List of EastEnders characters (2017) facts for kids

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The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2017, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the show's executive producer Sean O'Connor or, from 27 November, his successor as executive consultant, John Yorke. The first character to be introduced was Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), a friend of Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi), followed by Emerald Fox (Doña Croll), the mother of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Kim Fox-Hubbard (Tameka Empson). Madison Drake (Seraphina Beh), Alexandra D'Costa (Sydney Craven) and Travis Law-Hughes (Alex James-Phelps), three new teenage characters, were also introduced in January as well as their school teacher Mr Gethin Pryce (Cerith Flinn) and Hugo Browning (Simon Williams), the chairman of Weyland & Co. The following month, Preston Cooper (Martin Anzor), a student with whom Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell) had an illegal relationship in the United States, and Konrad Topolski (Piotr Baumann), a love interest for Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), made their first appearances.

Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre), the son of James Willmott-Brown (William Boyde) and love interest for Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), and Tommy, a friend of Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), both debuted in March. April sees the first appearance of Woody Woodward (Lee Ryan), a friend of the Carters'. Ted Murray (Christopher Timothy) and Joyce Murray (Maggie Steed), an elderly couple, made their first appearances in May. The following month, Tom Bailey (Daniel Casey), a love interest for Michelle, the Taylor family − comprising Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley), Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris), Riley Taylor (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham Taylor (Alfie Jacobs) − and Ingrid Solberg (Pernille Broch), a nanny hired by Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), were introduced. Felix Moore (George Maguire), a market trader, debuted in July. Hope Fowler, the daughter of Martin Fowler (James Bye) and Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner), was born in October. Aidan Maguire (Patrick Bergin) arrived in November, while Kandice Taylor (Hannah Spearritt), Karen's sister, and Abi Branning, the daughter of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell), made their first appearance in December.

Keegan Baker

Keegan Butcher-Baker (also Baker), played by Zack Morris, is a friend of Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) who also goes to school with Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper), Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield), Travis Law-Hughes (Alex James-Phelps), Alexandra D'Costa (Sydney Craven) and Madison Drake (Seraphina Beh). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 9 January 2017. On 23 February 2022, it was announced that Morris would be leaving his role as Keegan with his exit scenes set to air in the spring. Keegan departed on 17 March 2022, alongside his wife Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith).

Morris was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2017 British Soap Awards for his role as Keegan, but was beaten by Coronation Street actor Rob Mallard.

Emerald Fox

Emerald Fox, played by Doña Croll, is the mother of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Kim Fox-Hubbard (Tameka Empson). Her introduction to the series was revealed on 1 January 2017, in a trailer for upcoming storylines. It was revealed the character would be appearing in "a handful of episodes". The character was previously referred to in the series as "Ada", though in the 5 January 2017 episode, Denise asks if her mother is "still calling herself [Emerald]", implying that it is a nickname, rather than the character's name being changed.

Raymond Dawkins

Raymond Dawkins first appears in the episode broadcast on 13 January 2017. He is the son of Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). In 2020, Raymond returned to the serial following the death of his adoptive parents in a car accident. Since 2020, he has been played by Michael Jose Pomares Calixte.

Madison Drake and Alexandra D'Costa

Madison Drake played by Seraphina Beh, and Alexandra D'Costa, played by Sydney Craven, are school friends of Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper). They first appear together in the episode broadcast on 17 January 2017, and made their final appearances in the episode broadcast on 21 July 2017.

Travis Law-Hughes

Travis Law-Hughes played by Alex James-Phelps, is a friend of Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 17 January 2017, and makes his final appearance in the episode broadcast on 2 November 2017.

Gethin Pryce

Gethin Pryce played by Cerith Flinn, is a teacher of Walford High School. He first appears in the episode broadcast on 23 January 2017. He made his final appearance on 14 November. He appears in 36 episodes.

Hugo Browning

Hugo Browning, (initially credited as Chairman, Weyland & Co), is the Chairman of a development company called Weyland & Co. He made his first appearance on 26 January 2017, and departed on 28 December 2017 at the conclusion of his storyline.

