The following are characters who first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders during 2013, listed by order of first appearance. New characters were introduced by Lorraine Newman, executive producer until December 2013, when Dominic Treadwell-Collins took over.
The first character to be announced was Dexter Hartman (Khali Best), the teenage son of Ava Hartman (Clare Perkins). He was introduced in January. Steve Lowe (Michael Simkins), Bianca Butcher's (Patsy Palmer) probation officer and a love interest for Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), arrived as a recurring character in February, and in March, Kane and his gang appeared for a storyline involving Liam Butcher (James Forde). Dexter's father Sam James (Cornell S John) arrived in May. Kirsty Branning's (Kierston Wareing) ex-boyfriend Carl White (Daniel Coonan) joined the show in June. Two short-term characters, Betty Spragg (Tessa Wyatt), and Ollie Walters (Tony O'Callaghan), arrived in July. Sadie Young (Kate Magowan) arrived on the show in August, as the new owner of the beauty salon. Former Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas made his first appearance in August as well, playing Jake Stone. Upon the announcement that established character David Wicks (Michael French) was returning to the show, Lisa Maxwell was cast as his girlfriend, Naomi, who appeared in September for one episode. Terry Alderton, playing Terry Spraggan, made his debut in November, along with his children TJ (George Sargeant) and Rosie (Jerzey Swingler). Former Holby City actress Luisa Bradshaw-White was cast as Shirley Carter's (Linda Henry) younger sister Tina, who first appeared in November, followed in December by Shirley's brother, who later transpired to be her son, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), Mick's partner, Linda (Kellie Bright), and their youngest son, Johnny (Sam Strike).