Ryan Malloy

Ryan Malloy
EastEnders character
File:Ryan dean.jpg Ryan Malloy in 2009
Portrayed by	Neil McDermott
Duration	2009–11
First appearance	28 April 2009
Classification	Present; regular (departing)
Introduced by	Diederick Santer
Spin-off appearances	EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford (2010)
In-universe information Occupation Market trader (clothing) (2009) Barman (2009, since 2010) Bookmaker (2010) Car thief (since 2010) Mother Debra Dean Half-sisters Whitney Dean Wife Janine Butcher (2010—) Daughters Lily Branning

Ryan Malloy is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Neil McDermott. His character remained a mystery in the show for a number of months until he was revealed as the half brother of established character Whitney Dean (played by Shona McGarty). Neil was dropped from the show in February 2011, after sleeping with a 16 year old girl.

Creation and development

Ryan was introduced to the show as a mystery character, who was credited simply as "Man" to keep his identity hidden. The show's executive producer, Diederick Santer, remained tight-lipped about the character, saying "I'm not saying too much about him. He's a character played by an actor... All I'll say at this point is that he seems to want to talk to Whitney..." The character's identity was revealed in July 2009 as Whitney Dean's half brother and the son of Debra Dean (Ruth Gemmell), and he was credited as "Ryan" for the first time on 21 July 2009. Santer then described the character as "intriguing and complex", adding, "While incognito, he made a big impression on EastEnders viewers. Now they know who he actually is, I'm sure things will get even more exciting." McDermott auditioned for the part, not knowing the character's relationship to Whitney, but admits he was "very excited", adding, "Sometimes you just really want to get a part and for me, this was one of those occasions."

The character is nine years older than his half sister, and is described as having "something of a dark past". He is also said to be very moody, with an interest in women, setting his sights on Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack). The character was involved in gangs, although McDermott said "Ryan's not a really aggressive or violent man, but he's a thief. He ended up moving away from that, though. He'd love to live a normal life, but he's never had the opportunity to." He has been compared to the character of Sean Slater, who was played by Robert Kazinsky, as their scenario and personalities are similar in certain ways. McDermott commented that he sees the character as having a big heart, but scared to show his emotions, saying, "That's where his aggression comes from — he doesn't want to get hurt. [...] All Ryan needs is a good woman, some sort of mother or father figure, and a good psychiatrist and he'll be alright!" He also said that the character has lots of secrets that will be revealed over time.

In July 2009, it emerges that the character is looking for his mother as he was involved in a gang and killed a gang member with a knife in self-defence. He asks Debra to hide the knife, but she uses it against him. McDermott revealed that one scene, where Ryan and Debra are constantly talking over each other, had to be filmed in several takes. Another scene features McDermott barechested, which prompted him to attend a gym: "I opened up a script after not being here very long and I just thought 'ah ok... I need to get down to the gym', Everyone's a bit vain when they've got to take their clothes off on screen!"

In December 2009, Santer teased about upcoming storylines involving Ryan and his flatmate Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), saying: "There's something really interesting with Ryan and Janine [...]. They're both people who don't know how to love. So will they fall in love? And if they do, can they cope with it? Will they understand the alien feelings coursing through their bodies?" McDermott stated in March 2010 that he believed Ryan was the right man for Janine, and that they could be perfect for each other, saying: "Janine's never loved any of the men she's been with before. She has only ever been in it for the money. Ryan understands her and knows why she does the things she does. They both forgive one another's mistakes very easily, and that's why their partnership works."

Axing

In February 2011, Neil McDermott was axed from the show after sleeping with a 16 year old girl.

Storylines

Backstory

Ryan's backstory was revealed by McDermott in an interview with Digital Spy: "[He is] a bad boy character whose mother had given him away when he was young and didn't care for him. He grew up with an alcoholic father who died when he was about 12 and Ryan then went into foster homes, which he didn't like. He ended living on the streets a lot and got involved with the wrong crowd. He had to make his own way in life, which is why he's a very independent person. Sometimes he acts in dodgy ways to get what he needs, too." He added: "At the very beginning, he'd only just learned from Debra that he has a half-sister. He didn't know about her until that point, so he's turned up in Walford to find her. Obviously he's looking for Debra and he thinks that his mum's going to turn up to see Whitney. So in a way, he's using Whitney to get to their mother."

