EastEnders Charlie Brooks has revealed all on her return to the BBC soap as Janine Butcher, amid a new storyline for Linda Carter ahead if actress Kellie Bright’s exit
EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks says returning to her role as bad girl Janine Butcher “feels like home”(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks says returning to her role as bad girl Janine Butcher “feels like home”.
The actress, 45, returned to the soap last night (Thu) four years after the character was arrested for perverting the course of justice and jailed. Viewers saw her eyeing up the contents of a mystery brown envelope, teasing what tricks she may have up her sleeve this time around.
Brooks, who first played the role in 1999, aged 17, said: “I always love coming back to Janine. She’s an exciting character to play, and it’s always fun to discover what she’s been doing and what she’s been up to as an actress.
“Seeing everyone back at the studio, and working with Kellie [Bright] again, has been amazing.” Asked what to expect from her character’s return, Brooks says: “I don’t know if anyone wants to see a reformed Janine ever, so we can rest assured that we are leaning into the true nature of who Janine is. As always, it’s about survival for her.”
Despite all the drama that follows her character, she says Janine is fun to play. She said: “I always like trying to understand a little bit more about her each time I play her, and I think the ‘why’ is so important.
“She’s a lot of things, but she’s also a super fun character to play. She’s very camp, and I have a lot of fun with her. Janine is also deep, and she’s got a lot going on, so it’s always interesting to explore that.”
The character’s return will lead to a bombshell discovery for her former rival Linda Carter, ahead of actress Kellie’s exit from the soap after 13 years. Linda hasn’t seen Janine since her arrest in 2022.
Linda had been framed for a drink-drive crash, and the truth only came out after the tragic death of Janine’s husband, Linda’s ex Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer. Mick is believed to have drowned after being swept out to sea, after saving pregnant Janine following a car accident.
Mick had returned to the water to save his true love Linda, unaware she had already reached the shore. Brooks said: “One of the reasons I was coming back was to be part of Kellie’s storyline as we had such a great time working together last time.
“I’ve known a lot of the cast for many years, and that brings a nice sense of familiarity and peace when I go back. It also allows playfulness because it’s familiar and it feels safe.
“Being in that environment and having done it since I was 17 is why I feel like I can be quite brave with Janine because I’m surrounded by great people.”
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.