Lee Carter

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.

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, 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.

Charlie Cotton

Charlie Cotton, played by Declan Bennett, is the grandson of Dot Branning (June Brown) and the eldest son of Nick Cotton (John Altman). The character first appeared on 10 March 2014. Notable stories included his relationship and marriage to Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), and the birth of his son Matthew Mitchell Cotton. Bennett, and Charlie, left the show in September 2015, after being ordered to leave Walford by Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood). In 2017, Bennett reprised the role for guest stints between 5 May and 15 December.

Lee Carter

Lee Carter, played by Danny Hatchard, made his first appearance on 4 April 2014. He is the eldest son of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). Hatchard's casting was announced on 21 January 2014, while the character has previously been mentioned by members of his on-screen family. Hatchard began filming with the show that February. Of his casting, the actor said "I'm incredibly excited to be a part of EastEnders, a show that my family and I have watched for years. It's an honour to have the chance to share the camera with such talented actors and I can't wait to get cracking and join the Carter family." Lee comes to Walford having served a tour of duty as a soldier in Afghanistan. Digital Spy's Meg Drewett reports that Lee is a "Jack-the lad" character with parents that are happy to have him home, but they soon become frustrated by Lee's "reluctance to pull his weight" with their pub. Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins commented that "Lee Carter is going to pelt into the Square, ruffle some feathers and immediately prove that he's a chip off his father's block.". In late April 2014, Hatchard took a short break from the soap, and returned in July. On 21 August 2016, it was announced that Hatchard had been axed by the new executive producer Sean O'Connor and would be leaving the soap after completing his three-year contract. He departed on 17 February 2017. In August 2017, Hatchard was longlisted for Best Exit at the Inside Soap Awards. The nomination did not progress to the viewer-voted shortlist. On 13 September 2019, it was announced that Lee would return later in the year for a short stint for Linda's storyline. He returned on 24 December 2019 and departed on 3 January 2020, and appeared again on 31 December 2020 in a previously unannounced return. Hatchard was spotted filming with the cast and crew in October 2024, and returned for a one-off appearance on 16 December 2024.. Two years later, Hatchard reprised the role once again for a short stint as part of the exit storyline of his mother, Linda, making his returning alongside his sister Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) on 5 October 2026.

When the Carters move to Albert Square, Lee is serving in the Army and speaks with his mother Linda using the internet. Three months later, his father Mick visits Stan Carter (Timothy West), Mick's grandfather but before he can reach the flat he is punched by an unknown youth, and afterwards Mick discloses to Max Branning (Jake Wood) that he believes that the man was his son, Lee. A week later, it is Lee who saves Stan from a small fire at The Queen Victoria public house. The family meet at the hospital. When Mick asks him why he punched him, he confirms that he was in Stan's flat. Lee then has sex with Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater); however, she insists it was a one-night stand. He begins pursuing Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) instead, but later resumes his affair with Lucy. When Lucy is found dead after being murdered (see "Who Killed Lucy Beale?"), the police take a DNA sample from Lee before he returns to the army.

Donna Yates

Donna Yates, played by Lisa Hammond made her first appearance on 14 April 2014. Donna was not originally a disabled character, but this was changed when Hammond, who has dwarfism, impressed producers during her audition. Donna is the second regular disabled character to appear in EastEnders after Adam Best (David Proud). Donna is a market trader, who clashes with rival stall holders Bianca Butcher (Patsy Palmer) and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace). In an interview with Inside Soap, Hammond said, "there will be a humorous side to Donna." Despite being billed as aggressive and difficult, Hammond insists that she will not be totally unlikeable. She continued, "Initially, Donna is very opinionated. But there is a humorous side to her. I don't want her to just be a hard-faced cow. There needs to be a glint in her eye, tinged with a bit of sarcasm as well. It was hard to launch into being such a fiery character. Once I settled in, I thought, 'This is fun – people will hate me!'" It was reported that her character would get on the wrong side of Bianca and Kat immediately, following their assumption she is from the council. Hammond was nominated for Best Bitch at the Inside Soap Awards in 2014 for her portrayal as Donna. In August 2017, Hammond was longlisted for Funniest Female at the Inside Soap Awards. She did not progress to the viewer-voted shortlist.

Shrimpy

Shrimpy, played by Ben Champniss, is a market trader on Bridge Street after it is merged with the Spring Lane market. Champniss was first credited in the role on 15 October 2015.

