‘I've definitely been typecast as JANINE'

Between a return as EastEnders supervillain Janine Butcher and a brand-new drama, it’s good to be Charlie Brooks right now

- JACK WHITE

We bet the residents of Albert Square are quaking in their boots at the moment, because the b***h is back! Janine Butcher – the four-times-married triple murderer, infamous for pushing poor Barry Evans off a cliff– will make a return seven years after escaping to France with daughter Scarlett. And unsurprisingly, Charlie, 40, can’t wait to get stuck in.

The actor, who made her debut as fiery Janine in 1999, says, ‘I am beyond excited to be slipping back into Janine’s shoes and returning to the Square. The time feels right and I can’t wait to find out what she’s been up to for the last seven years! She is and always has been so much fun to play. It feels a bit like coming home. It’s good to be back.’

And it’s great to have you back, Charlie!

Double-edged sword

A firm viewer favourite, Janine has been involved in some of EastEnders’ biggest storylines over the years – from being a drug-addicted prostitute to teaming up with evil Archie Mitchell to help him get revenge on his family. But being a soap legend is hard to shake off– something Charlie knows all too well. She says, ‘I haven’t done many roles and Janine is iconic, so it’s hard for people to see you in anything else. I think there is definitely typecasting that happens, for sure.’