Editing EastEnders (section)

== Characters ==
{{Further|List of EastEnders characters|List of former EastEnders characters}}
''EastEnders'' is built around the idea of relationships and strong families, with each character having a place in the community. This theme encompasses the whole square, making the entire community a family of sorts, prey to upsets and conflict, but pulling together in times of trouble. Co-creator [[Tony Holland]] was from a large East End family, and such families have typified ''EastEnders''.<ref name="Insidestory p49" /> The first central family was the combination of the [[Fowler family]], consisting of [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]), her husband [[Arthur Fowler|Arthur]] ([[Bill Treacher]]), and teenage children [[Mark Fowler|Mark]] ([[David Scarboro]]/[[Todd Carty]]) and [[Michelle Fowler|Michelle]] ([[Susan Tully]]). Pauline's family, the [[Beale family|Beales]], consisted of Pauline's twin brother [[Pete Beale]] ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]), his wife [[Kathy Beale|Kathy]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]) and their teenage son [[Ian Beale|Ian]] ([[Adam Woodyatt]]). Pauline and Pete's domineering mother [[Lou Beale]] ([[Anna Wing]]) lived with Pauline and her family. Holland drew on the names of his own family for the characters.<ref name="Insidestory p51-56">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|pp=51–56}}</ref>

The [[Watts family|Watts]] and [[Mitchell family|Mitchell]] families have been central to many notable ''EastEnders'' storylines, the show having been dominated by the Watts in the 1980s, with the 1990s focusing on the Mitchells and Butchers. The early 2000s saw a shift in attention towards the newly introduced female [[Slater family (EastEnders)|Slater clan]], before a renewal of emphasis upon the restored Watts family beginning in 2003. In 2006, ''EastEnders'' became largely dominated by the Mitchell, Masood and [[Branning family|Branning]] families, though the early 2010s also saw a renewed focus on the Moon and Slater family, and, from 2013 onwards, the Carters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corner |first1=Natalie L |title=Who are the EastEnders' Carter family? All you need to know about Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright in real life |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/carter-family-eastenders-danny-dyer-22581169 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[OK!]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=26 August 2020 |quote=The Carters on EastEnders are one of the central families that storylines are based around}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Fowler family|Fowlers]] were revived and merged with the Slaters, with [[Martin Fowler (EastEnders)|Martin Fowler]] ([[James Bye]]) marrying [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Lewis |title=EastEnders viewers beg for Martin and Stacey to reconcile as she returns to screens |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-viewers-beg-martin-stacey-25003606 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=16 September 2021}}</ref> The late 2010s saw the newly introduced Taylor family become central to the show's main storylines,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=EastEnders: 7 reasons the Taylor family went from hated to loved |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a27430780/eastenders-taylors-hated-to-loved/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=10 May 2019}}</ref> and in 2019, the first Sikh family, the Panesars, were introduced.<ref name="Panesar matriarch">{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Angie |title=EastEnders' Panesar family look unrecognisable in an epic behind-the-scenes snap |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/eastenders-panesar-family-look-unrecognisable-21253678 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=7 August 2021}}</ref> The early 2020s was dominated by the Mitchells, Brannings, Panesars, Slaters, as well as the newly introduced Knight family. Key people involved in the production of ''EastEnders'' have stressed how important the idea of strong families is to the programme.<ref name="Insidestory p49" />