Shrimpy begins working on the market in Albert Square alongside Pam Coker (Lin Blakley) and Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond) following the Spring Lane merge and owns a clothing stall, often helping out his co-workers when they are busy running their own errands. He is impressed by Donna and goes on a date with her after she fails to bond romantically with her roommate, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie); however, their relationship does not progress any further. In 2016, he annoys market traders when there is no market inspector by bringing a van onto the market. He is also paid by Babe Smith (Annette Badland) after she is fired from her chef job at The Queen Victoria, to ask for her specials and refusing to eat when they are not available, so that she can get her job back. In December 2016, Shrimpy attends a party for the market traders, where Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) dances with him but he rejects her because of the state she is in, making her realise she needs help. Later, when Carmel Kazemi (Bonnie Langford) realises that Donna likes Shrimpy, she gets them to kiss under the mistletoe. In January 2017, he is among those injured when a bus crashes into the market. He, however, helps those in worse condition. In April, Shrimpy wins the Mr Walford contest at the Easter fair.

David Brown from Radio Times called Shrimpy a "hat-wearing, mod-haired market trader".

Pam Coker

Pam Coker, played by Lin Blakley, made her first appearance on 14 April 2014. The character and casting was announced on 4 April 2014. Pam is the wife of established character Les Coker (Roger Sloman) who was made a regular in April 2014. Of her casting, Blakley said "Being part of EastEnders is like going to work and being with another family. I'm really enjoying myself. Working with Roger has been wonderful from the word go, we have a laugh together and I feel like I have known him forever." Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said "Les and Pam are part of our plans to rejuvenate the show's older generation. It's already so exciting to watch the chemistry between Roger and Lin on set, playing characters who have been together for so long, they know each other inside out. Or so they think."

It was announced on 28 July 2016 that Pam and Les would leave later in 2016 after the both of them were written out by then-newly appointed executive producer Sean O'Connor. Pam and Les made their final appearances on 14 October 2016. Pam then began appearing on a recurring basis without Les. She made an unannounced guest appearance on 25 May 2017, to attend Billy and Honey's housewarming party. She made another guest appearance on 22 June 2017 and another on 5 February 2018. Blakely reprised the role for two episodes on 7 and 8 November 2019. She reprised the role again in January 2022.

A reporter writing for the Inside Soap Yearbook described Pam and Les as a "soap favourite" and hoped they would "hurry home soon".

Pam makes her first appearance on 14 April 2014. She is delighted that her husband Les has bought 53 Turpin Road for their funeral parlour. The following week, the couple move into the upstairs flat, and Pam opens up her flower stall as the Spring Lane street market has been merged with the Bridge Street market. Pam is not in competition with anyone. She enjoys listening to the arguments and gossip between other rival stall holders. While Pam babysits for Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), she discovers photographs of the recently murdered Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) behind Billy's fridge (see "Who Killed Lucy Beale?"). Pam confronts Billy who explains that the photographs of Lucy are not his but are her twin brother Peter's (Ben Hardy). Pam befriends Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and helps her organise a naked charity calendar, posing nude herself with Mo Harris (Laila Morse) for the month of April. She becomes upset when DC Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton) tells her that secrets always have a habit of revealing themselves. On the anniversary of her son, Lawrie's, death, she goes missing with Janet. When she returns with Janet, Billy is upset with her. Pam discloses to Emma that she used to be a social worker until accusations were made that she brought about the death of Lawrie, her terminally ill son; telling Emma that the accusations were false, but confessing to Billy that they were true. When Billy discovers the funeral parlour is in trouble because Les cannot bring himself to push bereaved families to pay overdue bills, Billy insists Les tell Pam the truth. Les is unwilling to upset Pam on their anniversary, but eventually confesses, and the pair agree to have no more secrets. However, Les is then revealed to be secretly meeting another woman to whom he gives a necklace. When Pam organises a 30th birthday party for Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond) soon afterwards, she secretly invites Donna's foster mother Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) – the same woman Les is secretly meeting. It is then revealed that Pam placed Donna in Claudette's care when she was a social worker and that the two are good friends.

DC Emma Summerhayes

Detective Constable Emma Summerhayes, portrayed by Anna Acton, appears between 21 April 2014 and 2 January 2015. She is the Police Family Liaison Officer for the Beales after Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) is murdered.

