EastEnders fans have been left floored after realising where they have seen the actress who plays journalist Charlotte before.

Over on the BBC One soap recently, Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) have been trying to regain some sense of normality, following their dramatic and traumatic past few months.

As fans will recall, Sonia’s fiancé and baby’s father Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) ended up letting Sonia take the fall for the death of his comatose wife Debbie – when really he killed her.

Reiss then held Bianca hostage after she found out the truth. Fortunately, she managed to get out and Bianca was released from prison. However, things took a dramatic turn during the soap’s 40th anniversary in February.

After his crimes were exposed, the murderer was killed by a falling bathtub following the devastating Queen Vic explosion. Sonia shortly after then gave birth to their baby, a daughter called Julie.

Since then, both Sonia and Bianca have been trying to move on with their lives. However, following Monday’s episode (March 31) it’s clear the drama isn’t over for the pair.

During the instalment, Bianca and Sonia headed to Beales Eels for lunch – and the pair met a woman calling herself Charlotte.

Bianca and Charlotte then headed to Harry’s Barn for a drink – but it soon becomes clear Charlotte has a hidden agenda as she’s seen making a mysterious phone call.

Spoilers for this week reveal that Charlotte is actually a journalist digging for a story – and offers Bianca the chance for an interview.

However, it’s fair to say fans were left distracted after realising where they have seen the actress who plays Charlotte before. Leonie Elliott has taken on the role of the journalist.

Leonie is best known for appearing in BBC’s Call the Midwife playing Lucille Anderson. She joined the cast in 2018 – but ended up leaving in 2023.

Following the season finale that year, Leonie confirmed she’d left the show. She wrote: “Thank you all for embracing Lucille and rocking with me on this journey, it is with a heart full of love and appreciation that I embark on pastures new.”

Meanwhile, pointing out Leonie’s Call the Midwife’s past, fans shared their shock on an EastEnders Facebook fan page. One person wrote: “So who is newcomer Charlotte then?”

Rushing to the comments section, a second person wrote: “Definitely not who she says she is. Didn’t recognise her at first she played Lucile in Call the Midwife.” A third also shared: “She used to be on call the midwife.” Another viewer declared: “I thought it was her!”