Max Branning (2018–2020) Stuart Highway (2020–present)
Adoptive sons
Roland Highway
Nephews
Oscar Branning Dexter Hartman
Nieces
Lauren Branning Abi Branning
Other relatives
Abi Branning
Rainie Highway is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, played by Tanya Franks. Introduced as the drug-addicted sister of Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner), Franks has had three separate guest stints in 2007 (two episodes), 2008 (four episodes) and 2010 (seven episodes) and between 12 April and 8 December 2011. Rainie returned on 16 June 2014, when she was revealed as Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) mystery phone contact, having been with Ian on Good Friday, the night of Lucy Beale's (Hetti Bywater) murder (see "Who Killed Lucy Beale?") but departed again not long after. In January 2015, it was confirmed that Rainie would return for the conclusion of the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" storyline.[1] Rainie made another guest appearance on 19 January 2018 and returned full-time to the show on 24 April 2018, now married to her former brother-in-law, Max Branning (Jake Wood). In June 2022, it was announced that Franks had left the show, with Rainie's final episode airing on 29 June 2022.[2] She reappeared for a brief stint on 23 until 25 August 2022 to coincide with the departure of her husband Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ).
Since her permanent reintroduction, Rainie has had sex with both Max and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), joined Max in a custody battle with her mother Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) over Max and Tanya's granddaughter Abi, has feuded with Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and kidnapped Abi. Rainie's other storylines have included a custody battle between Max and the Beale family over Abi, another drug relapse and addiction to painkillers, and her imprisonment for assaulting Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), taking over the local funeral parlour alongside her husband Stuart, and hiring Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) as a surrogate for her and Stuart.
Described as "the slightly broken sister who's one step away from a vodka bottle", Rainie's storylines have often centred on her addictions to drugs and alcohol. During her seven episode guest stint in 2010, Rainie was involved in a highly criticised crack cocaine storyline with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). It was branded "inappropriate" and "horrid" by the Daily Record. EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy (who plays Sonia Fowler) also criticised the storyline, saying she was "shocked", but Franks defended the storyline, though she herself was not surprised that viewers had complained.
^Kilkelly, Daniel (4 January 2015). "EastEnders plans 'Who Killed Lucy Beale?' flashback episode – EastEnders News – Soaps – Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
^"EastEnders confirms Rainie Highway's exit plan after Stuart split". Digital Spy. 21 June 2022.
Rainie Highway is a fictional character from the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, played by Tanya Franks. Introduced as the drug-addicted sister of Tanya...
August 1967) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as RainieCross in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Franks worked for 14 years in theatre...
Cross is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ann Mitchell. Cora is the mother of Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner), Rainie Cross...
that Denise's fiancé Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) had sex with prostitute RainieCross (Tanya Franks), suffering two strokes, a relationship with Claudette...
In 2011, she was cast as Cora Cross in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, the mother of Tanya Branning and RainieCross. Mitchell has appeared in many roles...
to Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner), Kirsty Branning (Kierston Wareing) and RainieCross (Tanya Franks), and relationships with Gemma Clewes (Natalie J. Robb)...
Ratcliff), Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin), Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) and RainieCross (Tanya Franks). The 'tart with a heart' is another recurring character...
prostitute involved. Cora apologises to the Carters when her daughter RainieCross (Tanya Franks), the prostitute, confesses that she lied about Mick. Babe...
new fiancé Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth). Tanya's mother, Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell), and Rainie arrive in Walford for her wedding, much to Tanya's dismay....
grandmother's purse and when Tanya discovers this, she compares her to her aunt, RainieCross (Tanya Franks). Disgusted, Lauren attempts to buy more alcohol but Kirsty...
He meets Tanya's sister, RainieCross (Tanya Franks), in the club and they have a one-night stand; however, Jack throws Rainie out the following morning...
when the prostitute, who is revealed to be Cora's estranged daughter RainieCross (Tanya Franks), bumps into Ian's partner Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and...
Tara Lee, appears to have left Walford after scenes with Jay Brown and RainieCross, but fans believe she might be related to two former Walford villains...
Ian talking to RainieCross (Tanya Franks) through the window of Ian's car. Mick pulls up behind them but Ian drives away, so Rainie, a prostitute, propositions...
time. Depressed, Phil embarks on a sexual relationship with drug addict RainieCross (Tanya Franks) and begins to use crack cocaine – developing an addiction...
September 2018). "EastEnders' next big villain might be a kid after latest RainieCross and Max Branning twist". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 September 2018. Kilkelly...
Dotty Cotton Nick Cotton Tom "Rocky" Cotton Stella Crawford Cora CrossRainieCross Beppe di Marco Bruno and Luisa di Marco Gianni di Marco Rosa di Marco...
She even forgives him for several affairs, firstly with fellow addict, RainieCross (Tanya Franks) and secondly with Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber). In...
Global Information