[Me. I Am Salman]

EastEnders has debuted the first picture of the Carter family.

The addition of the Carter children, Johnny and Nancy, has also been confirmed, with Sam Strike and Maddy Hill joining the cast of the BBC soap.

Parents Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda (Kellie Bright) will arrive in Albert Square later this year to take over the Queen Vic.

Speaking about his casting, Strike said: ''I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders and the Carter family. They're all really strong characters and I can't wait to see what EastEnders has planned for us all.

"I've grown up watching Danny and Kellie, both of whom are lovely, so to be playing their son is kind of surreal."

Hill added: "I feel incredibly privileged to have been given such an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to start work with such a talented cohort of actors."

The family will join Shirley (Linda Henry) and Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White) in Walford. Bradshaw-White will make her first appearance as Tina next month.

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer on the serial drama, said: "My team have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to create the Carters - a contemporary British family with cracks, knocked edges and a touch of darkness that is going to make them very special to watch.

"A family of strong characters who love and hate each other, all rooted in the best traditions of EastEnders," he teased.

omg they look fierce. I hope these new characters + the shake up in production team which has also been announced today means the show will be good again

[Jordan.]

I like the dog

[reece(:]

Isn't Bianca's new fella bringing a family with him too?

[Me. I Am Salman]

Idk but Patsy has gone on a break for the 38737382728282882929th time

[reece(:]

With Mick and Linda Carter (aka Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright) on their way to take over The Queen Vic this Christmas, they will be joined by two of their three children, Nancy and Johnny.

19 year old Mummy’s boy Johnny is the baby of the family. The first Carter to go to uni, he’s a gentle boy who’s happy to let the rest of his family be the centre of attention. But Johnny has a secret that is going to place him right at the centre of a family storm.

Tomboy Nancy is 21 years old. The last at the bar and first into a fight, Nancy is stubborn and fiery; her dad loves it, but she's a disappointment to her mum. Underneath, she’s an extremely caring and loyal friend who will always champion the underdog - but that generally gets her into trouble. And she brings a whole lot of trouble with her when she’s dragged kicking and screaming into Albert Square.

The-Carter-Family.jpg
Sam Strike will be playing Johnny. Sam has previously appeared in CBBC's M.I.High. Speaking of joining EastEnders, Sam said ''I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders and the Carter family. They're all really strong characters and I can't wait to see what EastEnders has planned for us all. I've grown up watching Danny and Kellie, both of whom are lovely, so to be playing their son is kind of surreal."

Nancy will be played by Maddy Hill. Maddy has previously appeared in Whitechapel, as well as theatre productions The Meeting Place and As You Like It. On joining EastEnders, Maddy adds “I feel incredibly privileged to have been given such an amazing opportunity and I can't wait to start work with such a talented cohort of actors."

Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright have already started filming their new roles as Mick and Linda Carter. Along with Linda Henry, who plays Shirley, and Luisa Bradshaw-White, who arrives on screen next month playing Tina, the Carters are set to cause a stir in Walford later this year.

Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has said “My team have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to create the Carters - a contemporary British family with cracks, knocked edges and a touch of darkness that is going to make them very special to watch. A family of strong characters who love and hate each other, all rooted in the best traditions of EastEnders.

Starting with Shirley, the Carters are slowly going to creep into Albert Square as Christmas approaches and by New Year, there will be a new vibrant EastEnders clan, firmly ensconced in the Queen Vic. Watch out Walford, The Carters are coming!”

[armand.kay]

so Shirley isn't dead? :s

[Verbal]

Havent watched Eastenders for years, might start watching again when these are in. Kellie Bright is gorgeous and Danny 'Malcom' Dyer is hilarious in a completely unintentional way.

[Me. I Am Salman]

Originally Posted by armand.kay

so Shirley isn't dead? :s

woops spoiler

[reece(:]

EastEnders star Linda Henry has admitted that she came close to quitting the soap this year.

The actress, who has been playing Shirley Carter since 2006, was persuaded to stick around when she heard that Dominic Treadwell-Collins had been appointed as executive producer.


Linda Henry and Shirley Carter in EastEnders
© BBC
Linda Henry as Shirley Carter



Henry told Inside Soap: "I had a very quiet year and was considering leaving, but I got a call to say Dominic Treadwell-Collins was taking over the show.

"He's so exciting and passionate about EastEnders, and now everything is buzzing."

Shirley could become more central than ever in the next year as Treadwell-Collins has decided to bring in several members of her family.

Luisa Bradshaw-White has been cast as Shirley's sister Tina, while Danny Dyer has signed up to play her brother Mick - the Queen Vic's new landlord.

Henry added: "It means a lot that Shirley is going to be a big part of the action."

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2...#ixzz2j9JJIXBD

[Saph]

queen shirley



isnt that Tanyas crazy sister on the end?

[Me. I Am Salman]

No you're getting mixed up with Rainie lmfao, the one near Shirley is half black *I think*

[Joelle.]

Danny Dyer has come to save the show

[GypsyGoth]

He looks like a good fit for the show.

[waterhog]

look like a good family - i am going to give them a shot - i hope they do well. lets face it - at least they are not all teens and hopefully they can act. can not be any worse.

[Me. I Am Salman]

He's gonna be the new Queen Vic landlord btw

[Me. I Am Salman]

Oh it says in the article

[Jemal]

There gonna be so good its unbearable

[Natalie.]

Looking forward to see these on screen

[Gstar]

Can't wait. Shirley's always been one of my favourites

[waterhog]

she is direeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Vanessa]

I love Danny Dyer. Can't wait to see him on screen!