EastEnders’ Lorraine Stanley hints at major character return as Keanu’s funeral looms
Lorraine Stanley's Walford character Karen Taylor has left the BBC soap, but the actress hinted that she could be back in Albert Square for the funeral of her soap son Keanu
EastEnders’ Lorraine Stanley has hinted that she could return to Walford for her screen son’s funeral.
The Karen Taylor actress was written off the BBC soap in 2023 after seven years, which she admitted left her feeling “a mix of emotions”. The move upset lots of fans, who have been wondering if Karen will return to Albert Square following the death of her son Keanu (Danny Walters).
He was killed off in the Christmas plot that had everyone gripped, and Lorraine made a surprise appearance to look for him after he went missing. With a send-off now looming, it makes sense that his mum would turn up once again. Lorraine, 47, was quizzed about it by The Sun but played her cards close to her chest, teasing: “You’ll have to wait and see. I can’t say too much, you know I can’t.”
“You know there (will be) a funeral of some sort, I would imagine,” she went on. “I’m not allowed to say anything!” “She couldn’t miss her own son’s funeral, could she?” she added.
She later told The Sun that although she felt sadness, there was an element of excitement too.
“I was sad, it was a mix of emotions, it’s sad but it’s exciting as now I can go and do what I want,” she explained. “You can get a bit relaxed there and a bit comfortable. So I want to be out of my comfort zone.
“I just want people to remember her as the best mum on the square, a heart of gold, she’d give you her last fiver and would do anything for her kids – a bit like myself.”
Viewers have been pondering a comeback since Keanu’s body was found, with one posting on X: “Is Karen coming back?” “Now Keanu’s body has been found – will he have an on screen funeral which means another possible return for Karen?” asked another.
Someone else said they reckoned the Taylor matriarch would definitely reprise her role “for a short stint”.
