Karen Taylor is a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Lorraine Stanley.

This was the third role Stanley had portrayed on EastEnders, having played Mo Harris in the 2004 spin-off special EastEnders: Pat & Mo and pub landlady Thelma Bragg in 2016.Stanley's portrayal of Karen has received a positive response from audience and critics, with Stanley winning Best Newcomer at The British Soap Awards in 2018.

In July 2023, it was announced that Stanley had been let go from the soap by executive producer Chris Clenshaw, with her departure being broadcast in episode 6816, which aired on 8 December 2023.

The family move in above Ted (Christopher Timothy) and Joyce Murray (Maggie Steed), who are especially unhappy to discover the Taylors are living above them, as Karen caused their friend to suffer a nervous breakdown when they were previously neighbours in Walford Towers.

Karen pleads with Dr. Natasha Black (Rachel Bavidge) not to inform social services, and tells Bernadette that keeping the baby it is her own choice, but worries about how the family will afford to raise another child.

When Riley and Chatham return home, they ask questions about the baby, and Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) comforts Karen when she breaks down.

Karen and Mitch's daughter Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer), joined by her husband Gray (Toby-Alexander Smith) and two children Mia (Mahalia Malcolm) and Mackenzie (Isaac Lemonius), arrives in Walford to work as a hairdresser.

In order to cover his tracks, Keanu posts a ransom note through Sharon's door demanding £50,000 in exchange for Albie to be returned.

When the scheme is exposed, Sharon slaps Karen and Phil vows revenge on the Taylors for taking his money.

Karen is unaware that Keanu was in fact murdered by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), with Sharon, Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), and Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) all assisting in covering up his murder.

[2][3] Executive producer Sean O'Connor was excited to introduce the family, describing them as "noisy, brash and not to be messed with".

[2][4] He described Karen in particular as a "twenty-a-day lioness, bringing up her kids with no support, no money and a very loud mouth", although noted that while she comes across as a "fierce woman who won't hear a bad word said about her family", those close to her learn that she can also be "kind-hearted and loyal".

[2][3][4] Stanley later went on to admit that the idea for their introduction was to make them seem like nightmarish neighbours, and for viewers to warm up to them later, commenting that "Karen would do anything for her family" and suggesting that she was the show's best mother.

[5] When talking about joining EastEnders, Stanley commented: "I'm chuffed to be cast in such an iconic show that I've grown up watching.

[3][9][10] Despite initial doubts, Stanley believed her previous time on EastEnders helped her gain the role of Karen, as she had formed a friendship with casting director Julia Crampsie.

[8][9] She was called in to audition for Karen after success playing Thelma, and was given brief details on the character, but knew she would be the head of a new family.

[5] Stanley explained that a backstory for the Taylor family is that they lived on an estate that was being knocked down, so moved into social housing in Albert Square.

Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans".

[13] When talking about her departure, Stanley said "Thank you to [writer] Daran Little for creating the Taylors and to the BBC for giving me the opportunity to play such a fabulous character".