Janine Butcher is one of the most notorious villains in soap history, with a long list of crimes that includes murder, fraud, and manipulation. Played by Charlie Brooks, Janine has terrorised Albert Square for decades, and her recent return has fans wondering what she'll do next.
Early Life and Descent into Darkness
Janine was introduced as the daughter of Frank Butcher, who abandoned her with Pat. She and Pat shared a love-hate relationship until Pat's death. Frank returned two years later and they moved to Manchester, but he ditched her again to return to Walford. When Janine followed him back, her anger and pain had crystallised into a cruel streak.
After being abandoned a third time, Janine became homeless. She was taken in by Terry Raymond, whom she manipulated and attempted to seduce. When Terry left after being beaten by a drug dealer, Janine began a relationship with Billy Mitchell until he ran out of money. She turned to prostitution, with Ian Beale as a client, whom she blackmailed. Laura Beale found out and threw boiling milk in Janine's face, leaving her agoraphobic.
Murder and Mayhem
Janine married Barry Evans for his money, believing he had a heart murmur. When it turned out to be a false alarm, she shoved him off a cliff in Scotland and ignored his pleas for help, saying 'memories are better'. She later confessed to Pat, leading to her arrest for Laura's death, though Pat eventually gave her an alibi and she fled.
Janine reappeared as 'Judith Bernstein', attempting to marry an elderly wealthy man. After his death, she returned home and accidentally killed Danielle Jones. She later framed Stacey Slater for stabbing herself, and had a toxic relationship with Michael Moon, whom she killed in self-defence, though she let Alice Branning believe she'd done it.
Destroying the Carters
Janine's fourth stint saw her target Mick Carter, manipulating his wife Linda's alcoholism and framing her for drink-driving after crashing into a tree. Pregnant with Mick's baby, Janine's plot was exposed on Boxing Day by her daughter Scarlett. A struggle with Linda led to a car going over a cliff, with Mick drowning while trying to save them. Janine was sentenced to five years for perverting the course of justice.
Latest Return
Janine's recent return saw her handed a document before breaking into an evil grin. Charlie Brooks confirmed Janine remains the same monster, saying, 'I don't know if anyone wants to see a reformed Janine ever, so we can rest assured that we are leaning into the true nature of who Janine is – as always, it's about survival for her.'