Emma first appears with her colleague DS Cameron Bryant (Glen Wallace) to inform Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that his daughter, Lucy, has been found dead on Walford Common. Emma supports the Beales as they mourn Lucy's death and becomes familiar with the residents of Albert Square during the early days of the investigation. However, she meets Max Branning (Jake Wood) in the Bridge Street café and they both strike a bond after she confides in him about the breakdown of her engagement. Emma and Max begin a relationship but they keep it secret because Max is a suspect in the investigation and Emma knows that it could put her job at risk. Emma gets a new boss, DI Samantha Keeble (Alison Newman), who dislikes Emma. She is further worried when she discovers Keeble had investigated Max before.

Max is suspicious of Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) and the two have a rivalry but Charlie discovers Emma and Max's relationship, which infuriates Max. Emma does a background check on Charlie and finds out that he is impersonating a police officer. Emma tries to arrest him but he tells Emma he is a Special Operations Officer and threatens to report her unless she breaks up with Max. Emma, frightened at the prospect of losing her job, ends her relationship with Max who retaliates by placing an anonymous call to the police about their affair. Emma is immediately taken off the case and is suspended from the force. Max tries to reconcile with Emma, but she reveals that she is still engaged to her fiancé, who turns out to be DS Cameron Bryant. Emma tells Max that she loves him and has left Bryant for good because of the way that he treated her when they were together. Emma then introduces Max and his daughters, Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald), to her parents, Henry (Will Knightley) and Margot (Jill Baker), who initially dislike Max. However, they eventually accept him and Emma moves from Clapham into Max's home. Whilst she is facing a disciplinary hearing, Keeble asks Emma to hand over Lauren's laptop, something Emma refuses to do as it is breaks police rules. However, when reminded that she could lose her job, Emma gives Keeble the laptop, but soon regrets this and later confesses to Lauren what she has done. The police find suspicious activity on Lucy's social media site, which was down to Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), but they also discover that Abi knew about Max and Lucy's affair. Despite helping Keeble, Emma loses her job.

Cameron Bryant

Detective Sergeant Cameron Bryant, played by Glen Wallace, is a police sergeant investigating Lucy Beale's (Hetti Bywater) murder. He first appears in episode 4841, first broadcast on 21 April 2014, and makes his final appearance in episode 5302, first broadcast on 16 June 2016.

Cameron arrives with his colleague, DC Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton), at the Beale household, when they inform Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that his daughter, Lucy, is dead. He orders officers to search Lee Carter's (Danny-Boy Hatchard) bedroom and takes a DNA sample for forensics. When Max Branning (Jake Wood) changes his statement about his movements on the night of Lucy's death, Cameron returns with Emma to clarify Max and his daughter Abi's (Lorna Fitzgerald) statements. Cameron searches Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden) house in connection with a robbery committed by Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), the night Lucy was killed.

It emerges that Cameron is Emma's fiancé; when Cameron learns of Emma's affair with Max, he punches him. Emma leaves Cameron for Max. Suspecting Max's daughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Lucy's brother Peter Beale (Ben Hardy) to be involved in Lucy's death, Cameron keeps them under surveillance. When Emma is suspended from her job following her affair with Max, Cameron tells Emma that it was Max who reported her. When Emma dies, Cameron is sent to collect her things from Max's house, and tells him he is not welcome at her funeral.

When Max is wrongly found guilty of Lucy's murder, he escapes the courtroom, and punches Cameron when he tries to apprehend him. Max realises that Bobby Beale (Eliot Carrington) killed Lucy and as Cameron arrests Max, Max attempts to reveal this information but Cameron dismisses it as an act of desperation. When Max is sentenced to 21 years in prison, Lauren tells Cameron that Bobby did kill Lucy but Cameron refuses to believe her and insists that he swore when Emma died that Max would be punished for everything he did. Bobby later confesses to the police that he killed Lucy and is subsequently sentenced to three years in custody. Ian inadvertently reveals that he knew Bobby killed Lucy, but DI Samantha Keeble (Alison Newman) simply wishes him luck. Bryant asks about her inaction, so she says that Ian has suffered enough.

