EastEnders casts Hollyoaks star for Lee Carter story as secrets are exposed

EastEnders’ Lee Carter is totally taken aback next week, when his ex-girlfriend Jess arrives in Walford – armed with shock accusations that lead Lee to lash out at the Carters!

After unsuccessfully searching for Jess for the last couple of weeks, the last thing that Linda and Lee expect to find when they return to Walford is her standing in the living room – but what does she want?

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"Lee and Nancy's return came as a huge shock for the Carters, and it's safe to say there's plenty more drama to come," teases Danny Hatchard, who plays Lee.

"When Lee and Linda return to Walford this week, they find Jess waiting for them, who has a few bombshells of her own to drop. Her arrival sparks another wave of drama for both the Carters and the wider Square."

Jess, played by Emma Lau, best known for playing Serena Chen-Willians in Hollyoaks, wastes no time in exposing Lee’s lies to his appalled family. When Linda finds evidence to support Jess’ version of events, Lee furiously lashes out.

Later, regretful Lee tries to reconcile with Nancy, but his sister staunchly refuses to give up parental rights over his baby. Linda, however, is determined to help her wayward son turn his life around…

"I adore Kellie [Bright, aka Linda]," says Danny. "Whenever we're in a scene together, I feel that maternal energy from her so strongly, and she brings out something in me as an actor that I wish I could access every day because she's just phenomenal.

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"She's been such an important part of my journey, not only in Lee's story, but also as a person. I'm so glad the Carter children have reunited for the wider farewell of such an iconic character; Linda and Kellie deserve that."

Max later offers Lee a lifeline when he gives the lad a job – but when Max searches for his new employee in the pub, he gets involved in a row with his estranged wife Cindy. After Lee arrives however, a revelation comes to light which rocks the patrons of The Vic!

"The storyline itself meant a lot to me, and it felt really important to get it right," confesses Danny. "Out of all the storylines I've been involved in, this was one I was particularly excited to take on and really get my teeth into…"

Will Lee get his life back on track for his unborn baby’s sake?

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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