The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2000, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by Matthew Robinson, or his successor, John Yorke. The first character to be introduced was (Clare Wilkie), the estranged wife of Beppe di Marco (Michael Greco). Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman), a love interest for Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), and (Hayley Angel Wardle), a new teenage character, were introduced in February, whereas (Diana Coupland), the aunt of Irene Raymond (Roberta Taylor), and (Forbes Masson), the tutor of Nicky di Marco (Carly Hillman), were introduced for guest stints in May. (Sheila Hancock), Steve Owen (Martin Kemp) and Jackie Owen's (Race Davies) mother, and (Ashley Jensen), Rod's wife, made their first ap