2009–11

Ryan first appears on screen on 28 April 2009 when he is seen in the park by Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry). He asks Whitney if she is all right, but she runs off calling him a "creep". Weeks later, he helps Whitney and others escape from a fire started in café by Nick Cotton (John Altman). Whitney then sees Ryan as a mysterious hero. Whitney's mother, Debra Dean (Ruth Gemmell), turns up at Whitney's house, saying that a man is after her. Whitney demands to know why, and Debra says she has something belonging to him. They fetch it, but when they return home, Ryan is waiting for them; he is the man who is chasing Debra. Ryan reveals to Whitney he is her half brother, and says he killed someone in self defence, giving the weapon to Debra to hide. He demands it back from Whitney, but she refuses, and later disposes of it in a canal.

Planning to leave Walford, Ryan spots Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) and asks Whitney about her. He decides to stay, and moves in with Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks). Ronnie subsequently offers Ryan a day's trial at The Queen Victoria public house, and during the trial, they kiss, eventually going to Ryan's flat, where they sleep together. However, she makes it clear that its just a one-off. Ryan then begins to indulge in petty crime, including stealing from Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) café and fish and chip shop. When Chelsea Fox (Tiana Benjamin) wins £2,000 on a scratch card, Ryan mugs her. His flatmate Janine finds the cash, and tells Chelsea that Ryan mugged her, so Chelsea's father Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) threatens him, and he returns the money. Despite this, Ryan and Janine soon start an on-off fling with each other. At the same time, Janine teams up with Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) to try and take over The Queen Victoria pub. She reveals the plans to Ryan, and the pair plot to ultimately take the pub for themselves, double-crossing Archie in the process. Ryan sees Whitney crying in the Square who reveals she is still in love with Tony King (Chris Coghill), the one time boyfriend of her adoptive mother Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) who had been sexually abusing Whitney and is currently in prison. He tries to convince her that how Tony treated her was completely wrong, however she storms off and Ryan tells Bianca of Whitney's revelation. Ryan's true hatred of Tony is shown during the beginning of his trial, where Tony is shocked to see him glaring at him from across the room. When Whitney's witness statement is shown in court, Ryan walks out in disgust when she says she was 12 years old when they had sex. He storms back in calling Tony a monster and tells Whitney that Tony is sick and he will get out of prison when he is an old man.

On Christmas Day 2009 Ryan tells Janine that they are over, and later finds Janine drunk in the car lot. He tells her that Archie has been murdered, and panics when the police arrive to question everyone. After they question Janine, Ryan does not believe that she did not kill Archie and says she should be awarded an Oscar for her acting abilities. Ryan comforts Janine when she only gets a Newton's cradle in Archie's will but she says she is not finished. After trying to blackmail Ian Beale, she tells the police that Ian murdered Archie. Ryan is angry with her and says it will draw more attention to herself. He says she makes him sick and storms out. When Janine is arrested after police find Archie's mother's engagement ring in her flat, Ryan protests that she has been set up.

Overdue with the rent, Ryan and Janine use Bianca's son Morgan Jackson-King (Devon Higgs) to raise money, pretending to be collecting for charity. However, Whitney takes the money from them when she finds out what they have done. Janine tells Ryan they should come up with a plan to get Archie's daughter Roxy Mitchell's (Rita Simons) inheritance from her, so Janine urges Ryan to get close to Roxy. However, he decides to end the plan when he tells Janine they should admit their true feelings to each other, and says he is in love with her even though she is the most horrendous human being he has ever known. Janine remains silent, so Ryan walks away. The next day, Ryan packs his bags but Janine tries to tell him he can't leave as he owes six weeks' rent. As he leaves on the tube, she regrets letting him go, follows him onto the train and tells him she loves him. He then finds employment as assistant manager of the bookmaker's. However, Janine worries that Ryan will leave when she finds his passport with £500, and as he has no material possessions, she buys him a large television, telling him it is too large to fit in one of his bags so he will be unable to leave.

Ryan and Janine make a bet: Janine has to kiss Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) and Ryan has to kiss Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), and whoever does it first wins. Janine eventually kisses Lucas, much to his surprise, and she takes Ryan's "going-away" money as her prize. After Ryan kisses Stacey, Janine reveals it was for a bet, leaving Stacey upset. Disgusted by Janine's cruelty, Ryan splits with her. However, they reunite soon after and go on holiday together. When they return, the couple decide to get married. Janine's brother Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen) throws Ryan a stag party where they get drunk and bond. The next day, Ryan attends his wedding, but Janine stops the service, and admits to Ryan that she almost had an affair as she is scared of commitment. Ryan assures her that he is scared too, and the pair marry anyway. They then attend their reception at the Queen Victoria pub, where Stacey attempts to tell Ryan about his paternity to Lily. However, Pat stops her from telling him, just minutes before a fire erupts in the pub. Everyone leaves safely, except for Stacey and Lily. Ryan rescues the baby and an unconscious Stacey before the pub explodes. Upon seeing her daughter unharmed, Stacey admits to Ryan he is Lily's father. Ryan goes to see Stacey in the hospital when she and Lily recover from the fire, and Stacey tells Ryan she isn't asking for anything and offers to let Ryan hold Lily, but Ryan declines and walks out. Then he goes on honeymoon with Janine.

