EastEnders boss Kate Oates has signalled that she is "done for now" with bringing back familiar characters to the BBC soap.
Following the recent announcements that Robert Kazinsky would reprise his role as Sean Slater and Danielle Harold would return as Lola Pearce, Oates was asked by The Express website in the UK if more familiar faces would be joining them.
"No I think we might be done for now," she replied, explaining that it is not her plan to "bring back all the big stars".
Earlier this month, viewers saw surprise cameos by former EastEnders stars Tom Watt and Linda Davidson, who came back to Walford for the funeral of Albert Square favourite Doctor Legg, played by Leonard Fenton.
"We've got some awesome new castings," Oates continued. "So I only want to bring back people who can bring me oodles and oodles of story.
"I want people who earn their keep, who are exciting to watch.
"I want people who can have big impacts on all the family; they're the people I want to bring back."
Having previously been at the helm of Coronation Street and Emmerdale, Oates said she likes to think she knows what works.
"Certainly for me and for a team, and yeah the people we're bringing back, they work," she added.
Oates concluded by promising EastEnders fans that there are "some really great stories" ahead with cast and crew "chomping at the bit" to tell them.
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
