Ashley.]

Habiba's stunning.

[RileyH]

Habiba's stunning.

tea

[Marsh.]

KO's doing a question and answer to be released at some point tomorrow.

We love the Queen's speech a week early. :clap1:

[Ashley.]

The one on the right looks much younger than her, though. :think:

[Ashley.]

KO's doing a question and answer to be released at some point tomorrow.

"Who else do you plan on bringing back?"
"Well, Ben Mitch-"

https://i.imgur.com/m3bzPCr.gif

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

https://media1.tenor.com/images/6143661a733a4dce5082518afbc45bff/tenor.gif?itemid=8553166

[Rob!]

"Who else do you plan on bringing back?"
"Well, Ben Mitch-"

https://i.imgur.com/m3bzPCr.gif

:joker:

I love Ben, I don't even care. I mean, it's literally just since Harry Reid took over the role, but I think he's a great character. Don't get me wrong, I HATED him with the other two actors. Joshua Pascoe was the creepiest looking kid I've ever seen and as for Charlie whatshisface, I was always on Stella's side. :hmph:

[Daniel-X]

Thrilled with all three especially Lols

[Headie]

Not Chantelle getting a regular role before Miss Hannah Spearitt.

The public demands ha return as Mercedes in Casualty!

[Denver]

So Lola is return number 1. Not a huge fan of the character but she'd be a bit older now and it's a more interesting comeback and less predictable.

Makes me more intrigued about 2 and 3, as long as it's not Ben and Lauren.

Lofty and Mary?

Or did she say it was permanent returns??

[Greg!]

Oh we STAN Iqra and Habiba!

[Marsh.]

Lofty and Mary?

Or did she say it was permanent returns??

Lofty and Mary are cameos for Dr Legg's funeral.

Kate Oates mentioned three full-time returns. However, she said one or two of them she hadn't even approached the actors yet.

[Rob!]

Lofty and Mary are cameos for Dr Legg's funeral.

Kate Oates mentioned three full-time returns. However, she said one or two of them she hadn't even approached the actors yet.

Because nobody dares refuse queen Oates? :love:

[Gstar]

Here for all of this :clap1:

[Jarrod]

Bring back Ben Mitchell and we'll have a decent set of "young" adults.

[Greg!]

Ben Mitchell is boring and all 3 actors that played him were atrocious. KILL HIM OFF!

[Wizard.]

Ben Mitchell is boring and all 3 actors that played him were atrocious. KILL HIM OFF!

Agreed! But no doubt he will be back to father Lola's baby or something.

I'm shook at this casting! Lola is okay but I would love to see her become bezzie's with Hayley - the Stacey/Ruby duo we really need!

Glad Chantelle's coming into it, I mean we always knew she would make an appearance eventually, hopefully they get the casting right.

Honestly these sisters looking fuqing iconic and I hope they're not a let down!

Now just PLEASE bring back Chelsea Fox (and Janine and Zoe but that's not going to happen).

https://alchetron.com/cdn/tiana-benjamin-d23af12b-3524-46aa-904f-616459cc32c-resize-750.jpeg

[LukeB]

Ben Mitchell is boring and all 3 actors that played him were atrocious. KILL HIM OFF!

Tea

Awful character

[Gstar]

Time for Ben to go, Louise is the main child now

https://alchetron.com/cdn/tiana-benjamin-d23af12b-3524-46aa-904f-616459cc32c-resize-750.jpeg