EastEnders fans are set to be blessed with the return of an icon just months after being axed amid a dramatic turn of events in upcoming scenes.
Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) is set to return at what is possibly the worst time ever for The Six, who are all struggling to hold themselves together after covering up the murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).
Karen left the Square in November 2023 after son Keanu framed her for Albie’s kidnapping, and took £50,000 of Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) money with her.
She must be feeling brave to turn up again.
However, Karen is eager for answers over her son’s whereabouts, and she will stop at nothing to get them, leaving The Six in a difficult position.
Keanu’s disappearance
Karen turns up at the café and instantly clashes with Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry), who has been led to believe that Keanu was responsible for his attack on Christmas Day.
When Karen starts digging for information on that fateful festive night, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) team up to convince her of their version of events.
However, it doesn’t take long for Kathy to worry that Karen may prove to be a threat to their freedom, and, in a move that is becoming somewhat of a habit for our Kath, she decides to report Karen to the police for Albie’s kidnapping.
When Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) spots Karen on the street, she is instantly horrified, given that she was the one to have actually stabbed Keanu.
‘Being faced with Keanu’s mother is probably about the worst thing that could happen to Linda, especially on the day that she arrives,’ actress Kellie Bright revealed.
‘I think she finds the whole encounter absolutely unbearable and it just pushes her further and further towards the edge.’
Things only get worse when Karen arrives at the Vic, demanding an audience with Linda over the events of Christmas Day…
War with Phil
While The Six are watching their backs to avoid Karen, Phil is actively seeking her out, determined to get back his stolen cash.
Karen’s clash with Nish at the café is interrupted by Phil’s arrival as he demands his £50,000, but she refuses to pay up.
She further twists the knife by commenting on Nish and Kat Slater’s (Jessie Wallace) blossoming new relationship, and goads Phil that his empire is slipping away.
Determined to find a way to deal with her, Phil turns to a surprising source for advice: Kathy Beale.
Can Kathy give him the answers he’s looking for, or will Karen get the better of both him and The Six?
