EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Charlie Brooks will be returning to the soap to reprise her role as Janine Butcher.
The actress, who departed the soap in 2014, is set for a rollercoaster comeback, with bosses hinting she’ll take centre stage in the soap’s ‘biggest storyline of the year.’
Announcing the news, the bosses assured fans of the show that ‘drama and scandal’ are never far behind Janine, and she’ll make a stormy return to the soap in the coming months.
She’s coming home! EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Charlie Brooks, 40, will be returning to the soap to reprise her role as Janine Butcher
Speaking about returning to the role, actress Charlie, 40, said: ‘I am beyond excited to be slipping back into Janine’s shoes and returning to The Square.
‘The time feels right and I can’t wait to find out what she’s been up to for the last seven years! She is and always has been SO much fun to play.
‘Feels a bit like coming home. It’s good to be back.’
Return: The actress, who left the soap in 2014, is set for a rollercoaster comeback, with bosses hinting she’ll take centre stage in the soap’s ‘biggest storyline of the year’ (pictured in 2008)
Jon Sen, executive producer for EastEnders, added: ‘Janine is one of EastEnders most iconic characters who is loved, and often despised, in equal measure by viewers and all those in Walford.
‘Charlie’s portrayal of Janine over the years has created some of EastEnders most memorable moments and we are all really excited to see Charlie bring her incredible portrayal of Janine back again.’
Appearing to provide a hint for fans about future story lines, he continued: ‘We have lots of drama in store for Janine, in fact it may be wise for some of the residents of Walford to invest in some slip on shoes…’
Viewers were quick to comment about their excitement for her return, with one writing: ‘SHE IS COMING TO SAVE 2021.’
Comeback: Announcing the news, the bosses assured fans of the show that ‘drama and scandal’ are never far behind Janine (pictured on EastEnders in 2013)
Another said: ‘Omg we NEED Janine. The best character ever!.
One remarked: ‘yesss!!!! we’ve been waiting for this announcement. i’m so excited for her to come back.’
Rumours of Charlie’s return to the show have been circulating in recent weeks and it appeared they were confirmed when she was spotted on the set at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire earlier this week.
The actress was taken to set in a blacked out people carrier as show bosses aimed to keep her return top secret.
‘Feels like coming home’: Actress Charlie said: ‘I am beyond excited to be slipping back into Janine’s shoes and returning to The Square (pictured with Ricky Butcher in 2003)
It was previously reported that Charlie would resurrect her role as the murderous Janine on EastEnders, seven years after she departed Albert Square.
It was claimed that Charlie would make an explosive return to Albert Square, leaving fans swarming social media to state she would ‘save the soap’.
The murderous character is said to be part of a ‘huge’ storyline planned by BBC bosses, according to The Sun.
Charlie explained why she is excited to reclaim the role of Janine on the podcast.
She added: ‘She’s good fun, I love Janine. I always wonder what she’s been up to. I think it’s really important to sympathise with your characters and for me, she became so layered.
Jon Sen, executive producer for EastEnders, said: ‘we are all really excited to see Charlie bring her incredible portrayal of Janine back again
‘I honestly believe she’s completely misunderstood in so many ways, although she does get more and more difficult to defend. But that is where all the juicy stuff is.’
Plot details of her return are not yet known, but Janine has been involved in her fair share of drama during her time on the soap, which first began in 1999.
Most notably, Janine married Barry Evans – played by Shaun Williamson – for his money before pushing him off a cliff.
She went on to marry a rich elderly Jewish businessman called David, who died of a heart attack at the ceremony, before tying the knot with Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), whom she also tried to kill.
Shocking: Most notably, Janine married Barry Evans – played by Shaun Williamson – for his money before pushing him off a cliff
Although she was unsuccessful in her murder plot against Ryan, she framed arch-rival Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) for the attempted crime.
Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and had her daughter Scarlett with him, before she eventually set out to kill him too.
The evil killer was successful in ending Michael’s life, but was found not guilty in court – leading to her being shunned by locals which made her eventually leave Walford.
She was last seen at St Pancras as she boarded a train to go to Paris – where she joined daughter Scarlett and sister Diane.
Janine’s Biggest Storylines
Janine pushes husband Barry off a cliff
Murder: Janine’s most iconic storyline happened on New Year’s Day in 2004
Janine’s most iconic storyline happened on New Year’s Day in 2004, when she pushed husband Barry Evans off a cliff, after marrying him for his money.
The villain had accepted Barry’s proposal because she thought he had a life-threatening heart murmur, which then turned out to be a false alarm.
Venting her frustration on a walk, Janine told Barry she never loved him. Barry refused to believe his wife and tried to embrace her.
Repulsed, Janine pushed him away down a cliff, which caused him to fatally hit his head on a rock. She watched him die as he begged her for help.
Laura Beale’s death
Laura Beale’s death: Sworn enemy Laura fell down the stairs and died after a fight
Janine continued to cause chaos when she reported her sworn enemy Laura for benefit fraud and announced it in the Queen Vic.
The pair were seen fighting just before Laura died after falling down the stairs.
In the post mortem Laura had been in a fight due to bruising, and Janine’s skin was found underneath her nails.
Although Janine was with Pat when Laura died, Pat sought her revenge on Barry’s death by refusing to give Janine an alibi, and branded her ‘pure evil’.
Wedding to Jewish businessman David
Villain: Janine tied the knot with Ryan Malloy, whom she also tried to kill
After returning to Albert Square in 2008, Janine went on to marry a rich elderly Jewish businessman called David, who died of a heart attack at the ceremony.
She then tied the knot with Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), whom she also tried to kill.
Although she was unsuccessful in her murder plot against Ryan, she framed arch-rival Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) for the attempted crime.
Archie engagement
Shock: Archie and Janine announce their engagement, before he is murdered
Archese and Janine announced their engagement in 2009. On Christmas Day, Archie (Larry Lamb), who has realised Janine was intending to con him – threw her onto the street, leaving her distraught.
That same day, Archie was murdered by an unknown assailant.
Janine became a suspect for his murder, though she denied it, was cleared and fellow resident Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) was held falsely responsible for the murder.
Fourth marriage to Michael Moon and his murder
Wedding: Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon
Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and had daughter Scarlett with him, before she eventually set out to kill him too.
The evil killer was successful in ending Michael’s life, but was found not guilty in court – leading to her being shunned by locals.
Janine then left for Paris to join Scarlett and Diane, and it is hinted that she plans to con a couple who have won the lottery.
