Lucy Beale

Name: Lucy Beale
First Appeared: 16th December 1993
Last Appeared: 31st January 2020
Played by: Hetti Bywater

Born in December 1993 alongside her twin brother Peter, Lucy’s early years were marked by drama. At just two years old, her mum Cindy hired a hitman to take out her dad, Ian. Cindy fled the country with Peter and Steven, leaving Lucy behind. It took nearly a year and the muscle of Phil and Grant Mitchell for Ian to reunite his family. Just when things seemed to settle, Cindy returned in 1997 to fight for custody, only to be arrested for attempted murder. She died in prison, leaving Lucy with a half-sister, Cindy Williams, who was raised by their aunt Gina.

As Lucy grew up, she experienced a revolving door of stepmothers. Ian’s relationship with Melanie Owen ended in disaster when he lied about Lucy having cancer to keep Melanie around. Then came Laura Dunn, who married Ian but faced betrayal and heartbreak, ultimately dying in a tragic accident. Lucy’s teenage years were a whirlwind of rebellion. She smoked, drank, and even had a secret relationship with Craig Dixon, which ended dramatically when Craig was arrested for attempted murder. By 2007, Ian married Jane Collins, adding another stepmother to Lucy’s life.

Lucy’s teenage rebellion hit new heights when she ran away, partied hard, and got involved in various schemes. She even moved in with her step-uncle Christian Clarke and had a relationship with an older guy, Olly Greenwood. In 2010, Lucy found herself pregnant after a fling with Leon Small. She initially planned to have Jane and Ian adopt the baby but eventually decided on an abortion, a secret she and Ian kept from Jane. Despite her wild ways, Lucy managed to get good grades, albeit through cheating, and eventually decided to leave school and stay with her grandmother in Devon.

Lucy returned to Walford in 2012 for Pat’s funeral and quickly clashed with Ian’s new girlfriend, Mandy Salter. When Ian chose Mandy over Lucy, she was left to manage the family businesses and look after her brother Bobby. Lucy’s life was a series of ups and downs, from renaming the café to “Cindy’s” to dealing with Derek Branning’s threats. She even had a tumultuous relationship with Joey Branning, which ended in heartbreak. In 2014, Lucy’s life took a darker turn as she got involved with Max Branning and Lee Carter, leading to a series of complicated and secretive relationships.

The climax of Lucy’s story came on Good Friday 2014. After receiving a mysterious text, she left Albert Square, only to be found dead the next morning on Walford Common. Her murder sparked a massive investigation, with many suspects, but it was eventually revealed in a 2015 flashback episode that her brother Bobby had accidentally killed her. Even after her death, Lucy’s presence lingered in Walford, haunting Bobby through hallucinations until 2020. Lucy Beale’s life was a rollercoaster of drama, secrets, and heartbreak, making her one of EastEnders’ most unforgettable characters.