A new family will shortly be arriving on Albert Square as EastEnders welcomes four new cast members to the BBC soap opera. Viewers will soon be introduced to the Knight family and they are set to shake things up as they take over as new owners of the Queen Vic pub.
James Bond star Colin Salmon, Absolutely Fabulous’ Harriet Thorpe, Strictly Come Dancing finalist Molly Rainford and actress Francesca Henry are all joining the popular show. A teaser ahead of the Knight family’s arrival reveals: “With Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) struggling to manage the pub since Mick’s disappearance, both Sharon Watts and the Panesars are vying to join forces with Linda to run Albert Square’s iconic pub. However, little do they know that Linda is secretly teaming up with her mother, Elaine Peacock, who will be bringing her new lover, George Knight, and his two daughters, Gina and Anna, to the Square.”
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Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said of the Knights’ arrival on the Square: “The arrival of the Knights brings a new dawn to Albert Square. George Knight is a charming rogue and an old-school gent who dotes on his two daughters, Gina and Anna. George will take up residence in The Queen Vic when he joins his beloved Elaine, a powerhouse of a land-lady who knows just how to have fun. The couple will be joined by feisty, determined and demanding Gina, who is as sharp and cool as cut diamonds but with a temper that blazes like fire, whereas younger sister, Anna is fun, loveable, and big-hearted, but don’t underestimate her. George, Gina and Anna have been bound together for years and arriving in Walford is the fresh-start the Knights are looking for.”
But who are the actors behind Albert Square’s newest family? Here’s everything you need to know. For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter here.
Colin Salmon – George Knight
To many, Colin Salmon will best be known for his role as MI6 deputy chief of staff Charles Robinson in the James Bond film franchise. He acted in three of Pierce Brosnan’s films as the secret agent – Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day.
Aside from working with 007, Colin has also been in a slew of other projects – both in front of the screen and on stage. Some of the actor’s most notable work includes the Resident Evil film series, Doctor Who, Merlin, Arrow and The Musketeers.
Ahead of joining EastEnders, Colin said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders to take on the role of George Knight. I’m excited to explore the character of George, a true East End gentleman having been born in the East End myself. I have a great affinity and love for the show and I look forward to being part of the great legacy.”
Harriet Thorpe – Elaine Peacock
Harriet takes over the role of Elaine Peacock from Maria Friedman (Image: Mirrorpix)
Absolutely Fabulous star Harriet Thorpe takes over the role of Linda Carter’s mother, Elaine Peacock, from West End actress Maria Friedman. Former Elaine actress Maria played the character between 2014-2017 in a recurring role.
As mentioned, Harriet is well-known for playing Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous. Prior to that, she had worked alongside Jennifer Saunders on French and Saunders between 1987-2003. Much like her Elaine predecessor, she has also been in several West End musicals including Cabaret, Mamma Mia and Wicked.
Speaking about her new role on Albert Square, Harriet said: “I’m thrilled to be playing Elaine who is an ultimate matriarch with a huge and vivid personality with a heart of gold who takes no prisoners and fights with all she’s got, but has a vulnerable side that she only shows a select few. The Vic needs strong women running it, and I want to honour the incredible, iconic queens who define EastEnders since the beginning. The entire company is a dream come true to work with, full of support, laughs, and creativity, with the warmest welcome from day one. The East End is where my family started out, so for me this feels like coming home!”
Molly Rainford – Anna Knight
Molly found fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012(Image: Getty Images)
Following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing last year (in which she was a finalist), Molly Rainford’s career has been growing from strength to strength. Since then, the 22-year-old actress has been rumoured to be joining EastEnders – read more about that here.
Molly’s career began when she was 11 years old after she appeared on ITV talent show Britain’s Got Talent. The singer impressed judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden with her vocal talents, bowling them over with her performances of Roxette’s It Must Have Been Love and Beyoncé’s version of Ave Maria. She finished sixth in the competition which saw Ashleigh and Pudsey win.
“I’m SUPER excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders. It’s such an iconic show which myself and my family love, so it’s an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival. I’ve already met a few familiar faces from my time on Strictly and I can’t wait to meet and be a part of the EastEnders family,” Molly said of her new role in EastEnders.
Francesca Henry – Gina Knight
The last EastEnders newcomer is Francesca Henry, who will be playing Gina Knight. A relative newcomer to the industry, Francesca’s most well-known role prior to EastEnders was in Sky drama A Discovery of Witches, which was made by Wales-based production company Bad Wolf.
Of joining the show, Francesca said: “I wish I could tell younger me that one day I would be joining the show that I watched religiously every night with my Grandma. It’s very surreal and a true privilege to be trusted to bring Gina to the Square, and to be a part of such an exciting, tight-knit new family.”
