Lisa Faulkner joins EastEnders as mysterious businesswoman with her sights on Walford

LISA Faulkner has joined EastEnders.

The actress, 45, will play 'stylish, sophisticated' businesswoman Fi Browning in the BBC soap from the spring in a role with a mysterious agenda.

"I'm so happy to be joining the cast of EastEnders," she said in a statement. "It's an iconic show and I can't wait to play my part in it.

"Fi Browning is a hugely exciting character and I'm really looking forward to working with Sean and all the team, and revealing more about her."

The show producer, Sean O'Connor added: "I'm really thrilled that we have been able to tempt Lisa Faulkner back to TV drama and back to the BBC."

He added: "Fi Browning is something of a departure for EastEnders; a no-nonsense but sophisticated businesswoman with strength and vulnerability.

"But does she have an agenda? And who - or what - has she set her sights on?"

Lisa previously won Celebrity Masterchef in 2010 and has appeared in some of Britain's biggest dramas including Spooks and Holby City.

She will be seen on screen first in the spring.

EastEnders recently revealed a huge storyline with Max Branning's revenge scheme.

The businessman - who is played by actor Jake Wood - is determined to destroy Walford's community after he was framed for the murder of Lucy Beale.

With O'Connor teasing Fi's agenda, it seems likely the character will join Max in his mission to see an end to Albert Square.

Max's current target is the Queen Victoria pub where current landlord Mick Carter is suffering from massive financial pressures that could see him lose the pub.

The BBC soap also recently announced Blue singer Lee Ryan as bad boy Woody Woodford.

• EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights on BBC One

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