Carter family (EastEnders)

Template:Infobox fictional family

The Carter family (or Carter/Wicks family) along with the Knight family are extended fictional families in the soap opera EastEnders. Introduced in 2006 welcomes Carly Wicks and Deano Wicks (Kellie Shirley and Matt Di Angelo), the established children of Shirley (Linda Henry), who is then further introduced in December 2006 (the start of the Carter family). In 2013, the further introductions of the Carter family appear as Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) makes her first appearance in November, Mick, Linda, Johnny and Nancy (Danny Dyer, Kellie Bright, Maddy Hill and Sam Strike) make their appearances in December, and Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) makes his first appearance in April 2014. Danny Dyer quit the soap in 2022 to pursue other projects, and he is killed on Christmas Day 2022 by Janine Carter (Charlie Brooks). This is before Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) along with the new Knight family father George Knight (who buys a share in the pub) and his two daughters Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) arrive and all move into the Vic.

As of 2023, only 5 of the Carter family and 3 of the Knight family appear. This includes Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), her son Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), her former daughter-in-law Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and her two children Ollie (Harry Farr) and Annie . Her future stepfather and stepsisters George Knight (Colin Salmon), Gina Knight (Francesca Henry), and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford) live with Linda and appear on-screen. Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), who is sometimes also considered part of the family, also appears on-screen.

Storylines

Carter family

Shirley begins a relationship with Vinnie Monks (Bobby Davro), at the urging of her best friend Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison), but the romance eventually ends when Vinnie learns Shirley is harbouring feelings for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). Phil, an alcoholic, gets drunk with Shirley, uses her for sex and as a surrogate mother for his son, Ben (Joshua Pascoe). Shirley falls in love with Phil. She gives him an alibi when he is suspected of murder and helps him get custody of his daughter, Louise (Brittany Papple), leading to them beginning a legitimate relationship. Shirley is so in love with Phil that she is willing to overlook his misdemeanours. She stands by him when Louise returns to her mother and Phil develops an addiction to crack cocaine. She even forgives him for several affairs, firstly with fellow addict, Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) and secondly with Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber). In remorse for his wrongdoings, Phil tries to convince Shirley to marry him and she almost does but decides that marriage is unnecessary. She remains with Phil under the proviso that he never cheats on her again.

Shirley's life is thrown into turmoil when her best friend, Heather, is found dead at her flat. Unknown to Shirley, the murderer is Phil's son Ben. Phil tries to cover up Ben's involvement but Shirley grows obsessed with tracing the killer. She finds the murder weapon, a metal photo frame, in a neighbour's house and traces it to a charity shop where it was donated by Phil. She realises that Phil was involved in Heather's death and discusses her suspicions with Ben, who buckles under pressure and reveals information about Heather's death that only the murderer could know. Shirley realises that Ben killed Heather and tries to drown him in the bath, but Phil stops her. Phil convinces her not to call the police but Ben goes to the police and confesses. Unable to cope with Phil's betrayal, Shirley ends the relationship and starts drinking heavily. Phil sees that she needs help and calls Carly, who takes Shirley to stay with her and her son Jimmy. When Shirley returns, she remains hostile to Phil and takes his hush money, despite still having feelings for him. Shirley and her sister, Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), move into The Queen Victoria public house, when their supposed brother, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), buys it and moves his family to Walford. After 25 years of animosity, Shirley is reunited with her father, Stan Carter (Timothy West). Despite their mutual hostility, Stan gives Shirley £10,000 which she invests in the pub for a 20% share. It transpires that Stan is in contact with Dean. Stan encourages a reunion with mother and son, but Dean remains hostile to Shirley. Eventually, Shirley manages to build bridges with her father and Dean. Shirley grows jealous of Phil's relationship with Sharon Rickman (Letitia Dean). Sharon agrees to marry Phil but discovers that Phil was responsible for a break-in at her bar. Furious, Sharon decides to fleece Phil for his money in revenge. Phil discovers this, confides in Shirley and starts an affair with her, planning to jilt Sharon at the altar and resume a relationship with Shirley. However, Sharon and Phil discover their respective deceptions and ultimately decide to marry. Dejected, Shirley admits her affair with Phil after the wedding and when Phil rejects her, she shoots him. Fearing Shirley's incarceration, Shirley's aunt Babe Smith (Annette Badland) organises her escape. Dean is distraught and when Mick's partner, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), comforts him, he rapes her. Mick and Dean eventually bring Shirley back to Walford when Stan admits he has terminal prostate cancer.

