List of EastEnders characters (2020)

Isaac Baptiste, played by Stevie Basaula, first appears in episode 6053/6054, originally broadcast on 1 January 2020.[2] The character had not been announced prior to his first appearance and Basaula's casting details were announced following broadcast.[3] Isaac is introduced as the son of established character Sheree Trueman (Suzette Llewellyn).[3] The character is billed as a "fiercely confident" and "bold" teacher who "won't be afraid to leave his mark on the soap".[3] Jon Sen, the show's executive producer, described Isaac as someone arriving with "bravado, charisma and his fair share of charm".[3] Basaula expressed his excitement to join the soap and create the character of Isaac.[3]

Since Sheree's introduction in August 2019, it was established that she had a secret, which was revealed to be Isaac in his first episode, an episode set on Christmas Day 2019. Sen dubbed Isaac "the 'other man' in Sheree's life".[3] He added that Isaac has a "troubled past" which would be explored as the reason behind Sheree keeping Isaac a secret from her husband, Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker), becomes clear.[3] Later episodes confirmed that Isaac is Patrick's biological son after Patrick realises the truth and questions Sheree.[4]

Suki Panesar (also Kaur), played by Balvinder Sopal, first appears in episode 6069, originally broadcast on 27 January 2020.[5] The character was mentioned on-screen before her introduction, but further details about the character and Sopal's casting details were announced on 22 December 2019.[6][7] Suki is introduced as the mother of Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol), Jags Panesar (Amar Adatia), Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) and Ash Kaur (Gurlaine Kaur Garcha).[6] The character is billed as the "fiercely protective" and "larger than life" matriarch of the established Panesar family who "always knows best" and is "not one to be reckoned with".[6] Sopal expressed her delight at joining the soap and deemed the role "a dream come true".[6] Jon Sen, the show's executive producer, commented that Sopal provides "a unique blend of steeliness and charm" to the role.[6]

Following the introduction of her children in 2019, it is revealed that Suki is terminally ill and wants to reunite with Ash, who left the family following Suki's disapproval of her sexuality and abortion.[8] Sen deemed it obvious that the Panesar children were "under the shadow of an overbearing matriarch", which leads to Suki's arrival.[6] Sen later added that "she comes in and gives shape to that family. [...] She is powerful and ruthless, and yet you wouldn’t think she'd say boo to a goose, so she's got this kind of fantastic Machiavellian narcissism in a way, and it’s just wonderful to watch."[7] The character's stories focus on her estranged relationship with Ash and multiple secrets that are revealed in the family.[6] Huw Fullerton of the Radio Times predicted that Suki would "fit right in" to the soap.[6]

Suki forms a friendship with Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) when the pair bond over their shared experiences with cancer, but it transpires that she is lying about her cancer in an attempt to gain her children's trust. Jean discovers the truth, and exposes Suki's lie to her children. Despite their initial disgust with what she has done, Suki persuades Kheerat, Jags and Vinny to forgive her, while Ash refuses to talk to her. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Suki purchases the local corner shop, the Minute Mart. When Vinny knocks Martin unconscious in the Minute Mart, she erases the CCTV footage, and tells the police that Jags attacked Martin, due to disapproving of his relationship with Habiba Ahmed (Rukku Nahar). She has a one-night stand with Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson) in January 2021, despite knowing that there is an attraction between him and Ash.

For her portrayal of Suki, Sopal was longlisted for Best Villain at the 2020 Inside Soap Awards,[9] and came second in the Digital Spy Reader Awards' Best Newcomer category.[10]

Frankie Lewis, played by Rose Ayling-Ellis, first appears in episode 6115, originally broadcast on 18 May 2020.[11] The character and Ayling-Ellis' casting details were announced on 23 February 2020.[12] Frankie is introduced as a new friend for Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), introduced to him by his boyfriend Callum Highway (Tony Clay) after Ben is diagnosed with hearing loss following a boat crash.[13] The character, like Ayling-Ellis, is deaf and was created to raise awareness for deaf people in Britain.[12] She is portrayed as a positive, upbeat person who "embraces the deaf community".[11] Ayling-Ellis was contracted for a guest stint and Frankie appears in a "handful of episodes".[11] The character and story were created by Charlie Swinbourne, a member of the soap's writing team, who pitched the story to his colleagues.[12] Jon Sen, the show's executive producer, expressed his delight at working with Ayling-Ellis and exploring the deaf community in the new story.[12] Ayling-Ellis expressed her excitement at joining the cast and being the first deaf actress on EastEnders.[12] Bowden looked forward to portraying the story and called Ayling-Ellis "epic".[13]

