EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has hailed the "strong female power duo" of Lauren and Penny Branning as she makes her return on the BBC soap.
The soap star is making a welcome return to Walford in the New Year as Lauren alongside newcomer Kitty Castledine as her cousin Penny and said it "feels like coming home" being back on the show.
Jossa said: "It's amazing to be back, and personally, it’s been the perfect time for me to return. What’s different is that there’s a whole new Square set, as it’s been rebuilt since I worked here before, and there are a bunch of new people to get to know.
"I feel like I’ve bonded with them already, and it’s only been a little while, but it’s amazing how quickly you feel like family with people here."
She said she was delighted to find out that Lauren would be returning at the same time as her cousin Penny.
"It’s great to have Penny in the mix because I was wondering who Lauren would have that girly back-and-forth with since Abi is no longer with us. Then - boom - along came Penny!," she said.
Jossa said it felt "like magic" when she met EastEnders newcomer Kitty Castledine for the first time as she "immediately felt so close to her".
"We've had so much fun filming together, and she is so incredible - it’s been such a joy. I think one of the reasons that I’ve enjoyed being back so much is that I’m in this strong female power duo with Kitty on-screen," the soap star said.
"I absolutely love her, and she’s really good as Penny. She’s new to this EastEnders world, so it’s been fun to take her under my wing, but she’s been teaching me things as well. That’s what I love about this show - you are always learning something. It’s just amazing."
Castledine was equally enthused about working alongside Jossa in her soap debut.
"I am so grateful to have her as part of this dynamic duo, Penny and Lauren", she said. "I felt really at ease with her - even on the first day we were working together, I knew we’d get along.
"I do feel like she is my cousin. She has been a really nice person to have to show me the ropes, but also lark about with at the same time."
The actress was full of praise for her on-screen counterpart, saying: "Penny is great. She's so cool, and she’s got this dry humour that I love.
"She’s very quirky, and it’s funny because I think she’s got a French persona which she adopted to keep up with the people she was around there. But coming back to Walford is a reality check for her."
Jossa said that Lauren and Penny have an interesting dynamic.
"Penny is this firecracker, and she doesn't care what people think. Penny does what Penny wants to do, and so there is a really interesting dynamic with Lauren," she said.
"Lauren used to be like that, but there’s been a change and a growth in her. But Penny is an uncontrollable character with lots of fire in her belly, which is so much fun to play opposite."
The actress also spoke Lauren's relationship with Peter Beale, with whom she shares son Louie.
"They are co-parents, and they have a son together, so the relationship is amicable," she said. "I think there is a lot of love there, and I don’t think Lauren will ever lose that because Peter is her first love."
When asked if romance could be on the cards for them again, she replied: "It’s EastEnders, so I have no idea if they could make it work, but the will they/won’t they is fun, and the audience hopes they will at some point.
"But then, equally, it’s an interesting choice to just have them co-parenting, so I would be happy to explore both. I feel like Lauren and Peter just go together like peanut butter and jelly."
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One Monday to Thursday.