Yvonne Cotton

Yvonne Cotton, played by Pauline McLynn, made her first appearance on 12 May 2014. The character and McLynn's casting was announced on 25 April 2014. McLynn appears on a recurring basis as the mother of Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett). Of her casting, the actress said "It is a thrill to join EastEnders, my favourite soap, and in particular any chance to be part of a Dot Cotton storyline is not to be passed up. June Brown is a legend and I feel privileged to act with her." Yvonne arrived in Albert Square to give Dot Branning some answers over the sudden appearance of her grandson. Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins expressed his excitement about having another Irish character on the show and commented "I know that viewers are going to both love and be intrigued by Yvonne Cotton." Yvonne departed on 13 January 2015, but made a further appearance on 14 May 2015, to give evidence at Dot's trial for the murder of Nick. McLynn asked the writers of EastEnders not to include any "vocal offers" of tea in a scene, because she did not want it to remind viewers of her Father Ted character. She said "I had cause to give people tea in a time of crisis. I said to them, 'Can we just take out any vocal offer of tea? I'll put the tea in front of them'. I had to come in with the tray and teacups. People thought I was doing this as a nod to Father Ted, but I wasn't. It was in the script!"

Yvonne first appears when her former mother-in-law, Dot, and her friend Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) text her from her son, Charlie's, mobile phone and they agree to meet at the local launderette. They meet and Yvonne and Dot immediately clash, but later get on. She confirms that Charlie is her and Dot's son Nick's, son, after Dot believed that Charlie was lying to her about his identity. When Charlie and Yvonne leave, it is clear that something is suspicious, as Charlie asks whether Dot had believed what Yvonne has said. They also imply that Yvonne has been hurt by a member of Dot's family. Over the next few months, Charlie continues to see Dot and she gets used to having him around. It is revealed that Nick is alive, though Charlie and Yvonne have staged his death. Yvonne asks Charlie to stop seeing Dot, as she thinks that Nick has tracked them down. He agrees to go to Ireland with her, but later decides to move in with Dot, implying that Yvonne has left alone. Several months later, Yvonne returns again and is not very pleased when she finds out that Charlie is engaged to Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) and that she is pregnant with his child. When Nick returns to Walford and demands money, so that he can leave the country, Yvonne applies for a temporary cleaning job and moves in with Dot and Charlie, to help raise the cash. Dot decides to forgive Charlie for what he has done to her, but reveals to Nick that if he does not leave the country by New Year's Day, then she will hand him into the police. Yvonne and Nick warm to each other again, partly through their hatred of Ronnie. They begin sleeping together in secret, which Dot discovers, but she does not tell Charlie, as she does not want her family to fall apart, once again. When Ronnie suggests that Nick should be locked in his room, so that people do not discover that he is still alive, Yvonne and Dot refuse to go along with it, but Charlie persuades them to go ahead with Ronnie's plan.

Ineta Shirovs

Ineta Shirovs, played by Gledisa Osmani, is the daughter of Aleks Shirovs (Kristian Kiehling). She is first seen speaking to Aleks via a webcam over the internet asking him if he was going to return home to Latvia.

Ineta comes to Walford with her mother, Marta Shirovs (Noeleen Comiskey), to visit her father. Aleks sees them arriving and quickly leaves for a holiday with his girlfriend, Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) and her daughter Amy Mitchell (Abbie Knowles). Ineta and Marta visit Aleks' assistant Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel) who is shocked to realise who they are; Ineta tells Tamwar that she and her mother are looking for Aleks. Ineta and Marta come back when Aleks returns from his holiday, and she reveals that she has been teaching her mother English and showing her the sights of London. Aleks gets Tamwar to take Ineta to the café to keep her occupied. Ineta later asks Aleks if she and Marta can come and live with him but he says that his accommodation is too small, and arranges for them to stay at a B&B away from the square.

Ineta returns with her mother and calls at Roxy's house where Aleks is living and discover Aleks and Roxy's relationship. Marta leaves Ineta with Aleks, telling her that there were better schools in London and could have a better life in England and leaves, returning to Latvia. Roxy throws Aleks out and he and Ineta move into a bedsit and spend Christmas together. Aleks later intends to move away from Walford with Ineta and when Roxy realises that she does not want him to go, she gives him a prospectus for Walford High School, in order for him to enroll Ineta. The couple reconcile and Ineta and Aleks then move in with Roxy and Amy, who is not pleased with Ineta's presence.

