EastEnders has announced the arrival of the soap's newest family, the Knights, with actors Colin Salmon, Harriet Thorpe, Francesca Henry, and Molly Rainford joining the cast.
Teeing up the drama ahead, the BBC soap said: "There's trouble brewing in Albert Square, as a new family is heading into the Queen Victoria.
"With Linda Carter struggling to manage the pub since Mick's disappearance, both Sharon Watts and the Panesars are vying to join forces with Linda to run Albert Square's iconic pub.
"However, little do they know that Linda is secretly teaming up with her mother, Elaine Peacock, who will be bringing her new lover, George Knight, and his two daughters, Gina and Anna, to the Square.
"Colin Salmon will be taking on the role of George Knight, a tough-talking and fiercely protective doting dad who heads up the Knight family. Colin has an illustrious career spanning film, television, and theatre including James Bond and Prime Suspect.
"Harriet Thorpe will play Elaine, Linda's larger-than-life mother. With a career spanning 42 years, Harriet has graced the West End as well as appearing in numerous TV shows including Absolutely Fabulous.
"Francesca Henry, who has appeared in dramas such as A Discovery of Witches, will be taking on the role of Gina and will be joined by Molly Rainford, commonly known for her role of Nova Jones in CBBC and more recently for her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, who will be playing Anna, the youngest of the family. And with the sisters arriving in Walford, drama will not be far away.
"The family also bring their beloved Chihuahua, Tyson."
Speaking about the Knights, Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer of EastEnders, said: "The arrival of the Knights brings a new dawn to Albert Square.
"George Knight is a charming rogue and an old-school gent who dotes on his two daughters, Gina and Anna.
"George will take up residence in the Queen Vic when he joins his beloved Elaine, a powerhouse of a landlady who knows just how to have fun.
"The couple will be joined by feisty, determined, and demanding Gina, who is as sharp and cool as cut diamonds but with a temper that blazes like fire, whereas younger sister Anna is fun, loveable, and big-hearted, but don't underestimate her.
"George, Gina, and Anna have been bound together for years, and arriving in Walford is the fresh start the Knights are looking for.
"We're thrilled to welcome this hugely talented group of actors; Colin Salmon, Harriet Thorpe, Francesca Henry, and Molly Rainford, who will be immediately thrown into the heart of the Square, and we can't wait for everyone to meet them."
The Knights will debut in Albert Square in the early summer.
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One Monday to Thursday.
