EastEnders is a BBC soap opera that first aired on 19 February 1985. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 2019, in order of first appearance. All new characters in 2014 were introduced by executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins. Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) arrived in January with her fiancé, Wayne Ladlow (Malachi Kirby), Stan Carter (Timothy West), Babe Smith (Annette Badland) and new market inspector, Aleks Shirovs (Kristian Kiehling). February saw Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) return with her daughter Lily (Aine Garvey) and also her new boyfriend, Luke Riley (Matt Willis), followed by Tosh Mackintosh (Rebecca Scroggs). On 10 March, Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) and on 4 April, Lee Carter (Danny Hatchard). Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond), a new market stallholder and Pam Coker (Lin Blakley), Les Coker's (Roger Sloman) wife, both arrived on 14 April. DC Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton) was introduced on 21 April, as the Police Family Liaison Officer for the Beales after Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) is murdered. Yvonne Cotton (Pauline McLynn) made her debut on 12 May. Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon's (Shane Richie) twins, Bert and Ernie Moon, arrived in August, as did Beth Williams, the daughter of teenagers Cindy Williams (Mimi Keene) and TJ Spraggan (George Sargeant). Elaine Peacock (Maria Friedman) appeared from 14 October as Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) mother and Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) first appeared on 20 October. Buster Briggs (Karl Howman) made his first appearance on 18 November and Sylvie Carter (Linda Marlowe) made her first appearance on 11 December.
Nancy Carter
Nancy Carter, played by Maddy Hill, is the daughter of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). She made her first appearance on 1 January 2014 when about to marry Wayne Ladlow (Malachi Kirby) in Watford. Wayne is instantly disliked by Mick who carries the intended bride over his shoulder to their family-owned pub, The Queen Victoria where Nancy will live. Nancy continues to see Wayne in Walford. Nancy departed from the serial on 22 April 2016. She returned five years later in 2021. She then left unannounced on 23 June 2022.
Wayne Ladlow
Wayne Ladlow, played by Malachi Kirby, appears in episodes first broadcast in the UK between 1 and 23 January 2014. He is Nancy Carter's (Maddy Hill) fiancé and first appears at his wedding to Nancy. Her parents Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) arrive, and Mick dislikes the fact that Nancy is marrying Wayne so much that he picks her up and carries her out. Nancy's brother Johnny Carter (Sam Strike) locks the remaining guests inside the community centre where the wedding is taking place. Wayne soon arrives in Walford where he and Nancy resume their relationship in secret. Wayne stays in the local bed and breakfast, and flirts heavily with some of Walford's other women, including Denise Fox (Diane Parish). Mick hires Wayne to fix a damp problem in The Queen Victoria public house, but while he is doing the job Nancy discovers he has been showing private pictures of her to other boys in the pub, leading to her humiliating Wayne by showing everyone similar pictures of him. An angry Wayne then leaves Walford.
Inside Soap reported that Nancy's parents Mick and Linda hate Wayne, and called him "feckless". Dyer said that Nancy is probably planning to marry him just to rebel against Linda. Hill opined that Wayne's exit scenes were "too satisfying to film". She said, "Nancy's not too bothered about Wayne at this point. She knows her parents don't like him so Nancy was basically just vying for their attention. In any case, I think that Nancy's always known she was too bright for Wayne".
Aleks Shirovs
Aleks Shirovs, played by Kristian Kiehling, made his first appearance on 24 January 2014. Kiehling auditioned for the role and said he was "so excited" when he learned he had won the role. Of his casting, Kiehling told from Digital Spy, "I'm very glad to be here. First of all I was thrilled and terrified to be joining the show! I was thrilled because it's a great honour for me to be here, but then terrified because Britain is a country of such great talent in terms of directors and actors, so it was overwhelming." On 16 April 2015, Treadwell-Collins confirmed that Kiehling had left the show. Commenting on the decision of his departure, Kiehling said: "Well that's a tricky one! Let's put it this way, we negotiated a new contract but we couldn't come to an agreement. I did get the hint that I would always be welcome back, so I can only say that I would be honoured if the situation arises and I get a second invitation. Never say never!" Kiehling was nominated for Best Bad Boy at the Inside Soap Awards in 2014 for his portrayal as Aleks.Inside Soap Awards 2014 longlist revealed – Soaps News – Digital Spy
Stan Carter
Stan Carter, played by Timothy West, is the father of Shirley (Linda Henry) and Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White), and the grandfather of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), although Mick believes Stan to be his father. He made his first screen appearance on 27 January 2014. The character and casting were announced on 12 December 2013, when West commented, "I am excited to be joining EastEnders for the first time. Stan is a wonderful character and I look forward to seeing what is going to happen to him." Stan is characterised as a retired Billingsgate fishmonger, who is "delighted" to be around his children again, as he has been lonely since his wife left him 30 years ago. Stan has been billed as "opinionated and curmudgeonly", and having a manipulative side. A spokesperson said, "Stan is no fluffy old man in a cardigan, and it won't be long before he starts manipulating the whole Carter clan from the comfort of his armchair." On 5 October 2014 it was announced that West had decided to leave EastEnders. On 19 February 2015, it was revealed that West had already filmed his final scenes, and he departed in the episode broadcast on 10 April 2015 when his character dies following his battle with terminal prostate cancer.
