Family secrets to erupt as EastEnders gets new clan
The BBC soap has unveiled the Hawkins family as its latest arrivals, with Patricia Potter, Marian McLoughlin, Jamie Bamber, Felix Uff and Anna Constable joining the cast to expand Nicola Mitchell's troubled family story.
EastEnders is getting a new family.
Actress Patricia Potter is among the fresh stars heading to Albert Square as EastEnders expands the Mitchell family saga with the arrival of the Hawkins clan – whose fractured relationships are set to deepen the drama surrounding Nicola Mitchell.
The casting announcement brings together familiar faces from Holby City, Beyond Paradise and Doctors as the BBC soap continues to refresh its ensemble following a series of major storylines and cast changes.
EastEnders, which recently dominated headlines with dramatic Mitchell family twists and the aftermath of Nicola’s turbulent arrival in Walford, remains one of the BBC’s flagship dramas more than four decades after its debut.
Patricia, who previously appeared in Holby City, will play Gemma Hawkins, the estranged sister of Nicola Mitchell, played by Laura Doddington.
Viewers have already heard Nicola refer to her increasingly fractured relationship with Gemma, but an impulsive phone call prompts Gemma’s arrival in Walford, bringing years of unresolved family conflict with her.
The new arrivals will mark the first major expansion of Nicola’s family since she joined EastEnders in 2024, when she arrived alongside her then husband Teddy Mitchell and their sons Harry and Barney. Since then, Nicola’s storyline has centred on the breakdown of her marriage, her relationship with George Knight and the fallout from Teddy’s imprisonment after he took responsibility for a murder committed by Harry.
Speaking about joining the soap, Patricia said: “I am so delighted to be joining this iconic show as part of a new family. What a joy and a privilege to be working with such talented actors and wonderful people. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful!”
The strained relationship between Nicola and Gemma stems from a childhood in which their parents appeared to favour Gemma, leaving Nicola feeling isolated within the family.
That history also paves the way for the arrival of their mother, Rose Hawkins, who will be played by Marian McLoughlin.
Marian, best known to soap audiences for playing Marina Bonnaire in Doctors, earned a British Soap Award nomination for Villain of the Year after portraying the abusive health inspector.
Her EastEnders character is not violent herself, but viewers will learn that Rose blamed Nicola rather than her abusive husband for the family’s breakdown, widening the rift between mother and daughter.
Marian said: “I feel so lucky to be joining such a brilliant cast and I can’t wait for the viewers to meet the Hawkins family. Now in my 70s, this is an opportunity I never expected, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a cherished drama.”
Joining them is Beyond Paradise actor Jamie Bamber, who will play Gemma’s husband, Ned Roper, while Felix Uff has been cast as their son, Ryder.
Jamie said: “When 12-year-old me rushed home from school in 1985 to catch the very first episode of EastEnders, I could never have dreamed that one day I’d be walking onto the iconic Albert Square as a character myself. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly, and I’m thrilled to be making my mark on this crown jewel of my beloved BBC.”
Anna Constable will also join the soap as Nicola’s youngest and rarely mentioned sister, Jodie.
Anna, who has Noonan syndrome, said: “Growing up watching EastEnders I never thought a disabled actress like me could ever land a role like this. But here I am loud and proud and taking no prisoners in mine or Jodie’s wake.”
Noonan syndrome is a genetic condition that can affect physical development and is associated with congenital heart defects, hearing loss, vision problems and seizures.
Ben Wadey, executive producer of EastEnders, said: “The Hawkins family are a fantastic addition to Walford. While the family share a fierce loyalty to one another, decades of complicated history and Nicola's estrangement from them has left fractures within the family that are far from healed.
“We’re all very excited for what we have planned for the family, and we can’t wait for the audience to meet them.”
