The following are characters who first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders during 2010, listed by order of first appearance. Executive producer Diederick Santer left EastEnders on 26 February 2010, handing over to Bryan Kirkwood, who fully took control from 1 March 2010.

Santer introduced five new main characters in January, three from the online spin-off EastEnders: E20, Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny), Leon Small (Sam Attwater) and Fatboy (Ricky Norwood), as well as two members of the long-established Mitchell family, Glenda Mitchell, played by Glynis Barber, and her son Danny (Liam Bergin). February saw the show's first birth of 2010, with Kamil Masood, the fourth child of the established Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) and Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra). The same month, Sandy Gibson (Caroline Pegg/Martha Cope), the mother of Dotty Cotton (Molly Conlin/Milly Zero) appeared. The character of Harvey Freeman, played by Martin Jarvis, was introduced in April, and the fourth main character from EastEnders: E20, Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu), joined EastEnders in May. Kirkwood's first major casting was Zöe Lucker in the role of Vanessa Gold and later cast her daughter Jodie (Kylie Babbington) and husband Harry (Linal Haft), as well as Mercy's grandmother Grace (Ellen Thomas), all of whom appeared in June. June also saw the show's second birth of the year, that of Lily Branning, the daughter of Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) and Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott). In September, Richard Mitchell became the third birth of the year, born to Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook/Kim Medcalf) and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen). Three characters arrived in October: Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth), Tanya Branning's (Jo Joyner) fiancé; Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), Alfie Moon's (Shane Richie) cousin; and Julie Perkins (Cathy Murphy), an old friend of Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick). In November, Kirkwood introduced Zainab's ex-husband, Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti). Two more babies were born in December, James Branning and Tommy Moon, which triggered a long-running controversial storyline for Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace).

Fatima Inzamam

Fatima Inzamam is the wife of Inzamam Ahmed (Paul Bhattacharjee) and mother of Jamila (Sara Aisha Kent) and Ali (Omar Kent). She made her first screen appearance on 1 January 2010 played by an uncredited actress. Anu Hasan took over the role for Fatima's return from 15 May 2015.

She first appears before Syed Masood's (Marc Elliott) wedding to Amira Shah (Preeya Kalidas) but leaves when Inzamam's brother Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) tells Inzamam he is no longer welcome at the wedding. In May 2015, Fatima visits after being contacted by her niece Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) to find her a husband for an arranged marriage, frustrated at her boyfriend Kush Kazemi's (Davood Ghadami) inability to commit. Fatima invites the suitor, Asim (Nitin Kundra), to the house and introduces him to Shabnam. However, when Shabnam dodges the question of future children, Fatima confronts her, revealing she knows Shabnam abandoned her daughter on her doorstep seven years earlier. She tells Shabnam that she does not keep in touch with the child's adoptive parents but assures her that she is in good health. After Shabnam accepts Kush's proposal, Fatima confesses to Masood that she and Inzamam have separated, he has moved back to Pakistan and that she lied to Shabnam about her daughter; she knows where she is. Fatima later visits again with Shabnam's wedding dress and makes alterations to it to conceal her pregnancy bump.

Fatima is shocked when Shabnam brings up Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Stacey Slater's (Lacey Turner) past relationships, discovering that Denise's ex-husband, Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet), is a serial killer and that Stacey had an affair with her father-in-law, Max Branning (Jake Wood). Fatima is also shocked to discover Shabnam had been in numerous relationships previously and is unimpressed when Denise, Stacey and Kush's mother Carmel (Bonnie Langford) drink alcohol, worrying about the effect it will have on Masood's reputation. When Carmel questions her relationship with Masood, Fatima is forced to reveal that she is just his sister-in-law, stopping short of revealing that her marriage is over. Once she has finished with Shabnam's dress, Carmel disapproves of the alterations and tells an unimpressed Fatima that Shabnam should not be ashamed to be pregnant, which Shabnam agrees with. Masood later calls Fatima back to the house and she tells him that she felt that she had married the wrong brother. Shabnam then walks in on them kissing and leaves in shock. Fatima is then outraged to discover that Masood had slept with Carmel, and leaves angrily, telling her nephew, Masood's son Tamwar (Himesh Patel), that Masood is just as bad as Inzamam. She returns on the eve of Shabnam and Kush's wedding and helps Shabnam, Carmel, Stacey and Denise with the wedding preparations. She is also present at the wedding ceremony the next day where she meets her new nephew, Masood's youngest son Kamil (Arian Chikhlia), whose mother Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) has flown out from Pakistan for the occasion.

Laura-Jane Tyler from Inside Soap praised the character, saying "how sweet is Shabnam's Auntie Fatima? Supportive, understanding, calm and reasoned, she's the loving mother the Masood kids never had!"