During Dean Wicks re-introduction, his time on the square displays him forming a sexual relationship with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and performed sperm donation for Fiona "Tosh" Mackintosh (Rebecca Scroggs). On 31 August 2014, it was revealed that Dean would rape Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), after having developed an obsession for her in the months following his return. EastEnders bosses worked with charity Rape Crisis to develop the storyline, which took place in the week commencing on 6 October 2014. Dean's father Buster Briggs, played by Karl Howman, was introduced in mid November.

Mick plans to propose to Linda, but Linda reveals to Mick that Dean raped her. Dean claims that he and Linda had an affair, so Mick attacks Dean. To stop the attack, Shirley reveals that Dean and Mick are brothers and she is Mick's mother, and it emerges that Buster is Mick's father as well as Dean's. Linda claims that their relationship can survive as long as nobody else finds out that she was raped. She eavesdrops while Mick, Tina, Shirley, Babe and Stan argue, only to hear Mick deny that Dean is part of the family. Mick tells Stan and Tina that Dean raped Linda. When he realises Linda has left, a despairing and devastated Mick smashes up the bar. Mick and Linda later report the rape to the police. When Mick learns that Shirley was forced to keep the secret of being his mother out of fear that she would never see him again, he decides to give her another chance, as long as Dean keeps his distance from him. He is shocked to learn that Stan wants him and Tina to help him die and stops Tina from doing so. The next week, Dean is arrested and released on bail. He refuses to leave Walford on Shirley's insistence until Mick orders him to.

Dean returns and sneaks into the pub's cellar, intending to set fire to it, and taking Nancy hostage. Mick stops him and chokes him until he is unconscious, but Dean goes missing after this. Linda proposes to Mick and he accepts. Nancy believes Mick has killed Dean, until Dean returns. Linda gives birth prematurely to Ollie Carter after falling down the stairs. Dean believes the baby is his until Mick discovers he, Linda and Ollie share the same blood group, but Dean's is different, meaning Dean cannot be Ollie's father. Mick and Buster then start to bond. Mick and Linda bring Ollie home, where Mick ejects Dean after he attempts to shake Linda's hand. Mick and Shirley reunite when they scatter Stan's ashes. Dean starts a relationship with Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons), so her sister Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) tries to get Mick to help her get rid of Dean, but he refuses to help. Mick lies to his family so he can take Ollie to see Shirley, but they soon find out and Linda is initially not happy. Dean attempts to rape Roxy when she ends the relationship; Shirley witnesses this and realises Dean did rape Linda, and she tries to drown him but is unsuccessful. At Mick and Linda's wedding, Dean arrives and tries to drown Shirley in a lake, but Mick rescues Shirley and then resuscitates Dean after he nearly drowns, wanting him to face punishment. Dean is arrested, and Mick and Linda get married.

When they return from their honeymoon, they discover that Lee's girlfriend, Whitney Dean's (Shona McGarty), brother Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott) has stolen £5,000 from the safe. Mick accompanies Whitney to meet Ryan and Mick convinces Ryan to return the money and hand himself to the police, because he is on the run from the police, to which Ryan agrees. Whitney tells Mick that she has feelings for him and kisses him. Mick tells Linda this, so Linda encourages Whitney not to give up on Lee.

