Simone Lahbib Joins BBC Scotland's River City Final Year Cast

Simone Lahbib, known for her roles in EastEnders, Bad Girls, and Wire in the Blood, is joining the cast of BBC Scotland's River City as Vivienne ‘Viv’ Barton, a member of the Foulkes gangster family. Viv, a business owner, returns to Shieldinch hoping to reconcile with her son Tyler after abandoning her family and marriage to gangster Harry Foulkes over two decades ago. Her arrival shocks family friend Eddie Corrigan, who believed Viv was dead due to a lie spun by Harry. Viv’s return triggers emotional turmoil and a series of traumatic events as she seeks forgiveness and attempts to avoid her ruthless ex-husband. Simone describes Viv as a complex character who will do anything to survive and has plans beyond mere survival, causing upheaval in the community. The role marks Simone’s return to Scottish drama, a setting she describes as feeling like home, where she can also spend time with her family during filming.