Ineta later abducts Roxy's infant nephew Matthew Mitchell-Cotton, who Aleks had been babysitting, and takes him to the hospital where his mother, Roxy's sister Ronnie (Samantha Womack), is in a coma and her husband, Matthew's father Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) is keeping a bedside vigil. Ineta later tells Aleks that she wanted to return Matthew to his parents so she could have her father back. Aleks realises that he has been neglecting Ineta and she tells him that she is being bullied at school. Ineta later refuses to go to school and Roxy discovers bruises on her arms and Ineta tells her that the bullying was getting worse and that she had hit the girl who was bullying her and Roxy comforts her. When the girl's mother confronts Ineta, Roxy defends her and punches the woman, bringing her and Ineta closer as a result. Ineta is happy when her mother attends her birthday party. Two days later, after Aleks has been discovered to be stealing from the Market Traders, he makes plans to flee and Ineta calls Marta and tells her what is happening. Aleks reunites with Marta and Ineta leaves with her parents back to Latvia.

Gianluca Cavallo

Gianluca Cavallo, played by Gabriele Lombardo, appears in three episodes between 27 June and 10 July 2014. Johnny Carter (Sam Strike) meets Gianluca outside a gay pub in Soho where they start chatting and agree to attend Pride London together the next day. They stay in contact via text message. Johnny later invites Gianluca to his mother Linda Carter's (Kellie Bright) birthday party at The Queen Victoria public house. Gianluca reveals that he is returning home to Italy the following morning and suggests making their last night together an enjoyable one. At the pub, Johnny introduces Gianluca to his family. Johnny then loses his virginity to Gianluca. As Gianluca is leaving, Linda tells him he is welcome back anytime. Johnny walks Gianluca to the tube station and kisses him goodbye. He briefly considers going with Gianluca to Italy but Gianluca tells him to stay as his life is in London, and Johnny bids him farewell. However, in December, Johnny contacts Gianluca and asks to stay with him for a while. Johnny later reveals to his family that he is going to go travelling with Gianluca and he leaves on a motorbike soon after. When Johnny (now played by Ted Reilly) returns two years later, it is revealed that he has broken up with Gianluca.

Images of Johnny and Gianluca's first scenes emerged in June 2014. They were filmed on location outside the Duke of Wellington pub in Soho, with a gay pride event being recreated and the pub being filled with extras. All About Soap thought Gianluca looked "perfect" for Johnny, but said "his dress sense leaves a bit to be desired." The Daily Star welcomed the kiss between Johnny and Gianluca, as an earlier kiss between Johnny and Danny Pennant (Gary Lucy) had received complaints. An EastEnders insider said: "After Johnny meets Gianluca they have a full-on fling [...] and Johnny really falls for him. [...] He's so loved up that it doesn't take his family long to work out what's going on and he has no choice but to bring Gianluca home to meet them all. Johnny is on cloud nine and hasn't been this happy in months." The storyline received homophobic comments from a small minority of viewers before it had been broadcast.

Chris Skinner

The Reverend Chris Skinner, played by Mark Letheren, made his first screen appearance on 29 July 2014. Chris is a hospital chaplain who talks to Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) when she is in hospital for a double mastectomy. Carol admits she is scared, so Chris shows her an operation scar and explains he spent 10 weeks in hospital once following a motorbike accident, and he encourages her to pray. He visits Carol after her operation and she thanks him for his support. Carol sees him again whilst waiting at the hospital for her final appointment and he offers to listen to her if she wants to talk to someone. After Carol receives her results which are positive, she returns to the hospital and finds Chris just as he is leaving and thanks him again for supporting her. She gets upset and Chris comforts her and does his best to reassure her. He then gives her a bible to consult if she has any worries in the future.

Kate White from Inside Soap praised the character, saying "There's no doubt Carol had a rotten week – but at least she got a shoulder to cry on from a properly sexy vicar. Who says the Lord wasn't listening? We hope to see more of him!" White later branded Chris "the Hipster Hospital Vicar".

Bert and Ernie Moon

Bert Moon and Ernie Moon, are the twin sons of Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace). They were played by Freddie and Stanley Beale from 2014 to 2016. On 25 November 2018, it was announced Bert and Ernie, and their half-brother, Tommy Moon, would be returning. Bert is played by Elliot Briffett, and Ernie by Cody Briffett.

