Lee and Nancy Carter are returning to EastEnders for a dramatic new storyline that “guarantees jaws will drop”.
It comes as their mother Linda prepares to leave Albert Square.
Actor Kellie Bright, 50, who portrays the glamorous Linda Carter, recently announced her departure from the BBC soap after 13 years.
She joined the show in December 2013 as one of the new owners of the Queen Vic pub.
Bright said that while she has “absolutely loved being part of the show”, she has decided “now is the right time for me to say goodbye”.
Offering a glimpse into autumn storylines during a Q&A, EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey teased that viewers will get to see her character “at her best” prior to her exit.
He said: “Kellie Bright is very sadly leaving us after so many brilliant years in the programme.
“I’m quite close to Kellie, and she’s such a phenomenal actor. Linda Carter is one of the all-time greatest EastEnders characters.
“Losing her is such a big moment for the show, and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months.”
Linda has four children with her husband Mick Carter, who was portrayed by Danny Dyer.
They include their ex-military son Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard) and daughter Nancy (Maddy Hill).
Wadey, 32, said: “We’ll be welcoming Lee and Nancy back into the fold for a period in a story that… I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see the first cliff-hanger.”
Wadey said that he is “absolutely thrilled” to welcome Hatchard and Hill back to the show.
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“Whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she’s got a lot to catch up on.”
Nancy Carter was diagnosed with epilepsy and navigated romances with Tamwar Masood (Himesh Patel) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) during her time in Walford.
Hill, who left the show in 2022, said: “I am so excited to be returning to Enders for a short stint and stepping back into Nancy’s shoes.
“I’ve missed her! I’m especially looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and acting alongside my incredible on-screen family.”
Lee Carter, who left the soap in 2017, was involved in storylines such as a turbulent relationship with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) during his time in Walford.
However, he has continued to make occasional appearances since his exit.
Hatchard said he is “absolutely over the moon to be returning to EastEnders”.
He added: “Albert Square has always felt like a home away from home, so I’m proper buzzing to be back grafting with the Enders family.”
During the Q&A, Wadey addressed the storyline involving Denise Fox (Diane Parish) which has seen her battling a form of blood cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia.
The TV producer teased that the soap will air “some of the most powerful episodes I’ve watched since I’ve been here” next week, and warned viewers to “have a box of tissues ready”.
He added: “We have more of Denise’s extended family as part of her search to find her stem cell donor.
“We get to meet her long-lost brother Darnell, who she didn’t even know existed, and Darnell’s daughter Grace.”
The new additions will appear on Albert Square later this summer, with Christopher Colquhoun as Denise’s half-brother Darnell Larson Jr, and Krysstina Frempong as Grace.
“They’re really joyous characters because they’re quite down to earth and normal – they’re watching Walford from afar,” Wadey added.
He said there is “plenty of stuff ahead for Albert Square”, and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) and Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) “have something big coming up” regarding their ongoing adoption storyline.