When Nancy and Lee have an argument, Nancy pushes Lee, which results Ollie being knocked out of his high chair. Mick and Linda do not witness this, and Ollie seems fine so Linda says he does not need medical attention. However, she later finds him not breathing, and when she resuscitates him, he suffers a seizure. In hospital, the family are informed that Ollie could have brain damage; Mick blames Nancy and says he cannot forgive her, but Linda defends her and eventually forces them to work together to get Ollie the medical care he needs. Mick is devastated at Dean's acquittal but Linda reassures him. The Carters are later devastated when a pregnant Whitney suffers a miscarriage but are delighted when Lee and Whitney get married. Mick struggles look after his family when Linda goes to Spain to look after her ill mother Elaine who suffers a stroke during the Christmas break. Mick is then unhappy to learn that Lee's depression has made him contemplate suicide and that he is in debt, which Mick offers to pay. When Whitney is injured in a bus crash, Mick accompanies her to the hospital and after he assures her that she is a good wife to Lee, she kisses him, which is seen by Denise Fox (Diane Parish).

Babe breaches the pub licence when she sells alcohol in the morning, when the licence does not cover this. An undercover police officer becomes a regular customer, and eventually Mick, Babe and Shirley are arrested, charged and fined £20,000 in court. Babe leaves Sylvie near the canal, in an attempt to let her drown; when Sylvie is found, it is revealed Babe is responsible and Mick evicts her after she starts insulting Linda. The next day, Mick is disgusted to learn that Lee had hit Whitney during a row and confides in Shirley who suggest that Lee and Whitney should be separated for Whitney's safety, which he regretfully tells Lee. Lee leaves Whitney, leaving a note saying he no longer loves her, but Mick persuades him to explain to her his reasons before going. With Babe missing, Mick no is no longer required to pay her share of the fine, however, realising that Mick cannot pay the fine as well as other debts, including bills for the repair of leaks in the pub, Shirley decides to put the blame for the licence break on herself. As the fine is unpaid, Shirley is jailed and subsequently charged with perverting the cause of justice, which increases her sentence from six weeks to three months. A few days later, Ian's wife, Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) calls Linda, worried about Mick. Linda returns the following day and Mick informs her of Lee's departure and the debts he has left. Linda initially blames Whitney and an argument ensues, causing Whitney to storm out. Mick explains to Linda that it was Lee's fault, causing another argument between the two although they later make up and have sex. After a heart-to-heart with Whitney, Linda decides to return to Elaine, which angers Mick as Linda saw the state he was in and left anyway. Soon after Linda's departure, Mick receives a phone call from Tamwar saying that Nancy has been critically injured after being hit by a car while backpacking in Bulgaria. He immediately leaves Walford and flies to Bulgaria to be with her.

Months later, Linda develops a stress-induced drinking disorder. She is arrested after crashing into a parent's car during the school run and, failing a breathalyser test, faces a court summons, also a driving ban which she keeps secret from Mick, unfortunately she reverts to drinking alcohol, anxious about telling him. On Christmas Eve, Linda gets drunk and insults Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) and Mick, mocking him about his panic attacks, which Ollie witnesses. Linda walks out and passes out in the gardens, being awoken by Lee, who has returned for Christmas. She spends the next day in hospital but discharges herself, in the need of a drink. Linda passes out in the back of a van and when she wakes up hungover, she finds herself at an abandoned warehouse where Martin Fowler (James Bye) has been ordered by Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) to kill Keanu, in revenge for Keanu having an affair with and impregnating his stepmother, Sharon. As Ben wants evidence of Keanu's murder on a burner phone and, growing tired of Martin's uncertainty, Linda shoots Keanu in the shoulder herself. He survives and they follow Linda's plan of staging Keanu's murder, with Martin disposing of the evidence and both of them keeping quiet. Linda later invites Sharon to live with the Carters but her guilt grows, especially when Keanu's mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) becomes convinced that Phil has killed him, causing her to drink heavily again. On New Year's Eve, she goes to Karen's party and gets excessively drunk, leading to her almost exposing the events of Christmas Day, kicking Sharon out, flirting with Max Branning (Jake Wood) and almost being raped by a stranger after going to his hotel room. After she phones him, Martin, turning up outside The Queen Vic, forcefully warns her in the nearby alleyway against revealing the events of Christmas Day or they are "both dead".

