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Walford chiefs Kate Oates & Jon Sen lift the lid on all the hot plots shaking up the Square this autumn…
We’re still reeling from a blockbuster week in Albert Square that saw Whitney jilt Callum, Ben and Keanu gunned down by Hunter – and Mel’s unhinged son shot dead by police! However, it’s just the start of huge drama to come in Eastenders…
“From here, the momentum is really set to rocket,” grins the soap’s senior executive producer, Kate Oates. “Throughout the autumn and leading up to Christmas, we’re jam-packed with stories!”
Grab a cuppa and get yourselves comfy then, as we take you through all the thrills and spills to come…
LINDA’S BATTLE WITH BOOZE!
The Carters will face their biggest crisis yet, as Linda turns to drink to cope with mounting pressures on her family. Eastenders is working closely with Drinkaware, and in the coming weeks we’ll see Linda continue to knock back the booze – until her addiction manifests into a bigger problem that she struggles to hide…
“Linda’s descent into alcoholism will be instantly recognisable to many,” explains the show’s executive producer, Jon Sen. “It’s a journey that begins with a single drink, to cope with everyday ups and downs, but quickly reaches a point which wreaks devastation on someone’s life – and the lives of those around them.”
WHITNEY TAKES CENTRE STAGE!
The drama is set to continue for Whitney following her disastrous wedding to Callum – with Square chiefs having plotted a whopping two years’ worth of stories for her. “Whitney’s going on a journey,” grins Jon. “Both Kate and I agreed that we want to push her to the front and centre of the show for a much longer arc that we have planned. The Callum-whitney wedding is just one chapter of a much bigger story that will play over the next 18 months, including Christmas and Eastenders’ 35th anniversary next year. Maybe Whitney will find happiness eventually, but it will take some time.”
“Bianca recently returned, and we have a story that propels after she has gone again,” continues Kate.
“I think it’s fair to say that it might be one of the chapters in Whitney’s story…”
BALLUM REUNITED?
It sounds as if Ben might have some happier times to look forward to, as he and Callum put the wheels in motion for their first proper date this week (see p29). Stars Max Bowden and Tony Clay, who play Ben and Callum, hint that a happy ending could be on the horizon… “Callum gives Ben a whole new lease of life that Ben needs in order to feel human again,” reckons Max. “And if I get to work with
Tony every day, it’s a gift!”
“I love working with Max too – genuinely!” adds Tony. “There is a lovely person inside of Ben, and Callum tries to bring that side out of him.”
NEW BLOOD!
It’s no secret that a fresh band of brothers – the Panesar family – is heading to Albert Square. But who would have guessed that one of them is more hot-headed than Phil Mitchell?
“The three siblings are very different from one another,” teases Jon. “One of them has a past fascination with another character on the Square already. Meanwhile, Vinny – the youngest brother – has the shortest fuse in history. Eventually, it could be shorter than Phil’s!”
DEATH ROCKS WALFORD – AGAIN!
Grief-stricken Mel will say a final farewell to Hunter as he is laid to rest this week, but undertaker Jay will be busy again soon enough! Our sneaky snaps show stars Jamie Borthwick, who plays him, Max Bowden (Ben), Perry Fenwick (Billy) and Danielle Harold (Lola) filming upcoming scenes which look as if they are on their way to another funeral. Poor Jay looks particularly bereft. Who is the unlucky soul to have lost their life?
GOOD NEIGHBOURS BECOME BAD FRIENDS?
Look out for some new bonds being forged – or some perhaps fresh rivalries bubbling up over the Square in the coming weeks… “There’s a real nice mix of tones coming up,” promises Kate. “And some nice refreshing character dynamics as well. We’re putting together certain characters that feel very right, but maybe haven’t interacted before, so that just mixes things up.”
MORE AGONY FOR CHANTELLE
Over at No 1 Albert Square, the ‘behind closed doors’ aspect of Gray and Chantelle’s domestic abuse story will continue to play out – with lots of dramatic moments ahead.
“We’ve been building the storyline quite gently, very deliberately, as well as building the Square’s public perception of the kind of man that Gray is – and the kind of marriage that he and Chantelle have,” shares Kate. “We’re going to keep pushing that idea, in a plot that will continue Eastenders’ tradition of stories which explore very important issues.”
THE MITCHELLS’ CHRISTMAS CRACKER!
Finally, the festive season is never complete without a whopping Walford revelation – and all the signs this year are pointing squarely towards Phil finally discovering that Sharon is pregnant with her secret ex-lover Keanu’s baby!
“I think it’s fair to say that the ‘Sheanu’ story is going to be pretty big at Christmas,” confirms Kate. “It’s going to blow up!”