Landing Hollywood actor Colin Salmon as the new landlord of the Queen Vic was a big enough coup for EastEnders, but in 2024, he will be joined by two major acting stalwarts as Christopher Fairbank and Elizabeth Counsell have been cast as George Knight’s adoptive parents.
The TV and film icons have decades of performances under their belts, with Elizabeth’s first credit as far back as 1962, while Christopher clocked his first TV role in 1978.
Perhaps best known as Albert in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, his most recent part was in Hollywood hit The Little Mermaid.
He is also well known for recurring roles in the Guardians Of The Galaxy Series, and has a huge number of film and TV appearances, including in shows such as Outlander, Sherwood, Vera, Wolf Hall and Doctor Who.
He also provides his voice for a number of popular video game franchises.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was a popular household name in the role of Veronica in Brush Strokes.
Most recently appearing in films Forever Young (2023) and The Invitation last year, she has also been seen in over a hundred other roles, in shows like Call The Midwife, Unforgotten and The Split.