Mick later finds out about the hotel and confronts Linda, who claims she cannot remember anything but gets herself tested for STIs. Linda later gets drunk and confesses to Sharon that Keanu is still alive; she continues to taunt Martin over this, with him growing more worried that she will reveal everything. Linda's alcoholism continues to spiral out of control, resulting in her slapping Sharon and social services intervening as Ollie's schoolteachers notice him becoming extremely unhappy. After almost setting fire to the kitchen and potentially endangering Ollie with her behaviour, Shirley tries to drown Linda, who breaks down. Shirley then urges her to attend therapy for her alcoholism or face never seeing Ollie again. However, Linda continues her drinking and thinks that the family are all against her. Linda later kicks off and produces divorce papers telling Mick that their marriage is over, to his horror.

After Linda gives a drunken speech in front of everyone at The Queen Vic one night, humiliating Mick, he tells her he will see her in court. The day of the boat party, which is being held to celebrate the Vic winning best pub, Linda and Shirley fight when Shirley notices Linda drinking as they prepare to leave. Shirley urges Linda to realize that she still loves Mick and that she should try to save her marriage. As they get ready to board the bus, Linda sees Mick and Whitney talking and assumes they are having an affair. Unbeknownst to her, Whitney has asked Mick for help after her accidental murder of Leo King. Linda drinks Mo's vodka on the bus en route to the boat and arrives drunk, which leads to her announcing in front of everyone that Mick and Whitney are having an affair. She later goes down to the boat's kitchen and sees a bottle of wine on a shelf, but as she climbs to reach for it the boat crash happens and she falls. Her ankle gets stuck and she gets knocked out, and later when water begins to pour in Mick arrives and hears her cries for help. Mick cannot get Linda's foot out and Linda tells him to leave her and to think of their kids, but Mick says he is staying with her. As the boat fills with more water, Mick decides to break Linda's ankle to free her and he and Linda later appear in the Thames with Mick holding on to an unconscious Linda. They are rescued by Stuart and Rainie who are on a life boat, and Linda regains consciousness. Once they reach the dock with all the other passengers, Linda is devastated as she sees Dennis being declared dead by paramedics who failed to resuscitate him. Mick, Linda and Tina later arrive home to The Queen Vic where Linda finally admits that she is an alcoholic and that she wants to get help, choosing her marriage and Mick over alcohol.

The day after the boat crash Mick tells Linda about Whitney calling him for help after her accidental murder of Leo as he is worried now that Whitney has confessed. Linda questions why he didn't call the police considering it was in self-defence. Mick later tells police he invited Whitney to the party as a distraction but does not reveal he knew about the murder. Linda makes a costume for Ollie for World Book Day and he wins 2nd place, delighting Linda. She also puts up a chart marking the days of being sober and gets rid of all her hidden bottles of alcohol throughout the house. While getting a coffee she runs into Sharon and offers to help her care for her newborn son. However, Linda is still tempted to drink and on the day of Denny's funeral, after an argument with Sharon, she does. Mick later decides that it is better for them to leave the pub and they sell it to Ian Beale and Sharon.

Linda begins working in the laundrette. On a night out, she becomes tired of Mick constantly watching what she drinks and takes a drink which is seen by Max. After a heart to heart, Max kisses Linda. She initially pulls away but then kisses him back. Horrified at what she has done, Linda runs off. She kisses Max again and provides him with an alibi after Ian is attacked by an unknown assailant and left for dead. As Mick struggles from his depression, he tells Linda to stay away from him. Linda is hurt by this and then she decides to stay with Max and they have sex. Linda tells Mick that she slept with Max but Mick can't bring himself to do anything about it which makes Linda think he doesn't care. Max tries to convince Linda to move to New Zealand with him and, after another rejection from Mick, she decides to go. Mick almost attempts suicide before realising that Katy abused him as a child. The next day, Mick heads over to Max's to tell Linda the truth but Max refuses to let him speak to her. Mick confronts Katy and finds out the truth about Frankie being his daughter. He then heads home to tell Linda everything but he can't find her and assumes she has left with Max. Linda tells Max she can't leave with him because she knows something is wrong with Mick. Linda then goes home and Mick tells her that Frankie is his daughter. Linda assumes Mick has cheated on her but he tells her that Frankie is nearly 31 years old which means Mick would have been 12 when she was conceived. Linda is horrified as she realises that Mick was sexually abused. She tells Mick she is sorry for sleeping with Max and almost taking Ollie away from him. Mick and Linda hug and it is implied that they are now back together.

