Junior Knight

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Junior Knight
EastEnders character
Portrayed byMicah Balfour
Duration2024–present
First appearanceEpisode 6906
13 May 2024 (2024-05-13)
ClassificationPresent; regular
Introduced byChris Clenshaw
In-universe information
Other namesGeorge Knight Jr.
OccupationConstruction consultant
FatherGeorge Knight
MotherSabrina Knight
Stepmother
Half-sisters
Wife
Xavier Knight
Grandfathers
  • Henry Kofi Asare
  • Eddie Knight
    (adoptive)
Grandmothers
  • Margaret Abena Asare
  • Gloria Knight
    (adoptive)
Uncles
  • Kobina Asare
  • Kojo Asare

Junior Knight is a fictional character from the

Monique Knight (Busayo Ige), his affair with his former stepmother Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins
), the reveal of their affair, and becoming a suspect in Cindy's subsequent attack.

Storylines

After a self-destructing

Xavier (Chase Dean-Williams) to the family and they bond. Junior and Monique's bliss is short-lived when Monique discovers that he has slept with Bianca, and she returns to Dubai
with Xavier, having given Junior several chances to stop cheating in the past.

Junior develops a relationship with his family and allows Gina to stay with him at the Brewery Apartments. With Monique gone, Junior grows closer to his former stepmother

Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman
), which Ian uses to blackmail Cindy into leaving Walford. As she leaves, Junior attempts to convince her to stay to expose Ian; Cindy kisses Junior and promises that she will soon exact her revenge.

Development

Introduction, casting and characterisation

Junior was introduced as the estranged son of George Knight (Colin Salmon, pictured).

After being referenced on-screen by his family on several occasions, Junior's arrival was announced on 2 May 2024, with Emmerdale actor Micah Balfour being cast in the role.[1] It was confirmed that the actor had already begun filming prior to the announcement.[2] The character was announced as the estranged son of established character George Knight (Colin Salmon). Speaking on his casting, Balfour stated he was "thrilled" to join the soap, having grown up as a fan, and described walking onto the set as "surreal".[1] Junior's reasoning for his estrangement and his upcoming arrival was initially left ambiguous,[1] but his relationship with his father was described as "fraught" and long-running.[2] Outside of their strained relationship, very little had been revealed about Junior prior to his introduction.[3] The character was "set to cause some trouble" for the residents of the show's setting, Walford.[4] Executive producer Chris Clenshaw teased: "Junior arrives in Walford following an unlikely meet with his dad and is quickly thrust into the heart of the drama. However, it will soon become apparent to viewers that there is more to Junior than meets the eye".[1] Balfour echoed such; "Junior is an exciting character to play as he's a complex man, and he's going to cause a bit of a stir".[2]

Junior's arrival was teased to be an "explosive reunion" for George,

Xavier (Chase Dean-Williams), after he experienced a "difficult reunion" with George and slept with Bianca, unbeknownst to the entire Knight family.[9] It was later announced that Monique and Xavier would briefly join the show as part of Junior's initial development.[10] Once his night with Bianca is revealed,[11] Monique leaves him and takes Xavier, as it transpires that he had been unfaithful to her multiple times before.[12]

Affair with Cindy Beale

Following his arrival, Junior begins an affair with his former stepmother Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins, pictured).

After witnessing George have an intimate moment his ex-wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), despite being engaged to Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe),[13] Junior confronted Cindy before sharing a kiss with her,[14] Despite Cindy being his former stepmother,[15] the two started an affair, with Cindy cheating behind the back of her husband, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).[16] In July 2024, it was announced that their affair would risk exposure.[17] In a Radio Times interview, Balfour said Junior was "excited" by the affair, and that Junior's attraction to Cindy was rooted in her marriage to Ian making her "unattainable" and how "he's always at arm's length" from her as a result.[18] The actor added that Junior enjoyed being deceitful: "He likes the clandestine nature of their relationship and enjoys the thrill of potentially being caught doing something he's not meant to be doing."[18] Acknowledging Junior's recent decision to offer Cindy's son Peter Beale (Thomas Law) a job, Balfour explained that Junior was aware that Cindy's behaviour was becoming suspicious to her loved ones, so attempted to pacify Peter by ensuring he wasn't around Cindy as often. He added that this had the added benefit of Junior being able to keep Peter busy, preventing Peter from discovering the affair.[18] The actor added that when Junior offered Peter the job, he knew Cindy wouldn't be happy. Balfour noted that Junior enjoyed "winding Cindy up and keeping her on her toes", so didn't care when Cindy asked Junior to rescind the job offer to Peter.[18]

Balfour explained that Junior enjoyed his "fiery and passionate" interactions with Cindy.[18] When asked if Junior had any reservations about sleeping with his former stepmother, Balfour responded that Junior's original decision to do so was only out of resentment for George as a way to spite him, but since then Junior had developed genuine feelings for Cindy, and that Junior did not care about how it would affect his family as Junior believes "what people don't know can't hurt them".[19] Balfour predicted that the affair would worsen Junior's relationship with George.[19] The affair continued in secret until it was announced on 25 November 2024 that the affair would be revealed during the show's upcoming Christmas episodes.[20] The affair was teased to be "spectacularly exposed" and the fallout was set to depict that "all hell will break loose among the Beale and Knight families".[20]

