LINDA Carter is due for a surprising reunion as her mother Elaine Peacock will be returning to Albert Square.
However, EastEnders were shocked to see that Swiss actress Maria Friedman won't be reprising her iconic role.
Elaine made her Walford debut in 2014 and appeared sporadically in the Square over the course of three years.
Six years after her last stint in the fictional London borough, Elaine Peacock will make her way back to her daughter Linda Carter (portrayed by Kellie Bright).
The pub landlady has been struggling to run The Queen Vic alone since her husband Mick disappeared at sea last Christmas.
But in a surprising video shared on Twitter yesterday (Tuesday, March 28, 2023), it was revealed Elaine will be flying to the rescue.
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Linda's mother will return to the Square with a brand new family in tow made up of her new lover George Knight (Colin Salmon) and his two daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).
While most fans were pleased to find out Linda will no longer be swamped behind the bar, many were shocked to find out Elaine had been recast.
British sitcom star Harriet Thorpe will be taking over 63-year-old Maria Friedman.
"Wow Colin Salmon is joining! Shame to recast Linda's mum but I bet Harriet Thorpe will be great and look what happened with Peggy when they replaced the original one with Dame Barbara", one hopeful fan commented.
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Another sceptically added: "I don't know if they should have just introduced them as a new family instead of recasting Elaine."
One disappointed BBC One viewer responded to the news with a shot of Kellie Bright alongside Maria Friedman, commenting: "this is Elaine."
"Recasting Maria Friedman… minus one EastEnders point. Casting Colin Salmon… two bonus EastEnders points", another chimed in.
"I love Harriet but why recast Elaine? Maria Friedman was fantastic and she’s still fresh in everyone’s mind!! Disappointed. There was also no mention of a husband or daughters when she was last in the square", one fan jumped in and another echoed: "I agree , not a good recast for Elaine at all, this is Elaine’s boyfriend and his daughters."
As mentioned above, Linda has been going through a rough patch.
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Three months have passed since Mick vanished and he is presumed dead, although nothing but his wallet was found by the authorities.
To make matters worse, his last wife Janine Butcher has been trying to sell her half of The Vic, which prompted Linda's pal Sharon Watts to try and help her keep hold of the iconic pub.
Unfortunately, Linda wasn't keen to cope with Sharon's rigid ambition and doubts grew when Suki and Nish Panesar made her an offer.
In recent scenes, Linda was seen making a phone call and fans speculated the mystery person on the other end of the line was her mother Elaine.
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But how will the duo get along as Elaine shares her life with a new man, particularly due to a Christmas murder mystery Linda will be involved in?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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