Anna Knight


Anna Knight is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Molly Rainford. Anna first appears in episode 6708, originally broadcast on 1 June 2023, introduced alongside the Knight family. The newcomer family consisted of "bubbly" youngest daughter Anna, "fiery" and "demanding" older-sister Gina Knight and "old-school gent" and "charming rogue" father George Knight, all set to join Elaine Peacock in running the Queen Victoria public house, alongside Elaine's daughter Linda Carter, who is struggling to cope following the loss of her husband Mick Carter on Christmas Day 2022.
Rainford's casting was initially reported on 1 March 2023 – speculated until the production team for EastEnders confirmed the family were set to join the show on 28 March 2023. The character's backstory states that Anna's mother ran out on her family when Anna was only eleven. In a plot twist from episode 6719, originally broadcast on 21 June 2023, it was revealed Anna was in fact the daughter of Cindy Beale to facilitate Collins' "return from the dead", after she was 'killed-off' in 1998 from an off-screen childbirth that resulted in the birth of Anna and Gina's older half-sister Cindy Jr. It was later revealed in a flashback episode Cindy did not walk out on Gina and Anna – Cindy received the news over the death of their other older half-sister, Lucy Beale in 2014, and returned to Albert Square – breaking her cover of witness protection that gained her the identity of "Rose Knight". Rainford did not initially know of the plot-twist – she found out within the same week it was transmitted. On 26 June 2025, it was announced that Rainford would be leaving the show after two years; she departed during the 2 December episode.
Her storylines since joining the show have focused on her arrival and moving into The Queen Vic pub to Linda Carter's dismay; her relationships with Bobby Beale and Freddie Slater ; being revealed as the daughter of Cindy Beale and subsequently coming to terms with Cindy's abrupt return into her life after a nine-year absence; dealing with the family's troubles when it is revealed that George was baby-farmed and Eddie murdered his father in a racist attack; being violently mugged and later being spiked; a love triangle with Bobby and Freddie; discovering she is pregnant for Bobby and subsequently having an abortion; and being a suspect in the "Who Attacked Cindy?" storyline.

Development

Creation and casting

The casting of Molly Rainford was initially reported on 1 March 2023. Rainford was "tipped" to join the soap
opera after newspaper The Sun reported her apparent role as "the daughter of a new family set to 'come in' and run the Vic". On 28 March 2023, it came to light Rainford was cast into the role of Anna, who is introduced alongside father George Knight and sister Gina Knight – all set to join Elaine Peacock in running the Vic alongside a struggling Linda Carter who lost her husband Mick on Christmas Day 2022. Viewers would see the Knight family make their debut in early Summer of that year. Upon her casting, Rainford was delighted to be joining the soap opera, she said in a statement: "I'm SUPER excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders. It's such an iconic show which myself and my family love, so it's an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival. I've already met a few familiar faces from my time on Strictly and I can't wait to meet and be a part of the EastEnders family." Executive producer Chris Clenshaw teased the arrival of the Knight family and established the family would receive their own plot-line once "The Six" storyline had ended. He also was delighted of all four castings, especially the recast of Thorpe. Clenshaw told the media: "George, Gina and Anna have been bound together for years and arriving in Walford is the fresh-start the Knights are looking for. We're thrilled to welcome this hugely talented group of actors; Colin Salmon, Harriet Thorpe, Francesca Henry and Molly Rainford who will be immediately thrown into the heart of the Square, and we can't wait for everyone to meet them." Anna makes her first appearance in episode 6708, originally broadcast on 1 June 2023.
Rainford again spoken out prior to her debut on joining the programme, she referred to the whole experience as "nuts" and had previously "resonated" with the show as she and her family watched EastEnders prior to her joining. When asked if the sisters are looking for love, she enthused that both Anna and Gina are excited to "explore the new eye candy on the Square rather than look for something too serious too soon", adding "the girls are typical 20-somethings and are just excited to be there". Anna is characterised as the "fun", "loveable" and "big-hearted" little sister. A "bubbly" character that should not be underestimated. Rainford praised actor and co-star James Bye, who she previously had met on Strictly, for making her feel so comfortable when she first joined EastEnders. Rainford further expressed her gratitude for the role as Anna: "You have to get stuck in. I'm grateful that we've come in as a family and we're lucky to be in The Vic. We meet so many other cast so it really gets us pretty welcomed very quickly. They're such a lovely bunch and like a family already, which is great for us." Rainford has since called for scenes with Phil Mitchell as she believes it would be "scary". When asked if she would stay in the soap opera, she responded: "I'm hoping to be a legacy character. I love the show. I've always loved it since I was little and just to be on it with people that I've watched for that long is an honour." In June 2025, it was announced Rainford would depart the role.

