EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has landed an exciting new role.
The actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap, has joined the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Charlie will be following in her villainous soap character’s footsteps as she will be appearing as the Child Catcher.
The production will open at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton at the end of the month before heading on a UK tour. The 42-year-old will join Olivier-nominee Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts, as well as ex-Emmerdale star Liam Fox, who will be portraying Grandpa Potts.
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Charlie, 42, is no stranger to the theatre and most recently played the role of Ursula in the National Theatre’s West End run of The Ocean at the End of the Lane from 2022 until 2023.
(Image: WireImage)
Charlie first appeared as Janine in 1999 and became the third actress to take on the role. She has had a number of stint’s on Albert Square, with her return in 2021 marking her third.
After framing Linda (Kellie Bright) for a car accident which almost killed her infant daughter, Janine began a relationship with Linda’s estranged husband Mick (Danny Dyer). However, Janine’s scheming ways caught up to her and the truth came out on Christmas Day.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Janine ended up stealing a car and was chased down by Mick and Linda. The dramatic scenes resulted in Janine’s car plummeting off a cliff with her and Linda inside.
Mick jumped into the water and managed to rescue the two women but is now presumed dead as his body was never found. A pregnant Janine was arrested and later sentenced to five years in prison.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burlem)
Last year, Charlie opened up about whether she would return to the role – and didn’t rule it out. She told The Sun: “She is always fun to play and I’m always interested in what she’s doing and what’s she’s up to so there’s always a possibility.
“But I couldn’t play her constantly and I don’t think anyone would want me to. I think somebody might actually kill me if Janine was always in their living rooms four times a week.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
