EastEnders has had a MASSIVE year – there was its week of live episodes back in February, its 30-year anniversary AND a major plotline surrounding the killing of Lucy Beale.
But the BBC1 soap isn’t done there. It’s now planning to introduce a brand new transgender character named Kyle, who will also be played by a trans actor.
Riley Carter Millington is set to join the cast in the role of Kyle, and we’ll see him first later this month for a brief period before he returns permanently.
The 21-year-old actor has been working alongside the soap’s writers to develop Kyle’s character, and brings a “fresh and relatable” feel to the show, executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said.
Speaking about his new role, Riley said: “I am extremely excited to be joining EastEnders. I can honestly say that I have now fulfilled my two biggest dreams – to be living my life as a man and to be an actor.
“I cannot wait to really get stuck in with filming and I look forward to seeing what is in store for my character.”
The mysterious Kyle will straightaway be thrown right into one of EastEnders’ biggest stories before the end of the year, and “comes with his own stock of secrets”, the writers say.
HOW EXCITING. Catch heat magazine’s Soapy Bubble every week for more excellent soap gossip.
EastEnders live: ALL the murdered 'Enders characters - 30 years of grisly ends!
EastEnders live: ALL the murdered 'Enders characters - 30 years of grisly ends!
Trina Johnson, Sept 2009
When Lucas Johnson came to Albert Square, he seemed like a nice religious chap. But he wasn't. Instead, he was a serial killer who went around bumping off numerous folk, including his ex-wife Trina, who he (sort of accidentally) impaled on a rake. Ouch.
Owen Turner, Nov 2009
Classic case of DON'T TELL THE KILLER YOU ARE ON TO THEM here. Denise's ex thought it was a good idea to confront Lucas over Trina's death. It was actually a really bad idea – Lucas strangled him and buried him in the Square.
Archie Mitchell, Dec 2009
We all thought Archie was a silver fox – until we found out he was actually a TOTAL wrong ‘un. After a merry-go-round of dodgy familial relations, he finally got his comeuppance when Stacey Slater introduced his head to the bust of Queen Vic.
Sugar, Feb 2010
It's a dog's life – or death in this case. When the pooch started threatening to dig up Owen's body, Lucas took her for a final walk. In the canal.
Rob Grayson, Aug 2011
Another very bad lad, the seemingly charming Rob wooed Whitney but was soon pimping her out from a dodgy old flat. When she escaped to Southend, he followed but ended up being rugby tackled off the pier by Whit's brother Ryan.
Heather Trott, March 2012
Poor old Hev. Just as she finally found happiness with a new beau, the curly-haired bezzie of Shirl found herself being bludgeoned with a photo frame by Ben Mitchell. RIP.
Michael Moon, Nov 2013
Mean, moody and, let's face it, pretty blooming bonkers, the conniving boxing club owner fell foul of serial spouse killer Janine Butcher, who quite literally stabbed him in the back.
Carl White, Jan 2014
This dodgy dealer had beef with almost all of Walford, so no one missed him when Ronnie Mitchell decided to bludgeon him with a car boot lid.
Emma Summerhayes, Jan 2015
Sometime GF of Max Branning and not-very-good copper Emma was close to unmasking the killer of Lucy Beale. Unfortunately, they needed to spin the story out a bit longer so Emma ended up being run over by Roxy Mitchell after Nasty Nick Cotton sabotaged the car, taking her secret to the grave.
Jase Dyer, Aug 2008□□
Double-crossed his boss Terry Bates to pay for his wedding to Dawn. Terry and his gang beat him to death. Bye bye Jase.
Pauline Fowler, Dec 2006
Dramatically collapsing and dying in the middle of the Square, hatchet-faced matriarch Pauline kept viewers guessing for two months before her husband Joe confessed to thwacking her with a frying pan. It’s a miracle it didn’t happen sooner, to be honest.
Danny Moon, March 2006
Mentally ill gangster Danny knocked his brother Jake unconscious and marched Phil and Grant Mitchell into the woods to kill them. But Jake woke up and shot his brother with his own gun, meaning to disable him. Whoopsie!
Dennis Rickman, Jan 2006
Egged on by Phil, Dennis beat Johnny Allen almost to death. Almost: Johnny survived and speed-dialled a hitman (later revealed to be Danny Moon) who stabs him to death. At New Year’s Eve!
Den Watts, Feb 2005
An affair with Zoe was the last straw for Dirty Den's wife Chrissie. Though Zoe struck the first blow with an iron doorstop, Chrissie delivered the coup de grace. Then buried him (temporarily) under the Vic.
Andy Hunter, Feb 2005
Replaced Jack Dalton as head of The Firm but met his match in Johnny Allen, who he tried to con out of £750k. Johnny pushed him off a motorway flyover. That’ll do it.
Paul Trueman, Dec 2004
Reluctant drug dealer Paul informed on his boss Andy and ended up shot for his troubles by a hit man disguised as a cab driver. Should have got an Uber.
Barry Evans, Jan 2004
Evil Janine Butcher married the “terminally ill” Barry for his money, then, when she discovered he wasn’t ill after all, shoved him off a cliff and got away with the cash. Poor Baz.
Jack Dalton, July 2003
Head of a gangster syndicate called The Firm, he met his end at the end of a gun wielded by Dennis Rickman, who he had previously ordered Phil Mitchell to murder. Which serves him right, really.
Ashley Cotton, June 2001
Not strictly a murder – Ashley crashed a motorbike that his father Nick Cotton had sabotaged in the hope of killing Mark Fowler. But try telling a magistrate you didn’t mean to murder one, just one.
Ethel Skinner, Sep 2000
Eight years after euthanising Willy the pug, Ethel went the same way, her suicide assisted by her oldest friend, Dot Cotton. Karma?
Arthur Fowler, May 1996
Hapless Arfur was sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, only to get his head bashed in with a lead pipe during a prison riot the day before his release. He died a few days later on the allotment he loved so much…
Willy, May 1992
Much-loved pug Willy was executed on the orders of his owner, Ethel. Well, he was put down. Either way, he died before his time.
Eddie Royle, Sep 1991
Just like Reg, Eddie was killed by Nick Cotton in the progress of a robbery (come on ’Enders, show a bit of imagination). Clyde Tavernier got the blame at first till an eyewitness came forward.
Reg Cox, Feb 1985
Discovered unconscious in Episode One having been beaten almost to death by Nick Cotton while trying to steal his war medals. Died in hospital before he ever said a televised word.
Lucy Beale
Saskia Duncan, Feb 1999
Steve Owen’s ex blamed him for making her abort their baby; she attacked him with a champagne bottle, he hit her with an ashtray. Steve and DJ Matthew buried her body in Epping Forest.