BBC EastEnders star Kellie Bright opens up on soap exit as she reflects on decision to leave after 13 years
Kellie Bright has opened up about her decision to leave EastEnders, confirming she will step away from the role of Linda Carter in 2027.
The actress, who has portrayed the former Queen Vic landlady for 13 years, opened up about her decision at the National Television Awards.
Ms Bright described the move as one that evolved gradually rather than arriving suddenly.
Speaking to Radio Times, she reflected: “It was a very natural decision, is what I would say. It took a long time. It wasn’t a decision I made overnight,” she said.
Kellie Bright opened up about her decision to leave EastEnders
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BBC
She continued: “I’m very, very grateful to have been part of the show for as long as I have. I feel really blessed to have been able to play Linda Carter for all these years, and I am just ready and looking forward to new exciting adventures.”
The actress also addressed Linda’s rekindled romance with Max Branning (Jake Wood), the notorious ladies’ man with whom she once had an affair behind husband Mick Carter’s (Danny Dyer) back.
Asked whether she ever anticipated Max becoming Linda’s next great love, Ms Bright admitted she had long since stopped trying to predict where writers would take her character.
“Do you know what? I gave up trying to guess storylines a long time ago, because I have learnt from experience that you never know,” she told the publication.
However, the actress made clear she remains fiercely loyal to her on-screen alter ego
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She pointed to the shocking revelation that Linda was responsible for Keanu’s (Danny Walters) death as proof that anything can happen in Walford.
“I honestly thought I was the last person that was in the frame for killing Keanu, and I was wrong about that. So since then I’m like, anything goes. Who knows?”
When questioned about whether she hoped Linda might find lasting happiness with Max, Ms Bright’s response was notably guarded.
“I think they have a real connection, Max and Linda,” she observed. “And they obviously have a child together.”
Kellie Bright also talked about Linda and Max’s relationship
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BBC
However, the actress made clear she remains fiercely loyal to her on-screen alter ego, and wary of Max’s well-documented track record with women.
“But Max Branning’s Max Branning, isn’t he? And I protect my Linda. You know? So who knows? We’ll see,” she added.
The couple’s fledgling relationship comes amid considerable turmoil, with Max’s brief marriage to Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) having recently fallen apart.
His affair with Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) has also been exposed, though Max remains unaware that Priya is carrying his child.
Kellie Bright has portrayed the former Queen Vic landlady for 13 years
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GETTY
Adding further intrigue, last week’s episodes concluded with a dark twist, Max was revealed as the final person to encounter Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) before her death, having pressured the dying woman to keep silent about his relationship with Linda.
With Ms Bright’s departure confirmed for 2027, speculation is already mounting about whether Linda could end up walking down the aisle on New Year’s Day.
For now, as the actress herself suggests, viewers will have to wait and find out how Linda exits the soap.
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