First look at Janine Butcher’s explosive return to EastEnders – and she’s straight back to her old ways

HERE’s a first look at the explosive return of troublesome Janine Butcher on EastEnders – and she’s back to her old ways. Returning to the BBC soap all guns blazing, Charlie Brooks‘s character gets straight to work stirring up chaos. Janine Butcher, played by Charlie Brooks, is back on The Square after a shock return Credit: ISO Janine shouts at Linda during a fiery row Credit: ISO She goes hell for leather in a heated showdown with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) outside a church. Cast including Max Branning actor Jake Wood gathered to film a funeral, believed to be Zoe Slater’s after Michelle Ryan confirmed her exit last month. Sign up for the Eastenders newsletter Thank you! Janine and Kelly have history, with the former marrying the latter’s husband Mick, played by Danny Dyer. Then Janine got banged up for framing Linda for a drink-driving crash that led to Mick’s disappearance. Charlie’s return will thrill EastEnders fans, delighted to see Walford icon Janine back in Albert Square. Cast including Max Branning actor Jake Wood gathered to film a funeral Credit: ISO Linda with Janine close behind Credit: ISO Last month The Sun revealed Charlie was making a comeback for a top secret storyline which would rock the show. She’s expected to return for a few episodes and not full-time. With her catalogue of bad behaviour, she’s guaranteed to leave a trail of destruction in her path. The cold blooded killer bumped off first husband Barry Evans, played by Shaun Williamson, by pushing him off a cliff in 2004. Janine also helped to stab to death her fourth husband Michael Moon in 2013. Most read in TV She’s been languishing in prison since 2023, where she gave birth to Mick’s son behind bars. Charlie, who joined the soap in 1999, recently hinted at her return to the show, saying Janine’s release from jail is getting near. Comment now