Role in the Knight family

Rainford spoke out about her role in the family dynamic whilst teasing a "change" in Anna's character. Viewers were set to see a "different side to Anna" when she is revealed as the daughter of Cindy and Gina is sent on a "downward spiral". Rainford also mentioned the type of relationship Gina and Anna have: "Throughout their lives, Gina has always been the one that's been mothering Anna and protecting her. But I think actually if you look deep down, Gina is the one who is slightly more scared by the whole thing, perhaps because she's seen a bit more and because she's a bit older when it all happened. Anna will take being mothered from Gina for as long as she needs to, but actually she's there to step up when Gina is a bit more vulnerable." She continued on: "For Anna and her dad, unfortunately it's not something that they haven't seen before, so they know she does have the tendency to spiral out of control. They're both doing everything in their power to stop that, but when feelings and people are involved, that's never the case. Anna is more concerned for her sister's safety and her wellbeing. All she wants is her family to be happy." Rainford added: "Viewers can expect to see a different side to Anna – a slightly more 'Knight' side. I think they can expect to see Anna being a bit more determined and a bit more mature as she steps into a different role in her family dynamic."
When Anna decides to hire a private investigator for Cindy, it was reported her role in the family dynamic once again would be tested. Anna decides to steal money from The Vic's tills. Rainford defended Anna: "It's definitely not something that she would do and I think that's why her family don't believe it's her at first, because it is just so out of character. Deep down, she of course didn't want to do that but it is the last resort for Anna. I think Anna has a massive conflict between doing what's right for her versus what's right for her family. She knows she will open some old wounds by doing this and she doesn't want to hurt her dad by going against him. Anna is very happy with her family situation at the moment, she loves Elaine, so wouldn't want to cause any harm in that relationship, but she's also at the age where she needs to know answers about her own identity. By doing this though, she knows she'll have to go against what her family wants but I think she has to be selfish in this moment." Rainford admitted it would be hard for Anna to see George and Gina's disappointment: "I don't know whether I would say fair, but I understand why Gina said that and feels this way, Gina, for a long time, has stepped into that maternal role even though she's not that much older than Anna. She's always felt that burden of her mum leaving, more than Anna realises, so Gina's doing this because she wants to protect Anna." She continued on: "I think Anna appreciates that but I don't think she feels it's fair as she wants to know more about her mum. I think that's the thing that overrides it and persuades her to reach out to the investigator."

Spiking storyline

EastEnders announced the new workings on an issue-based storyline that would see Anna's character set to be spiked on a night out with her sister Gina and friends Freddie Slater, Bobby Beale and Felix Baker. The announcement came to light on 2 July 2024. The story is dubbed "Spiked". Anna is on a night-out at Peggy's wine bar where she is spiked – initially unnoticed as her behaviour is believed to be from her alcohol consumption. When her behaviour does not equate to the amount of alcohol she has had, the night out was set to turn south. EastEnders worked with charities Stamp Out Spiking and WithYou as well as experts in the field to ensure the storyline was portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible. The episode was set to be transmitted on 16 July 2024. A digital series of each characters point of view was also set to be released accessible from a QR Code from the episode. The BBC stated: "In a digital first for EastEnders, an exclusive five part miniseries will be made accessible to viewers via a QR code that will feature within the main episode which will take the audience to a link giving them the option of which platform to watch through. The digital series will offer a unique insight as viewers see the incident from Anna's own perspective, and from the perspective of her friends."
Fiona Campbell, BBC Controller Youth Audience, spoken out on the storyline: "Following the success of the recent digital collaboration with EastEnders, which saw them move into scripted content in the vertical digital format for the first time – we're incredibly excited to step further into this innovative area with a storyline that has great public relevance. For the first time, EastEnders will incorporate a QR code within the main show, taking viewers to the spin off which will be available across multiple digital platforms reaching wider audiences, and those most affected by spiking. EastEnders is one of the BBC's highest performing shows for young audiences and driving its awareness on short form video platforms where these audiences find much of their daily content diet is a priority for us." Dawn Dines, CEO and Founder at Stamp Out Spiking added: "EastEnders is a wonderful vehicle to drive the safeguarding message and with its huge popularity amongst a wide range of the public, it will help inspire conversations to help protect men and women being targeted. Education is key to preventing these incidents. Stamp Out Spiking are delighted to have taken part in bringing the essential storyline to the screen." A follow-up report on more details came to light on 9 July 2024. The night takes a "terrifying turn" and Anna awakes in hospital, where she is given the information that her drink was spiked. Anna is not willing to report the crime to the police – much to George and Gina's disbelief.