EastEnders’ Cindy Williams actress, Mimi Keene, is barely recognisable nine years after bidding farewell to Albert Square. The 26-year-old star portrayed the rebellious Cindy JR, daughter of Walford legend Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), on the BBC soap from 2013 to 2015, taking over the role from Eva Sayer who played the part in 2007.
Cindy JR’s return to the Square happened in August 2013 when she escaped her grandparents’ home in Devon to join the Beales. For most of her life, Cindy JR was under the impression that her mother had died during childbirth and sought to live with her half-siblings Peter and Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater).
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and his then-spouse Jane (Laurie Brett) stepped up as parental figures for the troubled teen, welcoming her into their family fold.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
However, it wasn’t long before she turned into a full-blown wild child, with Peter (played by Ben Hardy) often finding himself bailing Cindy out of sticky situations she’d landed herself in. As they say, she’s a true chip off the old block.
Despite relying on Ian to feel like a part of the family, the mischievous Cindy, whose real dad is Nick Holland, found herself entangled in the dramatic ‘Who killed Lucy Beale’ plotline in 2014.
She became a suspect in the mystery before Bobby Beale (Eliot Carrington) confessed to accidentally killing her, reports MyLondon.
Despite living her dream life in Walford, Cindy bid farewell to the town in August 2015, moving to Germany with her beau Liam Butcher (James Forde) and welcoming a baby girl, Beth.
(Image: BBC)
Cindy Jr is yet to re-establish ties with her mother Cindy on-screen. Initially presumed dead since 1998, Cindy had been living under witness protection before returning to the Square in 2023.
In February 2024, Cindy tracked her daughter Cindy down but their reunion was short lived when Cindy Jr. told her mother that she wished she really was dead.
Two months later, brought news about Cindy Jr, coinciding with the Beales marking a decade since Lucy’s death. Overcome with emotion, Cindy discovered a text from Cindy Jr, saying: “Hope you’re ok today” along with a warm-hearted emoji.
So, what’s Mimi Keene been up to?
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for British GQ and evian)
Before stepping into the world of EastEnders, Mimi honed her craft at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts from 2009 to 2014.
She first graced the stage professionally in December 2010, playing Janey in the production of Kin at The Royal Court Theatre.
In 2013, she starred as Jade Dawes in Our Girl alongside Michelle Keegan, before landing in Walford later that year.
Post-EastEnders, Mimi popped up in Casualty in 2016 and has since featured in several short films.
(Image: Joe Maher/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
She portrayed Nathalie in the 2023 film After Everything, played a young Edith Bratt in Tolkien in 2019, and starred as Claire in Close.
However, Mimi is now best known for her role as Ruby Matthews in the smash-hit Netflix series Sex Education, which she starred in from 2019 to 2023.
With a whopping 3.4 million followers on Instagram, Mimi’s is also a star on social media.
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer
View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/eastenders-cindy-williams-star-mimi-34703731
