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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

EastEnders reveals new Queen Vic owners as James Bond actor and Strictly star join soap

EastEnders has announced a new family are set to join the BBC soap, and will be revealed as the new owners of The Queen Vic.

They share a link to existing character Linda Carter too, with one of the four new arrivals being the mystery person she has been calling for weeks.

Linda was looking for someone to buy Mick Carter's share of the pub, after his apparent death in December.

While Linda initially didn't know if she wanted to stay there, she soon considered going into business with pal Sharon Watts, while Nish Panesar also wanted to buy the pub.

But Linda was heard making enquiries with a mystery character, telling them she wanted them to buy the share of The Vic.

One of the newcomers is Linda's mother Elaine Peacock, who fans have met on the show before - while the role has been recast.

Joining Elaine are The Knight family, including her new lover George Knight and his two daughters, Gina and Anna.

George will be played by James Bond actor Colin Salmon, whose other credentials include Resident Evil, Alien vs Predator, Arrow, Silent Witness and Death in Paradise.

EastEnders has announced the arrival of three new characters and the return of a familiar face (BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing star Molly Rainford will be playing youngest daughter Anna, while also joining the cast are Francesca Henry and Harriet Thorpe.

Linda is secretly teaming up with her mother, and the family will take over The Vic and move in there too - along with their beloved pet chihuahua.

Show boss Chris Clenshaw teased the arrival of the new family, as the soap's Executive Producer said: "The arrival of the Knights brings a new dawn to Albert Square.

"George Knight is a charming rogue and an old-school gent who dotes on his two daughters, Gina and Anna. George will take up residence in The Queen Vic when he joinshis beloved Elaine, a powerhouse of a land-lady who knows just how to have fun.

Joining Elaine are The Knight family, including her new lover George Knight and his two daughters, Gina and Anna (BBC)

"The couple will be joined by feisty, determined and demanding Gina, who is as sharp and cool as cut diamonds but with a temper that blazes like fire, whereas younger sister, Anna is fun, loveable, and big-hearted, but don’t underestimate her.

"George, Gina and Anna have been bound together for years and arriving in Walford is the fresh-start the Knights are looking for. We’re thrilled to welcome this hugely talented group of actors; Colin Salmon, Harriet Thorpe, Francesca Henry and Molly Rainford who will be immediately thrown into the heart of the Square, and we can’t wait for everyone to meet them."

Ahead of their debut on the BBC soap this summer, George actor Colin said: "I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders to take on the role of George Knight. I’m excited to explore the character of George, a true East End gentleman having been born in the East End myself.

"I have a great affinity and love for the show and I look forward to being part of the great legacy.”

Harriet added: "I’m thrilled to be playing Elaine who is an ultimate matriarch with a huge and vivid personality with a heart of gold who takes no prisoners and fights with all she’s got, but has a vulnerable side that she only shows a select few.

Linda was looking for someone to buy Mick Carter's share of the pub (BBC)

"The Vic needs strong women running it, and I want to honour the incredible, iconic queens who define EastEnders since the beginning. The entire company is a dream come true to work with, full of support, laughs, and creativity, with the warmest welcome from day one. The East End is where my family started out, so for me this feels like coming home!"

Strictly and Britain's Got Talent star Molly commented: "I’m SUPER excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders. It’s such an iconic show which myself and my family love, so it’s an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival.

"I’ve already met a few familiar faces from my time on Strictly and I can’t wait to meet and be a part of the EastEnders family."

Co-star Francesca said: "I wish I could tell younger me that one day I would be joining the show that I watched religiously every night with my Grandma. It’s very surreal and a true privilege to be trusted to bring Gina to the Square, and to be a part of such an exciting, tight-knit new family."

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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