Timber companies in cameroon EastEnders’ Penny Branning made a dramatic comeback to the BBC soap this week, but who is she and what’s her story?
Penny is Jack Branning’s daughter and has been off-screen since 2008. She uses a wheelchair as she is paralysed from the waist down, a fact revealed during her first stint on the show.
Not everyone knew about Penny, even though she adored her dad. She was heartbroken when she had to move to France with her mum Selina.
It was then that we learned why Penny was paralysed – a terrifying car accident left her seriously injured when she was just a child.
BBC TV Screengrab EastEnders – Penny Branning and Jack Branning
(Image: No credit)
The accident happened in 2008, due to Jack’s shady dealings as a corrupt police officer which led a drug lord to seek revenge.
Sadly, it was Penny and Selina who suffered the consequences of Jack’s actions. One of the drug lord’s associates ran over Penny and Selina in retaliation for Jack’s betrayal.
EastEnders’ Penny Branning made her dramatic return to the BBC soap this week
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Young Penny had a serious spinal injury. In 2008, she told her cousins Abi and Lauren Branning, and other relatives including the Jackson kids, that her spine had been severed.
Selina blamed Jack for what happened to Penny. In a recent episode, an older Penny hinted she did too.
When Lauren said that Jack wasn’t a bad man, Penny joked that her spinal surgeon might not agree. The incident years ago left Penny unable to walk and needing a wheelchair.
Kitty Castledine has joined the BBC soap as Penny Branning, the cousin of Lauren, and the pair are set to cause drama
(Image: BBC)
Penny is the daughter of Jack Branning and his ex Selina. She’s also the cousin of returning character Lauren Branning and Sonia Fowler, and related to former characters like Tiffany Butcher, Bianca Jackson, Max Branning, Jim Branning and Carol Jackson.
In 2008, actress Mia McKenna-Bruce played Penny. Now, actress Kitty Castledine has taken over the role.
Kitty’s parents are famous too – her mum is Homes Under the Hammer presenter Lucy Alexander and her dad is former professional footballer Stewart Castledine.
EastEnders is on from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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