Despite initially being penned as an affable and good-hearted cab driver who loves his family, Harvey was created to cause obstacles between Dana and her boyfriend Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell).

Harvey arrives in Walford after his daughter, Dana (Barbara Smith), begins dating Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell).

Aaron, a member of the far-right who holds Islamophobic views, expresses disdain at the idea of Dana converting to the Islamic faith as her relationship with Bobby continues to grow.

After this, Harvey soon settles into life in Walford, continuing to work as a cab driver and forming friendships with Keegan's father Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) and Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley) after Dana leaves to study in Glasgow.

She is subsequently sectioned and upon her release, and improving mental health, him and Jean resume their relationship and Harvey moves into the Slater household.

Dean tries to manipulate Jean into believing that her bipolar has made her tamper with Jade's medication, until Harvey discovers the truth and informs Stacey.

He manages to track Maya down to her home where he meets her husband, Abdul, a fellow taxi driver who his son Aaron beat up in a racist attack two years prior.

Jean kicks him out of the Slater house, and after her trip to Greece, won on a radio quiz by Harvey and Kathy, she eventually allows him to move back in.

Harvey provides a false alibi for Kathy after she is labelled a suspect when Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) is attacked on Christmas Day 2024, and Martin Fowler (James Bye) discovers this but agrees to hide this from Jean.

Boatman's casting was announced on 9 June 2021, with Harvey being teased as the father of established character Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith).

[1] Boatman had wanted to join EastEnders for a long time, so when he learned about the role of Harvey, he became determined to win the part as he felt it was perfect for him.

[9] Boatman's experience as a father helped him to develop his character and he thought it was realistic for Harvey to be "interfering"[9] and how "even if you know they've grown up and are making their own life, it's very hard to stand back and let them go without chucking your two pence in and telling them how you feel".

[9] After being told by Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley) about Bobby's past,[11] Boatman teased that Harvey would be "pretty unhappy about it to say the least".

[6] He explained that he doubted Harvey had anything personal against Bobby, and that the ensuing outburst was a "natural reaction" as "he thinks Dana can do better than going out with a convicted killer".

[16] In an interview with Zoe Ball, Boatman commented that he enjoyed working with Wright, and admitted that things were "going swimmingly" for Harvey at that moment, but noted that love never runs smoothly in EastEnders, warning viewers to expect "bumps in the road".

[17] A source from the show told Metro that "Jean will face some dramatic moments as her relationship with Harvey Monroe gathers momentum".

The actor explained: "When he first met Jean, she wasn't in the depths of her bipolar disorder, so Harvey just sees an amazing, kind, funny woman who is paying him all this attention".

[19] Boatman also commented that Harvey would struggle to accept Jean's mental illness, explaining "He hasn't been in a relationship since the one with his wife and here's this wonderful woman who’s paying him all this attention.

[20] After a breakup, Boatman said he would be happy to see a reunion between the two characters as he and Wright enjoyed working together,[21] with Jean and Harvey remaining friends.

[23] Patel's time on the show was written as being a guest stint and her reason for introduction was to form an "unlikely friendship" with Harvey as Rocky, Mitch, and his children had all departed, leaving him with only Jean.