A new arrival in BBC soap EastEnders may be familiar to soap fans.

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The BBC One soap has cast Bharti Patel, best known for her acclaimed role as Ruhma Carter in BBC medical soap Doctors from 2015 to 2024.

Patel arrives on-screen in EastEnders next week in a guest role as Maya Houssain, an unexpected new friend of Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman).

Next week, Harvey will be seen feeling lonely - not surprising following the departures of best friends Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) and Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley).

Harvey's partner Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) will encourage him to try making some new friends.

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As the week continues, Harvey unexpectedly bumps into a woman named Maya and offers to take her cab fare and help her. The pair then form a connection over being huge fans of football team Tottenham Hotspur.

Bharti Patel as Maya Houssain speaking to Ross Boatman as Harvey Monroe on the street in EastEnders.
Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman, right) makes a new friend in Maya. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron

Later in the week, the pair will bond even more over their love of the beautiful game and it seems they each have made a new friend.

However, is Maya merely a new friend for Harvey or is there more to her than meets the eye? And how will Jean and the Slaters react to Harvey's new friendship?

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EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

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