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/w...-1-630x420.jpg

Originally Posted by Cal. (Post 10387191) 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. Spoiler: https://images2.imgbox.com/b6/24/Fn7ff6tB_o.jpg https://images2.imgbox.com/9d/1a/yEjLQXtt_o.jpg

Originally Posted by Cal. (Post 10387206) Chantelle's absence has never made sense.

Originally Posted by Ashley. (Post 10387208) The Ahmed sisters couldn't be more of a direct copy of Ronnie and Roxy and I'm absolutely here for it.

Originally Posted by Marsh. (Post 10387207) 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.

Originally Posted by Marsh. (Post 10387210) Sam Womack looks absolutely radiant under all that makeup! :amazed: Her 30% through her transformation... https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incom...tha-Womack.jpg

Originally Posted by Rob! (Post 10387211) 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.

Originally Posted by Marsh. (Post 10387216) Not them announcing Chantelle before finalising Nicola McLean's casting. :think: Nicola causing a ruckus during the screen tests with Lorraine Stanley?

Originally Posted by Ashley. (Post 10387223) Habiba's stunning.

Originally Posted by Rob! (Post 10387221) KO's doing a question and answer to be released at some point tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Rob! (Post 10387221) KO's doing a question and answer to be released at some point tomorrow.