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Matthew James-Bailey Cast as Detective Constable Craig Ingram in EastEnders
The actor joins the BBC soap this summer as a colleague to Detective Inspector Jack Branning. Craig Ingram will take on part of Branning's caseload amid concerns over the senior officer's personal and professional balance.
Jul 11, 6:26 PM·1m read1 source
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Matthew James-Bailey has been cast as Detective Constable Craig Ingram in EastEnders. GB News reported that the character arrives in Walford this summer as a younger colleague to Detective Inspector Jack Branning. Jack Branning's superior assigned Craig after concerns arose about the detective's ability to handle professional duties alongside personal difficulties.
Denise Fox has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, and Jack has made regular hospital visits during her treatment. Craig will assume some of Jack's caseload and investigate matters close to Albert Square. James-Bailey first appeared in Hollyoaks in 2016 as Jake.
He returned in 2021 as Ethan Williams and played the role until 2024, when the character was killed on his wedding day after being pushed from a balcony by Sienna Blake. The actor has also appeared in Russell T Davies' BBC drama Cucumber. "From it being the soundtrack to my childhood, always on in the background at home, to gathering around the TV with my family every Christmas, being able to play even a small part in such an iconic piece of British television is truly surreal," James-Bailey said.
He has already begun filming scenes scheduled to air this summer. GB News reported that Craig's arrival forms part of a Branning family narrative developing through the summer, following a flash-forward sequence shown earlier this year that teased events for a New Year's Day episode.
