User:Herz123/Gloria Knight

Gloria Knight, played by Elizabeth Counsell, first appears in episode 6831, originally broadcast on 1 January 2024. The character and Counsell's casting details were announced on 10 December 2023. Gloria is introduced with her husband, Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank), as the adoptive parents of established character George Knight (Colin Salmon). Counsell and Fairbank were contracted for a short stint. The characters' backstory states that Gloria and Eddie have not seen George for over a decade. Chris Clenshaw, the show's executive producer, explained that it would "[become] apparent why George has kept his distance". Counsell expressed her joy at joining the show and working with the cast and crew. She was looking forward to working with Salmon again, having previously worked together almost thirty years prior. Clenshaw was excited about the casting of the "legendary and immensely talented" Counsell and Fairbank.

Casting and characterisation
The characters' arrival proves a surprise for George and they are introduced with a secret. Clenshaw teased that Gloria and Eddie would be "thrust into the heart of the drama" upon their introduction. Producers used the characters of Gloria, Eddie and George to explore the topic of baby farming. To ensure the story was portrayed sensitively and accurately, the show worked with experts and those with lived experiences of farming. Clenshaw opined that the story follows EastEnders' tradition of "telling challenging yet truthful stories". He added that the story would challenge George "to question the identity his parents gave him from childhood as he discovers the true means by which he was adopted". The character was written out of the series in episode 6890, originally broadcast on 11 April 2024. Gloria was killed off after suffering a heart attack, having reunited with George.