After being dumped by Linda, Max begins drinking and thinking of ways to win her back. Jack sees Mick at the police station and overhears him talking about being sexually abused as a child. Jack tells this to Max, who now believes Linda only dumped him out of pity to Mick. Max steals a file from Jack that contains evidence of all Phil Mitchell's crimes. Max uses this to blackmail Phil into convincing Sharon to sign The Queen Vic back to Mick. He believes this will show Linda how much he cares for her and will be enough to win her back. Phil and Sharon agree to it and Max is happy that his plan is working. As this is happening, Mick walks into The Queen Vic and tells Max to stay away from Linda. Max doesn't listen which leads to Mick punching him. Jack takes Max home and confronts him about the file that he stole and used to threaten Phil. Linda then walks in and also confronts Max for using Mick's trauma to his advantage. She tells him to leave Walford and Jack agrees. Later that day, Phil visits the Carters and offers them The Queen Vic back. They decide to take the offer just as Max leaves Albert Square.

Months later, Linda begins feeling sick and discovers she is pregnant. Linda tells Mick and he is over the moon about the idea of them having another baby, although she later reveals that it's Max's. Although uneasy, Mick tells Linda he will raise the baby as his own. Rainie Cross, who is trying to get Max to return to the Square, becomes suspicious of Linda and threatens to tell Max that he has a baby on the way. Linda later gives birth to a daughter, whom she calls Annie. Mick, Linda and Ollie later leave to live in Elaine's pub as they fear Max will return, however a few weeks later, Mick and Ollie return to Walford alone without Linda. At Christmas time, Linda is visited by Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), under the name of Judith, who unknown to her, has moved into The Queen Vic and is trying to take advantage of Mick. Linda later drinks alcohol after being manipulated by Janine. Nancy later visits her to find her drunk. Nancy gives her an ultimatum; alcohol or a family. Linda chooses alcohol and later phones Mick telling him that she wants a divorce.

Linda returns at Tina's funeral where she finds out that Mick and Janine are in a relationship. Linda returns to the Queen Vic where she argues and fights with Janine. After Janine scams Nancy and Zack out of £50,000 to give to Linda in an attempt for her to leave Walford, Linda invests the money in the 'Fox and Hair' salon, unaware that the money that Janine gave her was from scammed from Nancy and Zack who wanted to buy a restaurant. Linda is later involved in a car crash with Janine and Annie after she and Janine argue over Mick. Janine moves an unconscious Linda into the driver seat to make it look like Linda was driving under the influence. Linda falls into a coma for the next few days and once she awakens, is disowned by her family who are unaware of Janine's actions. Linda loses custody of Annie as a result of Jada Lennox (Kelsey Calladine-Smith) setting her up after being forced by Janine but eventually, Linda gets Annie back. As Mick and Janine's relationship leads them both to being engaged, Linda learns that they are both having a baby and she accepts that her and Mick's time together is over and finds it difficult to move on. After having some doubts, Linda encourages Mick to marry Janine for the sake of his and Janine's unborn baby. Mick later marries Janine after taking Linda's advice. Linda later rekindles her relationship with Mick and they agree to try again following the revelation that Janine manipulated Mick and that she was responsible for the crash. As Janine attempts to escape to evade justice, Linda and Mick follow Janine to Dover. Linda phones the police on Janine but as she tries to escape after hurting Mick, Linda gets into the car and it crashes into the sea where Linda pleads to Mick to save Janine and their unborn baby. After saving Janine, Mick rushes back into the sea to save Linda, unaware that she managed to escape the car. Linda is heartbroken and distraught as Mick becomes lost at sea and is presumed dead. This results in Linda leaving Walford to meet up with her children to tell them what happened to Mick.

