Neil McDermott returns to EastEnders as Ryan Malloy
Neil McDermott has reprised his role as Ryan Malloy in EastEnders for a short stint.
Ryan will make a return to Walford in episodes airing next month as he reacts to the news that his 12-year-old daughter, Lily (Lillia Turner), is pregnant.
His return “won’t be smooth sailing”, according to a spokesperson for the BBC One soap.
On returning to EastEnders, Neil McDermott said:
“When I heard what the story was I was really pleased that the stars aligned and I was able to revisit Ryan and set foot back on the Square. It was so lovely to see so many old friends and to work with Shona and Lacey again, as well as to meet and work with Ryan’s daughter, played beautifully by Lillia.”
Originally appearing between 2009-2011, Ryan came to Walford to connect with his estranged half-sister Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty).
Lily was the result of a one night stand that Ryan had with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) in September 2009.
He soon became romantically involved with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), but when Janine discovered that Ryan had fathered a child with Stacey, the couple’s relationship quickly began to unravel, with Janine’s paranoia driving Ryan back into the arms of Stacey.
When Janine discovered Ryan’s infidelity, she tried to poison him.
With sister Whitney
Janine tried to kill Ryan after discovering his affair with Stacey
In August 2011, after accidentally killing his sister’s pimp Rob Grayson in a fight, Ryan was forced to go on the run, cutting short his relationship with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).
Eventually, however, the law caught up with him and after a stint in prison, he last appeared in November 2016 at Whitney’s wedding to Lee Carter, where he was revealed to be living with a new partner, a prison officer called Helen.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive producer, said:
“It’s wonderful to welcome Neil back to the role of Ryan Malloy. Although we haven’t seen Ryan for some years, his character is still intertwined in the history of two of the show’s major characters, Stacey and Whitney. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him back for a short while as he’s thrust into the heart of the drama.”
EastEnders airs Monday-Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
