Ronni Ancona joins EastEnders
Ronni Ancona has joined EastEnders as Bea, a childhood acquaintance of Linda Carter.
Ronni Ancona has joined the cast of EastEnders.
The 57-year-old comic will play the mysterious Bea, an old acquaintance of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who she reunites with at their school reunion, but it soon becomes clear they have "different accounts" of their shared past.
As Bea settles into life on Albert Square, she finds herself "in the heart of the drama" and will leave a "lasting impression" on the people of Walford.
Ronnie - who spoofed EastEnders favourites including Kat Slater, Sharon Watts and Peggy Mitchell when she starred on BBC comedy sketch series The Big Impression - feels "honoured" to have joined the soap.
She said in a statement: "I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life."
And EastEnders bosses are delighted to have the Skins actress on board.
Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: "I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Ronni Ancona to EastEnders playing the character of Bea. Bea’s character is mysterious, and we’re thrilled to have an esteemed actress and comedian like Ronni playing her."
Ronni has already started filming, with her first scenes set to air early next year.
Meanwhile, Linda is currently off screen on a lengthy cruise while Kellie takes a break, but she will be seen back on the show on 15 December.
It was recently revealed EastEnders are planning a special flashforward episode for the new year.
Ben said: "For the first time in the show’s history, we’re going to be offering our viewers an entire flashforward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027.
"2026 is going to be full of drama in Walford, especially for the Brannings, and the episode is sure to raise plenty of questions on how Max has got himself, and his family, into such predicaments, but all is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why…"
Meanwhile, Ben previously revealed that the EastEnders Christmas special will feature the "past, present and future" of the soap.
He told RadioTimes.com: "The team have really bought their A-game.
"This Christmas, we're looking past, present and future, so we've got a lot of stuff that we're very excited to share with the audience."