In October 2023, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) tells her partner Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that she has gone into business with a man who knows a lot about Walford and who used to live there. This is revealed to be Dean and Cindy is shocked when Ian informs her of Dean's rape crimes. Meanwhile, Dean sneaks into the Queen Vic kitchen, horrifying Linda. He tells her that Jade is awaiting a lung transplant due to her cystic fibrosis and he therefore needs to stay near her and Shabnam. At first, Linda refuses to believe Dean and confronts Ian and Cindy for going into business with him. Ian and Cindy attempt to end their partnership with Dean, but he refuses. Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) confirms from Shabnam that Jade is indeed ill and informs Linda. Meanwhile, Dean reunites with Chelsea (now played by Zaraah Abrahams) and attempts to convince her to talk to Linda so that he can stay in Walford. He asserts that he did not rape Linda and that he has been slandered. However, Chelsea refuses to believe him and warns him to stay away. She then tells Linda that she is on her side, which is witnessed by Dean.

Knight family

Linda returns to Walford weeks later, walking in to The Queen Vic where Alfie throws a tropical-themed party. Linda is furious and asks everyone to leave. After talking with Alfie, she decides to sell The Queen Vic but after talking with Patrick, she changes her mind and prepares to find a buyer for Mick's share of the pub which was inherited by Janine. Linda receives two bidders, Sharon and also Nish (Navin Chowdhry) and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) but Linda later starts arranging another buyer which later is revealed to be Elaine (now portrayed by Harriet Thorpe), Linda's mother. After lying to Sharon, they both fall out as Elaine walks in, revealing she is the new co-landlady of The Queen Vic. Elaine is later seen on the phone multiple times, foreshadowing the families arrival. George, Gina and Anna all enter the Vic unannounced to Linda's dismay as she is still grieving for the loss of Mick. After initial hostility from Linda, George is given a chance and him and Linda contact Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) to track down George's ex-wife Rose Knight – who is later revealed to be Cindy (Michelle Collins). Cindy is unbeknownst of George and her daughters settling in Walford, and after half-brother Peter Beale (Thomas Law) arrives for Anna and Gina, she follows him not knowing that they are going to be there. As it is Anna's 21st birthday, George and Elaine throw a party for Anna. Cindy is helping Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) deliver food to the Vic for the party, as Cindy's husband Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) arrives and stops her, however George goes to take a breath and finds Cindy there. Cindy then follows George into the barrel store and they talk of her disappearance and run through back to what had happened that night. A flashback reveals that Cindy (now Rose) has found out about the death of half-sister Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater; see Who Killed Lucy?), and returns to Walford to return to her family how ever is stopped and is told by her officer if she goes back to Marbella to return to the family they cannot guarantee her safety. Linda then catches them and assumes that they're having an affair, and reveals that the girls are still living there. Cindy walks back into Gina and Anna's life abruptly in-front of crowds in the pub for her birthday, and they go upstairs to talk. Gina and Anna then find out that Cindy wasn't actually there for them and hasn’t made an attempt to look. Gina and Anna then go to R&R and they were then uncontrollable, Gina overdoses on on ketamine and is rushed to hosptial, whilst Anna is sleeping with her then boyfriend Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell)'s best friend, Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier). When Gina is found by George and Cindy, she is taken to hospital. George tells Cindy that Gina has had a drug addiction since he caught her with weed when she was 15, claiming this was down to Rose/Cindy's disappearance.