They are born on 8 August 2014, though the first baby to be born is not breathing and has to be resuscitated. During the pregnancy the babies are nicknamed "Bert and Ernie" after The Muppets, and although Kat insists the names are temporary Alfie eventually wins her round and they decide to register them as Albert and Ernest when they are unable to come up with alternative names. When the twins are one month old their home is burned down by Alfie as part of an insurance scam; this results in Kat being badly burned and spending a month apart from the twins to recuperate in hospital. Their parents later separate when the twins are four months old after Kat finds out Alfie was responsible for the fire and as a result they move in with Kat's cousin Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), her daughter Lily (Aine Garvey), and their great-grandmother Mo Harris (Laila Morse). Their parents reunite and after they win the lottery Kat and Alfie relocate to Spain with the twins and their older half-brother Tommy Moon (Ralfie White/Shay Crotty/Sonny Kendall). They return briefly with the family in December 2015 and January 2016. In 2018, Kat returns from Spain and though she misses the children, she ignores Alfie's calls. It is revealed that Ernie was scalded by hot water while Kat was having an affair, and Alfie blamed Kat and sent her back to England, but did not know about the affair at the time.

It was reported on 22 July 2014 that the babies would be named Bert and Ernie, after the Muppets characters. Sarah Deen from the Metro said of the twins' arrival: "The lovely scene with Kat and Alfie cuddling their healthy newborn sons is probably the most positive thing EastEnders viewers have seen in months. The mass outpouring of love on Twitter for two fictional characters was quite something."

Bert and Ernie do not appear in the spin-off series Kat & Alfie: Redwater, in which Kat and Alfie travel to Ireland, because Dominic Treadwell-Collins knew that having two small children in the series would have "limited Kat and Alfie and they wouldn't have been able to do as much", though revealed that they were originally due to appear, but "suddenly you ended up having storylines about who is looking after the twins and on a show like this we needed to tell other stories" and confirmed that Kat and Alfie have only left them for a few weeks and check on them during the series.

Beth Williams

Beth Williams is the daughter of Cindy Williams (Mimi Keene) and TJ Spraggan (George Sargeant). Her first appearance is in the episode broadcast on 28 August 2014 and her last is on 5 June 2015.

Beth is born in late August 2014 and is delivered by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) in the Beale household, and for the first few months of her life, Cindy bonds with her well, but struggles with motherhood after a few months. Cindy admits to Liam Butcher (James Forde) that she does not miss Beth while she is away with Ian and his wife Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), who Cindy lives with. When Cindy looks after Beth, she cannot cope with her crying and leaves her in the park. Cindy later returns but Beth is gone but is later found with Liam as he found her and took her home. Feeling that Cindy needs a change, Jane drops Cindy and Beth off at Masood Ahmed's (Nitin Ganatra) house and admits to the Masood family that she abandoned Beth. Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) tells Cindy that she has to think of what is best for her too and when Jane collects Cindy and Beth, Cindy says she wants Beth adopted. Ian and Jane plan to adopt Beth and Cindy initially agrees, but struggles to cope with the idea of her daughter becoming her sister and also worries that she will still be asked to look after Beth, so changes her mind. She tells Ian and Jane to drop their case to adopt Beth or she will tell everyone that their son Bobby Beale (Eliot Carrington) killed their half-sister Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater). Jane arranges for Beth to live with TJ so he can become a father and Beth is collected by TJ's father, Terry Spraggan (Terry Alderton) to live in Milton Keynes. Cindy's behaviour results in an enraged Ian throwing her out onto the streets.

Tom Pepper

Tom Pepper, played by Tristam Summers, is a paramedic who has appeared in 11 episodes since 3 October 2014. The character is initially unnamed until 30 October 2015. Inside Soap speculated that Tom could become a full-time character as he had been given a name, a friend in Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and less clothes to wear, referring to his scenes dressed as a gladiator.

