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Grace Morris

What happened to Penny Branning in EastEnders? Everything you need to know

Penny Branning holding a baby.

With the Branning family constantly at the forefront of the EastEnders drama, fans are often left wondering what has happened to another one of the Branning brood — Penny Branning.

Penny is the daughter of Jack and his first wife Selina Branning (Daisy Beaumont) and was only in the soap for a short while, appearing from January to April 2008.

Since leaving the Square 14 years ago, fans are all questioning what happened to Penny Branning in EastEnders? And where did she go? If you need a refresher on where the youngster went after her time in Walford, we've got the answers...

Penny is Jack Branning's daughter. (Image credit: BBC)

What happened to Penny Branning in EastEnders?

Penny made her first appearance on the Square in January 2008, when Jack was dating Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack).

Jack revealed to Ronnie the shocking reason why Penny was in a wheelchair was because of his criminal activities as a corrupt police officer. Before his life in Walford, one of Jack's dodgy informants deliberately hit Penny with his car in revenge for being sent down.

Penny's spinal cord was severed during the ordeal and left her paralysed from the waist down.

During her short time on the Square, Penny and Ronnie struggled to bond, but she got on well with her aunt Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner).

In April 2008, Selina decided to move to France to be with her parents and take Penny with her, but during Penny's goodbye dinner cooked by Tanya, it was apparent that Penny didn't want to leave Walford behind.

However, Jack persuaded her to go to France with Selina.

Penny bonded well with her aunt Tanya Cross. (Image credit: BBC)

Where did Penny Branning go?

Penny left Walford in April 2008 to live in France with her mum, Selina. She hasn't returned to the Square since.

Who plays Penny Branning in EastEnders?

Penny was played by Mia McKenna-Bruce, who has since gone on to play Tee Taylor in CBBC's Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground.

She's also acted in The Witcher, Netflix film Persuasion, the BBC series Get Even, Vampire Academy, Holby City, Last Train to Christmas and many more.

EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on BBC iPlayer now. 

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