The following are characters who first appeared, or returned, in the BBC soap opera EastEnders during 2011 listed by order of first appearance. New characters were introduced by Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer. The first main character to be announced was Eddie Moon, the father of Michael Moon. Poppy Meadow was introduced in January 2011 as the best friend of Jodie Gold, and joined the series in February, as did . was introduced in March as the father of established character Fatboy. In April, Janine Butcher's grandmother, Lydia Simmonds, and Tanya Branning and Rainie Cross's mother, Cora Cross, both joined the series and was introduced as the new love interest for Jane Beale. Eddie's sons Tyler and Anthony were announced in May along with Dot Branning's half sister, and her son . Lola Pearce, the granddaughter of Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins, was announced in June along with , Lydia's son. A fourth Moon brother was introduced in September, , as well as , the younger sister of Mercy Olubunmi. In October, Syed and Amira Masood's child arrives and was introduced as a new love interest for Kat Moon.