A beloved Call the Midwife star has made an unexpected return to TV, swapping 1960s Poplar for present-day Walford in a surprise appearance on EastEnders.
Leonie Elliott, who played Nurse Lucille Anderson in the hit BBC period drama from 2018 until her departure in 2023, stunned fans when she appeared on the long-running soap opera as a new character.
In her EastEnders debut, eagle-eyed viewers spotted Elliott playing a sharp and inquisitive journalist named Charlott, who arrives in Albert Square hoping to secure an exclusive scoop from none other than Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer).
A Surprise Comeback
The surprise casting has delighted fans of both shows, who took to social media to share their excitement and disbelief.
“Didn’t recognise her at first, she played Lucille in Call the Midwife,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Another added: “She used to be on Call the Midwife! So nice to see her back on screen.”
Elliott’s appearance marks her return to television after taking time out from acting to focus on her mental health following a miscarriage. She confirmed her Call the Midwife exit last year in an emotional message to fans, saying:
"Thank you all for embracing Lucille and rocking with me on this journey. It is with a heart full of love and appreciation that I embark on pastures new."
New Drama in Walford
Her arrival comes at a time of high drama on EastEnders, with Bianca and her sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) attempting to rebuild their lives after a series of explosive events.
Sonia was recently released from prison after being wrongly jailed for the murder of Debbie, the comatose wife of her partner Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman). In a shocking twist, Reiss allowed Sonia to take the blame to protect his secret—and even locked Bianca in his basement after she discovered the truth.
Elliott’s character Charlott appears just as tensions begin to settle, raising questions about what trouble her scoop-seeking journalist could stir up next in the Square.
What’s Next for Leonie Elliott?
While the BBC has not confirmed whether Elliott’s appearance as Charlott is a one-off or the start of a longer arc, her return to screens has been warmly welcomed by fans.
Her transition from the heartfelt world of Call the Midwife to the gritty drama of EastEnders shows her versatility as an actor and leaves audiences eager to see more of what she brings to her new role.
Stay tuned to see whether Charlott will become a regular fixture in Walford—or if her arrival signals more secrets waiting to be uncovered.
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