Ryan Malloy is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Neil McDermott. From his arrival on 28 April 2009, the character remained a mystery in the show for a number of months, until he was revealed as the half-brother of established character, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty). Ryan departed on 26 August 2011, and made a surprise guest appearance on 2 September 2014. Following his former lover, Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), being sectioned in the episode that aired on 22 January 2016, he then made a surprise cameo for a short stint to look after his daughter Lily Branning (Aine Garvey), before departing again on 11 February 2016. Seven months later, Ryan returned on 20 September 2016 after he was released from prison. Ryan returned again on 4 November for Whitney and Lee Carter's (Danny-Boy Hatchard) wedding. On 28 January 2023, it was announced that Ryan would return again and he reappeared for three episodes from 13 to 16 February 2023.
Creation and development Initial stint Ryan was introduced to the show as a mystery character, who was credited simply as "Man" to keep his identity hidden. The show's executive producer, Diederick Santer, remained tight-lipped about the character, saying "I'm not saying too much about him. He's a character played by an actor... All I'll say at this point is that he seems to want to talk to Whitney..." The character's identity was revealed in July 2009 as Whitney Dean's half brother and the son of Debra Dean (Ruth Gemmell), and he was credited as "Ryan" for the first time on 21 July 2009. Santer then described the character as "intriguing and complex", adding, "While incognito, he made a big impression on EastEnders viewers. Now they know who he actually is, I'm sure things will get even more exciting." McDermott auditioned for the part, not knowing the character's relationship to Whitney, but admits he was "very excited", adding, "Sometimes you just really want to get a part and for me, this was one of those occasions." The character is nine years older than his half sister, and is described as having "something of a dark past". He is also said to be very moody, with an interest in women, setting his sights on Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack). The character was involved in gangs, although McDermott said "Ryan's not a really aggressive or violent man, but he's a thief. He ended up moving away from that, though. He'd love to live a normal life, but he's never had the opportunity to." He has been compared to the character of Sean Slater, who was played by Robert Kazinsky, as their scenario and personalities are similar in certain ways. McDermott commented that he sees the character as having a big heart, but scared to show his emotions, saying, "That's where his aggression comes from — he doesn't want to get hurt. [...] All Ryan needs is a good woman, some sort of mother or father figure, and a good psychiatrist and he'll be alright!" He also said that the character has many secrets that will be revealed over time.
In July 2009, it emerges that the character is looking for his mother as he was involved in a gang and killed a gang member with a knife in self-defence. He asks Debra to hide the knife, but she uses it against him. McDermott revealed that one scene, where Ryan and Debra are constantly talking over each other, had to be filmed in several takes. Another scene features McDermott barechested, which prompted him to attend a gym: "I opened up a script after not being here very long and I just thought 'ah ok... I need to get down to the gym', Everyone's a bit vain when they've got to take their clothes off on screen!"
In December 2009, Santer teased about upcoming storylines involving Ryan and his flatmate Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), saying: "There's something really interesting with Ryan and Janine [...]. They're both people who don't know how to love. So will they fall in love? And if they do, can they cope with it? Will they understand the alien feelings coursing through their bodies?" McDermott stated in March 2010 that he believed Ryan was the right man for Janine, and that they could be perfect for each other, saying: "Janine's never loved any of the men she's been with before. She has only ever been in it for the money. Ryan understands her and knows why she does the things she does. They both forgive one another's mistakes very easily, and that's why their partnership works."
On 19 June 2011, it was announced that McDermott had quit EastEnders and that his character would exit in a dramatic storyline later in the year. An EastEnders spokesperson said, "We can confirm Neil is leaving EastEnders. It was a mutual decision that was made before Christmas when Neil's contract came up for renewal and we wish him all the best for the future."
Returns Ryan made a brief appearance in the episode broadcast on 2 September 2014, after Whitney Dean made contact with him and arranged to meet with him in the park to let him make contact with his daughter. However, when Ryan arrived he saw Whitney with Stacey and decided not to approach them.
In January 2016, Ryan returned as part of Stacey Branning's (Lacey Turner) postpartum psychosis storyline. Ryan's stint concluded with him turning himself in to the police for accidentally killing Rob Grayson. Ryan made another to Albert Square in the episode broadcast on 20 September 2016 to surprise Whitney following his early release from prison. Later in the year, Ryan made his third return of the year for Whitney's wedding, broadcast on 4 November 2016.
In February 2023, Ryan returned as part of a storyline involving Lily's pregnancy. Ryan only appeared in three episodes from 13 February of that year.