''EastEnders'' has an emphasis on strong family [[matriarch]]s, with examples including [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]) and [[Peggy Mitchell]] ([[Barbara Windsor]]), helping to attract a female audience. [[John Yorke (producer)|John Yorke]], the former BBC's head of drama production, put this down to Tony Holland's "gay sensibility, which showed a love for strong women".<ref name="Lifeblood" /> The matriarchal role is one that has been seen in various reincarnations since the programme's inception, often depicted as the centre of the family unit.<ref name="20years p55">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=55}}</ref> The original matriarch was [[Lou Beale]] ([[Anna Wing]]), though later examples include [[Mo Harris]] ([[Laila Morse]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/eastenders/|title=EastEnders|last=Dougan|first=John|date=19 August 2002|website=PopMatters|access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/entertainment/eastenders-matriarch-for-xmas-exit-525722.html|title='EastEnders' matriarch for Xmas exit|date=25 October 2011|publisher=BreakingNews.ie|access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> [[Zainab Masood]] ([[Nina Wadia]]),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1239566/EastEnders-spoilers-Zainab-Masood-Nina-Wadia-return-anniversary-boat-death-BBC-video/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Beloved resident returns as former star drops huge hint?|work=[[Daily Express]]|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213021647/https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1239566/EastEnders-spoilers-Zainab-Masood-Nina-Wadia-return-anniversary-boat-death-BBC-video|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Cora Cross]] ([[Ann Mitchell]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/ww/spotlight/4108/exclusive-qa-bryan-kirkwood |title=Exclusive: Q&A with Bryan Kirkwood |date=20 June 2011 |publisher=Walford Web |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930053732/http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/ww/spotlight/4108/exclusive-qa-bryan-kirkwood |archive-date=30 September 2012 }}</ref> [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-iconic-character-kathy-beale-returns-looking-different/|title=EastEnders fans notice something different about Kathy Beale|first=Helen|last=Fear|date=8 February 2019|website=Entertainment Daily UK|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> [[Jean Slater]] ([[Gillian Wright]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1094046/EastEnders-spoilers-Jean-Slater-exit-homeless-cancer-plot-Gillian-Wright-Stacey-Fowler-BBC|title=EastEnders spoilers: 'Not the answer!' Jean Slater homeless in TRAGIC cancer plot twist?|first=Charlie|last=Milward|date=28 February 2019|website=Express.co.uk|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> and [[Suki Panesar]] ([[Balvinder Sopal]]).<ref name="Panesar matriarch" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-12-22/eastenders-casts-balvinder-sopal-as-suki-panesar/|title=EastEnders casts Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar|work=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=13 February 2020}}</ref> These characters are often seen as being loud and interfering but most importantly, responsible for the well-being of the family.<ref name="redpepper" />

The show often includes strong, brassy, long-suffering women who exhibit [[diva]]-like behaviour and stoically battle through an array of tragedy and misfortune.<ref name="redpepper">{{cite web|url=http://www.redpepper.org.uk/cularch/xeastend.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229113716/http://www.redpepper.org.uk/cularch/xeastend.html |archive-date=29 December 2006 |title=Square deal|publisher=Redpepper|access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> Such characters include [[Angie Watts]] ([[Anita Dobson]]), [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]), [[Sharon Watts]] ([[Letitia Dean]]), [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]), [[Peggy Mitchell]] ([[Barbara Windsor]]), [[Kat Slater]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]), [[Denise Fox]] ([[Diane Parish]]), [[Tanya Branning]] ([[Jo Joyner]]) and [[Linda Carter]] ([[Kellie Bright]]). Conversely there are female characters who handle tragedy less well, depicted as eternal victims and endless sufferers, who include [[Ronnie Mitchell]] ([[Samantha Womack]]), [[Little Mo Mitchell]] ([[Kacey Ainsworth]]), [[Laura Beale]] ([[Hannah Waterman]]), [[Sue Osman]] ([[Sandy Ratcliff]]), [[Lisa Fowler]] ([[Lucy Benjamin]]), [[Mel Owen]] ([[Tamzin Outhwaite]]) and [[Rainie Cross]] ([[Tanya Franks]]). The "[[tart with a heart]]" is another recurring character. Often, their [[promiscuity]] masks a hidden [[vulnerability]] and a desire to be loved. Such characters have included [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]), [[Tiffany Mitchell (EastEnders)|Tiffany Mitchell]] ([[Martine McCutcheon]]), [[Kat Slater]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]), [[Dawn Swann]] ([[Kara Tointon]]) and [[Priya Nandra-Hart]] ([[Sophie Khan Levy]]).<ref name="Dowling">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4695877.stm|title=Will Kat's exit harm EastEnders?|last=Dowling|first=Stephen|date=19 July 2005|publisher=BBC|access-date=31 January 2011}}</ref>