As a deaf person himself, Swinbourne was proud to create the soap's first deaf character. He added that he had wanted to see more representation of deafness in the media and looked forward to featuring "deaf characters and sign language" in Albert Square, the show's fictional setting.[12] The use of sign language in scenes marks the first time it has featured in EastEnders.[11] EastEnders worked with the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), disability charity Sense and other experts to portray Frankie and Ben's story accurately. Rosie Eggleston, the leader of the NDCS' work with young people, hoped that Frankie and Ben's story would help more young deaf people be visible and understood.[12] She also liked working with the EastEnders research team when developing the story.[12] Richard Kramer, the chief executive of Sense, agreed with Swinbourne that there was not enough disability representation in the media, so was pleased to learn EastEnders were featuring a story on hearing loss and introducing a new deaf character.[12] He also congratulated Ayling-Ellis on becoming the first deaf actress to join the soap.[12]

A behind-the-scenes video, released in August 2020, confirmed that Frankie would return following the show's three-month transmission break.[14] Upon her return, the character becomes involved with the Carter family and accepts a job at The Prince Albert bar.[15] Producers incorporated Frankie in an issue-led story with Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) after it emerges that she is Mick's daughter after he was abused, aged twelve, by Frankie's mother, Katy Lewis (Simone Lahbib), who was Mick's social worker during his time in care.[16] EastEnders worked with charities, the NSPCC and SurvivorsUK, to accurately portray the story.[16]

Frankie is spotted by Callum Highway as she argues with Dr Laghari (Ezra Faroque Khan), her doctor.[17] Callum later sees Frankie in Walford and asks her to talk to Ben about life as a deaf person; Ben initially rejects Frankie, but they soon form a friendship. Ben's mother, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), offers Frankie a trial shift as a bartender at her bar, The Prince Albert, unaware that the manager, Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), has offered the job to her nephew, Mick Carter. Mick withdraws from the job, so that Frankie can have it, resulting in tension between Frankie and Tina. Despite this, they soon bond and Frankie meets Mick's son, Ollie Carter (Harry Farr), who has autism; she reveals that her dead brother Harry was autistic and looked similar to Ollie. Frankie takes photos of Mick, Ollie and Tina playing football, which Mick finds on her camera. Tina tries to kiss Frankie, but she rejects her. When Mick's wife, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), struggles with childcare for Ollie, Frankie offers to take him to the park; when Mick discovers this, he rushes to collect Ollie and warns Frankie away from his family. Frankie then reveals that she believes that Mick is her father and explains that she discovered letters between Mick and her mother, Katy Lewis; Mick admits that he could be her father. Worried that this could cause Linda to relapse into alcoholism, Mick asks Frankie to not reveal the news. Frankie accuses Mick of repeatedly cheating on Linda, who he began a relationship with as a teenager, but Tina reveals that Katy was Mick's social worker when they were children, horrifying Frankie, who realises that Mick was twelve when she was conceived, prompting her to run off in disgust.

Ellie Nixon, played by Mica Paris, first appears in episode 6136, originally broadcast on 25 September 2020.[18] The character and Paris' casting details were announced on 20 August 2020, and she is introduced following the soap's three-month transmission break.[19] Ellie is introduced as part of a story exploring Denise Fox's (Diane Parish) history. Jon Sen, the show's executive producer, was looking forward to the story and noted that it "really excites".[20] The character is billed as "a wolf in sheep's clothing, with far more to her than her warmhearted façade lets on".[19] Paris called Ellie a "hardcore" and "formidable" villain who could rival other villainous characters.[21] The role marks the first time Paris has portrayed a villain.[22] Ellie will use "her prowess for playing roles in order to get what she wants".[19] Sen dubbed the character "tough [and] no-nonsense" and "a ruthless and uncompromising force of nature".[19] Paris expressed her delight at joining the cast, opining that it marked a "a new frontier" for her acting career.[19] Appearing on BBC Radio 1Xtra, the actress stated that she and Ellie have very different personalities and upon seeing her early performances, she was "terrified".[21] Sen explained that the role of Ellie required an actress with "both charisma and presence", so he decided to invite Paris for the role.[19]

