EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has confirmed another dramatic Christmas on Albert Square this December, as three characters will be visited by “ghosts of their past, villains of the present, and visions of the future”. The festive stories will focus on Zoe Slater, Nigel Bates and Max Branning, who will each have to battle their own demons – with lasting consequences for their respective families.
Since Zoe made her shocking return to Walford earlier this year, it was clear she was hiding some pretty big secrets. As she finally began to let her guard down with Kat, she revealed her ongoing mission to find her long-lost son.
Recent weeks have uncovered another hurdle for Zoe, as a mystery person has been trying to scare her out of the Square. With the tormentor still at large, next week’s episodes see a threatening message written on the window of The Vic, illuminated by the Square’s Christmas lights.
Despite Kat’s fears for her daughter, Zoe barrels ahead with her search by any means necessary. But as some shocking truths comes to light, will the Slater-Moon family still stand behind their girl?
BBC
Mark Rogers//BBC
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Zoe’s recent arrival also laid the groundwork for Max’s surprising return this autumn. The chaotic character made a brief reappearance, during which he managed to upset his whole family and cause friction between the Slaters, before scuttling off again.
However, that wasn’t the last we will see of Max, as he will be front and centre for a very special New Year’s Day flashforward episode, which will reveal what the future holds for him.
In present day, Max arrives in Walford to reunite with his estranged family, but the Brannings are less than pleased to see him and he is soon “hit by a series of bombshells that leave him full of rage and regret”.
The episode will then take viewers into 2027, as the flashforward reveals intriguing clues about the dramatic year ahead. The Brannings’ world is turned completely upside down – and Max might not be able to talk himself out of this one.
Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron//BBC
BBC
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Meanwhile, classic character Nigel Bates will be visited by some familiar faces, as his dementia symptoms continue to worsen over the festive period. EastEnders legends Pam St Clements and Shaun Williamson will be reprising their roles as Pat and Barry Evans for a special Christmas episode.
Though the pair didn’t see eye-to-eye when they were alive on the show, the ghosts of EastEnders past will put their differences aside to help Nigel during a particularly distressing time.
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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