EastEnders bosses have cast Davood Ghadami in the role of newcomer Khoroush 'Kush' Kazemi.
Kush is set to cause a big stir in Walford when he starts work on Bridge Street market in direct competition with Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace).
Billed as a "good guy" who is "funny and full of energy", Kush has the gift of the gab but underneath his brash exterior, he hides a tragic past that he is keen to escape from.
However, Kush already has connections to the square in the form of Sonia Fowler as he played football with her husband Martin, so it might not be too long before his past catches up with him.
Speaking of his new role, Ghadami commented: "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders as I've been a fan of the show for as long as I can remember. It's surreal to get to work with these actors that I've spent so many evenings watching on television!"
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "Davood's a brilliant actor and a proper gentleman. We've had Kush in our minds for a while now – a new leading man to spice up the market and set some female hearts fluttering. And it won't be long before he has one Walford woman firmly in his sights…"