A gender balance in the show is maintained via the inclusion of various "macho" male personalities such as [[Phil Mitchell]] ([[Steve McFadden]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Laura |title=EastEnders: Phil Mitchell's 14 most explosive feuds – ranked! |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a854131/eastenders-phil-mitchell-most-explosive-feuds/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=6 April 2018}}</ref> [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] ([[Ross Kemp]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=Grant Mitchell's 9 greatest EastEnders moments, from Sharongate to kung-fu fighting |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a794267/grant-mitchells-9-greatest-eastenders-moments-from-sharongate-to-kung-fu-fighting/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=16 May 2016}}</ref> [[Dan Sullivan (EastEnders)|Dan Sullivan]] ([[Craig Fairbrass]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Sally |title=How I muscled into the Square |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview%3A+How+I+muscled+into+the+Square%3B+Craig+Fairbrass+talks+about...-a072206367 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref> and [[George Knight (EastEnders)|George Knight]] ([[Colin Salmon]]), "bad boys" such as [[Den Watts]] ([[Leslie Grantham]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=Mark |title=Dirty Den: how the EastEnders bad boy became the biggest soap star of them all |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/15/dirty-den-leslie-grantham-eastenders-biggest-soap-star-of-them-all |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=15 June 2018}}</ref> [[Sean Slater]] ([[Robert Kazinsky]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Kris |title='Enders bad boy hits new heights |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a95782/in-pictures-enders-bad-boy-hits-new-heights/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=12 May 2008}}</ref> [[Michael Moon (EastEnders)|Michael Moon]] ([[Steve John Shepherd]]),<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders' Steve John Shepherd: Michael Moon is a psychopath |url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/03/28/eastenders-steve-john-shepherd-michael-moon-is-a-psychopath-367863/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |publisher=([[DMG Media]]) |date=28 March 2012}}</ref> [[Derek Branning]] ([[Jamie Foreman]]),<ref name="Derek">{{cite news |last1=Shelley |first1=Jim |title=EastEnders new bad boy Derek – the long-lost villainous brother |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/eastenders-new-bad-boy-derek-95262 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=15 March 2012}}</ref> [[Vincent Hubbard]] ([[Richard Blackwood]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agius |first1=Nicola |title=EastEnders bad boy Richard Blackwood reveals surprising secret of Dot Cotton actress June Brown |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-bad-boy-richard-blackwood-8061855 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=27 May 2016}}</ref> and [[Ravi Gulati (EastEnders)|Ravi Gulati]] ([[Aaron Thiara]]) and "heartthrobs" such as [[Simon Wicks]] ([[Nick Berry]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brinsford |first1=James |title=EastEnders legend looks unrecognisable after quitting BBC soap 31 years ago |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/eastenders-legend-looks-unrecognisable-after-25529614 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=23 November 2021}}</ref> [[Joe Wicks (EastEnders)|Joe Wicks]] ([[Paul Nicholls (actor)|Paul Nicholls]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Grace |title=Ex EastEnders heartthrob Paul Nicholls joins exciting new BBC drama |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/news/ex-eastenders-heartthrob-paul-nicholls-joins-exciting-new-bbc-drama |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[What to Watch]] |publisher=([[Future plc]]) |date=13 June 2022}}</ref> [[Jamie Mitchell]] ([[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tutton |first1=Charlotte |title=EastEnders' Jamie Mitchell actor Jack Ryder says fame at 17 was "tough to cope with" |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-jamie-mitchell-actor-jack-24478434 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=7 July 2021}}</ref> [[Dennis Rickman]] ([[Nigel Harman]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hollingsworth |first1=David |title=EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman reveals the behind the scenes drama over