EastEnders confirms Hollyoaks favourite cast as new detective for major Branning storyline ...Middle East

A familiar face to soap viewers is joining the cast of EastEnders.

Actor Matthew James-Bailey, best known for his role as Ethan Williams in Hollyoaks, is heading to Walford this summer - and his character is set to cause a stir.

His new role is as DC Craig Ingram, a younger colleague of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) at the local cop shop.

Craig is brought in to take over some of his superior's responsibilities, amid his struggles to balance work with a challenging home life. As viewers know, Jack is currently trying to support partner Denise Fox (Diane Parish) through her battle with aggressive blood cancer.

Upcoming scenes will see her disclose that initial chemotherapy treatment hasn't worked as hoped.

The newcomer is introduced as part of a major new storyline that will unfold over the coming months, and before long, he's working on a case close to Albert Square.

Radio Times understands that James-Bailey is already filming scenes on the serial drama's set in Elstree, Hertfordshire, and will be on our screens within weeks.

Speaking of the new arrival, executive producer Ben Wadey said: “We’re delighted to welcome Matthew to EastEnders, and he has been a fantastic addition to the cast.

"Craig’s presence in Walford forms part of a storyline involving the Brannings that will unfold this summer.”

James-Bailey added: “Joining EastEnders has been a dream come true. From it being the soundtrack to my childhood, always on in the background at home, to gathering around the TV with my family every Christmas, being able to play even a small part in such an iconic piece of British television is truly surreal.”

No further details about Craig's storyline have been released, though it will likely relate to the dramatic flash-forward episode centring around Max Branning (Jake Wood) that aired on New Year's Day. Viewers were handed a glimpse at 2027, on a day in which the love rat was preparing to walk down the aisle once again.

Aside from a mystery bride (which presently seems to be Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins), Max was also arrested for soliciting a murder, and stalked by a gunman, who pointed the weapon at his son Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) and daughter Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa).

RT compiled a whopping 21 questions following the flash-forward, many of which are still unanswered.

James-Bailey exited Hollyoaks in 2024, amid a huge production cutback which saw cast cuts and episodes reduced from five to three per week. The instalments were also reduced in length to just 20 minutes.

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Across his three years in the fictional Chester village, storylines for his loveable rogue alter-ego Ethan involved kidnapping Darren Osborne, accidentally killing villainous girlfriend Maya Harkwell, and forming a turbulent relationship with Sienna Blake.

He eventually cheated on her with Vicky Grant, and although she forgave him, their wedding day ended in disaster. A heated confrontation in the bridal suite saw Sienna push Ethan off a balcony to his death.

The star's first screen role was as Tomazs in Russell T Davies' Channel 4 drama Cucumber.

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