The Atkins family is set to join \'EastEnders\' this month.
Chantelle Atkins, the much talked about daughter of Karen Taylor and Mitch Baker, is set to make an impactful entrance to Walford later this month when she arrives in town with her family, consisting of husband Gray and children Mia and Mackenzie.
The easy-going girl next door will be played by Jessica Plummer - who is best known for her roles in feature films including \'Wizards vs. Aliens\', and was also previously in girl group Neon Jungle - and although she may seem kind and bubbly on the outside, Chantelle is very much her mother\'s daughter and wouldn\'t think twice about sticking up for herself.
Speaking about her casting, Jessica said: "Just like the majority of the UK, I grew up watching EastEnders. It\'s an absolute honour to be joining the cast with all my childhood favourites ... Rickaaaaaaaay".
Meanwhile, Chantelle\'s husband Gray Atkins will be played by Toby-Alexander Smith, and has been described as charming, confident and very proud of everything he\'s achieved as a solicitor in the City of London.
Toby-Alexander - who previously appeared in \'Doctors\' - said of his casting: "I\'m delighted to be joining the cast of EastEnders as I\'ve always been a fan. I\'m looking forward to seeing what Albert Square has in store for Gray."
But Chantelle\'s "picture-perfect" life away from Albert Square is set to put her and Gray into "conflict" with the rest of her family when they return.
Executive producer Kate Oates said in a press release: "I\'m so excited to welcome Jessica and Toby to Albert Square. Chantelle is a Taylor through and through: tough, sharp and streetwise. To the rest of the Taylor family, she is definitely the one who\'s \'done good\': leaving home early, and landing on her feet marrying the handsome and successful Gray. But will Chantelle\'s picture-perfect lifestyle put her and Gray into conflict with the rest of her family?"
Jessica and Toby-Alexander have already begun filming, and their characters will arrive in Walford later this month.
