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EastEnders star Neil McDermott reveals major twist in Ryan Malloy return story

"He comes back with a bit of an agenda."

By Sophie Dainty

6 Feb 2023

BBC

EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders is bringing back Ryan Malloy next week, as part of Lily Slater's underage pregnancy story.

Neil McDermott has reprised his role for a short stint as Ryan, who Lily's biological father and Whitney's half-brother. Ryan originally left the show in 2011, but made brief reappearances in 2014 and 2016.

Here, Neil talks all about Ryan's latest return and why it may not be all that it seems...

What was it like returning to the role of Ryan?

"I got a call to ask if I would be willing to come back and when I heard the story, I was really excited about what was going to happen and the role Ryan would play. I was really pleased the stars could align and I had the time to return.

"It’s always good to revisit the character too because you’re always wondering where he is and what he’s up to. I also think it’s good for the viewers to see the characters from the past re-enter the lives of Lily, Stacey and Whitney."

BBC

Was there anything you did to prepare and get back into character?

"I just put the clothes on and have a little think about his characteristics and what happened before in relationships with certain characters. I’ve played Ryan for such a long time so I feel I can just step back in. Obviously he’s a bit older now and he’s got a few more grey hairs, but apart from that I just revisit the same sort of thinking as I did when I was here before."

How did you feel when you first heard Ryan would be coming back to Albert Square?

"I was just excited to revisit the character again. When you’ve been doing EastEnders for a long time like I did, it stays with you for your whole life and you wonder where that character is. People on the street talk to you about it, too.

"They say, ‘Where is he? Is he dead? What’s happened to him?’ I always sort of know where he is because I know he’s up in Wakefield with Helen but I often wonder what his job is and what they’re doing. But to be able to be back on screen and to be back in the Square is really exciting."

How was your first day back filming?

"Funnily enough, I was on my own on the first day. Viewers will see the first scene is Ryan on his own, so initially it was just me on my own with the crew and the director. It was so lovely to see members of the crew that were here before. I was in and out on my first day – when I shot that first scene. The next day, I came back and shot some scenes with Shona [McGarty, as Whitney] and Lacey [Turner, as Stacey]."

BBC

What was it like working with Lacey Turner again?

"Lovely! We’re good pals from when we worked closely together before, likewise with Shona. It’s really nice to come back and work with the guys again and see what they’re up to in their lives and catch up. We very quickly tried to get back into the rhythms of our characters; the way they would talk to each other and how they feel about each other. It was really nice to revisit."

How was it working with Lillia Turner for the first time?

"She’s got a big storyline right now, I think it’s her first major storyline and she was great. She’s 13 years old and working with someone she doesn’t know, who’s playing her dad, but we hit up a rapport quite quickly. I hope she had a good time working with me. I enjoyed working with her and I thought she did an amazing job."

Do you think Stacey and Ryan will ever make a co-parenting relationship work?

"Well they haven’t so far! Who knows what the future holds for Ryan, and for Stacey too. We’ll have to see if there’s ever a prolonged period where they can be on the Square at the same time and to try to make that work.

"As I understand it, Ryan does want to be a good dad to Lily and he feels like Stacey has asked him to stay away and that’s why he’s not there at the moment. He’s respected her decision but with the news of Lily’s pregnancy, he feels he needs to come back and try to see how he can be part of her life more."

How does Ryan feel when he first sees Lily and Stacey?

"He’s coming into the Square with trepidation because he’s just found out from Whitney that his daughter is pregnant at the age of 12. I think he’s in a state of shock and he’s wondering what to do.

"We learn from the episodes that he and Helen have probably had a lot of conversations about the best way Ryan can behave when he’s back in Walford and to get what he feels right for Lily. I also think he’s treading on eggshells a bit, trying not to frighten anyone off too quickly."

BBC

Ryan is very protective over Whitney. How do you think he feels seeing her situation alongside Lily’s pregnancy too?

"When he first arrives to the Square, he obviously knows Whitney is pregnant but he doesn’t know the full situation, but soon learns that during the episode. Ryan has always tried to be there for her – obviously when I was here but even in episodes towards the end of my time at EastEnders were about Ryan comforting Whitney and assuring her he’s only a phone call away.

"They have a really good sibling relationship, although he messes it up sometimes and she does too, there’s a lot of love between them but there’s some things that get in the way sometimes."

Did you and Lacey do any preparation together for your shared scenes?

"We were too busy nattering away to be honest and just catching up. We would run lines together and things like that. I’ve been away for a long time so just tried to get back into the rhythm of EastEnders. The way we work here is quite quick and so Lacey was helpful to me as she was happy to run through lines and stuff. Even just catching up and being back on set together again helped it feel more familiar, because we haven’t properly seen each other in a while."

Can you tease any dramatic moments following Ryan’s return?

"Ryan comes back with a bit of an agenda of his own. He’s of course not been around for a while, so whatever he thinks should be the right thing, isn’t going to be taken too well by Stacey and other members of the Square – he hasn’t been around, so why should he have a right to say anything at all, which I understand.

"In Ryan’s mind though, something massive has happened here and he tries to be of some help. We learn that he’s doing alright for himself and has money that could help the situation. He’s carefully trying to tread his way through to become a bigger part of Lily’s life, but its whether or not Stacey, Lily and the family want him around."

BBC

Would you be tempted to return again?

"I’ve popped back to do various bits – Whitney’s wedding, and I think I’ve been back before but ended up in prison [laughs]. But it’s always really lovely – it feels like a home from home a little bit and I feel very comfortable working here. It’s a lovely phone call to receive, especially when I’ve got the time and can make it work."

Are you working on any other projects currently?

"I’m doing a play at the moment called ‘Home, I’m Darling’ and I play Johnny. It’s a play written by Laura Wade who’s an amazing writer. The play was on at the National Theatre and has gone on to win an Olivier for best comedy.

"This is the first time it’s gone out on tour, so we’re going around the country with it. We have Jessica Ransom playing the lead role and she’s fantastic, we had a great time in rehearsals and we’ve just opened in Windsor. The audience seems to be enjoying it, as am I! It’s a really exciting play."

Finally, is there another particular EastEnders storyline you’re enjoying at the moment?

"I try to nip in and keep in touch with what’s going on, particularly with the people that Ryan is connected to. I think Whitney’s got a huge storyline at the moment with the father of her child and I think it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out. She’s got a lot to deal with over the next few months and Shona is a fantastic actress, so I think she’ll play that with a lot of sensitivity."

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.