Creation and Development

Carter family

Shirley's creation was announced in September 2006, at which time she was described as being "brassy, rough, tarty and tough-as-old-boots" by media entertainment website Digital Spy. Henry, who had appeared in the serial during the early 1990s as prostitute Lorraine Salter, said: "I'm thrilled to be joining EastEnders. I'm both nervous and excited as I've watched it for many years". Created as an extension of the established Wicks family, Shirley's arrival was welcomed by her son, Deano. Di Angelo deemed his character "very fond" of his mother, keen to forge a relationship with her, and attributed Deano's childish characterisation to her absence during his formative years. Other relatives were less enthused by her arrival: Shirley developed a rivalry with Wicks matriarch Pat (Pam St Clement), which culminated in a physical fight and their arrest in April 2007. Digital Spy's Dek Hogan highlighted a similarity between the two, and commented prior to their fight that Shirley was "so like Pat was when she first arrived it's frightening." Carly Wicks and Deano Wicks (Kellie Shirley and Matt Di Angelo), are introduced in early 2006 as the children of Kevin Wicks (Phil Daniels). Shirley (Linda Henry) is introduced in December 2006 (the start of the Carter family). In 2013, the further introductions of the Carter family appear as Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) makes her first appearance in November, two of Mick and Linda's children, Johnny and Nancy, were announced on 29 October 2013, with Sam Strike and Maddy Hill taking on the roles, and the first photo of the whole family of Mick, Linda, Johnny, Nancy, Shirley, Tina and the dog, was released. It was also revealed that Mick and Linda have a third child, Lee, who is a soldier in Afghanistan. Treadwell-Collins released a statement saying: "My team have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to create the Carters—a contemporary British family with cracks, knocked edges and a touch of darkness that is going to make them very special to watch. A family of strong characters who love and hate each other, all rooted in the best traditions of EastEnders. Starting with Shirley, the Carters are slowly going to creep into Albert Square as Christmas approaches and by New Year, there will be a new vibrant EastEnders clan, firmly ensconced in the Queen Vic. Watch out Walford, The Carters are coming!" Dyer said that Mick is protective of Nancy and does not think her fiancé, Wayne Ladlow (Malachi Kirby), is good enough for her.

Further details of the family's dog were revealed on 10 November. The dog is called Lady Di, named after Diana, Princess of Wales. Inside Soap reported that Lady Di is "the apple of [...] Mick's eye", would help show a softer side to his character, and adds credence to his patriotism. Mick's grandfather (originally thought to be his father), Stan Carter, played by Timothy West, and maternal great aunt (originally thought to be his aunt), Babe Smith, played by Annette Badland, were announced on 12 December 2013, and the casting of Lee was announced in January 2014, with Danny-Boy Hatchard taking on the role. It was said that Lee was "a chip off his father's block". Dyer said that Mick and Stan have "a bit of a mad relationship."

On 8 January 2022, it was announced by an EastEnders spokesperson that Dyer was leaving. Speaking on his departure they said, "Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year. Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for, however we won't be saying goodbye just yet as there's still quite some time - and plenty of explosive drama for Mick - to come before he departs Walford."

In October 2023, rumours that Di Angelo will reprise his role of Dean were reported after he was apparently pictured in a behind the scenes photograph. Dean made his return on 30 October 2023.

