Maddy Hill returns to EastEnders as Walford favourite Nancy Carter

Nancy Carter is coming back to Walford after nearly five years away...

EastEnders has confirmed that Maddy Hill will be reprising her role as Mick and Linda's daughter, Nancy Carter.

Maddy has spent nearly five years away from the show and will be returning to filming later this month, with her first scenes airing in the spring.

The Carter family group shot in EastEnders

Maddy first joined EastEnders in 2014 with the rest of the Carter clan (Picture: BBC)

Since we last saw Maddy in EastEnders, the actress has enjoyed treading the boards in productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Southwark Playhouse and the title role in Matthew Dunster's Imogen at Shakespeare's Globe.

More: EastEnders confirms SHOCK exit for Laila Morse as Walford icon Big Mo

From EastEnders to Casualty 

Shortly after her departure from EastEnders in 2016 Maddy joined the cast of Casualty, where she played paramedic Ruby Spark.

Maddy left Casualty in April last year after two years in the role, with her character going to look after her baby niece following the death of her sister.

Maddy Hill in Casualty as Ruby Spark

Maddy left her role as Ruby Spark in Casualty back in April 2020 (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Alistair Heap)

The last time we saw Nancy in Albert Square she was heading off to go travelling before settling down in New Zealand with husband Tamwar, played by Himesh Patel.

What brings Nancy back?

But while her parents, Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda (Kellie Bright), are bound to be thrilled to see their daughter, what has brought her all the way to E20 from the other side of the world?

Speaking of her return to EastEnders, Maddy said: "I’m SO excited to be coming back and reconnecting with all the hilarious, warm, talented cast and crew and meeting some lovely new faces.

Nancy and Tamwar talk about going travelling in EastEnders

Nancy and Tamwar left Walford to go travelling in 2016 (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

"I absolutely loved playing Nancy and have often wondered what she’s up to, so feel very grateful to be able to rediscover her 5 years on!"

Executive producer, Jon Sen added: "We’re delighted to have Maddy back and I can’t wait for audiences to see what’s in store for Nancy.

"There’s a lot of mystery surrounding her return and she’s coming back to a family that have been through a very difficult year – things are definitely not as Nancy left them.

"Maddy is a fantastic actor and we feel very lucky to have her back in Walford."

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One - see our TV Guide for full listings.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.