Two young brothers from Southwark will make their TV debut on EastEnders tonight, as part of a new family who move into 23 Albert Square.
The episode, broadcast at 7:30pm on BBC One, will feature brothers Riley, aged thirteen, and Chatham, aged eleven (real life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs).
Both boys have learning difficulties, and will play characters with learning difficulties.
Fans will see the boys’ single mum Karen Taylor (played by Lorraine Stanley from Call the Midwife) and their older siblings: children Keanu (Danny Walters) and Bernadette (Clair Norris), make quite an entrance as they pull up outside their new East End home.
The show’s executive producer Sean O’Connor described Karen as a “twenty-a-day lioness, bringing up her kids with no support, no money and a very loud mouth”.
“Though they may lack cash, the Taylors have love and warmth in spades. This summer is going to be explosive as the Taylors settle in Walford. The Square will never be quite the same again,” Sean said.
The family move in from a nearby tower block that is due for demolition. The house they live in is shared upstairs with another couple who have also moved in.
The two local lads will mainly be seen in and around the house, accompanying and having dialogue with their mum, Karen, who will play the most crucial part in the new story line.