New ‘EastEnders’ character set to clash with Bridge Street traders

© BBC

Lisa Hammond is joining the cast of EastEnders to play the role of feisty market trader Donna Yates, who declares war on her stall rivals Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Bianca (Patsy Palmer).

Lisa, who at 13 began her acting career in Grange Hill and went on to appear in Psychoville, Bleak House and Max & Paddy’s Road to Nowhere says:

“I’m really excited to join the cast of EastEnders. It’s a great opportunity to be a part of such a big and popular show. Donna is a bit of a handful but they’re always the most fun characters to play! It feels good to be bad!”

Loudmouth Donna always has to be top dog and will go to any lengths to achieve this. Never one to let her guard down, Donna takes no prisoners and always has to have the last word. But is her in-your-face persona all a front?

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer added: “Donna’s not an easy character to like at first. She’s flinty, aggressive and difficult. As we get to know her better however, we will discover a funny, loyal but also fragile woman underneath.  Lisa is a brilliantly comic and sharp actress and we’ve been trying to get her into the EastEnders cast for a long time – so I’m delighted that it has finally happened.”

Lisa’s will first appearance on EastEnders will air in April.