EastEnders has never been short of complex characters and emotionally charged storylines, and Penny Branning’s return to Walford has brought all of that and more. Portrayed by rising star Kitty Castledine, Penny has become a central figure in several of the soap’s most turbulent plots since rejoining the Branning clan in January 2024.
Her dramatic comeback with cousin Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) after their time in Paris was immediately marked by scandal. The pair were arrested for alleged drug smuggling, but the charges were quickly dropped—setting the tone for the chaos that would follow.
Penny soon found herself at the heart of a major disaster after a tragic incident at Peggy’s Club. As the manager of the venue, she was responsible for a bank holiday event that spiralled out of control. Unknown to her, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), furious over being fired, had sabotaged the booking system. The result: a dangerously overcrowded club, with Amy Mitchell—Penny’s sister—left critically injured. Though both Amy and Lauren survived, the event left emotional and reputational scars on everyone involved.
But the twists didn’t end there. Penny’s love life also made headlines after a brief fling with Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway). The relationship took a dark turn when Harry became a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Shireen. Though the true killer was revealed to be Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), the experience left Penny shaken and further entangled in Walford’s ever-growing web of secrets.
Kitty Castledine, who plays Penny, has made a remarkable impression on fans and critics alike. Born in Kingston Upon Thames, Kitty faced a major health battle at the age of seven when she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare and serious neurological condition that left her in a wheelchair. Her strength and resilience have inspired many, both on and off screen.
Kitty graduated from the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2023, and EastEnders is her first major acting role. However, she is no stranger to fame. Her mother is Lucy Alexander, a beloved TV presenter known for Homes Under The Hammer, and her father is former Premier League footballer Stewart Castledine. Her brother, Leo Castledine, is a rising football star with Chelsea FC and has represented England’s U19s.
Kitty’s family and celebrity friends have shown their support for her growing career. Lucy Alexander proudly shared the news of her daughter’s casting, while Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford also sent their best wishes, with Eamonn jokingly suggesting a role for Lucy as “Barbara Windsor’s long-lost sister.”
As Penny Branning continues to stir things up in Albert Square, viewers can expect even more compelling moments, moral dilemmas, and high-stakes drama. With Kitty Castledine’s natural talent and real-life strength behind the character, there’s no doubt that Penny is set to become one of EastEnders’ most talked-about stars.
Catch EastEnders Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.