THE new year began with a huge surprise for soap viewers as Penny Branning returned to their screens.
Many EastEnders watchers were happy to see her after 15 years. Here's what you need to remember about her.
Who is Penny Branning in EastEnders?
BBC One viewers were left in a frenzy as they had the chance to reconnect with one of Walford's beloved residents, Penny Branning.
The character reappeared during last night's (Monday, January 1, 2024) New Year's Day instalment of the long-running soap alongside her cousin Lauren Branning (played by Jacqueline Jossa).
Both women have been in Paris and they made the decision to return to Walford together.
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While Lauren is widely known among EastEnders fans, Penny may have been forgotten as she was last seen in Albert Square in 2008.
Penny is the daughter of established character Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Selina Branning, making her the half-sister of Amy, Ricky and James Branning.
As regular EastEnders fans will remember, Penny was seen trying to bond with her mother Selina, whom Jack had divorced from.
Selina eventually decided to leave for France, where her parents were living and she took Penny along for the ride.
In April, 2008, Penny returned and was cold towards his then-partner Ronnie Mitchell, preferring her aunt Tanya Branning.
She then left to return to France, despite affirming she wanted to stay in Walford.
Why is Penny Branning in a wheelchair in EastEnders?
New EastEnders watchers may have been startled to see Penny is in need of a wheelchair but diehard fans know all about what happened to her.
Penny made her debut in the London-based program in the same situation and it was revealed that Jack was partially to blame.
Jack, a well-known police officer, sadly brought crime to his own doorstep when he himself became involved with some criminal activity.
Selina and Penny were once waiting at a bus stop and targeted by a drug dealer Jack had arrested.
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The individual deliberately hit Penny with his car for being accidentally sent down, which caused her spine to be severed.
This was later revealed to be due to Jack taking payment from a drugs baron in return for tip-offs.
Jack was once unable to tip off the baron, leading to his arrest and one of the criminal's associates carried out the attack as revenge.
Penny has since learned to cope with her disability although in scenes aired last night, she was seen planting drugs on Lauren in the hopes of smuggling them into the country.
This backfired on her as Lauren was arrested in Paris for carrying illegal substances.
What sort of trouble will Penny bring to the Square?
Who plays Penny Branning in EastEnders?
Actress Mia McKenna-Bruce was known for her portrayal of Penny Branning in the late noughties.
But with Mia starring in British film drama How To Have Sex, EastEnders bosses needed a fresh face to bring adult Penny to life on our screens, which led them straight to Kitty Castledine.
Hailing from London, not much is known about the budding soap star's life prior to her EastEnders debut, though she appeared in one episode of The Break as Katy before ever rocking up Walford.
Kitty mostly keeps her private life under wraps but remains active on social media like Instagram, where she has collected thousands of eager fans.
In October, 2023, Kitty announced she had graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
