EastEnders actress Kitty Castledine has given fans a glimpse into her life away from Walford, sharing a festive family photograph taken during a Christmas break in Yorkshire. The 23-year-old star, who plays Penny Branning on the BBC One soap, was pictured with her well-known parents and brother.
Penny Branning's Dramatic Walford Journey
Kitty Castledine arrived in Albert Square in January 2024, making her debut as Penny Branning alongside her on-screen cousin Lauren, played by Jacqueline Jossa. The characters had returned from Paris but were swiftly arrested on drug smuggling charges, though they managed to escape serious consequences.
Her character was later at the centre of a major disaster in August 2024 when a crush occurred at Peggy's Bar, where Penny was manager. The overcrowding was caused by Chelsea Fox tampering with the booking system, leading to the hospitalisation of Lauren and Amy Mitchell.
Most recently, Penny's fleeting romance with Harry Mitchell ended abruptly when she discovered he was a murder suspect in the case of his ex-girlfriend Shireen.
A Famous Family Off-Screen
While on-screen Penny is part of the Branning dynasty, with Jack Branning as her father, off-screen Kitty comes from a different kind of famous family. Her mother is television presenter Lucy Alexander, best known for hosting Homes Under the Hammer and Channel 4's A Place In The Sun.
Her father is former Premier League footballer Stewart Castledine, who had a nine-year career with Wimbledon and also played for Wycombe Wanderers. Stewart has also appeared on television, presenting shows like Big Strong Boys and Houses Behaving Badly for BBC One.
The family's sporting talent continues with Kitty's 20-year-old brother, Leo Castledine. He is a professional footballer currently playing on loan for Huddersfield Town from Chelsea and has represented England at Under-19 level five times.
A Grantley Hall Christmas Celebration
Lucy Alexander shared the family photo on her Instagram, showing the quartet enjoying their festive break at the luxurious Grantley Hall in Ripon, Yorkshire. In her caption, she wished her followers a Merry Christmas and praised the spectacular venue and the nearby Grantley Arms pub.
The post attracted warm comments from friends and fans, including Loose Women panellist Ruth Langsford, who called it a "gorgeous family snap". TV presenter Helen Skelton responded with a simple love heart emoji, while other followers described the Castledine-Alexander clan as "stunning" and "beautiful".
Meanwhile, EastEnders continues to air Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer, with Penny Branning likely to face more drama in Walford in the new year.