whether Dennis could punch Phil Mitchell! |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/news/eastenders-nigel-harman-meetings-over-wheter-dennis-punch-phil-mitchell-642130 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[What to Watch]] |publisher=([[Future plc]]) |date=12 November 2020}}</ref> [[Joey Branning]] ([[David Witts]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Angie |title=ITV Manhunt: Ex-EastEnders heartthrob who played Joey Branning is starring alongside Martin Clunes in The Night Stalker |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/itv-manhunt-ex-eastenders-heartthrob-21632947 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=21 September 2021}}</ref> [[Kush Kazemi]] ([[Davood Ghadami]])<ref>{{cite news |title=Davood Ghadami joins "EastEnders" as new heartthrob |url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/davood-ghadami-joins-eastenders-as-new-heartthrob/3515/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]] |date=18 August 2014 |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721110701/https://attitude.co.uk/article/davood-ghadami-joins-eastenders-as-new-heartthrob/3515/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Zack Hudson]] ([[James Farrar (actor)|James Farrar]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Highfield |first1=Anna |title= BBC EastEnders fans beg for new 'handsome heartbreaker' Zack Hudson to 'get a decent storyline' |url= https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/bbc-eastenders-fans-beg-new-23620913 |date=7 April 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=[[Reach plc]] |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref> Another recurring male character type is the smartly dressed businessman, often involved in gang culture and crime and seen as a local authority figure. Examples include [[Steve Owen (EastEnders)|Steve Owen]] ([[Martin Kemp]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Owen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/TSgFnHjLvh2htgxNBwl2h4/steve-owen |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> [[Jack Dalton (EastEnders)|Jack Dalton]] ([[Hywel Bennett]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Ayaan |title=BBC EastEnders' fans switch off from gangster storyline after villain Jonah Tyler returns to Albert square |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-switch-gangster-24510598 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=16 July 2022}}</ref> [[Andy Hunter (EastEnders)|Andy Hunter]] ([[Michael Higgs]]),<ref name="Gangsters" /> [[Johnny Allen (EastEnders)|Johnny Allen]] ([[Billy Murray (actor)|Billy Murray]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Johnny Allen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3vyTDN3gpGrP33rtvBrj3g0/johnny-allen |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=21 July 2022 |quote=Hardman Johnny Allen was your typical East End gangster – proper.}}</ref> [[Derek Branning]] ([[Jamie Foreman]]),<ref name="Derek" /> and [[Nish Panesar]] ([[Navin Chowdhry]]). Following criticism aimed at the show's over-emphasis on "[[gangster]]s" in 2005, such characters have been significantly reduced.<ref name="Gangsters">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/mar/19/anewbeginningforeastenders|title=A new beginning for EastEnders|first=Kate|last=Bevan|work=The Guardian |date=19 March 2007|access-date=5 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Another recurring male character seen in ''EastEnders'' is the "loser" or "soft touch", males often comically under the thumb of their female counterparts, which have included [[Arthur Fowler]] ([[Bill Treacher]]),<ref name="redpepper" /> [[Ricky Butcher]] ([[Sid Owen]]),<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/800533.stm|title=What Ricky done next|work=[[BBC News]] |date = 23 May 2000|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> [[Garry Hobbs]] ([[Ricky Groves]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Garry Hobbs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/dn01BWcLbkcKnJm391l7xp/garry-hobbs |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> [[Lofty Holloway]] ([[Tom Watt (actor)|Tom Watt]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Johnathan |title=Who was Lofty Holloway? Everything you need to know about EastEnders returnee |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/who-was-lofty-holloway-everything-you-need-to-know-about-eastenders-returnee/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=20 February 2019}}</ref> [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]] ([[Perry Fenwick]])<ref name="20years p63-65">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|pp=63–65}}</ref> and [[Howie Danes]] ([[Delroy Atkinson]]).

