Comedy legend Ronni Ancona is making her EastEnders debut as mysterious new character Bea, set to arrive in the New Year with a dramatic school reunion storyline involving a major character
EastEnders’ Linda Carter is set for a reunion with an old school-friend as a new character is set to move into Walford.
In a move that’s about to send EastEnders fans into a frenzy, comedy icon and acting powerhouse Ronni Ancona is gearing up to make her explosive debut on the BBC soap as brand-new character Bea – and she’s about to shake up Walford in a way nobody sees coming.
Ronni, whose glittering career has spanned more than three decades with standout turns in Last Tango in Halifax, Penelope, Skins and The Trip, might be new to Albert Square… but she’s certainly no stranger to it. Long-time viewers will remember her uncanny – and utterly hilarious – impressions of legends like Peggy Mitchell, Sharon Watts and Kat Slater on the BAFTA-winning Big Impression. Now, though, she’s stepping into Walford for real – and things are about to get deliciously messy.
Bea’s arrival is set to explode onto screens in the New Year, when she comes face-to-face with Linda Carter at a high-school reunion that starts innocent enough… before it all goes sideways. It doesn’t take long for tensions to bubble as Linda and Bea quickly realise they remember their school days very differently. And if there’s one thing Walford thrives on, it’s a clash with history lurking beneath the surface.
Once Bea makes her way into Albert Square, insiders say she wastes no time getting pulled straight into the thick of the drama. Her backstory is being kept tightly under wraps – classic EastEnders secrecy – but early whispers hint that she’s a woman with layers, secrets, and more bite than anyone expects.
Speaking about her arrival, Ronni says: “I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life.”
Executive Producer Ben Wadey couldn’t be happier either, calling Ronni “immensely talented” and hinting that Bea’s mysterious presence will make her one to watch. “Bea’s character is mysterious, and we’re thrilled to have an esteemed actress and comedian like Ronni playing her.”
This comes after a legend of EastEnders history has made a shock return to Walford, and her sinister lurking has some convinced she’s back for revenge. Though the character has yet to speak, fans are sure she wants to “get back” at another Albert Square resident for a crime they helped commit 20 years ago.
In a cliffhanger airing on Thursday (4 December), Zoe Slater was chatting with Lauren Branning as she walked through the Square. Despite her increasing panic and vigilance about her stalker, she failed to notice that she was indeed being watched – by Sam Mitchell.
The Mitchell sister was seen watching Zoe from the shadows just before the duff duffs sounded. Fans were delighted and surprised to see Sam return, with one saying, “Sam is back! I’ve missed her,” and another adding that while they knew she was returning, they weren’t “expecting to see her today”.
But some thought the creepy way she was watching Zoe was a sure sign that she wants revenge on the Slater. 20 years ago, the two women were involved in the murder of Dirty Den Watts.
As Sam watched, Zoe, who had been sleeping with him, hit Den with a metal doorstop when he attacked his wife Chrissie. Zoe and Sam both ran out of the Vic and didn’t see him get back up and try to attack Chrissie again, nor did Zoe see Chrissie deliver the fatal blow.
Sam did, and struggled to keep it to herself. She eventually told a distraught Zoe that she was not actually the murderer. Too hurt by what has happened, Zoe left Walford. After she did, Chrissie was arrested for the murder and Sam had to go on the run from the police after helping to cover it up.
Though Sam has now got her life back together, fans are sure she wants revenge on Zoe, the only one of the three not to lose elements of her life after the Dirty Den ordeal.
One said they thought the way Sam lurked in the shadows was a sign she had been stalking Zoe: “I’m convinced it is [her] now after tonight’s Duff Duff! Also Sam has motive to get back at Zoe after all the Dirty Den stuff.” Another added: “Wow the Return of Sam Mitchell to get revenge on Zoe 20 years since Den’s death.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
