FAN favourite Lauren Branning is due for an explosive return to Albert Square in scenes due to air.
However, the EastEnders legend played by Jacqueline Jossa will not be coming home alone. Here’s what you need to know.
Viewers of the BBC One drama were excited when the iconic actress reprised the role of Lauren Branning earlier this year, just as members of the Beale family were finally reunited on our screens.
The enthusiasm was turned up a notch when it was confirmed that the 31-year-old soap star would be making another comeback to Walford in the new year.
However, Lauren will not be returning to the Square on her own as her cousin Penny Branning will also be seen again after fifteen years of absence.
Coming up, Lauren and Penny (Kitty Castledine) are in Paris when they make the decision to go back to Walford together due to recent events.
But in later scenes, Penny arrives back in the Square on her own and Lauren is nowhere to be seen.
What will happen to her?
How will Penny be welcomed back?
What happens to Lauren?
The daughter of Jack and Selina Branning, Penny was first seen in Walford in early 2008.
At the time, Jack was desperately trying to bond with his daughter but his plans were thwarted when Penny’s mother Selina decided to move to France and take her daughter with her.
Penny returned to the Square in April, 2008, but was cold towards Jack’s then-girlfriend Ronnie Mitchell.
After returning to France, Penny lost contact with her father Jack who believed she’d made the right move by mowing away from him.
In October, 2013, Jack tried to reconnect with his daughter by moving to France himself but he eventually made a permanent return to Walford.
In December, 2016, Penny still hadn’t been seen but she was said to have let Jack know she wouldn’t be able to attend his wedding to Ronnie due to a medical appointment she had to attend in Paris.
As regular watchers of the long-running soap will recall, Penny is paralysed from the waist down after a drug dealer Jack was trying to catch deliberately hit her with his car, causing her spine to be severed.
Penny was last mentioned in February, 2020, by Max Branning during an argument with his brother Jack.
How will she find her mark in the Square again?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
