EastEnders newcomer Kierston Wareing on keeping character secret

Kierston Wareing has spoken about her new role as Kirsty Branning in EastEnders.

Last night, 9.4 million viewers tuned in to see the character unveiled as Max Branning’s secret wife.

Max’s secret was first alluded to several months ago but details of what he was hiding were kept under-wraps until last night’s big reveal, leading to a flurry of speculation over what the surprise could be.

Wareing began filming her scenes in October and had to keep her role a secret.

“It has got hard the nearer it gets to the episodes going out, as it’s exciting and nerve-wracking, and of course you would like to share it with people.

 

“But the only people who know about it apart from my agent, are my dad – but he doesn’t want to know the full ins and outs as he knows I have to keep it a secret – and my brother, so it has been hard.”

Max was due to re-marry Tanya Cross on Christmas Day but his brother Derek threw a spanner in the works by contacting Kirsty and luring her to the Branning’s house after falling out with Max. Derek later suffered a fatal heart attack in the square.

The fallout of Kirsty’s arrival continues tonight at 8.30pm on BBC One.