In Tom's first appearance, he treats Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) after he is shot by Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). On New Year's Day 2015, he tends to a pregnant Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) after she is injured in a car crash and she begs him to save her baby first over her. In April, he treats Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) after she overdoses on painkillers in a suicide attempt. In October, along with his colleague, Holly, he takes Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) to hospital after she suffers an electric shock at her flat. In January 2016, Tom treats Charlie Slater (Derek Martin) when he suffers a heart attack, but he is unable to save Charlie and he dies. In March, Tom is called to The Queen Victoria pub when Ollie Carter stops breathing and suffers a seizure. In April, Tom takes part in the Walford half marathon dressed as a gladiator, running with nurse Sonia and her girlfriend Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White). Tom helps give Tina first aid after she injures her ankle. Before Tom attends the Pride of Walford Awards, he gives Johnny Carter (Ted Reilly) his mobile number. He then attends the awards where he, Sonia and their colleagues win an award after raising money for charity from the half marathon. He later treats Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) after she is assaulted by her adoptive son Bobby Beale (Eliot Carrington), who has beaten her with a hockey stick. Tom reveals to Jane's husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that she has suffered spinal injuries which are making breathing difficult and calls for spinal specialist surgeons to be ready at the hospital for their arrival. Tom then treats Babe Smith (Annette Badland) after she is locked in the freezer at The Queen Vic overnight, and rushes her to hospital. In January 2017, Tom treats Whitney Carter (Shona McGarty) after she is trapped under a bus that crashes into the market and the viaduct.

Elaine Peacock

Elaine Peacock is the mother of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and played by Maria Friedman until 2017. She comes to The Queen Victoria pub following her daughter's rape by Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo). She is described as being larger than life, glamorous, and loves to be the centre of attention, and has a 'fraught' relationship with her daughter due to their similar personalities. Friedman initially signed up for a guest stint, with Elaine appearing from October to December 2014. The character returned for another guest stint from February to March 2015 and returned for three months from September 2015 to January 2016. She returned for a single episode in March 2016. The character made an unannounced one–off return on 30 June 2017. On 28 March 2023, it was announced that Elaine would be returning as the new landlady of the Queen Vic with the role recast to Harriet Thorpe. Elaine returned on 10 May 2023.

Kush Kazemi

Khouroush "Kush" Kazemi, played by Davood Ghadami, made his first appearance on 20 October 2014. He is a friend of Martin Fowler (James Bye). The character and casting were announced on 19 August 2014, when it was said the character was a "good guy" who is "funny and full of energy". He is said to have a "brash exterior" underneath which hides "a tragic past that he is keen to escape from". Ghadami said of his casting, "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders as I've been a fan of the show for as long as I can remember." The name Kush is short for Khoroush. It was confirmed on 26 September 2020 that Ghadami would be leaving the show in the new year with his final scenes airing in April 2021. Kush was killed off on 19 April 2021 after being pushed in front of an oncoming train by Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith).

Buster Briggs

Andrew "Buster" Briggs, played by Karl Howman, is the father of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), the sons of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). He made his first appearance on 18 November 2014, credited only as "Biker". He departed on 23 September 2016.

In his second episode, Buster is revealed as a convict serving time in a prison. On a day release, he stays overnight in Shirley's caravan, but is unknowingly kidnapped when Mick and Dean tow the caravan away, believing Shirley to be inside. In Walford, after talking with Buster about his longtime association with the Carters, Dean works it out that Buster is his father. They bond and plan with Shirley to escape together. Mick alerts the authorities and Buster is arrested for not reporting back after his day release and is given a month's extra prison sentence. Buster then realises that Mick is his son as well. Buster later returns to Walford on with Dean and explains that Dean visited him in prison and that after he got released, he booked a one-way ticket to Greece for him, Shirley and Dean to start a new life together. Later, when Dean decides to visit his grandfather, Stan Carter (Timothy West), at the hospital, Buster takes him there, while Shirley packs at home. When the police arrive at the hospital and arrest Dean for breaking bail conditions following his arrest for raping Mick's fiancée Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Buster thinks that Mick called them, and confronts him and Linda the next day. When they explain that they did not call the police, Buster works out that it was, in fact, Shirley who called the police, and confronts her at home. Furious, he goes to the train station to leave for Greece alone, where Mick and Linda's children, Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) and Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard), follow him and explain that they need to be there for Stan. Later that night, Buster unexpectedly shows up at Shirley's flat, having had a change of heart and deciding to be there for Dean. He subsequently visits and supports Dean throughout his time in prison, informing him when Stan dies and helps keep Dean's salon, Blades, afloat with Shirley. After Dean is released without charge, Shirley's aunt Babe Smith (Annette Badland) organises a party for him in Blades, during which a man throws a brick through the window. Buster discovers that Babe paid the man, so he visits Babe at the Carters' pub, The Queen Victoria, and pours her trifle over her head. When Mick's son Ollie Carter is born, Buster begins to bond with Mick when he helps him build a cot. Buster discovers that he has another grandchild from Dean and Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar). Upon discovering that she has cystic fibrosis, Dean breaks down in Buster's arms. After Dean attacks his fiancée Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), Buster realises he is a rapist and disowns him. He later visits him in prison where he and Shirley warn him not to contact them and Buster says that he has friends in prison that could make Dean's life hell. When Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) decides to sell his restaurant to a supermarket chain, Buster leads a campaign to stop from him selling, during which he and Ian's mother, Kathy Sullivan (Gillian Taylforth), become attracted to each other. Buster later propositions Kathy for a secret relationship as he believes he is with the wrong woman and begins secretly meeting her without telling Shirley. When he sees Kathy's estranged husband Gavin Sullivan (Paul Nicholas) take Kathy in his car, he tells Gavin's daughter Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), and fearing for Kathy's safety, they go to Gavin's address. When they get there, a woman falls from the balcony onto the car and lies dead on the ground, and Buster thinks it is Kathy. However, it is Gavin's sister Margaret Midhurst (Jan Harvey), and Buster finds Kathy hiding in one of the rooms and helps her escape Gavin's house. Later, Kathy tells Buster she needs to end their relationship because she feels things between them are getting too serious. However, they passionately kiss and are seen by Kathy's former husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). They start to see each other secretly and eventually sleep together. However, when Kathy and Phil's son Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) is attacked in a homophobic attack, she ends the affair, leaving Buster heartbroken. Lee realises Buster is cheating on Shirley and tells Mick, who confronts Buster, but Buster does not reveal Kathy's identity. Mick urges Buster to confess to Shirley or he will have nothing to do with him any more. Realising that he no longer loves Shirley, Buster opts for the latter and decides to leave Walford with Kathy. However, she leaves Buster heartbroken again when she chooses to remain with her family, so Buster leaves alone.

