EastEnders spoilers follow.
A Max Branning-centric flashforward has set the bar high for 2026 in EastEnders, and the drama has barely begun. Anguish awaits many – from Nigel Bates’s loved ones, to the increasingly troubled Ravi Gulati.
Things could also go either way for Zoe Slater, as she fights to prove her innocence in the case involving Anthony Trueman’s murder. If they’re lucky, though, some happiness could be on the horizon for others.
Let’s dive into everything we know about what the year has in store for our Walford favourites.
Flashforward mysteries unravel
BBC
When the BBC soap skipped ahead to 2027, we were left asking: who is Max marrying, who is his pregnant bed buddy and who is holding offspring Lauren and Oscar at gunpoint? And what about that shock arrest?
EastEnders producer Ben Wadey promised a chaotic time for the Brannings as we count down to all of the above. But he was quick to add: “All is not what it seems, so stay tuned for 2026 to find out how and why.”
Then there’s Lauren, who appears to be conducting an affair – is this really the case?
Things aren’t going well for Jack either after a row with an absent Denise Fox, although he seems to have guardianship of a baby named Ethan.
Wadey urged us to “take notice of the stuff that’s not in that episode, because there’s probably a few clues in the gaps in between as well”.
Others nowhere to be seen in Jack’s hour of need are daughters Penny and Amy, and son Ricky. Has one of them fled, leaving Jack holding the baby – or has he strayed and fathered yet another child, losing D in the process?
Then there’s Nicola Mitchell’s unexplained injury, and her mysterious disgust with current employee Chelsea Fox, who appears here only as a potential Branning bride. What ignites their feud?
Speaking of missing pieces, there was no sign of Ravi in 2027, while Mark kept popping up. In the present, Mark is tasked with tracking down a ‘grass’ within a criminal network, and that person is none other than Ravi, who has spiralled into self-harm.
Ravi’s flashforward absence doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s been despatched by then. But when we consider Wadey’s instructions to read between the lines, and the fact that Ravi never showed sufficient remorse for his mistreatment of Kojo Asare, it’s got to be a possibility.
As for Mark’s mutual acknowledgement of Max, the producer shared that his connection with the Brannings will become clear in the coming months. But here’s a thought – what if Max’s apparent crime of conspiracy to murder was aimed at Ravi, for reasons as yet unknown?
Jake Moon turns against Chrissie Watts
BBC
Jake will stun his cousin Alfie with his arrival after the latter spent years thinking he was dead – but fans have been privy to Jake’s fate since that brief cameo alongside girlfriend Chrissie Watts in 2024.
Investigating why Chrissie went AWOL from his life last year, Jake hears all about her scheming and is persuaded to help clear incarcerated Zoe’s name.
As Jake sets a trap to lure Chrissie to Walford, will he regret crossing her? Joel Beckett is only back in the role for a short time, so how Jake fares this time around is anyone’s guess.
And of course, what Zoe doesn’t know is that Chrissie didn’t kill Anthony – the culprit is much closer to home…
Jasmine Fisher’s murderous secret and twin brother revealed
Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron//BBC
Having ended birth father Anthony’s life to save Zoe, Jasmine fled Walford and left her mother behind bars. But the truth has to come out, and we can only imagine Zoe’s shock and Kat Moon’s fury – and the unrelenting Cindy Beale’s glee – when it does.
We suspect there’s more to unravel from Jasmine – when she mentioned being separated from her brother, the familiarity in her words gave us the impression that Jasmine and her twin started their childhood together, only to be torn apart.
It has since been reported that Zoe’s son has been cast, and that Jasmine’s boyfriend Oscar will embark on an affair with the young man.
While there’s been no official confirmation on such a twist, we were already expecting Zoe to come face-to-face with her boy. Will their reunion be more successful than her meeting with Jasmine?
Sukeve’s adoption journey
BBC
Suki and Eve Panesar-Unwin’s decision to adopt will be getting plenty of screen time, but star Balvinder Sopal has shared that it won’t be smooth sailing.
“We want to be as truthful as we possibly can. It’s not easy,” she told Radio Times. But Sopal also teased that viewers are “in for a treat” as a lot of Suki and Eve’s “pasts come to the forefront”.
With Suki’s history of letting down her now grown-up children, the actor promised that the soap will delve into what made her that way. Will Suki and Eve end the year with a child of their own?
Nigel’s dementia
BBC
After a series of rows, Julie Bates and Phil Mitchell have come together to choose residential care for their beloved Nigel, who almost drowned in the bath this week while Phil was distracted.
Wadey promised that “heart, warmth, realism and gorgeous performances” will be part of Nigel’s story, adding that the relationships will continue throughout the year.
As Nigel settles into the care home, easing the pressure for both Phil and Julie, will this allow them more time to make precious memories?
Vicki’s love triangle and Alfie’s worry for Spencer
BBC
Despite a fling with the smitten Zack Hudson, Vicki chose to commit to Ross Marshall. The newly engaged couple are making a fresh start after Joel’s trial ended in a last-minute guilty plea for his attack on Vicki.
But it’s clear that Vicki is burying her feelings for Zack, so have we seen the last of their spark? We very much doubt it.
Meanwhile, Vicki’s wedding news has reached her distressed ex, Spencer; and worried big brother Alfie pondered whether to pay him a visit. While that seems to be on the backburner for now, will Alfie eventually fly out to Australia?
Sam Mitchell’s life after breast cancer
BBC
Her latest return is for another short stint, but there’s currently no indication of when Sam will leave again. We know that, since having a lump removed from her breast, the character will make a full recovery from cancer – so what’s next for Sam?
She’s been a positive influence to those around her this time around, speaking up for Zoe, bonding with son Ricky and granddaughter Charli and even supporting Nigel after a rocky start. Please, EastEnders, can we keep Sam? Or should we expect the traditional hasty farewell?
Troublemaker Bea continues to meddle with Linda Carter
BBC
Linda’s quirky old school acquaintance Bea has already proven the extremes she’ll go to, engineering a burglary in the Minute Mart to play hero and subsequently gain employment.
After her influence jeopardised Honey Mitchell’s job, Bea turns her attention back to Linda, scuppering the latter’s renewed romance with Max by revealing that he knows his grandson Louie is bullying Linda’s son Ollie.
Will the fall-out rule Linda out as Max’s future bride? And how long can the devious Bea stick around for before she’s sent packing?
EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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