Enders to spice it up
IT’S Girl Power all the way in Albert Square in 2018.
Walford’s women take centre stage as sex romps, scandals and secrets rock the soap.
Show boss John Yorke has taken inspiration from the Spice Girls and believes EastEnders’ strength lies in its female stars being at the forefront of the action.
And as a result Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean), Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite), Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley), Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) will take centre stage.
John said: “We have some shocking twists coming up. There are big stories for Sharon, Karen and of course Stacey. Right from the beginning we’re putting strong women back right at the heart of the show, exactly where they belong.”
One woman who will cause chaos in 2018 is sex bomb Mel, back after 16 years away. She arrives armed with a few secrets including a mystery alliance with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and she’s bringing her teen son Hunter along, too. The actress said: “The timing felt right to come back. It will be 20 years next year that I joined, so somehow it all aligned perfectly.
“Mel comes back a lot more damaged than she was 16 years ago. Same person, more brittle, more bitter. Lots has happened to her.”
Kathy will finally get her revenge on rapist James Willmott-Brown.
And there is a new love interest for Whitney and the return in the spring of Kat Moon, Big Mo and Jean.
John Yorke added: “There’s all the ingredients we hope will give you a classic EastEnders New Year.”