EastEnders character Cindy Beale was killed off in 1998 -
but her wild child Cindy junior is set to make a big splash when she makes
her screen debut in August.
Cindy Beale Junior, played by actress Mimi Keene, is 14
years old and will visit the square to stay with her father Ian, played by Adam
Woodyatt, for the summer.
However he will discover that she has no intention of going
back to Devon to live with her aunt once the school holidays are over.
New face on Albert Square: Cindy Beale Junior, played by actress Mimi Keene, makes her EastEnders debut in August
Cindy has inherited the Italian looks of her mother’s lover
Nick Holland, and some of her mother’s wild ways. The original Cindy, played by
Michelle Collins, hired a hitman to shoot Ian in 1996.
She had Cindy while she was in prison for the crime, and junior
was brought up in Devon by Cindy’s sister Gina Williams (previously played by
Nicola Cowper).
After spending time with her half-brother Peter in Devon,
Cindy is keen to meet her half-sister Lucy (Hetti Bywater) and Ian’s son Bobby
(Rory Stroud). So she arrives to stay with the Beales for the summer holidays.
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) in 1996 before her death in prison giving birth to Cindy junior
Keene to impress: Mimi plays Cindy Jr
Described as a ‘magnet for trouble’ Cindy Jr also yearns to
be embraced by the family she should have grown up in.
Soap boss Lorraine
Newmann said: ‘Cindy is cheeky and hugely likeable, there’s never a dull moment
when she’s around.
‘Cindy has no fears or inhibitions and she often ends up in
hot water as a result. It’s only a matter of time before she begins to stir up
trouble in Albert Square.’
Mimi
Keene’s previous credits include Our Girl and Sadie J, and has appeared
onstage at London's prestigious Royal Court theatre.
Newman added: ‘Mimi is an exciting addition to the show and
a great actress as her previous work has shown.
'Cindy’s a minx, creating a
great energy within the newly reformed Beale clan.
'With Peter, Lucy, Bobby and
Cindy to contend with, it’ll be a lively household, Ian and Denise will certainly
have their work cut out.’
Keene’s first episode as Cindy transmits in August on BBC One.
EastEnders is struggling in the ratings, having fallen
2million behind ITV rival Coronation Street.
Mome media pundits have taken this new casting as a sign of desperation for the show's writers to inject some drama.
Cindy
Junior previously appeared on screen as a baby in 1998, and also made a
brief appearance in 2007 with Eva Sayer playing the part of Cindy as an
11-year-old.
