EastEnders fans divided over recast character – calling out ‘nonsensical’ blunder after Walford return
EASTENDERS fans have been left divided over a recast character – and called out a ‘nonsensical’ blunder after their Walford return.
At the end of Friday’s episode, Johnny Carter returned to Walford and found his mum Linda drunk on the ground.
Johnny has been absent from Albert Square for six years, and actor Charlie Suff has taken over the role for the character’s return.
Tonight’s episode allowed EastEnders viewers to see much more of the third actor to play Johnny, as he helped his mum get home before trying to get to the bottom of what had caused her to spiral again.
He was horrified to learn Linda’s rapist Dean Wicks was back in the Square, and immediately headed out to confront him before later punching him in the face.
However, viewers have been left divided by his return, with many taking to X – formerly Twitter – to discuss it.
One wrote: “A brilliant return for Johnny Carter!!!!!! Can’t wait to see his character evolve further in the coming weeks.”
Another added: “I very much enjoyed the new Johnny tonight ngl.”
A third tweeted: “Johnny definitely has more personality and masculinity. This is good he is a stronger character with a backbone. The previous two Johnny’s boring.
“He flirted with Ben and a bit rude to Callum. I think I got it wrong. He seems to have connection with Ben.”
But others weren’t sure, with one writing: “I don’t like the new Johnny much.”
Another added: “I’m sorry I hate the new Johnny.”
Others were more distracted by a scene involving Johnny, Ben Mitchell and his husband Callum Highway.
Johnny was sat chatting to Ben after he pulled him away from Dean, and said he needed a distraction.
Turning to Ben – who he has slept with in the past – he said: “I was going to disappear with a random, but if you’re offering…”
Ben then showed him the wedding ring in his finger and said: “Unfortunately not.”
Johnny looked surprised at the news, before they were interrupted by Callum, who hugged Johnny and said how long it had been since they had seen each other.
The writing is awful and nonsensical!
EastEnders viewer
Johnny replied: “Not since you joined the Kylie Minogue fan club.”
But in a later scene, Callum and Johnny discussed the fact Callum was in the Carter family group chat.
Johnny asked: “Why are you even on that group again? You ain’t even a Carter?”
Callum said Johnny’s dad Mick was “like a dad to him”, but EastEnders viewers were puzzled by the conversations in the two scenes.
Taking to X, one raged: “So Johnny knows Callum has come out as gay, but not that he’s married to Ben, despite them being in a Carter family group chat?
“THE WRITING IS AWFUL & NONSENSICAL! Does anyone check these damn scripts?!!”
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.