User:Meena/Anna

Anna Knight is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Molly Rainford. She was introduced as part of the introduction to the Knight family, joined by father George (Colin Salmon) and sister Gina (Francesca Henry). She has been billed as a "fun, loveable, and big-hearted" character, but someone not to be misjudged.

Casting and characterisation
Molly Rainford's casting was first reported on 1 March 2023. The Sun reported that Rainford had joined the soap following her appearance on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and that she would be portraying the daughter of a new family taking over the Queen Vic. The BBC declined to comment on her casting at the time. Her casting was formally announced by the BBC on 28 March 2023, with character and further details announced. She was announced alongside the Knight family unit, consisting of patriarch George Knight (Colin Salmon), George's two daughters Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) and Anna, and their pet Chihuahua, Tyson. George's partner Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe), who is the mother of established character Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), was also included within the Knight unit. Prior to the Knights' arrival on 1 June 2023, they starred in a trailer shown across BBC channels; Anna is shown giving a rotting bouquet of roses to Linda.

Anna was billed as a "fun, loveable, and big-hearted" character, but someone not to be misjudged. Chris Clenshaw, the soap's executive producer, stated that the family have been "bound together for years" and moving to the show's setting of Walford creates "the fresh-start the Knights are looking for". Rainford expressed her joy at joining the cast and commented: "it's an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival". Clenshaw expressed his delight at casting a "hugely talented group of actors" and looked forward to their first scenes airing.

Finding her mother
Upon Anna's introduction, it was confirmed that her and Gina's mother, Rose Knight, had walked out on them almost ten years prior to their arrival. Scenes showed Anna holding on to her mother's jewellery box, which shocks Gina. Anna is keen to be close to her mum, against the wishes of Gina and George. Anna is depicted as "the one to hold on to and champion her mum" and wonder why she left them, feeling as though she would have not done it without good reason. She also remains hopeful that she will return one day. Due to the return of Michelle Collins as Cindy Beale, newspapers began speculating that Cindy would be Rose. After Anna makes a comment that Walford seems familiar, this further fuelled suspicions. The speculation was proved to be correct in June 2023 when Cindy's return scenes aired. Rainford did not know Cindy was Anna's mother until the week the scenes aired. Appearing on The One Show, she explained she was shocked by the news and met with Collins days before the scenes were transmitted. Rainford and her co-stars had been guessing who the Knight mother was, and after being told, she said it "felt like the Knight puzzle had been put together".

After the reveal, Rainford confirmed a new direction for her character. She explained that Anna had been mothered by Gina since their real mother's shock departure, which meant that she had been sheltered and protected from reality. Rainford said that Anna would show a "slightly more 'Knight' side" when she becomes more determined and mature by stepping into a different role in their family dynamic. The Knights declare that they are going to stop searching for their mother, whilst Anna remains secretly intent after finding Cindy's locket with a date engraved on it. Viewers immediately realised that the date on the locket marked the day that Lucy (Hetti Bywater) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law), Anna's half-siblings, were born. Weeks later, the storyline continued when Anna hires a private investigator to track Rose down, stealing money from the pub tills to pay him. It is out of character for Anna to steal the money, as said by Rainford, since she is not a dishonest character. However, it is a "last resort" for Anna out of desperation to find out more. She feels as though she has nothing to lose, since even if the investigator relays no new information, she is no worse off; this is the catalyst for persuading Anna to hire him.

When Gina learns what Anna has been doing, she is furious and feels betrayed. Rainford admitted that she understands why Gina feels hurt, since she had stepped into a maternal role to protect Anna. However, she reasoned that Anna merely wants to know more about her mother, a curiosity which overrides her loyalty. George is also hurt by her actions which leaves Anna "really gutted as it's never what she intended". However, Rainford backed Anna by arguing that she should be selfish and find her mother, since Anna has reached the age where she needs answers. Anna promises Gina that she will cut contact with the investigator if Gina agrees to get rid of any drugs she has, since she struggles with addiction. However, she continues secret contact after receiving her mother's active phone number and is told that she is living in France.

Reception
At the 2023 British Soap Awards, which took place two days after her onscreen debut, Rainford said that the fan reaction to Anna's arrival had been supportive. She was nervous for it to air due to being part of a wholly new unit, but was taken aback by the positive reception.