EASTENDERS legend Laurie Brett is making her return to the BBC next week in a brand-new role, eight years after exiting the soap.

The actress, best known as Jane Beale, will be guest-starring in an upcoming episode of Casualty.

Laurie will play a stern midwife called Marie Mayhew in the Casualty flashback special airing this Saturday.

The episode will explore Jodie’s experiences as a student midwife in January 2020 at Brockwell Hospital.

Following the announcement of Laurie’s upcoming role, fans have already shared their excitement online, with one posting: “Doesn’t Laurie look good in her uniform?”

Someone jokingly responded: “She looks great but I don’t know any midwives that walk around with a stethoscope around their neck!”

In the episode Jodie will attempt to help a patient named Hannah as she suffers from a severe reaction to painkillers.

Her quick thinking gets the attention of doctor Henry, and even her harsher mentor Marie is impressed.

However, this creates tension between Jodie and her fellow student nurse Vicky, as Marie makes it clear they are competing for a permanent role in the hospital.

While Casualty viewers are looking forward to Laurie Brett’s guest appearance, EastEnders fans were left disappointed by her brief return to Albert Square earlier this year.

Their hopes were raised when Bobby Beale announced that Jane was coming back to help him make a fresh start.

Many viewers thought this would lead to a longer storyline for Jane, or possibly even a permanent return to Walford.

However, those hopes were quickly dashed when Bobby left for the Cotswolds with his adoptive mother.

Fans took to social media to voice their frustration, with one saying: “I was hoping Jane was coming back. Looks like another quick appearance and gone again.”

Another viewer lamented: “Such a shame Jane didn’t get any scenes with Sharon or Linda.”