The executive producer of 'EastEnders' did not know that newcomer Lily Harvey was the sister of departing star Lacey Turner when he cast her.
The Press Association reports that nine-year-old Harvey was cast by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood on the strength of her audition tape.
Kirkwood said: "The truth of it is I didn't know she was Lacey's sister until after I said she was the girl I wanted to cast.
"Whether by accident or design I sat down and watched a tape of a very talented young girl and it was only after we decided that I was told it was Lacey's sister. So it was a complete accident."
Harvey begins filming on the soap in January and will make her debut in March.
She will play Shenice, the daughter of Kat Moon's new friend Martine (Tamara Wall).
Turner, who plays Stacey Branning, is leaving 'EastEnders' at Christmas.