The affair was unveiled to a crowded

painkillers while pregnant, along with the fact that Cindy had slept with Junior as a substitute for George.[21] The show confirmed in a Behind the Scenes video that the scene where the affair was revealed referenced both the "Sharongate" storyline, with the recording being played in a crowded pub.[22] Following the affair reveal, Cindy was hit and knocked unconscious by an unseen figure with a shovel, with Junior being listed as an official suspect for his scorn against Cindy and being shunned by the family.[21] The show later announced that the culprit for Cindy's attack would be revealed on the show's 40th anniversary.[23]

Reception

In April 2024, prior to the character's announcement, his arrival was predicted by Grace Morris of What's on TV, who showed viewers correctly forecasting it via Twitter.[24] Following Junior's arrival, Laura Denby of Radio Times commented that he had "turned up in the most unexpected way", adding that his first line, 'Hello dad', was like a "classic EastEnders entrance".[25] Following the beginning of Junior and Cindy's affair, Denby called Junior "shameless" and the affair a "scandalous development".[11] Erin Zammitt of Digital Spy called Junior and Cindy's first kiss "unexpected" and a "shock passion".[14] After Junior and Cindy's "steamy" kiss aired, Kerry Barrett of What's on TV wrote: "Junior's only been in Albert Square for five minutes but he's already fallen into bed with Bianca Jackson, and - more shockingly - this week he seduced his former stepmum Cindy Beale".[26] In the days following the kiss, Denby commented that viewers and fans were "still recovering".[15] In August 2024, Helen Daly of Radio Times commented that Junior had "certainly made an impact since he landed in EastEnders", expressing surprise about Junior turning a "powerful Cindy into putty" and adding that Junior had been "playing with fire" by doing so.[18] The affair was described as "torrid" by Erin Zammitt of Digital Spy.[27] Junior was called a "womaniser"[28] and a "serial cheater" by Rachel Lucas of What's on TV.[29] Lewis Knight of Radio Times wrote that Junior and Cindy's affair was "illicit".[20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Harp, Justin (2 May 2024). "EastEnders casts former Emmerdale star as George's son Junior". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Daly, Helen (2 May 2024). "EastEnders casts Doctor Who star as George's estranged son Junior Knight". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  3. ^ a b Morgan, Laura (7 May 2024). "EastEnders spoilers: Junior Knight arrives with a SECRET!". What's on TV. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  4. ^ Molina-Whyte, Lidia (14 May 2024). "Who is Micah Balfour? Meet EastEnders' Junior Knight star". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b Knight, Lewis (7 May 2024). "7 EastEnders spoilers for next week: Whitney faces birth danger and Junior arrives". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  6. ^ Lewis, George (7 May 2024). "EastEnders confirms new love interest for Bianca Jackson". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Episode 6906". EastEnders. 13 May 2024. 27 minutes in. BBC One. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  8. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (28 April 2024). "EastEnders spoiler: Anna makes contact with Junior". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  9. ^ Dainty, Sophie (14 May 2024). "EastEnders reveals a huge secret about George's son Junior in iPlayer episode". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  10. ^ Knight, Lewis (14 May 2024). "EastEnders confirms arrival of Junior Knight's secret wife Monique and son Xavier". Radio Times. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  11. ^ a b Denby, Laura (5 June 2024). "EastEnders' George Knight gets fresh new shock in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  12. ^ Zammitt, Erin (6 June 2024). "EastEnders reveals outcome of Junior betrayal in early iPlayer episode". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  13. ^ Denby, Laura (3 June 2024). "EastEnders' Junior spies electric George and Cindy encounter in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  14. ^ a b Zammitt, Erin (4 June 2024). "EastEnders airs shock passion for Cindy in early iPlayer release". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  15. ^ a b Denby, Laura (8 June 2024). "EastEnders spoilers as Cindy Beale has realisation over Junior after secret passion". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  16. ^ Knight, Lewis (18 July 2024). "EastEnders airs messy move for Cindy Beale amid family drama in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  17. ^ Lewis, George (30 July 2024). "EastEnders' Cindy and Junior to risk being caught as affair continues". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Daly, Helen (6 August 2024). "EastEnders' Micah Balfour: 'Junior has developed some genuine feelings towards Cindy'". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  19. ^ a b Warner, Sam (7 August 2024). "EastEnders star predicts Junior and George's future amid Cindy affair". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  20. ^ a b c Knight, Lewis (25 November 2024). "EastEnders 2024 Christmas preview: Cindy Beale and Junior Knight affair exposed on Christmas Day". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  21. ^ a b Daly, Helen (25 December 2024). "Who attacked Cindy Beale? 9 EastEnders suspects revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  22. ^ Who Hit Cindy? BTS | Behind The Square | EastEnders (Video). Official EastEnders YouTube channel. 26 December 2024. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "EastEnders Cindy's Christmas Day attacker to be revealed as part of 40th anniversary". BBC Media Centre. 26 December 2024. Archived from the original on 1 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  24. ^ Morris, Grace (16 April 2024). "EastEnders fans predict arrival of MYSTERIOUS Knight family member". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  25. ^ Denby, Laura (13 May 2024). "EastEnders airs shock encounter for George Knight in early BBC iPlayer release". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  26. ^ Barrett, Kerry (5 June 2024). "EastEnders tonight: One character's BIG secret is revealed!". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  27. ^ Zammitt, Erin (6 August 2024). "EastEnders' Cindy and Junior to face another obstacle in affair plot". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  28. ^ Lucas, Rachel (6 August 2024). "EastEnders spoilers: Junior Knight schemes to have Cindy to himself!". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  29. ^ Lucas, Rachel (1 October 2024). "EastEnders spoilers: Junior Knight makes SHOCK confession!". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
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