EastEnders bosses have announced that actress Ellen Thomas is joining the soap's cast as a new matriarch for Walford.
Show chiefs are currently keeping tight-lipped on exactly who Thomas is playing, but the new arrival will have various ties to Albert Square.
EastEnders actress Ellen Thomas
© BBC
Ellen Thomas
Thomas's character has been tipped to cause trouble with her "tough-talking" nature when she makes her first appearance on screen later this month, but how she is connected to the Square remains to be seen.
Speaking of her new role, Thomas commented: "This is one of the most formidable and complete characters I've ever played. I'm really looking forward to the delicious mayhem she's going to bring to Albert Square."
Thomas has been part of the EastEnders cast before, playing the role of Grace Olubunmi in 2010 and 2011. She also had a brief stint on the show as Pearl Chadwick in 1990.
EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "Ellen Thomas belongs on EastEnders. Like many actresses before her, she's been in the show playing a different role - thank goodness Linda Henry didn't just play Mandy's mum - but this is the role she was born to play.
"Albert Square now has a new steely matriarch - with a few twisted secrets hidden behind her beaming smile…"
Thomas is best known for playing school secretary Liz in Channel 4's Teachers.
Could this be her???