EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey has confirmed that Lee Carter (Danny Hatchard) and Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) will return to Walford for a short stint as part of Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) exit storyline. Wadey teased that the reunion will feature a story that will make viewers' jaws drop, as the beloved Carter family gathers one last time before Linda departs the soap after 13 years.
Returning characters and storyline details
Wadey told Metro: 'We've got some returns coming up. You may have read that Kellie Bright is very sadly leaving us after so many brilliant years in the programme. I am quite close to Kellie. She is such a phenomenal actor. Linda Carter is one of the all time great EastEnders characters, so losing her is such a big moment to the show and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months.'
He added: 'We will be welcoming Lee and Nancy back for a period in a story where I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see it.' The reason for their comeback is currently being kept under wraps, but complications are expected to arise as the family reunites after years apart.
Actors' reactions to their returns
Maddy Hill, who played Nancy from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2021 to 2022, expressed her excitement: 'I am SO excited to be returning to Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy's shoes (or basketball shorts!). I've missed her! I'm especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family.'
Danny Hatchard, who portrayed Lee from 2014 to 2017 and made a brief reappearance in 2019, said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders as Lee Carter. Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I'm proper buzzing to be back grafting with the Enders family.'
Linda Carter's exit and legacy
Kellie Bright, who has played Linda for 13 years, announced her decision to leave the show. She said: 'EastEnders has been my home for thirteen years and I have absolutely loved being part of the show, but I have decided that it is now the right time for me to say goodbye. I made the tough decision over a year ago, and after discussing this with Kate Oates and Ben Wadey, they asked me to stay on to be part of an exciting storyline they had planned, and I happily agreed to extend my stay.'
Wadey praised Bright's contribution: 'Kellie has been at the beating heart of EastEnders for the past 13 years, and her characterisation of the fiercely lovable, protective, and brilliant Linda Carter has made her a favourite amongst the viewers and cemented her as a classic EastEnders icon. Kellie has been involved in some of the show's most explosive and iconic storylines, and everyone at EastEnders will miss Kellie and Linda dearly.'
He added: 'When Kellie told us of her decision last year to leave, we already had big plans for Linda, so we were delighted that Kellie agreed to stay on to see them through. We've still got a long way to go before we say goodbye, but I can promise that Kellie's exit storyline will be full of unmissable drama.'
The Carter family has faced numerous challenges since Lee and Nancy last appeared, with Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) presumed dead after drowning, and other members having left Walford. Fans are hopeful that the reunion might also bring back other characters like Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) or even a seaweed-covered Mick, though no such returns have been confirmed.
