Ryan’s character will be “forced into the thick of the drama” upon his return.
It’s been a while, so you’d be excused for forgetting that Ryan, Whitney Dean’s brother, is the biological father of Stacey Slater’s baby Lily.
Fans yelled at their televisions to see the character return when it was revealed that Ryan and Stacey’s 12-year-old daughter was pregnant, and happily it appears the writers had the same idea!
Ryan was last observed in 2016, although he and his wife, prison guard Helen, are currently residing in Wakefield. It has been made known that his brief appearance on the show will be dramatic.
Actor Neil McDermott said this about his impending arrival: “When I learned what the tale was, I was incredibly thrilled that the stars were in place and I was able to meet Ryan again and step foot on the Square.
“It was so lovely to see so many old friends and to work with Shona [McGarty] and Lacey [Turner] again, as well as to meet and work with Ryan’s daughter, played beautifully by Lillia [Turner].”
Exec producer Chris Clenshaw is extremely excited to have the character return, adding: “Although we haven’t seen Ryan for some years, his character is still intertwined in the history of two of the show’s major characters, Stacey and Whitney. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him back for a short while as he’s thrust into the heart of the drama.”
Ryan first debuted on our screens in 2009 when he soon after married Janine Butcher. Longtime viewers of the programme will recall that their marriage ended dramatically as a result of his romance with Stacey Slater.
Another significant plot point sees the protagonist locked up after fleeing after accidently killing Rob Grayson, his sister’s pimp.
Ryan learns of 12-year-old Lily’s pregnancy in the new plot line that will see the character make a comeback in February, but how will he react?
On weeknights, BBC One and BBC iPlayer both carry EastEnders.
