Danny Hatchard, who plays Lee Carter on EastEnders, has said that returning to the BBC soap was "lifesaving". The actor was last on the show in 2020 but has made a comeback as part of an exit storyline for onscreen mum Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter.
For Danny, coming back to the soap was an incredible experience. He shared that it made him realise why he loves acting so much. He said: "I'd always wanted to go out there and try other opportunities within my career, but I also hoped there'd be an opportunity to return because of how much I love both the character and EastEnders. Being able to return at different points throughout the show's history and the characters life has been brilliant."
A Lifesaving Return to Walford
He added: "In many ways, it's been lifesaving and has reinforced my love for this line of work. Coming back always reminds me why I love acting."
As part of his return, Danny's character Lee is dealing with imminent fatherhood. His sister Nancy, played by Maddy Hill, is acting as a surrogate for him and his partner Jess, though Jess has apparently left the relationship - or has she? Secrets are afoot and Kellie Bright's Linda is determined to root them out.
Reuniting with Kellie Bright and Maddy Hill
Speaking about what it was like to work with Kellie again, Danny said: "I adore Kellie and have so much love and respect for her. Whenever we're in a scene together, I feel that maternal energy from her so strongly, and she brings out something in me as an actor that I wish I could access every day because she's just phenomenal.
"She's been such an important part of my journey, not only as an actor and in Lee's story, but also as a person. I really adore having her in my life. I'm so glad the Carter children have reunited for the wider farewell of such an iconic character. Linda and Kellie deserve that."
He added that it was amazing to work with Maddy again too, saying they had "known each other for such a long time", which brought a "brilliant familiarity" to set.
Drama Ahead for the Carters
"Sometimes I have to remind myself we're not actually a real-life family," he joked. "It's easy to forget because of how close we've all become over the years. The people I work with on EastEnders, and the cast in particular, genuinely feel like part of my inner circle. I love them to bits. For me, the Carters are my Albert Square."
On Lee and Nancy's return, he warned that there was more drama to come, particularly regarding Lee's estranged wife Jess: "When Lee and Linda return to Walford this week, they find Jess waiting for them, who has a few bombshells of her own to drop. Her arrival sparks another wave of drama for both the Carters and the wider Square..."
Danny continued: "The storyline itself meant a lot to me, and it felt really important to get it right. Out of all the storylines I've been involved in, this was one I was particularly excited to take on and really get my teeth into."