Sylvie Carter

Sylvie Carter, portrayed by Linda Marlowe, is the ex-wife of Stan Carter (Timothy West) and the mother of Shirley (Linda Henry) and Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White). Sylvie was also thought to be the mother of her grandson, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), until May 2014. She initially appeared in 11 episodes, from 11 December 2014 to 22 January 2015, which later extended to 14 episodes, due to three further appearances on 10, 23 and 24 April 2015. Sylvie returned for a single episode on 1 January 2016 for Mick's wedding to Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), before reappearing as a regular from 14 June 2016 until the character's death on 30 March 2017.

Laura-Jayne Tyler of Inside Soap praised the 2017 scene where Sylvie told Tina about her childhood abuse, saying, "all praise to EastEnders for the beautifully written and acted scene where Sylvie recalled her brutal treatment at the hands of her mum. Bravo to all."

Sylvie is first mentioned in January 2014, when Stan and Shirley reminisce about she left them when they were children, over 30 years ago. In December 2014, Shirley and Mick visit their aunt, Sylvie's sister, Babe Smith (Annette Badland), and discover that she has been living with her, since her diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, five years previously. Although she is still hostile towards Shirley, she takes a shine to Mick and when he cannot get hold of Babe, he and Shirley take Sylvie back to their home in Walford. Babe is angry to discover this, especially when she goes missing and when Sylvie is found, Babe takes her home. On Christmas Eve, Mick, Shirley and Babe take Sylvie out for lunch, to which Mick gets her a present, but Sylvie remains hostile to Shirley. At the end of the meal, Sylvie tells Mick that she wants to spend Christmas with him and his family and Babe brings her to their public house, The Queen Victoria, the following day, upsetting Stan. When Stan learns the truth about Mick's parentage, as he is Shirley's biological son, he blames Babe, who then abandons Sylvie and she moves in with them. Later, Stan attempts to talk to Sylvie, but she ignores him and this causes him to snap at her. When Babe eventually decides to take Sylvie home, she informs Stan that he did make her happy, before leaving, returning briefly for a dance party at the local community centre, where she kisses Stan. Babe is angry that Sylvie has left home, without her permission and also reveals that she had a crush on Stan, before him and Sylvie became a couple. When Babe announces that she is struggling to take care of Sylvie and that she is going to put her into a care home, they arrange a leaving party for her and her and Stan reminisce, about how they used to love each other. When Shirley sits down and explains to Mick why she could not be a mother to him, revealing that it was Sylvie and Babe's fault, as they tried to cause her to miscarry, by pushing her down the stairs, and would not even let her hold him, when she had just given birth to him, he disowns them.