| Penny Branning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Mia McKenna-Bruce (2008) Kitty Castledine (2024–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2008, 2024–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 3512 21 January 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Diederick Santer (2008) Chris Clenshaw (2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Penny Branning, played by Mia McKenna-Bruce,[1] is the daughter of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and his first wife Selina Branning (Daisy Beaumont). She appears between 21 January[2] and 1 February 2008,[3] and returns from 15[4] to 18 April 2008.[5] On 6 November 2023, it was announced that Penny would be returning to the show, played by Kitty Castledine. She returned alongside her cousin, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), on 1 January 2024.[6]
Penny was a recurring character in 2008, and was just used as a plot device for Jack's storylines. Since her permanent return in 2024, her biggest storylines have included a drug dealing career,[7] working on Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)'s market stall, and being given a recent management job at Peggy's wine bar, and the aftermath of the crowd crush that happened there,[8] including her half-sister, Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) being put in a wheelchair.[9]
Storylines
edit2008
editPenny was previously mentioned to be the daughter of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen). Jack's girlfriend Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Janus) finds tickets for a ballet, which Jack says are for Penny as it is her birthday and she loves dancing. Ronnie answered the phone to Penny's mother, Selina Branning (Daisy Beaumont) and later met her. Penny entered the room in a wheelchair, and Selina asked Ronnie if she knew why Penny was paralyzed from the waist down. Jack later claimed that when he was a police officer, he caught a drug dealer who deliberately hit Penny with his car when she and Selina were waiting at a bus stop. It was later revealed that Jack was a corrupt officer taking payment from a drugs baron in return for tip-offs. When Jack was unable to tip off the baron and he was arrested, one of his associates carried out the attack in revenge.
Jack took Penny and Selina out for Penny's birthday, and afterwards they kissed in Selina's flat. Selina revealed the next day how upset Penny was that Jack was not there when she woke up. Selina decided to move to France where her parents lived, taking Penny with her. Penny visited Jack in April 2008 and was cold towards Ronnie, preferring to go shopping with her aunt Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner). Tanya cooked Penny a farewell meal, as Ronnie struggled to bond with her. Penny did not want to return to France but was persuaded by Jack. In March 2010, Ronnie asked Jack about Penny and he said she was doing fine without him.[10] In October 2013, Jack moved to France to reconnect with Penny, briefly returning to Walford for a visit during Christmas 2015. After Jack's permanent return to Walford, Penny called in December 2016 to tell him she couldn't attend his wedding to Ronnie because of a doctor's appointment in Paris. In February 2020, Penny was mentioned by Max Branning (Jake Wood) when Max and Jack were having a fight.[11]
2024–present
editPenny returns with her cousin, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Lauren’s son, Louie Beale (Jake McNally). They are seen in France in January 2024 at a party that they are hosting.[12] It is revealed that Penny has a connection to a woman named Juliette Dubois (Lily Catalifo) and Juliette reveals that Penny is keeping secrets. The next morning, Penny, Lauren and Louie arrive in England and a sniffer dog smells something in Lauren's bag. A police officer finds a parcel of drugs in Lauren's bag and they are not hers but instead, likely Penny's. Penny then reunites with Jack at his doorstep and informs him on the conflict with Lauren. Jack tries to deal with it but isn’t allowed. After hearing the ‘full’ story, Jack questions Penny on if she planted the drugs in Lauren’s bag as that is usually the most likely outcome. After Peter Beale suspects that Penny planted the drugs on Lauren, Penny hands herself in to the police.
When at the police station, Jack quickly visits her to find out that Penny had denied a lawyer. Jack then instructs her to take any deal she’s offered. Peter and Jack talk in the square and Peter mentions Juliette, Jack then relays this to the police investigating with Penny. In an attempt of blackmail, Penny pushes herself out of her wheelchair but then blames it on the DI, she then tries to make a deal linked to her and Lauren being released but is caught in the act as the DI reveals there’s 2 cameras. The DI then asks Penny to confess everything about Juliette to get her and Lauren set free. Thankfully, Lauren is released although after a conversation with Peter Beale (Thomas Law), Lauren questions if Penny was behind the drug incident, Penny confesses and Lauren is raging over it and immediately plans to leave Walford with Louie. After finding out some home truths, Lauren consistently avoids Penny but after a conversation with Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), the cousins manage to make up.
