Janine Butcher (also Evans and Malloy) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, introduced in 1989. The character was played by Rebecca Michael from 1989 to 1993, Alexia Demetriou from 1993 to 1996, and Charlie Brooks from 1999 onwards. Brooks initially departed on 7 May 2004. She returned for a three episode guest stint in April 2008 before returning permanently on 18 December of that year. Brooks later took a break from September 2012 until April 2013, then departed again on 20 March 2014. In April 2021, it was announced that Brooks will reprise the role once again and would return later in the year. She returned on 6 September 2021. The character has been described as a "super-bitch" and a "classic villainess". She has proven popular with critics and fans of the show. Her storylines typically involve her in an antagonistic role. She has been married four times to Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) whom she killed on New Year’s Day 2004, David (Harry Towb), Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott) and Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd). Her feuds include a long-standing conflict with stepmother Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), Sonia Jackson (Natalie Cassidy), Lynne Slater (Elaine Lordan), Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman), Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace). Her initial departure saw Janine being wrongfully charged for the death of Laura Beale. Upon her return, Janine is caught forging a wedding that ends with the her new husband abruptly dying of a fatal heart attack. She later accidentally kills local resident Danielle Jones (Lauren Crace) in a hit-and-run car drive; conspires with Peggy's husband Archie (Larry Lamb) to defraud the Mitchell family from their ownership of The Queen Victoria public house; becomes a prime suspect in Archie's murder investigation before attempting to kill her third husband Ryan by poisoning him. She later gives birth to a daughter Scarlett with fourth husband Michael before eventually killing him - leading to her third departure from the show. Following her 2021 return, Janine’s storylines have involved her being in a custody battle for Scarlett with Kat, accidentally starting a fire which almost kills Scarlett and Kat’s son, Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall), framing Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) for car theft, and attempting to seduce Mick Carter (Danny Dyer).