Zayan Scott

Zayan Scott, played by Alex Blake, appears in the episode first broadcast on 6 February 2017. He returns for two appearances in the episodes first broadcast on 29 May and 1 June 2018.

Preston Cooper

Preston Cooper, played by Martin Anzor, is a former student of Michelle Fowler's (Jenna Russell), with whom she had an illegal relationship with in Florida. He appears in 16 episodes between 14 February and 31 March 2017.

Konrad Topolski

Konrad Topolski, played by Piotr Baumann, is a Polish shopkeeper. He first appears in the episode broadcast on 16 February 2017.

Josh Hemmings

Josh Hemmings, played by Eddie Eyre, is a worker of Weyland & Co and colleague of Max Branning (Jake Wood) introduced as a love interest for Max's daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 17 March 2017, where he was initially credited as "Photocopier guy". Eyre finished filming with the serial in February 2018, and he departed on 16 February 2018.

Tommy

Tommy, also called Tom in the show, is played by Jordan Coulson. He appears in the first episode shown on 21 March 2017. He is a friend of Jay Brown's (Jamie Borthwick) who helps Jay organise Ben Mitchell's (Harry Reid) 21st birthday party. He later kisses Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) but he upsets her when he forgets her name.

Niomi Harris from OK! said that Ben and Jay's party was "overshadowed by newcomer Tom" and called him "hilarious", reporting that many viewers were "baffled at who he was and where he came from". Cydney Yeates from the Daily Star called Tommy a "surprise new character", but said that he lacked a backstory, which also confused viewers. Laura-Jane Tyler from Inside Soap said, "Walford newcomer Tommy should definitely move in with Ben and Jay. He's hilarious!"

Woody Woodward

Lee Ryan plays Woody Woodward.

Harry "Woody" Woodward, played by singer Lee Ryan, made his first appearance on 18 April 2017. Woody initially appeared for a guest stint between 18 April and 19 May. It was later announced that Woody would be promoted to a regular role and that Ryan had signed a one-year contract with the show. His return aired on 3 August. Ryan made a temporary departure on 28 November. It was announced on 16 March 2018 that Ryan would be leaving the show at the end of his contract. He departed in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2018.

Freda

Freda, played by Leila Hoffman, appears in two episodes on 22 and 26 May 2017. She later reappears in October 2019.

Freda is an elderly woman whom Denise Fox (Diane Parish) meets when she is taking her English literature GCSE exam and she finds out Freda is taking five exams—English, English literature, French, history and maths. After the exam, Freda buys Denise a drink and says that although she found the exam tricky, she was enjoyed studying and that even if she fails, it was worth it as it is better than cleaning people's houses, which is her job. Freda and Denise later sit their final exam and afterwards, Freda tells Denise that her mind went blank and asks how Denise did. Denise collapses and Freda tries to talk to her. In 2019, Martin Fowler (James Bye) is sent to collect an outstanding debt from Freda by Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden). Martin takes pity on Freda, however, and instead uses takings from the fruit stall on the market to pay Ben.

Cydney Yeates of the Daily Star said that Freda stole the "soap limelight" and fans wanted her as a regular character.

Ted Murray

Ted Murray, played by Christopher Timothy, first appears in the episode broadcast on 26 May 2017, along with his wife Joyce Murray, played by Maggie Steed. The character made a previously unannounced departure from the show on 27 September 2019.

Actor Christopher Timothy was cast as Ted.

Joyce Murray

Joyce Murray, played by Maggie Steed, first appears in the episode broadcast on 26 May 2017, along with her husband, Ted Murray, played by Christopher Timothy. On 22 March 2018, it was announced that Steed would be leaving the show. Joyce was killed off on 29 March.

Tom Bailey

Tom Bailey (initially credited as "nosebleed man"), played by Daniel Casey, first appears in the episode broadcast on 1 June 2017 and departs in the episode broadcast on 9 November 2017, appearing in a total of 22 episodes.