Penny and Lauren make a plan to move in together although Peter disapproves of this due to the drugs, so therefore, Penny gets him drunk and makes him realise that she’s not a bad person. After some bonding, Peter approves of her. Lauren is surprised that Penny managed to change Peter’s mind. The next week, Peter assists Penny and Lauren by moving into 29A Albert Square. When Penny is trusted to keep an eye on Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty)’s stall, she accidentally knocks a ladder into Jade Masood (Elizabeth Green), injuring her. Later, Penny gives Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) some relationship advice. When discussing Lauren’s upcoming 30th, Penny tries to encourage her to do something big and even tries to persuade Peter to be a part of it. At the party, Penny forces Lauren to do a speech.
When Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) is struggling with her relationship, Penny visits her and Amy reveals that she wants to sleep with Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega). Penny is a bit concerned at first but shows support to Amy and doesn’t stop her. A few days later, Lauren and Whitney fall out so Penny locks them in a van, they scream for help as the situation intensifies when Whitney’s waters break. When Whitney leaves Walford the next week, Penny becomes the owner of her clothing stall. The following week, Penny visits her mum in France.
Once she returns from France, she meets Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway), and things quickly become flirtatious between the two and they later sleep together, though Penny hides this from Jack. After some time, Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) steals some clothes from Penny's stall which causes conflict between the two, Penny threatens Avani and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) - demanding the dress back. She receives it from Ravi and then arranges a promo night at Peggy's with Chelsea Fox.
Penny manipulates Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) into drinking on the job, and is caught by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), her boss. Chelsea is then sacked and Penny spitefully takes the job, insulting Chelsea and belittling her. Chelsea attempts to tell Phil about Penny's true ways but Phil doesn't listen, and employs Penny. Penny continues to be a manipulative manager to Chelsea.
Some time later, Penny arranges a carnival night to prove herself as manager, but the booking is sabotaged and a Crush occurs. Penny panics when she notices Amy trapped but things escalate when the crowd stampede and Penny is knocked out of her wheelchair. Penny panics if anyone died, but thankfully, things are ok. Amy's condition stabilises in hospital but Penny is later taken in for questioning after CCTV proves illegal tickets were distributed. Penny tries to prove her innocence to Jack but fails to do so, and he admits his favouritism for Amy.
Development
edit
Creation and casting
editIn 2008, the executive producer at the time, Diederick Santer, decided to explore the family of already established character, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), to give him more of a detailed backstory. This was used by bringing in Penny and her mother, Selina Branning (Daisy Beaumont) as recurring characters.[13] Mia McKenna-Bruce was cast in the role of Penny, and appeared in two separate guest stints. One from January to February, and another in April, all that year.
Return
editIn November 2023, it was announced that Penny would be heading back to Walford with her cousin, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). It was decided that the character would be recast, and the role was given to Kitty Castledine. Kitty expressed that she was thrilled to be joining the show, due to watching it while growing up.