When they return, Stacey tells Max Branning (Jake Wood) that Ryan is Lily's father and has been acting like he does not care. Max confronts Ryan, revealing to Janine that Ryan is the father. He then confronts Stacey saying that he wants nothing to do with his daughter. Stacey then tells Ryan to look at Lily, and he is visibly saddened. Janine later calls social services, saying Stacey is neglecting Lily. The allegation is proved to be false and Stacey attacks Janine. Ryan discovers what happened and stops Janine going to the police, saying she would not get away with it. The next day, Janine assumes Ryan has left her but they later reconcile and agree to forget about the recent events. While Stacey and Janine are in R&R nightclub and then arrested, Ryan is left to look after Lily for the first time. He struggles at first but the next morning tells Janine and Stacey he wants to be a father to Lily. Stacey does not want to let him but Ryan later agrees to pay maintenance and gets a job stealing cars for Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), so Stacey lets him hold Lily. On Janine's birthday, Ryan tells her he is getting her a surprise gift but finds out that he is with Stacey, having Lily's birth certificate changed, and Ryan later lies about where he was. They attend a party at the Slaters' house and Janine takes Lily, packs her and Ryan's things and takes Ryan on a trip, saying she wants to celebrate her birthday. Ryan hears Lily in the back of the car and orders Janine to stop but she says she is planning on going to France and never returning. They argue and eventually she stops on a level crossing, refusing to start the car until Ryan admits he cares more about Stacey. However, the barriers then lower and Janine is unable to start the car until the last second and the train just misses the car. Ryan takes Lily and Janine home and explains to Stacey that Janine heard Lily crying so took her to look after her but promises to Stacey he did not know Janine took Lily.

Ryan works as a barman at the newly refurbished The Queen Victoria, and when alone with Stacey, they kiss. However, Stacey tells Ryan to forget it happened. Stacey goes missing and Janine stops him visiting her by locking him in The Queen Victoria's walk-in fridge. Although Ryan thinks it was accidental and Janine saved him, Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) inadvertedly reveals it was deliberate. After Kat allows Ryan to visit Stacey, he realises she is planning to leave and stops her. He reveals he wants to be with Stacey, not Janine and they start an affair. Pat discovers it and tells Janine, who starts to poison Ryan with pills. Eventually he escapes the flat and Stacey finds him as he collapses. Ryan is hospitalised and when he wakes up, Janine admits to overdosing him on sedatives and says she knows about his affair. She says if he loves her, he will not let her go to prison for her actions. Ryan allows Janine to believe he still loves her but then publicly declares his love for Stacey in The Queen Victoria. Janine then walks in to see them kissing. She fears she has lost him until she discovers Stacey was Archie's real killer after receiving a taped confession from Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa). Although the recording is wiped, Janine reveals the truth. Ryan wants to be with Stacey regardless and they plan to flee. However, Stacey is unsure of her feelings for Ryan and takes Lily, leaving without him. Ryan visits Janine in hospital, because she stabbed herself in an attempt to frame Stacey. Janine forgives Ryan but he is unable to forgive her so he removes her oxygen tubes and walks out as she struggles to breathe. Pat discovers this and tells Ryan to end the feud. He then gives his wedding ring to Whitney.

When Janine returns to the Square, Whitney moves in with her. Ryan tries to convince Whitney that Janine is not her friend but to no avail. Later, Ryan tells Whitney he is leaving Walford for a short time to do some work up North. Before he leaves, Ryan asks Kat to give Whitney a job in the Vic, which she agrees to.

Reception

McDermott was nominated for the Most Popular Newcomer award at the 2010 National Television Awards for his portrayal of Ryan.. In 2011, Ryan's love triangle with Stacey and Janine was nominated at the All About Soap Bubble Awards in the category "Best Love Triangle".

External links

• Ryan Malloy at BBC Online