As EastEnders gears up for its 40th anniversary, fan excitement is building with the return of a familiar face. The BBC has confirmed that Louisa Lytton will reprise her role as Ruby Allen for a “prolonged stint” later this year, three years after her dramatic departure from Albert Square.
Ruby was last seen in November 2021, leaving Walford under a cloud of controversy after claiming she was pregnant with Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) child. Martin, however, refused to believe her after discovering a web of lies that led to Stacey Slater’s (Lacey Turner) false imprisonment. The exact truth behind Ruby’s pregnancy remains uncertain, but her return is certain to stir up unresolved drama between Ruby, Martin, and Stacey.
Ruby and Stacey were once close friends, but their relationship deteriorated after Ruby married Stacey’s ex-husband, Martin, in October 2020. Now, Ruby’s unexpected reappearance is likely to complicate things further for the estranged couple, who believed they had seen the last of her.
Louisa Lytton first joined EastEnders in 2005, playing the daughter of notorious crime boss Johnny Allen (Billy Murray). Her character quickly became a fan favourite, and her return has been met with enthusiasm from viewers.
Many fans took to social media to express their excitement, with one commenting, “So glad you’re back, Louisa,” and another quipping, “How appropriate to bring back Ruby Allen for the show’s ‘Ruby Anniversary’!” Some even suggested they would tune in again just to see the drama unfold between Ruby and Stacey.
Speaking on her return to the iconic soap, Louisa Lytton shared her excitement: “I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford. I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment, and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.”
EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw echoed these sentiments, saying, “Ruby’s departure from Walford left many unanswered questions for Martin and Stacey, and her return is sure to unearth a whole heap of drama for her character and all those involved.”
With her return set to bring chaos, fans are eagerly anticipating what Ruby Allen’s comeback means for her former friends and foes as EastEnders prepares to celebrate its milestone anniversary.