| “ | “I didn’t expect to start my EastEnders journey so soon out of drama school – I can’t actually believe it! My whole family are EastEnders fans, and I remember sitting on my Nanny Kay’s lap to tune in, and now they get to watch me in Albert Square. The inclusion of disabled talent on screen is so important to me as a wheelchair user, so I’m thrilled to be playing a character as feisty and cool as Penny. She’s thrown into the middle of the drama straight away, and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to.” | ” |
| — Kitty Castledine on her casting as Penny. | ||
Executive producer, Chris Clenshaw said on the casting announcement, "It’s been a long time since Penny Branning was in Walford, and she’s a very different person from the one our viewers might remember. Kitty is a terrific addition to the show, and we’re looking forward to seeing Penny back in Albert Square."[14]
About her characters representation of wheelchair users, Castledine said, "It’s really important that disability is visible on screen, because there hasn’t been a lot of representation, and I’m proud to be someone representing disability."[15]
Personality
editOn her casting announcement, Kitty Castledine said, "Penny is great. She’s so cool, and she’s got this dry humour that I love."[16] Castledine later opened up about her character's issues with familial relationships and friendships. She said in an interview, "I don't think she's used to having people around her who want to be with her and care for her. She has a coping mechanism where she tends to push people away, which is tricky when you're in Walford and everyone relies on friends and family. It doesn't really win her any friends, which is a shame, because Penny is so fun to be around."[17]
Notable relationships
editJack Branning
editA big part of Penny's backstory was how she got in her wheelchair. Jack was a corrupt officer taking payment from a drugs baron in return for tip-offs. When Jack was unable to tip off the baron and he was arrested, one of his associates carried out the attack in revenge. Penny was run over with a car when she was waiting at a bus stop with Selina.
Chelsea Fox
editPenny is Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams)' step-sister and due to this, Penny persuades Chelsea to give her a trial shift at Peggy's wine bar. Penny convinces Chelsea to have a drink while working and she is demoted by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). Out of spite, Chelsea messes with the amount of tickets at an event at Peggy's, which causes a crowd crush. On her relationship with Chelsea, Castledine said to Inside Soap, "I think in that moment she lets her ego get the better of her, Penny does love her family, but sometimes in the heat of the moment she forgets that. It does end up prompting some bad blood between Penny and Chelsea, which is a shame."[18]
Reception
editIn January 2024, Metro journalist, Melissa Parker, stated, "I feel I know Penny; I know disabled women like her. We will only have achieved enough for and in disability representation when we bring these disabled women and their well-hidden stories to the forefront of media – and celebrate them."[19] Many EastEnders fans have also expressed their love for the character.[20]
References
edit- ^ "Small Dark Places-Mia McKenna-Bruce". BBC. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris. "Jay causes mayhem for Dot". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ Kris, Green (1 February 2008). "Clare is thrown back into the Square". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris (15 April 2008). "Bianca arranges a party at Dot's". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris (18 April 2008). "Steven's pushed to the limit in R&R". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
- ^ Daly, Helen (6 November 2023). "EastEnders confirms Penny Branning return after 15 years away". Radio Times.
- ^ Spackman, Maisie (2024-01-02). "Penny caught out in drugs drama as she returns to Walford in EastEnders". Metro. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Adams, Michael (2024-08-19). "EastEnders confirms devastating crush story as Peggy's becomes overcrowded". Metro. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Percival, Ash (2024-09-05). "EastEnders' Amy gets worrying news that could absolutely destroy her family". Metro. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Green, Kris (18 March 2010). "Ronnie helps out a lost little girl". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 18/02/2020". BBC. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ "BBC One - EastEnders, 01/01/2024". BBC. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ Westbrook, Caroline (2023-12-26). "Who is Penny Branning and who has played her in EastEnders?". Metro. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "EastEnders' Penny Branning to return to Walford alongside cousin Lauren". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ Akinwumi, Stella (2024-01-02). "EastEnders' Kitty Castledine praises soap for highlighting disability". Metro. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "EastEnders newcomer Kitty Castledine explains Penny Branning return". Digital Spy. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "EastEnders star Kitty Castledine explains Penny and Chelsea's new feud". Digital Spy. 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "EastEnders star Kitty Castledine explains Penny and Chelsea's new feud". Digital Spy. 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ Parker, Melissa (2024-01-19). "EastEnders' Penny Branning is refreshing - I know disabled women just like her". Metro. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "EastEnders - Your thoughts on Penny Branning?". Digital Spy. 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-09-24.