Babe Smith
Babe Smith (also known as Aunt Babe) played by Annette Badland, is the maternal aunt of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), and great-aunt of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer). The character and casting were announced on 12 December 2013. Babe's first on-screen appearance was on 31 January 2014. On 18 September 2016, it was announced that Babe had been axed from the serial by the new executive producer Sean O'Connor and the character and Badland would depart EastEnders in early 2017. She made her final appearance on 9 February 2017.
Luke Riley
Luke Riley,BBC One – EastEnders, 13/02/2014 played by Matt Willis, is the boyfriend of Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), who returned to EastEnders in February 2014 after an absence of three years.
When Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) sees Stacey from the top of a bus in central London after three years thinking Stacey was living in Mexico, she enlists the help of Max Branning (Jake Wood) to find her. Eventually tracking her down to a flat in West London, she meets Luke, who is revealed to be Stacey's long-term boyfriend. However, he has no idea of Stacey's past life, including the fact she was responsible for the murder of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), and believes she is called Jenny Smith. Kat pretends to be the cleaner Luke and Stacey have hired, but when he works out she is an imposter, she flees believing he will call the police. Stacey convinces Luke not to involve the police before visiting Kat, where she realises she cannot keep living a lie with Luke. After briefly fleeing, she returns to Luke, who has since discovered who she really is from Kat. He ends the relationship and she returns to Walford to live with Kat, but continues to leave messages for Luke in an attempt to reconcile with him. Realising he still loves Stacey, he visits Walford and meets Kat's husband, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie). Luke is appalled when he hears that Stacey killed Archie and flees, leaving Stacey heartbroken.
Luke is described as ambitious and is said to be "deeply in love" with Stacey. Willis said of his casting, which was announced on 19 December 2013: "I am so thrilled to be a part of such an iconic show. I grew up watching EastEnders so this is really exciting for me!" Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "I've always loved Matt and it will be a real treat for viewers to watch him and Lacey together on screen as part of her return to the Square. Luke gives as good as he gets, so is a great foil to Stacey. Pity she's been lying to him since the day she met him..." Willis started filming his role in December 2013. EastEnders confirmed on Twitter that Willis would be joining for "a short stint".
Tosh Mackintosh
Fiona "Tosh" Mackintosh, played by Rebecca Scroggs, made her first screen appearance on 25 February 2014. The character and casting was announced on 9 February 2014. Tosh is the actress's first major television role. Of joining the show, Scroggs commented "I'm very excited to be joining EastEnders in my first major television role. I grew up watching the show and it feels amazing to actually be a part of it now! I'm really going to enjoy working with the Carter family, they've brought such great energy to the Square." Tosh is Tina Carter's (Luisa Bradshaw-White) former girlfriend. She comes to Walford to see Tina and try and work on their relationship. Tosh is a firefighter who is as billed "as strong, feisty and bright". It was reported in 2014 that Tosh would leave the soap permanently. The character departed the show on 11 December 2014.
After arguing with her sister Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), Tina decides to reconnect with Tosh after realising that she still views Tosh as "a loved one". She brings Tosh to a family dinner, where she instantly clashes with Shirley, who knows that Tosh can be violent and previously beat Tina when they were together, while befriending Tina's sister-in-law Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). Shirley visits Tosh at the fire station to warn her to stay away from Tina, but is humiliated by the firefighter who soaks her using a fire hose. Still determined to stop Tina from seeing Tosh, Shirley locks her in the upstairs lounge of The Queen Victoria pub, but Tosh rescues Tina with a fire ladder. As they prepare to spend some time together as a couple, Tina is called to help Cindy Williams (Mimi Keene) who has drunk herself paralytic despite being pregnant. Tosh, unwilling to give up her time off, leaves Tina to deal with the situation alone.
Tosh later feels insecure about Tina's friendship with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) despite the fact that she is not a lesbian. In late April 2014, Tosh and Tina agree to spend the night in town. but Tina is caught up with her friend Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), and tells Tosh to leave without her. The following day, Tosh shouts at Tina in The Queen Vic and is told to leave by Shirley. She later talks to Aleks Shirovs (Kristian Kiehling) in The Vic, and they come to a decision that Tosh will move in with him and fellow flatmate Jake Stone (Jamie Lomas), which delights Tina. Later on, Tina also moves in with them. Tosh overhears Sonia and her half-sister Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer) talking about a kiss between Tina and Sonia. She is furious with Tina and confronts her, leading to her knocking Tina's head against the door frame. The pair later reconcile and decide to start a family together. Desperate for cash to fund IVF treatment, Tina starts dealing her aunt Babe Smith's (Annette Badland) drugs. Tosh discovers this and struggles to trust Tina again, but eventually forgives her. They choose a sperm donor, and Tosh is inseminated though she worries that their child will not know its father.