Other recurring character types that have appeared throughout the serial are "cheeky-chappies" [[Pete Beale]] ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]), [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]), [[Garry Hobbs]] ([[Ricky Groves]]) and [[Kush Kazemi]] ([[Davood Ghadami]]), "lost girls" such as [[Mary Smith (EastEnders)|Mary Smith]] ([[Linda Davidson]]), [[Donna Ludlow]] ([[Matilda Ziegler]]), [[Mandy Salter]] ([[Nicola Stapleton]]), [[Janine Butcher]] ([[Charlie Brooks]]), [[Zoe Slater]] ([[Michelle Ryan]]), [[Whitney Dean]] ([[Shona McGarty]]), and [[Hayley Slater]] ([[Katie Jarvis]]), [[juvenile delinquency|delinquents]] such as [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]), [[Jay Brown]] ([[Jamie Borthwick]]), [[Lola Pearce]] ([[Danielle Harold]]), [[Bobby Beale (EastEnders)|Bobby Beale]] (Eliot Carrington/[[Clay Milner Russell]]) and [[Keegan Baker]] ([[Zack Morris (actor)|Zack Morris]]), "villains" such as [[Nick Cotton]] ([[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]), [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor Morgan]] ([[Alex Ferns]]), [[May Wright]] ([[Amanda Drew]]), [[Yusef Khan]] ([[Ace Bhatti]]), [[Archie Mitchell]] ([[Larry Lamb]]), [[Dean Wicks]] ([[Matt Di Angelo]]), [[Stuart Highway (EastEnders)|Stuart Highway]] ([[Ricky Champ]]) and [[Gray Atkins]] ([[Toby-Alexander Smith]]), "bitches" such as [[Cindy Beale]] ([[Michelle Collins]]), [[Janine Butcher]] ([[Charlie Brooks]]), [[Chrissie Watts]] ([[Tracy-Ann Oberman]]), [[Lucy Beale]] ([[Melissa Suffield]]/[[Hetti Bywater]]), [[Abi Branning]] ([[Lorna Fitzgerald]]), [[Babe Smith]] ([[Annette Badland]]), [[Suki Panesar]] ([[Balvinder Sopal]]) and [[Nicola Mitchell]] ([[Laura Doddington]]), "brawlers" or "fighters" such as [[Mary Smith (EastEnders)|Mary Smith]] ([[Linda Davidson]]), [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]), [[Kat Slater]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]), [[Shirley Carter]] ([[Linda Henry]]),  [[Chelsea Fox]] ([[Zaraah Abrahams|Zaarah Abrahams]]) and [[Priya Nandra-Hart]] ([[Sophie Khan Levy]]), and cockney "[[wide boy]]s" or "[[Opportunism|wheeler dealers]]"<ref name="20years" /> such as [[Frank Butcher]] ([[Mike Reid (actor)|Mike Reid]]), [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]), [[Kevin Wicks]] ([[Phil Daniels]]), [[Darren Miller]] ([[Charlie G. Hawkins]]), [[Fatboy (EastEnders)|Fatboy]] ([[Ricky Norwood]]), [[Jay Brown]] ([[Jamie Borthwick]]), [[Kheerat Panesar]] ([[Jaz Deol]]) and [[Tom "Rocky" Cotton]] ([[Brian Conley]]).

Over the years, ''EastEnders'' has typically featured a number of elderly residents, who are used to show vulnerability, [[nostalgia]], stalwart-like attributes and are sometimes used for comedic purposes. The original elderly residents included [[Lou Beale]] ([[Anna Wing]]), [[Ethel Skinner]] ([[Gretchen Franklin]]) and [[Dot Cotton]] ([[June Brown]]). Over the years they have been joined by the likes of [[Mo Butcher]] ([[Edna Doré]]), [[Jules Tavernier (EastEnders)|Jules Tavernier]] ([[Tommy Eytle]]), [[Marge Green]] ([[Pat Coombs]]), [[Nellie Ellis]] ([[Elizabeth Kelly]]), [[Jim Branning]] ([[John Bardon]]), [[Charlie Slater]] ([[Derek Martin]]), [[Mo Harris]] ([[Laila Morse]]), [[Patrick Trueman]] ([[Rudolph Walker]]), [[Cora Cross]] ([[Ann Mitchell]]), [[Les Coker]] ([[Roger Sloman]]), [[Rose Cotton (EastEnders)|Rose Cotton]] ([[Polly Perkins]]), [[Pam Coker]] ([[Lin Blakley]]), [[Stan Carter]] ([[Timothy West]]), [[Babe Smith]] ([[Annette Badland]]), [[Claudette Hubbard]] ([[Ellen Thomas (actress)|Ellen Thomas]]), [[Sylvie Carter]] ([[Linda Marlowe]]), [[Ted Murray]] ([[Christopher Timothy]]), [[Joyce Murray]] ([[Maggie Steed]]), [[Arshad Ahmed]] ([[Madhav Sharma]]), [[Mariam Ahmed]] ([[Indira Joshi (actor)|Indira Joshi]]) and [[Vi Highway]] ([[Gwen Taylor]]). The programme has more recently included a higher number of teenagers and successful young adults in a bid to capture the younger television audience.<ref name="young">{{cite web|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hlr9501.html |title=Why are soap operas so popular? |first=Helena |last=Robson |publisher=aber.co.uk |date=15 November 1996 |access-date=5 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316142905/http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hlr9501.html |archive-date=16 March 2010 }}</ref><ref name="young2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060708/ai_n16529613|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016200917/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060708/ai_n16529613|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2007|title=Young viewers switch from BBC to the internet|work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Print Media|access-date=18 March 2007}}</ref> This has spurred criticism, most notably from the actress [[Anna Wing]], who portrayed [[Lou Beale]] in the show. She commented, "I don't want to be disloyal, but I think you need a few mature people in a soap because they give it backbone and body... if all the main people are young it gets a bit thin and inexperienced. It gets too lightweight."<ref name="talk">{{cite web|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-122800423|title=I stopped watching Albert Square.. Now I like Emmerdale|first=Rick|last=Fulton|website=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=5 October 2004|access-date=5 July 2010|location=Glasgow}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been known to feature a "comedy double-act", originally demonstrated with the characters of Dot and Ethel, whose friendship was one of the serial's most enduring.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/4678803.stm |title=Remembering EastEnders' Ethel|work=BBC News |date=13 July 2005|access-date=5 July 2010}}</ref> Other examples include [[Paul Priestly]] ([[Mark Thrippleton]]) and [[Trevor Short]] ([[Phil McDermott]]).<ref name="First10Years p76">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=76}}</ref> In 1989 especially, characters were brought in who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted.<ref name="First10Years p70">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=70}}</ref> Such characters included [[Julie Cooper (EastEnders)|Julie Cooper]] ([[Louise Plowright]])—a brassy maneater; [[Marge Green]]—a batty older lady played by veteran comedy actress [[Pat Coombs]]; [[Trevor Short]] ([[Phil McDermott]])—the "village idiot"; his friend, northern heartbreaker [[Paul Priestly]] ([[Mark Thrippleton]]); wheeler-dealer [[Vince Johnson]] (Hepburn Graham); and [[Laurie Bates]] ([[Gary Powell (actor)|Gary Powell]]), who became [[Pete Beale]]'s ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]) sparring partner.<ref name="First10Years p90" /> The majority of ''EastEnders''{{'}} characters are working-class.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-coronation-street-fills-me-with-pride-472590.html |title=Johann Hari: Why "Coronation Street" fills me with pride |work=The Independent |first=Johann |last=Hari |date=3 April 2006 |access-date=5 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026104404/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-coronation-street-fills-me-with-pride-472590.html |archive-date=26 October 2012 }}</ref> Middle-class characters do occasionally become regulars, but have been less successful and rarely become long-term characters. In the main, middle-class characters exist as villains, such as [[James Wilmott-Brown]] ([[William Boyde]]), [[May Wright]] ([[Amanda Drew]]), [[Stella Crawford]] ([[Sophie Thompson]]), [[Yusef Khan]] ([[Ace Bhatti]]) and [[Gray Atkins]] ([[Toby-Alexander Smith]]), or are used to promote positive liberal influences, such as [[Colin Russell (EastEnders)|Colin Russell]] ([[Michael Cashman]]), [[Rachel Kominski]] ([[Jacquetta May]])<ref name="redpepper" /> and [[Derek Harkinson]] ([[Ian Lavender]]).

''EastEnders'' has always featured a culturally diverse cast which has included [[black people|black]], Asian, [[Turkish people|Turkish]], Polish and Latvian characters. "The expansion of minority representation signals a move away from the traditional soap opera format, providing more opportunities for audience identification with the characters and hence a wider appeal".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museum.tv/eotv/eastenders.htm |title=EastEnders |website=museum.tv |first1=Danielle |last1=Aron |first2=Sonia |last2=Livingston |access-date=5 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330071515/http://www.museum.tv/eotv/eastenders.htm |archive-date=30 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412075647/http://www.cre.gov.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew06m.RefLocID-0hg00900c008.Lang-EN.htm |url=http://www.cre.gov.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew06m.RefLocID-0hg00900c008.Lang-EN.htm |archive-date=12 April 2006|title= Coronation Street and EastEnders battle it out for coveted CRE Race in the Media Award|publisher=cre.gov.uk|access-date=27 March 2007}}</ref> Despite this, the programme has been criticised by the [[Commission for Racial Equality]], which argued in 2002 that ''EastEnders'' was not giving a realistic representation of the East End's "ethnic make-up". It suggested that the average proportion of visible minority faces on ''EastEnders'' was substantially lower than the actual ethnic minority population in East London boroughs, and it, therefore, reflected the East End in the 1960s, not the East End of the 2000s. The programme has since attempted to address these issues. A [[sari]] shop was opened and various characters of different ethnicities were introduced throughout 2006 and 2007, including the Fox family, the Ahmeds, and various background artists.<ref>"[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/oct/08/mondaymediasection12 The art of storytelling]", ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 27 March 2007.</ref> This was part of producer [[Diederick Santer]]'s plan to "diversify", to make ''EastEnders'' "feel more 21st century". ''EastEnders'' has had varying success with ethnic minority characters. Possibly the least successful were the Indian [[Ferreira family]], who were not well received by critics or viewers and were dismissed as unrealistic by the Asian community in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Joanna |date=10 August 2004 |title='Unrealistic' Ferreira family dismissed by Asian Viewers |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/3560 |newspaper=The Stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029232333/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/3560 |archive-date=29 October 2004 |access-date=27 March 2007}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been praised for its portrayal of characters with disabilities, including [[Adam Best (EastEnders)|Adam Best]] ([[David Proud]]) ([[spina bifida]]), [[Noah Chambers]] (Micah Thomas) and [[Frankie Lewis]] ([[Rose Ayling-Ellis]]) (deaf), [[Jean Slater]] ([[Gillian Wright]]) and her daughter [[Stacey Slater|Stacey]] ([[Lacey Turner]]) ([[bipolar disorder]]), [[Janet Mitchell (EastEnders)|Janet Mitchell]] (Grace) ([[Down syndrome]]), [[Jim Branning]] ([[John Bardon]]) ([[stroke]])<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/091201-radar.shtml|title=Radar announce EastEnders as winners!|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2009|access-date=1 February 2010}}</ref> and [[Dinah Wilson]] (Anjela Lauren Smith) ([[multiple sclerosis]]). The show also features a large number of gay, lesbian and bisexual characters (see [[list of soap operas with LGBT characters]]), including [[Colin Russell (EastEnders)|Colin Russell]] ([[Michael Cashman]]), [[Barry Clark (EastEnders)|Barry Clark]] ([[Gary Hailes]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eastenders-30-years-ago-first-gay-character_uk_57a47478e4b03393f7f5bb4e|title=30 Years Today, First Gay Character Appeared In "EastEnders". Things Have Changed.|last=Frost|first=Caroline|date=5 August 2016|work=[[Huffington Post UK]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Simon Raymond]] ([[Andrew Lynford]]), [[Tony Hills]] ([[Mark Homer]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/226581.stm|title=Coming out on screen|date=2 December 1998|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Sonia Fowler]] ([[Natalie Cassidy]]), [[Naomi Julien]] ([[Petra Letang]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2006/03/28/211-complaints-to-bbc-over-gay-eastenders-storyline-but-do-the-public-care/|title=211 complaints to BBC over gay EastEnders storyline, but do the public care?|last=Knowles|first=Katherine|date=28 March 2006|work=[[PinkNews]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Tina Carter]] ([[Luisa Bradshaw-White]]), [[Tosh Mackintosh]] ([[Rebecca Scroggs]]),<ref name="LGBT domestic abuse">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a606442/eastenders-lgbt-domestic-abuse-plot-praised-following-tina-tosh-clash/|title=EastEnders LGBT domestic abuse plot praised following Tina, Tosh clash|last=Love|first=Ryan|date=28 October 2014|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Christian Clarke]] ([[John Partridge (actor)|John Partridge]]), [[Syed Masood]] ([[Marc Elliott]]), [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben Mitchell]] ([[Harry Reid (actor)|Harry Reid]]/[[Max Bowden]]), [[Paul Coker (EastEnders)|Paul Coker]] ([[Jonny Labey]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/582121/EastEnders-gay-kiss-Ben-Mitchell-Paul-Coker-Harry-Reid-Twitter-homophobia|title=EastEnders gay kiss: Ben Mitchell actor Harry Reid upset by homophobia|last=Debnath|first=Neela|date=4 June 2015|work=[[Daily Express]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Iqra Ahmed]] ([[Priya Davdra]]), [[Ash Panesar]] ([[Gurlaine Kaur Garcha]]), [[Bernadette Taylor]] ([[Clair Norris]]), [[Callum Highway]] ([[Tony Clay]]) and [[Eve Unwin]] ([[Heather Peace]]). [[Kyle Slater]] ([[Riley Carter Millington]]), a transgender character, was introduced in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34479713/eastenders-casts-transgender-actor-in-transgender-role-on-uk-television|title=EastEnders casts transgender actor in transgender role on UK television|date=9 October 2015|work=[[Newsbeat]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has a high cast turnover and characters are regularly changed to facilitate storylines or refresh the format.<ref>"[http://www.polity.co.uk/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/9780745626543%5C001.pdf The Soap Business]", polity.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212075543/http://www.polity.co.uk/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/9780745626543%5C001.pdf |date=12 February 2013 }}</ref> The show has also become known for the return of characters after they have left the show. [[Sharon Watts]] ([[Letitia Dean]]) returned in August 2012 for her third stint on the show. [[Den Watts]] ([[Leslie Grantham]]) returned, 14 years after he was believed to have died, in September 2003, a feat repeated by [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]) in 2015,<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/news/a11021/dirty-den-to-return-to-walford/ Dirty Den "to return" to Walford]" ''Digital Spy''. Retrieved 24 September 2006.</ref> and [[Cindy Beale]] ([[Michelle Collins]]) in 2023. Speaking extras, including [[Tracey the barmaid]] ([[Jane Slaughter (actress)|Jane Slaughter]]) (who has been in the show since the first episode in 1985), have made appearances throughout the show's duration without being the focus of any major storylines. The character of [[Nick Cotton]] ([[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]) gained a reputation for making constant exits and returns since the programme's first year until the character died in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nick Cotton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4QL0TC98LFpYJvnYQ7JH31B/nick-cotton |work=[[BBC Online]] |access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref>

{{As of|January 2024}}, [[Gillian Taylforth]], [[Letitia Dean]] and [[Adam Woodyatt]] are the only members of the original cast remaining in the show, in their roles of [[Kathy Beale]], [[Sharon Watts]] and [[Ian Beale]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36909906/eastenders-adam-woodyatt-ian-beale-return-possibility/|title=EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt says that Ian Beale may not return|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=2 July 2021}}</ref> [[Tracey (EastEnders)|Tracey]] is the longest-serving female character in the show, having appeared since 1985, albeit as a minor character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1HyT04Jf4TH6ZdTQ5N2vW36/dot-branning|title=EastEnders&nbsp;– Dot Branning&nbsp;– BBC One|website=BBC}}</ref>