This article is about the EastEnders character introduced in 2006. For the EastEnders character introduced in 2017, see Abi Branning (2017 character).
Fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders
Soap opera character
Abi Branning
EastEnders character
Portrayed by
Lorna Fitzgerald
Duration
2006–2018
First appearance
Episode 3180 3 July 2006 (2006-07-03)
Last appearance
Episode 5641 19 January 2018 (2018-01-19)
Classification
Former; regular
Created by
Simon Ashdown
Introduced by
Kate Harwood
Spin-off appearances
Dorothy Branning: The Next Chapter (2013)[1]
In-universe information
Occupation
Student
Waitress
Veterinary receptionist
Kitchen assistant
Family
Branning
Father
Max Branning
Mother
Tanya Branning
Stepfather
Greg Jessop
Stepmother
Kirsty Branning
Brothers
Oscar Branning
Sisters
Lauren Branning
Half-brothers
Bradley Branning
Half-sisters
Annie Carter
Daughters
Abi Branning
Grandfathers
Jim Branning Bill Cross
Grandmothers
Reenie Branning Cora Cross
Uncles
Jack Branning Derek Branning
Aunts
Carol Jackson Suzy Branning April Branning Rainie Cross Ava Hartman
Nephews
Louie Beale
First cousins
Bianca Jackson Robbie Jackson Sonia Fowler Billie Jackson Joey Branning Alice Branning Dexter Hartman Amy Mitchell Ricky Branning Penny Branning James Branning Kevin Rebecca
Other relatives
Liam Butcher Tiffany Butcher Morgan Butcher Bex Fowler Sami Jackson
Abi Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lorna Fitzgerald. She was introduced by executive producer Kate Harwood on 3 July 2006 as an extension to the Branning family, along with father Max (Jake Wood), mother Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and older sister Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan/Jacqueline Jossa). Her storylines involve her friendships and relationships with Ben Mitchell (Charlie Jones/Joshua Pascoe/Harry Reid) and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), her toxic friendship with Babe Smith (Annette Badland), faking a pregnancy so that Ben would not leave her for Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), being a suspect in the murder of Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater), her affair with Lauren's fiancé, Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell), and falling pregnant by him.
In September 2017, it was announced that Fitzgerald and Jossa had been axed by executive consultant John Yorke.[2] Abi's exit storyline involved her and Lauren falling from the roof of The Queen Victoria public house on Christmas Day 2017, leading to Abi giving birth prematurely to her daughter, also named Abi, and being confirmed brainstem dead in later episodes. Abi's final scenes aired on 19 January 2018 after her life support is withdrawn. The character's funeral took place on 16 February 2018.
For her portrayal as Abi, Fitzgerald was nominated for Best Young Actor at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards, and went on to win Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress at the 2012 British Soap Awards. Kate White of Inside Soap praised her portrayal of Abi, saying that Fitzgerald is the "brightest young star in soap", adding "Abi's destined for great dramatic things".[3] A writer from the Western Mail said that Abi's relationship with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) is "Walford's answer to Romeo and Juliet".[4] However, some critics were less positive, with one saying in 2012 that the audience were "not nearly" seeing as much of the "classic characters" due to the younger cast receiving more screen time.[5]
^"Dorothy Branning: The Next Chapter – Red Button Special, EastEnders – BBC One". BBC.
^McCreesh, Louise (10 September 2017). "EastEnders cast shake-up sees Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald written out as Lauren and Abi Branning". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
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extension to the Branning family, along with father Max (Jake Wood), mother Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) and older sister Lauren Branning (Madeline Duggan/Jacqueline...
alongside Abi, and dealing with Abi's death following the fall. The eldest child and daughter of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner)...
on his relationships, including his marriages to Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner), Kirsty Branning (Kierston Wareing) and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), and...
Brannings joined the show – Max Branning (Jake Wood), his wife Tanya (Jo Joyner) and their children Lauren (Madeline Duggan/Jacqueline Jossa) and Abi...
daughters Lauren and AbiBranning (Lorna Fitzgerald) fall from the roof of The Queen Victoria public house and subsequently dealing with Abi's death, which leads...
British actress from Northampton. Her most notable role to date is that of AbiBranning in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Since leaving EastEnders in January...
dating AbiBranning (Lorna Fitzgerald) despite objections from her father Max Branning (Jake Wood), who thinks Jay is only interested in sex. Jay and Abi do...
her nephew Bradley Branning's (Charlie Clements) wedding to Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). In July 2008, her brother Max Branning (Jake Wood) receives...
Babe's other storylines have included her past baby farming, encouraging AbiBranning (Lorna Fitzgerald) to fake a pregnancy, blackmailing Les Coker (Roger...
April Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Debbie Arnold. April is the eldest daughter of Jim (John Bardon)...
Foreman from 2011 to 2012. Derek is the eldest child of Jim Branning (John Bardon) and Reenie Branning (Joy Graham). He first appears in episode 1282, which...
estranged son of established character Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) and the brother of Alice Branning (Jasmyn Banks). Joey was featured in storylines...
Alice Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Jasmyn Banks. Alice is the daughter of Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman)...
Branning (Jo Joyner), Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks) and Ava Hartman (Claire Perkins) and the grandmother of Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and AbiBranning (Lorna...
Bradley Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Charlie Clements. He made his first appearance on screen on 24...
Bardon) and Reenie Branning (Joy Graham) and the brother of April Branning (Debbie Arnold), Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman)...
meets his cousin, AbiBranning (Lorna Fitzgerald), and they quickly become friends, with Dexter being invited to a family dinner, though Abi and the rest of...
prevent their father, Max Branning (Jake Wood), from committing suicide, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and AbiBranning (Lorna Fitzgerald) fall from...
And AbiBranning". Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 December 2019. Harp, Justin (16 February 2019). "EastEnders viewers say goodbye to Lauren Branning as Jacqueline...
fighting to keep newborn daughter Lexi out of care, her friendships with AbiBranning (Lorna Fitzgerald), Dexter Hartman (Khali Best) and later Frankie Lewis...
recently split from her husband, Max Branning (Jake Wood), following his affair with his daughter-in-law, Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner). Repentant, Rainie...
attempted suicide, briefly reconciling with Martin and stealing money from Dot Branning (June Brown) to help pay off Martin's hit-and-run victim who had been blackmailing...
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