Abi Branning

This article is about the EastEnders character introduced in 2006. For the EastEnders character introduced in 2017, see Abi Branning (2017 character).

Abi Branning
EastEnders character
Portrayed byLorna Fitzgerald
Duration2006–2018
First appearanceEpisode 3180
3 July 2006 (2006-07-03)
Last appearanceEpisode 5641
19 January 2018 (2018-01-19)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Created bySimon Ashdown
Introduced byKate Harwood
Spin-off
appearances		Dorothy Branning: The Next Chapter (2013)[1]
In-universe information
Other namesAbigail Branning
Occupation
  • Student
  • Waitress
  • Veterinary receptionist
  • Kitchen assistant
FamilyBranning
FatherMax Branning
MotherTanya Branning
StepfatherGreg Jessop
StepmotherKirsty Branning
BrothersOscar Branning
SistersLauren Branning
Half-brothersBradley Branning
Half-sistersAnnie Carter
DaughtersAbi Branning
GrandfathersJim Branning
Bill Cross
GrandmothersReenie Branning
Cora Cross
UnclesJack Branning
Derek Branning
AuntsCarol Jackson
Suzy Branning
April Branning
Rainie Cross
Ava Hartman
NephewsLouie Beale
First cousinsBianca Jackson
Robbie Jackson
Sonia Fowler
Billie Jackson
Joey Branning
Alice Branning
Dexter Hartman
Amy Mitchell
Ricky Branning
Penny Branning
James Branning
Kevin
Rebecca
Other relativesLiam Butcher
Tiffany Butcher
Morgan Butcher
Bex Fowler
Sami Jackson

Abi Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lorna Fitzgerald. She was introduced by executive producer Kate Harwood on 3 July 2006 as an extension to the Branning family, along with father Max (Jake Wood), mother Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and older sister Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan/Jacqueline Jossa). Her storylines involve her friendships and relationships with Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones/Joshua Pascoe/Harry Reid) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), her toxic friendship with Babe Smith (Annette Badland), faking a pregnancy so that Ben would not leave her for Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), being a suspect in the murder of Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater), her affair with Lauren's fiancé, Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell), and falling pregnant by him.

In September 2017, it was announced that Fitzgerald and Jossa had been axed by executive consultant John Yorke.[2] Abi's exit storyline involved her and Lauren falling from the roof of The Queen Victoria public house on Christmas Day 2017, leading to Abi giving birth prematurely to her daughter, also named Abi, and being confirmed brainstem dead in later episodes. Abi's final scenes aired on 19 January 2018 after her life support is withdrawn. The character's funeral took place on 16 February 2018.

For her portrayal as Abi, Fitzgerald was nominated for Best Young Actor at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards, and went on to win Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress at the 2012 British Soap Awards. Kate White of Inside Soap praised her portrayal of Abi, saying that Fitzgerald is the "brightest young star in soap", adding "Abi's destined for great dramatic things".[3] A writer from the Western Mail said that Abi's relationship with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) is "Walford's answer to Romeo and Juliet".[4] However, some critics were less positive, with one saying in 2012 that the audience were "not nearly" seeing as much of the "classic characters" due to the younger cast receiving more screen time.[5]

  1. ^ "Dorothy Branning: The Next Chapter – Red Button Special, EastEnders – BBC One". BBC.
  2. ^ McCreesh, Louise (10 September 2017). "EastEnders cast shake-up sees Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald written out as Lauren and Abi Branning". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference kwis was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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