EastEnders' Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has teased what lies ahead on the show in the coming months, revealing that following the success of Live Week and a string of British Soap Awards wins, “We haven’t stopped working, and like last year, we haven’t shut up shop for summer. We’re going to propel through it… building everything towards a very, very explosive September!”
Dominic revealed that the Lucy Beale murder storyline was set to make a comeback in a big way. “We rested the story a little bit to give everyone a breather, but that kicks up a notch quite massively over the summer, with a big arrest that’s going to take us up to September. And a few old faces return!”
The Fox-Hubbards and The Cokers also play an important part in this summer’s storylines. “We learn a lot more about Vincent and Kim’s relationship – and mother-in-law. She sits there being all lovely and smiley, but she’s so not! There will be a lot more about Claudette; Claudette’s relationship with Kim and Kim’s relationship with Vincent. It keeps getting bigger and bigger; there are some surprises in that story that tie in with Claudette, and also tie in with Les and Pam.
“That also keys into Paul and Ben’s big summer of gay romance. We have a lot of fun with that, but it’s also got seriousness to it. It’s quite a real love story. We will dig into Ben and what makes Ben tick, because Ben has been quite messed up by the death of his mother.”
Other highlights will include a big story with Jay and Lola, which leads into Lola’s departure; some very big developments in the Shabnam/Kush/Martin/Stacey love square. Stacey’s life is further complicated when her Mum, Jean Slater, comes back to get married. “We find out more about Stacey’s key. We keep going on about it, but we’ll find out a lot more about the key.“
As for Nancy and Tamwar: “Their relationship is going to up the game quite massively. There are more twists and turns in that. Also Lee and Whitney, which is going to take quite a serious turn.”
Another major departure will be Carol Jackson’s. “It’s not for a while but we’re building to that too, with Robbie’s return.”
As summer turns to autumn, the plots will continue to get more exciting. “Finally, we’re gearing up towards the big return of Kathy – and her ex-husband Gavin, played by Paul Nicholas - Dominic confirmed. “Paul Nicholas has already started filming. I’ve been speaking to him and if everything works out the way I hope it will, Gavin is going to be an EastEnders villain like no other. He’s going to be modern and complex - and have a foot in the past and a foot in the present.
So be sure not to miss a moment. Check back regularly for previews, photos and exclusive content around all of the above – and more!
