Viewers stunned: Julie returns to EastEnders after 27 years – Unveiling Explosive drama that ignites the screen!
EastEnders star makes permanent return after 27 years ahead of d3vastating plotline(Image: BBC)
EastEnders legend Karen Henthorn has confirmed she is returning permanently to Albert Square, 27 years after her character was written out. The actress, who plays Julie Bates, follows Jake Wood as he makes a comeback on the show with his character Max Branning.
Julie soft-launched her return in January, when her character was heard speaking on a voice note to her husband Nigel. Unbeknownst to Julie, Nigel, played by Paul Bradley, had been diagnosed with early-onset d3mentia. But instead of facing up to the reality of what had happened, he walked out on her 27 years after the family moved to Scotland to start a new life.
Having told his long-standing pal Phil Mitchell that they had divorced, he moved back to Walford. But now his condition has started to deteriorate, Julie is set to go up against Phil as they decide on the best care option.
Karen said of what’s coming up for her character, almost three decades after she was last seen: “Even with the Phil situation, Julie knows that as long as she’s with Nigel – and he knows how much she loves him – that’s what matters. They are facing a hard road ahead, but they’ve got each other now.
Karen Henthorn was last seen on the Square in 1998, before moving to start a new life in Scotland(Image: BBC)
“Julie loves Nigel more than anyone else, and she’ll go above and beyond to help him. Phil can be as difficult as he wants to Julie, she’s not going anywhere.”
But things go south when Julie decides she wants to take Nigel back home to Scotland, leaving Phil furious. Karen explained that Julie is angry with the Mitchell brother, who has been dealing with health concerns of his own, as she wasn’t told about her husband’s diagnosis, and she believes Phil is trying to cut her out.
Karen was first introduced to EastEnders fans in 1997, when she was the the adoptive stepmother of Clare Bates. Along with her son Josh Saunders, Karen and Nigel took off up north with their two children to start afresh.
Back in January, Julie’s voice made a shock cameo in the soap, when she was heard by viewers for the first time since the 90s. It came after it was revealed Nigel was lying to Phil – and he hadn’t split up with Julie after all.
Karen has some difficult decisions to make as she battles with Phil Mitchell over her husband’s care(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
He played a voice message, in which Julie could be heard saying: “Nigel, it’s Julie again. I don’t know if you got my last message or… Listen, Nigel, I promise I’m not cross, whatever reason you walked out and disappeared, I just really need to know if you’re alright mate.”
Karen previously spoke of her delight at being reunited with her on-screen hubby, played by Paul Bradley. She said: “It’s very surreal to be back in Albert Square after 27 years and working with the delightful Paul Bradley again – it’s scary how fast the time has gone!”
“Julie has got some awful surprises ahead of her after the initial relief she feels to discover Nigel is still alive,” she continued. “It’s been great to film with Paul and Steve (McFadden), who are such lovely actors, as Julie discovers Nigel’s d3mentia diagnosis and why he chose to hide it from her.”
Speaking about Julie’s return to the Square, Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “We are delighted to have Karen Henthorn returning to reprise her role as Julie, who arrives looking for Nigel. Julie hasn’t seen Nigel in almost two years and is unaware of his diagnosis and reasons for leaving, so her arrival will pose questions for the pair of them.”