Karen Taylor

Karen Taylor, played by Lorraine Stanley, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with four of her children, Keanu (Danny Walters), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham Taylor (Alfie Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney. Stanley appeared in the 2004 spin off Pat and Mo as a young Mo Harris, and in EastEnders in 2016 as Thelma Bragg, the mother of Linzi Bragg (Amy-Leigh Hickman). On 29 July 2023, it was announced that Stanley had been axed from the show and that Karen would leave in late 2023. She departed on 8 December 2023, and made a one-off guest appearance via a video call on 25 December. On 24 January 2024 it was confirmed Karen’s story was not finished and she would return to the series in February for a short stint less than 3 months since her departure. On 22 April 2024 it was confirmed that Stanley will reprise her role as Karen for another brief stint.

Keanu Taylor

Keanu Taylor, played by Danny Walters, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with his mother Karen (Lorraine Stanley) and siblings Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney. On 1 November 2019, it was announced that Walters had decided to leave the series; and Keanu's last scenes aired on 3 January 2020. Not long after his departure, he was re-introduced for the 35th anniversary plans. He returned on 7 February and departed again on 21 February. Keanu made an unannounced return on 13 December 2022. Keanu was killed-off on 25 December 2023 after being murdered by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

Bernadette Taylor

Clair Norris portrays Bernadette Taylor.

Bernadette Taylor, played by Clair Norris, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with her mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and siblings Keanu (Danny Walters), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney. On 30 September 2021, it was announced that Norris would take a break for an undisclosed period of time. She exited in the episode broadcast on 8 October 2021.

Bronson

Bronson is a dog belonging to the Taylor family, Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley), Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris), Riley Taylor (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham Taylor (Alfie Jacobs). He first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, and makes his last appearance in the episode broadcast on 15 March 2021.

Riley Taylor

Riley Taylor, played by Tom Jacobs, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with his mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and siblings Keanu (Danny Walters), Bernadette (Clair Norris) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney.

Chatham Taylor

Chatham Taylor, played by Alfie Jacobs, first appears in the episode broadcast on 15 June 2017, along with his mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) and siblings Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) and Riley Taylor (Tom Jacobs). The family also have two pets, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog named Bronson and a Bearded lizard named Rooney.

Ingrid Solberg

Ingrid Solberg, played by Pernille Broch, first appears in the episode broadcast on 22 June 2017. On 1 May 2018, it was announced that Ingrid would be departing the series with her final scenes airing on 7 May 2018.

Felix Moore

Felix Moore, played by George Maguire, first appears in the episode broadcast on 6 July 2017. He is a customer in Bridge Street Café and asks Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) whom to speak to about renting a stall on the market. He then has drinks in The Queen Victoria with his friends and the pub's staff call them "hipsters". When Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond) is late paying her pitch fees, Robbie Jackson (Dean Gaffney) gives Felix her stall on the market, on which he plans to sell "vintage goods". This leads to the other market traders throwing Robbie in a bin. However Felix is annoyed when Robbie has a change of heart and decides to return the pitch to Donna. Felix continues to appear in Walford however and has since appeared to have obtained a permanent pitch in the market.

Hope Fowler

Hope Fowler first appears in the episode broadcast on 16 October 2017. She is the daughter of Martin Fowler (James Bye) and Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner).

Aidan Maguire

Aidan Joseph Patrick "JP" Maguire, played by Patrick Bergin made his first appearance on 27 November 2017. He is part of a robbery storyline. Aidan departed the series on 9 March 2018 at the conclusion of his storyline.

Kandice Taylor

Kandice Taylor, played by Hannah Spearritt, first appears in the two episodes first broadcast on 28 December 2017. She then appears in the episodes first broadcast between 16 and 20 July, and returns again in December 2018. She is the younger sister of established character Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley).

Hannah Spearritt appeared across three guest stints as Kandice Taylor.

Abi Branning

Abi Branning first appears in the episode broadcast on 29 December 2017. She is the daughter of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell).