EastEnders introduce new family to Albert Square - and you might recognise the matriarch

We have exciting news from Walford!

EastEnders have announced that they are introducing a brand new family to Albert Square this summer, with the Taylors being described as “noisy, brash and not to be messed with”.

So basically the perfect E20 resident then?

The new clan will be headed up by single mum Karen (Lorraine Stanley) and her tough-talking son, Keanu (Danny Walters), with executive producer Sean O’Connor teasing that the whole family will bring plenty of drama to our screens.

Clair Norris will also be joining as Bernadette, real-life siblings Tom and Alfie Jacobs are to play Riley and Chatham, and they even come with a pet dog, Bronson, in tow.

Speaking about his new gig, Danny, who previously appeared in Benidorm, explained: “I feel so privileged to already feel a part of the team.

“Everyone has been so friendly and kind and gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome and supported.”

However, this is far from Lorraine’s first stint in Albert Square, with the actress playing a different role in the hit BBC One soap just one year ago.

Yes, fans might just recognise Karen Taylor’s face as Lorraine appeared in eight episodes between February and April 2016 as Thelma Bragg, Linda Carter’s rival landlady at The Rat and Ferrett.

Thelma was later revealed to be the mother of Star Bragg, the schoolgirl who landed Jay Mitchell in a whole load of trouble when they entered a romantic relationship with Jay unaware that she was underage at the time.

On top of Thelma Bragg, Lorraine also played a young ‘Big Mo’ Harris in a BBC spin-off ‘Pat and Mo’ in 2004, which explored Big Mo’s history with EastEnders’ icon Pat Butcher.

We have no doubt that Lorraine already feels right at home on the EastEnders’ set and we can’t wait to see what the Taylors have in store for us this summer.

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