Cora Cross is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ann Mitchell.

Kirkwood was keen to find a new matriarch for the show after the loss of Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and explained that Cora is a perfect fit.

Kate White of Inside Soap praised Cora and added she could watch Ann Mitchell acting "her socks off" all day long.

Mitchell took a break from the show between April and July 2015, returning for various guest stints until 15 December the same year, when she departed.

Cora returns months after the wedding as she can no longer handle her abusive neighbours and asks to stay with Tanya for a few days.

Eventually, Cora is forced to move out of Tanya's and convinces Dot Branning (June Brown) to let her stay with her and sister Rose Cotton (Polly Perkins).

When Patrick questions Cora about a cake she is baking, she tells him it is for Ava's birthday, she is in fact alive and she was forced to give her up for adoption by her parents because she was unmarried and the baby was mixed race.

Ava and Sam reunite, and Cora eventually tells Dexter, who is initially angry but comes to terms with the relationship.

They move in with Patrick, but he ends his relationship with Cora due to her insensitive comments that she makes to Dot following the death of her son Nick Cotton (John Altman).

A few months later, a dishevelled Cora attends a charity drive for the homeless at the community centre, but ensures nobody sees her.

When Denise Fox (Diane Parish) is referred to a food bank, she finds Cora is volunteering there so leaves.

On the day of Abi's funeral, Cora tells Max to stay away as he has damaged the family, and afterwards, she drives Tanya home.

Max marries Rainie as part of a scam to gain custody of Abi, and a battle between them and Cora ensues.

Cora Cross is a formidable woman, cut from the same cloth as many glorious Walford women of the past, and Ann Mitchell is just perfect for the role.

[7] In an interview with Inside Soap, the executive producer of EastEnders, Bryan Kirkwood commented: "With the loss of Barbara Windsor, I was keen to find a new matriarch for the show, and Ann Mitchell is a dream booking.

[8] Discussing the permanent return of Cora, Tanya Franks commented: "Ann Mitchell isn't that scary in real life!

"[12] It continues to read: "Outwardly, Cora’s tough as old boots and doesn’t give a stuff what people think of her.

"Inside Soap says that Cora is a "brash, loud lady who likes to tell everyone what she thinks and has absolute no shame."

An EastEnders informant says: "She'll be a massive embarrassment to Tanya, who likes to think she's risen above her roots and made a better life for herself.

[14] In an interview with Digital Spy, Jake Wood was asked what kind of a dynamic he thinks that viewers could expect from Max and Cora.

He replied: "If Max does move back home, they'd potentially have to spend a lot of time together, so I think they'd have to put their differences aside for Tanya's sake.

At the moment, because of Tanya's illness, Cora is being supportive and quite 'mummy' – but there's always the possibility that things could take a turn for the worse with their relationship, so I think that could change.

"[17] In October 2011, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported that Max would be returning to EastEnders with his brother Derek (Jamie Foreman) and teased that Tanya will reveal a long-held family secret which will shock Cora.

"[23] On the subject of Cora keeping the secret for a significant amount of time, Mitchell also said that it's down to guilt and wanting things to be kept safe and uncomplicated.

She commented that the characters cannot resist a barb and say the things many people would not; just like "famous battleaxe" Blanche Hunt (Maggie Jones).

[29] Kate White from the publication later praised the character saying "All hail the new queen of soap—fabulous Cora is everything the discerning viewer could ever want.

[32] He also admitted that "it was a real surprise" to see Cora's vulnerable side as she listened to the truth of her husband's supposed "peaceful death".

[35] Simon of the Daily Mirror later hinted that "Cora has a real soft spot for bad boy Derek Branning.

"[36] A writer for the Daily Mirror called Rose Cotton (Polly Perkins), Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) and Cora "diamond geezers".

[38] Mitchell received a nomination in the "Funniest Female" category at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards for her portrayal of Cora.