Fans of EastEnders were left wondering when, or if, Karen Taylor would ever return to Albert Square following her exit in 2024. Lorraine Stanley, who played the fiery matriarch from 2017 to 2024, has now ruled out a return to the show for the time being, revealing that she’s focusing on her family life.

In an interview with The Mirror, Stanley explained her decision: “Maybe – they didn’t kill me off. But right now, I wouldn’t. I’m enjoying spending time with my daughter Nancy. On EastEnders, I missed a lot of milestones. Now I’m like her personal taxi driver for skateboarding, piano lessons – and I love it.”

The actor, who made her final appearance on the show in June 2024, had been through a lot in her character’s storyline. After the devastating murder of her son Keanu (Danny Walters), Karen left Walford for Spain, only to return for her son’s funeral. Her character was last seen being convinced by Bernie (Clair Norris) to return to her life abroad for the sake of her mental health.

While Stanley hasn’t closed the door on the possibility of returning to EastEnders in the future, she’s currently savoring her time away from the spotlight. “I’ve gone for a few auditions. I haven’t got anything yet, but I will. And if I don’t, I don’t mind that either. I’m so happy being a mum,” Stanley shared.

Embracing New Chapters

Since leaving the long-running soap, Stanley has turned her focus to other aspects of her life, including her wedding planning. She confirmed that her nuptials to partner Mark Perez will take place in Hertfordshire, with a church ceremony followed by a fun celebration at a pub with a teepee and barbecue. Their daughter Nancy will serve as the flower girl.

Despite stepping away from the world of EastEnders, Stanley remains close to her former co-stars, with Danny Walters, who played her son Keanu, being on the guest list for the wedding.

A New Chapter for Karen

Stanley opened up about her time on EastEnders, saying that after being in the show for seven years, it started to feel like any other job. While she loved her role and the people she worked with, she’s now relishing the freedom that comes with stepping away. “I loved the people and I loved the job while I was there. But then you come away from it going: ‘Oh, actually, the doors are open now to do whatever I want.’ So it’s a nice feeling, being free.”

Though Stanley isn’t planning a return to EastEnders at the moment, her future in both family life and new projects looks bright. For now, she’s relishing her role as a mother and enjoying the freedom to explore new opportunities in the world of acting.