Major EastEnders star unexpectedly returns to show after 2 years

EastEnders spoilers follow for Monday’s (June 22) episode, which can now be streamed on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air at 7:30pm.

Karen Taylor made an unexpected appearance in today’s EastEnders, with star Lorraine Stanley reprising her role for a phone call with Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams).

Chelsea, as fans know, reached out to Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin) in the wake of son Jordan (Jahsaiah Williams) being knocked down by Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

Sheila is the grandmother of serial killer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), who killed wife Chantelle (Jesica Plummer) as well as other Square favourites Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) and Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami).

At first, Chelsea was worried about letting Sheila into Jordan’s life, fearing she might be in contact with Gray.

Her initial fears settled after a meeting with Sheila, but Monday’s offering of the BBC One soap once again left her unsettled after she received a series of text messages from the newcomer.

In a bid to find out more information on Sheila, Chelsea reached out to Karen.

With Karen having refrained from allowing grandkids Mack and Mia from having anything to do with Sheila, Chelsea was determined to find out why.

Karen’s voicemail could be heard when Chelsea attempted to make contact. Later, Jordan – who returned home from hospital during the episode in question – was playing on Chelsea’s phone when Karen rang back.

Jordan pressed answer, though didn’t interact with his nan, who could be heard warning Chelsea off getting to know Sheila, revealing that she was ‘always close’ to Gray, who could ‘do no wrong’ in her eyes.

Chelsea, meanwhile, offered Sheila the opportunity to meet Jordan at some point in the future, unaware of the danger that the newcomer could pose.

Karen, who debuted in EastEnders in 2017, left the BBC One soap as a full-time character in 2023 – with her family in tow.

She returned numerous times in 2024 following the death of son Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).