Storylines Ryan first appears on screen on 28 April 2009 (credited as "Man") when he is seen in the park by Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). He asks Whitney if she is all right, but she runs off calling him a "creep". Weeks later, he helps Whitney and others escape from a fire started in the café by Nick Cotton (John Altman). Whitney then sees Ryan as a mysterious hero. Whitney's mother, Debra Dean (Ruth Gemmell), turns up at Whitney's house, saying that a man is after her. Whitney demands to know why, and Debra says she has something belonging to him. They fetch it, but when they return home, Ryan is waiting for them; he is the man who is chasing Debra. Ryan reveals to Whitney he is her half-brother and says he killed someone in self-defence, giving the weapon to Debra to hide. He demands it back from Whitney, but she refuses, and later disposes of it in a canal.
Planning to leave Walford, Ryan spots Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Janus) and asks Whitney about her. He decides to stay, and shares a flat with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). Ronnie subsequently offers Ryan a day's trial at The Queen Victoria public house, during which they kiss and eventually go to Ryan's flat and have sex—but she stresses that it is just a one-off. Ryan then indulges in petty crime, including stealing from Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) café and fish and chip shop. When Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin) wins £2,000 on a scratchcard, Ryan mugs her. Janine finds the money, and tells Chelsea that Ryan mugged her, so Chelsea's father Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) threatens him, and he returns the money. Despite this, Ryan and Janine soon start an on-off fling with each other. At the same time, Janine teams up with Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) to try to take over The Queen Vic. She reveals the plans to Ryan, and the pair plot to ultimately take the pub for themselves, double-crossing Archie in the process. Ryan sees Whitney crying in the Square; she is still in love with Tony King (Chris Coghill), her adoptive mother Bianca Jackson's (Patsy Palmer) onetime boyfriend who is currently in prison for sexually abusing Whitney. Ryan tries to convince Whitney that how Tony had treated her was completely wrong and she storms off; Ryan tells Bianca of Whitney's revelation. Ryan shows his hatred of Tony during the beginning of his trial by glaring at him from across the room; Tony is shocked. When Whitney's witness statement is shown in court, Ryan walks out in disgust when she says she was twelve-years-old when they first had sex. He storms back in calling Tony a monster and tells Whitney that Tony is sick and he will get out of prison when he is an old man.
On Christmas Day 2009, Ryan tells Janine that they are over; later he finds her drunk in the car lot. He tells her that Archie has been murdered, then panics when the police arrive to question everyone. When they question Janine, Ryan doesn't believe that she didn't kill Archie; he says she should win an award for her acting abilities. Ryan comforts Janine when she only gets a Newton's cradle in Archie's will but she says she is not finished. After trying to blackmail Ian, she tells the police that Ian murdered Archie. Ryan is angry with her and says it will draw more attention to herself. He says she makes him sick and storms out. When Janine is arrested after police find Archie's mother's engagement ring in her flat, Ryan protests that she has been set up.
Overdue with the rent, Ryan and Janine use Bianca's son Morgan Jackson-King (Devon Higgs) to raise money, pretending to be collecting for charity, but when Whitney discovers what they've done, she takes the money from them. Janine tells Ryan they should come up with a plan to get Archie's daughter Roxy Mitchell's (Rita Simons) inheritance from her, so Janine urges Ryan to get close to Roxy. However, he decides to end the plan when he tells Janine they should admit their true feelings to each other, and says he is in love with her even though she is the most horrendous human being he has ever known. Janine remains silent, so Ryan walks away. The next day, Ryan packs his bags but Janine tries to tell him he can't leave as he owes six weeks' rent. As he leaves on the tube, she regrets letting him go, follows him onto the train and tells him she loves him. He then finds employment as assistant manager of the bookmakers. However, Janine worries that Ryan will leave when she finds his passport with £500, and as he has no material possessions, she buys him a large television, telling him it is too large to fit in one of his bags so he will be unable to leave.
Ryan and Janine make a bet: Janine must kiss Lucas and Ryan must kiss Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), and whoever does it first wins. Janine eventually kisses Lucas, much to his surprise and she takes Ryan's "going-away" money as her prize. After Ryan kisses Stacey, Janine reveals it was for a bet, leaving Stacey upset. Disgusted by Janine's cruelty, Ryan splits with her. However, they reunite soon after and go on holiday together. When they return, the couple decide to get married. Janine's brother Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) throws Ryan a stag party where they get drunk and bond. The next day, Ryan attends his wedding, but Janine stops the service, and admits to Ryan that she almost had an affair as she is scared of commitment. Ryan assures her that he is scared too, and the pair marry anyway. They then attend their reception at The Vic, where Stacey attempts to tell Ryan about his paternity to her daughter, Lily Slater. However, Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) stops her from telling him, just minutes before a fire erupts in the pub (see Queen Vic Fire Week). Everyone leaves safely, except for Stacey and Lily. Ryan rescues the baby and an unconscious Stacey before the pub explodes. Upon seeing her daughter unharmed, Stacey admits to Ryan he is Lily's father. Ryan goes to see Stacey in the hospital when she and Lily recover from the fire, and Stacey tells Ryan she is not asking for anything and offers to let Ryan hold Lily, but Ryan declines and walks out. Then he goes on honeymoon with Janine.