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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

EastEnders' the Knights tipped for big secret as new family have 'a lot of baggage'

EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw has revealed there's plenty of "baggage" following the new family the Knights, as they debut in Walford next week.

George Knight heads to Albert Square to join his partner Elaine Peacock, who has just become the new owner of The Queen Vic.

Linda Carter has gone into business with her mother, but what Elaine hasn't told her is that her new family will be joining them.

Next week, George and his daughters Anna and Gina, as well as their dog Tyson, make their BBC soap debut as they move into their new home.

But while everything seems calm for now, the show's producer Chris hinted that this could change as the family have "a lot of baggage".

George also finds himself under the watchful eye of new stepdaughter Linda it seems, as she makes it clear she does not trust him.

EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw has revealed there's plenty of "baggage" following the new family the Knights (BBC)

Speaking to The Mirror and other press, Chris spilled on their arrival: "I think that it is very clear they've got a couple of bags, but actually, they come with a lot of baggage.

"They’re at the heart of the Square so they have a lot of interactions with most of the community The community have just lost Lola and so the family are thrust into their world going through that process.

"George very quickly, because he's a former boxer from the East End, strikes up a good friendship with Phil who already knows him. It's very interesting territory, people will be wondering if George and Phil are going to be enemies, and whether they're going to fit in with the rest of the community."

George and his daughters Anna and Gina, as well as their dog Tyson, make their BBC soap debut (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

George actor Colin Salmon also had his say, hinting at tense scenes ahead between his character and Elaine's daughter Linda.

He said: "I’m a dad and I’m a big guy, and George is a dad and is a big guy! He throws his arms around his family, he loves his girls, and Lainey.

"He really understands and respects Linda even though she’s a thorn in his side. She’s got a job, let's use a boxing analogy, that fighter who gets under your guard and surprises you with a few kidney shots.

"As an actor working with this group has been a joy, we’ve created a family. Thanks to Kellie [Bright, who plays Linda] for being such an important compatriot and ally. You can hang out and chat but she has a real work ethic to crack on and do this, and get up to speed which has been a joy, a bit scary but we’re having a good time."

Kellie Bright, who plays Linda, also hinted to us about tension between the characters and said: "I don’t think I can tease anything and I don’t really know anything to be fair.

George also finds himself under the watchful eye of new stepdaughter Linda (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

"It's all a bit of a shock to the system, she suddenly has to not just share her pub with these people but her whole world.

"It’s a transition! But it has been really wonderful to play. I've really enjoyed the last few months working with them all, I feel very lucky and like they have breathed life back into Linda Carter which is nice.

"The pub needs a family, it needs people, it needs life, it can't be just me, Ollie and Annie rattling around in it. I am grateful and looking forward to what's to come, we only know as much as we know and genuinely nothing beyond that."

She added: "Linda is very scarred by Janine, so everyone is the enemy and no one is to be trusted. Especially not a man who, as far as she's concerned, her mum does not know nearly well enough.

"So yeah, she's already starting from that place. So you know, there's no openness. There's no like, oh, I'm just gonna see who these people are and get to know them.

"It's completely like you're gonna have to prove yourself to me. And like I say she's she's scarred by what's happened to her."

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, while the Knights will arrive on June 1.

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