Ellen Thomas played two regular characters in EastEnders. The first being Grace Olubunmi, grandmother of Mercy Olubunmi, in 2010 and 2011. Olubunmi was previously played by Jay Byrd in BBCi & BBC3 spin-off E20. She returned to the show in 2015, this time playing Claudette Hubbard, mother of Vincent Hubbard. It was announced in September 2016 that Thomas would be departing the show again.