Knight family

The role of Elaine Peacock is recast to Harriet Thorpe in 2023 – to coincide with the introduction of the Knight family and return of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins); the Knight family's first appearance introduces George Knight (Colin Salmon), the fiancé of Elaine, who owns a bar in Marbella. At first glance, George is very "off-toned" and is presented as a bad guy – but this later clears as he is then characterised as a 'loving, doting dad' when the re-introduction of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) reveals that she is his ex-wife whilst she was in Witness Protection from a dodgy deal in Prison if she contested against cell-mate Jackie Ford. Cindy did contest and was given a new life as Rose Sawyer (later Rose Knight); she settles for George and has Gina Knight (Francesca Henry; Kristen-Leigh Petit) in 2000 and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford; Kimara Mai Petit) in August 2002 off-screen. Cindy/Rose then leaves the family in April 2014 when she finds out about the murder of her other daughter Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater) and returns to the square off-screen and risks the life of George, Anna and Gina if she chooses to go return to the Knight family. Also from the first appearance of the Knight family is Gina (Francesca Henry), a former drug addict who struggled with addiction from her teenage years after struggling with the loss of her mother. Gina is characterised as "feisty, determined and demanding" and "as sharp and cool as cut diamonds but with a temper that blazes like fire". Chris Clenshaw, the show's executive producer, explained that the family have been "bound together for years" and moving to the show's setting of Walford creates "the fresh-start the Knights are looking for". Henry expressed her amazement at being cast in the show and commented, "It's very surreal and a true privilege to be trusted to bring Gina to the Square, and to be a part of such an exciting, tight-knit new family." Clenshaw expressed his delight at casting a "hugely talented group of actors" and looked forward to their first scenes airing. Finally from the first appearance of the Knight family, Anna – Anna is characterised as "fun, loveable, and big-hearted", but also someone not to be misjudged. Chris Clenshaw, the show's executive producer, explained that the family have been "bound together for years" and moving to the show's setting of Walford creates "the fresh-start the Knights are looking for". Rainford expressed her joy at joining the cast and commented, "it's an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival". Clenshaw expressed his delight at casting a "hugely talented group of actors" and looked forward to their first scenes airing.

It was announced that after the current "The Six" storyline ends, the Carter and Knight family will get their own respective storyline beginning in early 2024.

Family business

The Queen Victoria Public House

Main article: The Queen Victoria

Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) buys the Queen Vic off of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) off-screen in Autumn 2013. Mick then appears on Boxing Day 2013 inviting people to the opening of the Vic, conveniently on the same day as Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks)'s arrest for the murder of Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), (who later becomes Mick's wife). Shirley, Mick, Linda, Nancy and Johnny all then move into the Vic. In April 2014, the introduction of Mick & Linda's first child, Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) leads to him later moving in.

The pub is sold to Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) for Sharon Beale (Letitia Dean) after Mick and Linda's marriage has a massive decline due to her alcoholism.

Linda Carter, Elaine Peacock, George Knight and Shirley Carter all currently own the The Queen Victoria Public House (or the Vic). Dean currently owns the new Pie and Mash shop with current family rivals Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Family tree

Carter family:

• Stanley Carter (deceased), married to Sylvie Smith (deceased).
  • Shirley Carter, married Kevin Wicks (deceased), daughter of Stan and Sylvie.
    • Michael Carter (deceased), married Linda Peacock and Janine Butcher, son of Shirley and Andrew "Buster" Briggs.
      • Frankie Lewis, daughter of Mick and Katy Lewis.
      • Lee Carter, married Whitney Dean, son of Mick and Linda.
      • Nancy Carter, married Tamwar Masood, daughter of Mick and Linda.
      • Johnny Carter, son of Mick and Linda.
      • Ollie Carter, son of Mick and Linda.
      • Annie Carter, daughter of Linda and Max Branning.
      • Unnamed son of Mick and Janine Carter.
    • Jimbo Wicks (deceased), son of Shirley and Kevin Wicks.
    • Carly Wicks, daughter of Shirley and Daniel.
    • Dean Wicks, son of Shirley and Andrew "Buster" Briggs.
      • Jade Green, daughter of Dean Wicks and Shabnam Masood.
  • Tina Carter (deceased), daughter of Stan and Sylvie.
    • Zsa Zsa Carter, daughter of Tina and Mark Reynolds.

Knight family:

• Joseph Knight
  • George Knight, married to Rose Sawyer/Cindy Williams, engaged to Elaine Peacock.
    • George Knight Jr, son of George and his previous unmentioned wife.
    • Georgina "Gina" Knight, daughter of George and Rose/Cindy.
    • Anna Knight, daughter of George and Rose/Cindy.

See also

• cystic fibrosis
• Beale family

Notes

This article "Carter family (EastEnders)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Carter family (EastEnders). Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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