Penny Branning is set make an explosive return to EastEnders in the New Year – ending the character’s 15-year absence from Albert Square.
Played by Kitty Castledine, the daughter of Jack Branning will hit the BBC soap alongside her on-screen cousin Lauren Branning – a role reprised by Jacqueline Jossa earlier this year. Penny, meanwhile, was last seen in Walford in 2008 as she struggled to deal with her dad’s relationship with Ronnie Mitchell.
It prompted her to depart for France to live with her mum Selina, staying away from the East End due to an attack that left her wheelchair-bound. One of a number of new additions to the show in the New Year, Kitty, who is in a wheelchair herself, has opened up on landing the job.
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A 21-year old graduate of the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA), she told the Mirror: “I didn’t expect to start my EastEnders journey so soon out of drama school – I can’t actually believe it! My whole family are EastEnders fans, and I remember sitting on my Nanny Kay’s lap to tune in, and now they get to watch me in Albert Square.”
She continued: “The inclusion of disabled talent on screen is so important to me as a wheelchair user, so I’m thrilled to be playing a character as feisty and cool as Penny. She’s thrown into the middle of the drama straight away, and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to.”
The programme’s Executive Producer, Chris Clenshaw added: “It’s been a long time since Penny Branning was in Walford, and she’s a very different person from the one our viewers might remember. Kitty is a terrific addition to the show, and we’re looking forward to seeing Penny back in Albert Square.”
(Image: Instagram)
Viewers may be surprised to learn the actress comes from a multi-talented celebrity family. The actress’ mum is Homes Under The Hammer presenter Lucy Alexander – and it was her who proudly broke the news of Kitty joining the ‘Enders pay roll. Taking to Instagram, Lucy gushed: “So as a family we have had to keep this a secret for a while … ( cue the music) But now the press release is out… Congratulations @kittycastledine @bbceastenders on your role as Penny Branning in the show. Proud of you my girl!”#.”
Kitty’s dad is Stewart Castledine – a former Premier League footballer with Wimbledon, who went on to present BBC One’s Big Strong Boys and Houses Behaving Badly after retiring from the sport aged 29.
(Image: Instagram)
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As well as Kitty, Lucy and Stewart also share son, Leo, an 18-year old who is on the books of Chelsea Football Club and has represented England at every level from under 15s to under 19s. Kitty also boasts husband and wife duo Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford amongst her pals, with the pair both commenting on her recent success.
After she was cast in EastEnders, Eamonn commented on her Instagram account: “Kitty, brilliant! But could u get your Mum a role as Barbara Windsor’s long lost younger Sister???” And following her graduation, Ruth told her: “You’re AMAZING! Congratulations….you’re going to have a phenomenal future as an actor.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
