EastEnders introduced Darnell Larson to Walford this week, with the character played by actor Christopher Colquhoun, whose former partner also has a connection to the BBC soap.
Darnell arrived as the half-brother of Denise Fox, who remains in hospital battling myeloid leukemia and requires a stem cell transplant. Residents including Yolande Trueman and Kim Fox searched for a possible donor as Denise was placed into a coma after developing sepsis and a chest infection, with doctors agreeing it was the best course of action to help save her life.
As Jack Branning began to lose hope for his partner's survival, Kim discovered that Denise had a half-brother. Initially, the science teacher refused to help Denise as he battled his own demons, but later had a change of heart and agreed to take the test to see if he was a stem cell match.
Career before Walford
Christopher Colquhoun was born in Carlisle in January 1970 and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). During the late 1990s, he enjoyed roles in major television shows, including Silent Witness and Holby City, before he was cast as registrar Simon Kaminski in Casualty between 2002 and 2004.
In 2009, the actor arrived in Coronation Street as Matt Davies, who embarked on a romance with Sunita Alahan following her split from Dev Alahan. After a turbulent relationship with Sunita, the cash-and-carry manager departed in February 2010.
In 2017, Christopher joined Brenda Blethyn for four episodes of Vera, in which he played Dr. Carmichael, and he also played Agent Crown in Absentia between 2017 and 2020, with other credits including Fleabag, Prisoner 951, and Coldwater.
Joining the Fox family
Speaking about his soap character joining the iconic Fox family in EastEnders, Christopher said: "Darnell is a real 'what you see is what you get' kind of person. He’s a bit nerdy, anxious, curious, and full of enthusiasm; a person with zero interest in confrontation whatsoever."
He added: "A science buff and single dad, he’d much rather understand how and why something works than get involved in a fight (so I do worry about him on the Square!)."
He continued: "It's an honour to join one of Walford’s most loved families and, I’m sure Darnell would also say, one of its best! (laughs). I actually went to drama school with Diane back in the day, so reconnecting with her after all these years is genuinely exciting and reassuring too as I know she’s got my back!"
Who is Christopher's famous ex?
Christopher tends to keep his private life out of the public eye, but he reportedly dated his Casualty co-star, Martina Laird, who played Comfort Jones on the BBC medical drama. They are thought to have separated in 2006.
Martina, 55, has also starred in a long list of popular television shows, and in 2016, she appeared in EastEnders as DC Angie Rice while investigating the murder of Paul Coker. She has also appeared in Dreaming Whilst Black as Aunt Polly, The Bay as Bernie Chambers, Ebele Falade in Unforgotten, and Epiphany in Jericho.
Martina is no stranger to the big screen, having portrayed Lashana in Disney's The Little Mermaid, along with Mrs. Jennings in Sense and Sensibility. EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer.
