November 07, 2023

Celebrity

Kitty Castledine set to play Penny Branning in EastEnders

The character of Penny Branning in EastEnders was previously played by Mia McKenna-Bruce

By Javeria Shahid November 07, 2023
Kitty Castledine set to play Penny Branning in EastEnders
Kitty Castledine set to play Penny Branning in EastEnders

Penny Branning is returning to EastEnders after 15 years, the soap opera confirmed.

Rising star Kitty Castledine will be playing the role of Jack Branning's daughter, who will be arriving at Albert Square with her cousin Lauren, played by Jacqueline Jossa.

In the soap, Penny returned from France where she resided with her mum Selina due to a troubled relationship with her dad.

The character of Penny was played previously by actress Mia McKenna-Bruce in 2008, however, Kitty has now taken over the role.

The Sun cited EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw, “It’s been a long time since Penny Branning was in Walford, and she’s a very different person from the one our viewers might remember.”

He insisted, “Kitty is a terrific addition to the show, and we’re looking forward to seeing Penny back in Albert Square.”

Kitty Castledine to play Penny Branning
Kitty Castledine to play Penny Branning 

Kitty also expressed her excitement on joining the show, saying, “I didn’t expect to start my EastEnders journey so soon out of drama school – I can’t actually believe it!"

The actress went on to say, “My whole family are EastEnders fans, and I remember sitting on my Nanny Kay’s lap to tune in, and now they get to watch me in Albert Square.”

Kitty’s famous mum Lucy Alexander, the host of Homes Under The Hammer shared the exciting news, writing, “It's been quite a week in my household... #proudmum.”

Kitty was left paralyzed as a child from a virus that attacked her spinal cord but that didn’t hinder her from following her passion.

She graduated from London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA) this summer. 

The 21-year-old actress also noted in her statement that the inclusion of disabled talent on screen is so important to her as a wheelchair user, so she’s “thrilled to be playing a character as feisty and cool as Penny”.

She further added that her character is “thrown into the middle of the drama straight away, and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to.”