Upon the character's introduction, she is revealed to be the adoptive grandmother of Raymond Dawkins, the biological son of Denise and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). Raymond's family, including Ellie's son, are killed in a car accident; Denise and Ellie meet at the hospital where Raymond is being treated, but Denise does not reveal her identity.[18] To portray the scenes with "sentiment", Paris recalled her own experiences from the death of her brother, who was shot eighteen years previously. She also found that she became "swept up into the vortex of the story" due to its power.[23] The actress added that Ellie is so "overwhelmed" in the aftermath of the accident, but realises that something is "not quite right with Denise".[24] Despite this, she is thankful for Denise's presence as she is Ellie's main support. Paris noted that Ellie does not want "there to be anything bad with Denise".[24]

Ellie did not have a close relationship with her family, but suddenly has to "step up" as Raymond's next of kin. Paris explained that Ellie has "been thrown in at the deep end", which shocks her.[23] The character's introduction sparks a custody battle between Ellie and Denise. Paris told Alison Slade of What's on TV that both women want Raymond "for [their] own reasons", leaving Raymond "stuck in the middle".[23] She added that her fierce personality also intimidates Phil.[23] The actress enjoyed working with Parish and McFadden and opined that they "helped to make it that easy" as they are "great talent[s]".[24] Ellie's guest stint concludes in episode 6153, originally broadcast on 26 October 2020. The character's exit was not announced prior to broadcast. In the narrative, Ellie is blackmailed by Phil into signing guardianship of Raymond to him, before leaving.[25]

Katy Lewis, played by Simone Lahbib, first appears in episode 6160, originally broadcast on 6 November 2020.[26] Some character details and Lahbib's casting were announced on 22 September 2020,[27] but most details, including the character's name, were not publicised until 3 November 2020.[28] The character is introduced as the mother of Frankie Lewis (Rose Ayling-Ellis) and former social worker of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), who she sexually abused when he was a child.[28] Through Katy's introduction, producers explored the issue of historical sexual abuse. EastEnders worked with charities, the NSPCC and SurvivorsUK, to accurately portray the story.[16] Lahbib expressed her excitement at joining the cast and teased that Katy would have "a lasting impact on the Carters and will test their strength as a family".[27] She was also excited to work with her former Bad Girls co-stars Kellie Bright (Linda Carter), Luisa Bradshaw-White (Tina Carter) and Linda Henry (Shirley Carter).[27] Jon Sen, the show's executive producer, said that Katy's story is "important" with an "impact on the Carters set to be everlasting".[27]

When the character arrives in Walford, she is introduced as the mother of Frankie Lewis (Rose Ayling-Lewis) and it's revealed that she used to work in a children's home, where Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) was a resident. Frankie points out to Mick that he was sexually abused when at the home. When Mick starts having flashbacks, Katy convinces him that the events that happened are not how he remembers them. When Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) has an affair, she convinces him that the marriage is not worth saving. When Mick contemplates suicide, during a phone call to The Samaritans, he realises that she did abuse him and rape him when he was 12 years old.

In an interview with Digital Spy, Lahbib stated that it has been "very interesting and challenging" to play a character like Katy, due to having portrayed "strong but vulnerable" characters in her acting career. She stated that Katy is "much more complex, damaged and dark" than her previous roles, and noted that previous characters she has played have been "emotional and from the heart", while Katy is "all from the head", "clever and quick thinking", and that she "grooms people, gains trust, extracts information, then uses it to manipulate them." She added that at the beginning of Katy's tenure, she wanted "the audience to be sucked in by her in the beginning", and to be confused in the ways that Mick was. Lahbib also confirmed that prior to playing Katy, she did research including speaking to survivors of sexual abuse, watching documentaries and reading books.[29] Lahbib explained that she "didn’t want to let Katy's mask slip too soon", explaining that "some viewers weren’t sure if Katy was good or bad at the start", which is what she hoped for. She went on to say: "I wanted viewers to be drawn in by the way Katy charms people, so it was great to see that coming across. People were saying they hate Katy and that she's gaslighting Mick, which shows they understood what she was doing." On scenes that were filmed in the COVID-19 pandemic, she explained that Dyer asked producers if they could become a "bubble" so that they did not have to film two metres apart, the advised amount of space to prevent spreading coronavirus. She described filming those scenes as "exciting", and noted that it would have been "hard to do while staying two metres apart".[30]