In conjunction with Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) dramatic return to Albert Square, Peter Beale (Thomas Law) has made an explosive return to EastEnders.
After learning about sisters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford), Cindy’s daughters from her marriage to George Knight (Colin Salmon), the character, who had been living in France with Cindy and Ian (Adam Woodyatt) as Cindy’s witness protection came to an end, returned to Walford.
A series of events followed, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as they eventually witnessed Cindy come to Walford, unexpectedly reunite with George, and learn her daughters were in the bar.
The plot is Peter’s attempt to make amends after leaving Walford after a family dispute in July 2022 and taking all of his grandma Kathy’s (Gillian Taylforth) money with him. Peter is one of Cindy’s six children.
Over the past few decades, the figure has been a fixture in the square, and as Peter has aged, the role has been portrayed by a number of different actors.
But how old exactly is the figure today, and who is portraying him at the moment?
When was Peter Beale born?
Peter is 29 years old right now.
On December 9, 1993, the character and her twin sister Lucy were born; the event took place off-screen.
Peter is named after Ian Beale’s (Peter Dean) father, who passed away in a vehicle accident the day before Peter was born.
From 1993 to 1996, when Cindy, who had hired a hitman to kill Ian, fled to Italy with Peter and her other son Steven in an effort to elude justice, the character first featured on the program.
After Peter returned in 1997, the character stayed in the Square until 2010, then returned from 2013 to 2015, when he departed with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), who was carrying his unborn child, and traveled to New Zealand.
Before the most recent departure in 2022, the character made a second appearance in 2020.
In the past, these actors have all portrayed Peter:
(1993–1996) Frances Brittin-Snell
(1997–1998) Alex Stevens
From 1998 through 2004, Joseph Shade
James Martin, from 2004 to 2006.
(2006–2010; 2023) Thomas Law
(2013–2015) Ben Hardy
(2020–2022) Dayle Hudson
Who is Peter Beale’s current actor?
Actor Thomas Law, who portrayed a youthful Peter between 2006 and 2010, is presently playing Peter Beale.
Prior to joining the cast of EastEnders, Thomas, 30, a native of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, made his television debut in 2005 with a recurrent part in Casualty.
In addition to the soap, he is most known for his part as DC Eddie Martin in the ITV criminal thriller The Bay, which he appeared in from 2021 to 2023. He has since left the program to return to EastEnders.
Sadie J, the comic drama on Sky, Living The Dream, and the science fiction comedy The World’s End, in which he played the younger version of Simon Pegg’s character Gary King, are some of his other performances.
Thomas has said the following about his return to Walford: “I had hoped for a return to the Square throughout the years, but I never believed it would actually happen, so it’s an incredible thrill to be back in Walford as Peter Beale.”
I’ve enjoyed seeing both old and new faces, and now that Cindy has returned, it will be fascinating to see the character once more.
Beginning at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, EastEnders will resume on BBC One.
