Lauren Branning (born 30th March 1994) is a fictional character from the BBC soap EastEnders. She first appeared on 3 July 2006 played by Madeline Duggan and returned as played by Jacqueline Jossa. Her storylines have included alcoholism, supporting her mother Tanya Branning through cervical cancer, her friendships with Lucy Beale and Whitney Dean, a incestuous relationship with her cousin Joey Branning, and an affair with married alcoholic Jake Stone.