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EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has hinted viewers could be in for a fiery autumn as Janine Butcher storms back into Albert Square.
The actress, 40, who is reprising her role as the murderous villainess after a seven year break, told MailOnline it felt ‘absolutely right’ to return to the character as she’s always wondered whether she ever ‘redeemed herself.’
Charlie added that many fans will be delighted to learn Janine hasn’t changed since fleeing Walford, and viewers could be in for some explosive reveals as she reunites with some old foes.
SPOILER: EastEnders star Charlie Brooks has hinted viewers could be in for a fiery autumn as she told MailOnline about Janine Butcher’s dramatic return to Albert Square (pictured in her return)
Asked about her decision to head back to EastEnders, Charlie, who first started playing Janine in 1999, told MailOnline: ‘When I first got the call my agent called and I was like instinctively straight away, like something feels absolutely right about this.
‘I mean I’ve said in interviews I always think about where she’s been she’s such a gloriously layered character I always entertain myself with thoughts of where she might be and what she might be doing, it’s really exciting.
‘I’ve had so many different thoughts I’ve imagined her as a hippie on the beach trying to redeem herself, or really really bad she couldn’t redeem herself.
‘It’s really interesting with her because there’s a definite self-loathing within her and I think that makes her attach in ways that a human being might know.
She’s back! The actress, 40, is reprising her role as the murderous villainess after a seven-year break, and said it felt ‘absolutely right’ to return to the character (pictured on the show in 2008)
‘I love the idea of walking in her shoes for the day, I want to go out with Janine she’s going to be fun, I just get such wonderful opportunities with storylines.’
While exact details around Janine’s return are being kept a closely guarded secret, Charlie did reveal fans will see her in the midst of a dramatic reunion with old enemy Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), who has been looking after her daughter Scarlett.
She added: ‘As we know we’ve got Scarlett who may find herself back in the Square and so Janine is heading back that way.
‘We know it’s going to be explosive, we might see some flames in a big fire… that’s coming along and I think some of the old characters we see her working with.’
‘I know when it’s exciting because I can feel it as an actress when they’re sparking off each other so you’ve got a lot of that to look forward to, her put-downs, her wit, the writers have done a brilliant job.
Friends or foes? While exact details around Janine’s return are being kept a closely guarded secret, Charlie did reveal fans will see her have a dramatic reunion with old enemy Kat Slater
‘I read the scripts I got and thought ”oh my god can she say that’?’ It’s fun and that’s what I’m excited about, as well as all the layered stuff that goes on underneath, we all really want to connect that inner child whether that’s for better or worse is a really interesting thing to explore.’
Charlie also told MailOnline that since it was announced she was returning to the soap, she’s been overwhelmed by the positive reaction from soap fans.
She said: ‘All the social media stuff blew me away really and there’s a lot of love for the character and that was really amazing.
‘All my stuff has been with Jessie Wallace so we’ve got a lot of Janine and Kat stuff, it’s so weird when you’ve worked so closely with so many people for such a long time and then you come back it’s almost like a school reunion but better.
At odds: Charlie said: ‘We know it’s going to be explosive, we might see some flames in a big fire we know that that’s coming along’
‘I was a bit nervous about it to be honest, just because it’s so new again and working this much as a shock to the system, everyone’s been amazing, hand on heart fantastic and I’m buzzing to be here.’
Janine’s return will form part of another explosive autumn on Albert Square, with Executive Producer Jon Sen hinting viewers will finally see the conclusion of Gray Atkins murderous ways, along with the Linda and Mick Carter’s desperate attempts to hide her baby’s true paternity.
Janine has been involved in her fair share of drama during her time on the soap, which first began in 1999.
Most notably, Janine married Barry Evans – played by Shaun Williamson – for his money before pushing him off a cliff.
She went on to marry a rich elderly Jewish businessman called David, who died of a heart attack at the ceremony, before tying the knot with Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), whom she also tried to kill.
Shocking: Most notably, Janine married Barry Evans – played by Shaun Williamson – for his money before pushing him off a cliff in 2004
Exciting: Charlie’s return to EastEnders was finally confirmed by soap bosses in June after months of speculation, with the first glimpse revealed in a trailer shown earlier this month
Although she was unsuccessful in her murder plot against Ryan, she framed arch-rival Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) for the attempted crime.
Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and had her daughter Scarlett with him, before she eventually set out to kill him too.
The evil killer was successful in ending Michael’s life, but was found not guilty in court – leading to her being shunned by locals which made her eventually leave Walford.
She was last seen at St Pancras as she boarded a train to go to Paris – where she joined daughter Scarlett and sister Diane.
Janine’s much-anticipated return to EastEnders will air on Monday 6th September at 8pm on BBC One.
Coming soon: Janine’s much-anticipated return to EastEnders will air on Monday 6th September at 8pm on BBC One
Janine’s Biggest Storylines
Janine pushes husband Barry off a cliff
Murder: Janine’s most iconic storyline happened on New Year’s Day in 2004
Janine’s most iconic storyline happened on New Year’s Day in 2004, when she pushed husband Barry Evans off a cliff, after marrying him for his money.
The villain had accepted Barry’s proposal because she thought he had a life-threatening heart murmur, which then turned out to be a false alarm.
Venting her frustration on a walk, Janine told Barry she never loved him. Barry refused to believe his wife and tried to embrace her.
Repulsed, Janine pushed him away down a cliff, which caused him to fatally hit his head on a rock. She watched him die as he begged her for help.
Laura Beale’s death
Laura Beale’s death: Sworn enemy Laura fell down the stairs and died after a fight
Janine continued to cause chaos when she reported her sworn enemy Laura for benefit fraud and announced it in the Queen Vic.
The pair were seen fighting just before Laura died after falling down the stairs.
In the post mortem Laura had been in a fight due to bruising, and Janine’s skin was found underneath her nails.
Although Janine was with Pat when Laura died, Pat sought her revenge on Barry’s death by refusing to give Janine an alibi, and branded her ‘pure evil’.
Wedding to Jewish businessman David
Villain: Janine tied the knot with Ryan Malloy, whom she also tried to kill
After returning to Albert Square in 2008, Janine went on to marry a rich elderly Jewish businessman called David, who died of a heart attack at the ceremony.
She then tied the knot with Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), whom she also tried to kill.
Although she was unsuccessful in her murder plot against Ryan, she framed arch-rival Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) for the attempted crime.
Archie engagement
Shock: Archie and Janine announce their engagement, before he is murdered
Archie and Janine announced their engagement in 2009. On Christmas Day, Archie (Larry Lamb), who has realised Janine was intending to con him – threw her onto the street, leaving her distraught.
That same day, Archie was murdered by an unknown assailant.
Janine became a suspect for his murder, though she denied it, was cleared and fellow resident Bradley Branning (Charlie Clements) was held falsely responsible for the murder.
Fourth marriage to Michael Moon and his murder
Wedding: Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon
Janine married a fourth time to Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd) and had daughter Scarlett with him, before she eventually set out to kill him too.
The evil killer was successful in ending Michael’s life, but was found not guilty in court – leading to her being shunned by locals.
Janine then left for Paris to join Scarlett and Diane, and it is hinted that she plans to con a couple who have won the lottery.
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