Zsa Zsa Carter

Zsa Zsa Carter is played by Emer Kenny and made her first appearance on 5 January 2010 before appearing in the Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20. She is one of four characters created for the spin-off who also appear in the main show. Kenny's casting was announced on 25 November 2009. She was cast while writing the second episode of E20. Zsa Zsa is the niece of regular character Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), with whom she is said to have a lot in common. She is described as "Beautiful, funky and an outspoken tomboy," as well as "a lone wolf [who] doesn't care about anyone." Zsa Zsa was axed in May 2010 by new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood, though Kenny continued to write for EastEnders: E20. Her storylines mostly revolve around her relationship with Leon Small (Sam Attwater). The character's last appearance was on 30 September 2010.

Leon Small

Leon Small is played by Sam Attwater and makes his first appearance on 5 January 2010 before appearing in the Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20. He is one of four characters created for the spin-off who also appear in the main show. Attwater's casting was announced on 25 November 2009. Leon is described as "Sexy and effortlessly cool [with] a short fuse and a lack of respect for those in authority." His mother died when he was a child and he was left in charge of his alcoholic father. He also practices boxing. He was axed in May 2010 by new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood. His storylines revolve around his relationships with Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny) and Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield). The character's last appearance was on 30 September 2010.

Fatboy

Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb is played by Ricky Norwood and made his first appearance on 5 January 2010 before appearing in the Internet spin-off EastEnders: E20. He is one of four characters created for the spin-off who also appear in the main show. Norwood's casting was announced on 25 November 2009. Fatboy is described as having "invented all manner of personas since he was seven years old—in an attempt to avoid being his real self. His current and most sustained self-creation is brash wheeler-dealer Fatboy." The character left the serial on 24 December 2015.

Glenda Mitchell

Glenda Mitchell is played by Glynis Barber and first appears on 7 January 2010. Jill Gascoine was originally cast as Glenda, but she withdrew during her first day on set and the part was quickly recast to Barber. Glenda has been described as "complex", "vulnerable", "demure, dynamic and assured". She is the former wife of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), and mother to Ronnie (Samantha Womack), Roxy (Rita Simons) and Danny Mitchell (Liam Bergin). She departed on 8 March 2011. Glenda made a brief return to EastEnders on 1 January 2016.

Danny Mitchell

Danny Mitchell is played by soap newcomer Liam Bergin and made his first appearance on 21 January 2010. He is the son of Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) and half brother to Ronnie (Samantha Womack) and Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons). His arrival and casting were announced on 26 December 2009. The character is described as a "loveable rogue" and "a charmer with an eye for the ladies, while guys instantly see him as competition in the alpha male stakes." He departed the serial on 18 June 2010 after being axed by the new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood. His storylines revolved around his attempts to steal Roxy's inheritance.

Kamil Masood

Kamil Masood, played by Arian Chikhlia, is the son of Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) and Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) who is born on screen in the episode broadcast on 23 February 2010, which was set on 19 February 2010.

In August 2009, Zainab is forced to come to terms with the fact that she is 15 weeks pregnant in her mid-40s, and the pregnancy means that her and Masood's plans to see the world have to be cancelled. Zainab is terrified due to her age and the fact a baby will interfere with her career, and she feels trapped because she does not want the baby but abortion is forbidden by her faith.

In February 2010, Zainab becomes locked inside her office unable to contact anyone when her labour starts. She is found by Christian Clarke (John Partridge) who contacts Masood and his two sons Syed (Marc Elliott) and Tamwar (Himesh Patel). Christian calls for an ambulance, but the baby starts to come so Christian passes on instructions while Masood delivers the baby. Kamil is not breathing when he is born, so Christian instructs Masood to perform CPR, saving the infant's life. Zainab is then taken to hospital where she and Masood name their son.

Kamil's parents divorce, and Zainab marries Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti) soon afterwards. Yusef wants to move to Pakistan and fearful that Zainab will not go with him, he kidnaps Kamil, telling Zainab that he is being kept in a safe place. Yusef later reveals that he has left him with an old friend called Laila. Masood manages to get Laila's address and goes to retrieve Kamil. Laila refuses to let Masood in as Yusef had told her Masood was dead, but Masood forces his way in and takes back his son. Yusef dies soon after and Kamil's parents reunite. When his parents separate again in February 2013, Kamil leaves Walford with his mother to live in Pakistan. Kamil returns at the end of July when Masood brings him back. During this time Kamil bonds with his uncle AJ Ahmed (Phaldut Sharma), and then later leaves again in September and goes back to Pakistan. In November 2015, Zainab sends Kamil to Walford to meet his sister Shabnam (Rakhee Thakrar) for the first time and attend her wedding. Masood later contacts Zainab and refuses her access to Kamil unless she comes back to Walford. In December, Kamil auditions for the lead part of Joseph in the Walford Nativity play, a part which Shabnam is unsure of. When Zainab decides to get remarried she sends for Kamil; Tamwar and his girlfriend Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill) accompany him on the flight to Pakistan before continuing in their travels around the world.

Sandy Gibson