Soaps

Charlie Brooks "open to a return" to EastEnders

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 16 December 2022

Charlie Brooks says that she would be open to a future EastEnders return as Janine Butcher.

Charlie Brooks has revealed that she is open to the possibility of reprising her role as Janine Butcher on EastEnders in the future.

The character returned to Albert Square 18 months ago and almost immediately set her sights on Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), eventually getting her man - and now she is pregnant and preparing to marry him.

Both Mick and Janine are set to depart Walford over the festive period, although the exact nature of their exits has yet to be revealed, but Brooks has hinted that Janine at least may not be killed off.

"I've had the best year and a half getting back into Janine's shoes," she said. "She's so fun to play, but I also love playing all the vulnerable stuff with Janine as well. I'm an actress, so I want to do everything.

"But yeah, it is hard [to leave]. I also feel like if she was to stay in the show, the character might not be as strong somehow. I wouldn't want her to be diluted because she is so full-on, she's so dramatic, but I always feel there's more to know, which is a really good place to be with a character.

"If something feels quite layered, quite complex, it always stays interesting and luckily for me, Janine has remained that way.

"But I always say 'never say never'. EastEnders is home to me, and I've had a fantastic time, so I'd be open to a return for sure."

EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One.

> Picture Spoilers: Next week on EastEnders (December 19-23)

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