Over the last year, EastEnders fans have been treated to several high-profile returnees, and showrunner Chris Clenshaw has promised plenty more where those came from.
We’re happy that everyone wants to get in on the action because the program is now in high form and has just won Best Soap at the British Soap Awards, National Television Awards, and Inside Soap Awards.
The program has significantly changed as a result of Alfie Moon’s (Shane Richie) reappearance, with the character being embroiled in a touching plot about prostate cancer. The country has also been won over by his endearing friendship with fellow returnee Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier).
Since that time, famous Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Ian and Peter Beale (Adam Woodyatt and Thomas Law) have returned in a shocking twist that no one saw coming.
A few beloved characters from the history of EastEnders have also graced one or two episodes, many of whom showed up to pay their respects during Dot Cotton’s burial.
We were reintroduced to Mary the Punk, Lofty, Disa, Colin, and Barry during the two episodes that put an end to the Walford mythology, as well as Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), who made another unexpected cameo during Cindy Beale’s comeback episodes.
In keeping with the theme of iconic EastEnders characters, Duncan Boyd, who last saw Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) in April, made a brief surprise appearance during Albie’s baptism.
During a plot in which Freddie discovered the horrifying truth about his true father, the evil rapist Graham Foster (Alex McSweeney) also made an appearance. He is scheduled to make another appearance in forthcoming scenes when Freddie confronts him about his history.
And Cindy wasn’t the only deceased character to make a surprise appearance; Rita Simons’ Roxy Mitchell and Ricky Norwood’s Fatboy Chubb both made unexpected appearances in flashback scenes from 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The cast of characters that may yet make a comeback appears to go on forever, but executive producer Chris Clenshaw assures us that there will be more in the works.
He informed the Daily Star that “certain characters will be back in the not too distant future.” They’ll be revealed very shortly. Observe this space.
We all enjoy a little touch of nostalgia, and with all of these recognizable personalities returning to Albert Square, it really feels like EastEnders is back in its prime. But who might come after?
As actor Bobby Brazier takes a break from acting to compete in Strictly Come Dancing, we wonder if Freddie Slater will return to the Square with early 2000s icon Little Mo Slater (Kacey Ainsworth) in tow.
Little Mo has been missing from Walford for a long time, and now that Graham is back, it seems like the perfect opportunity to bring her back.
Additionally, there have been rumors that the murder on Christmas day would be prefaced by the return of the wicked Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), with many fans theorizing that he could really be the victim.
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), Dean’s mother, is now on a vacation away from the Square. Could she be planning to rejoin her son there?
Additionally, Jo Cotton (Vicki Michelle) is expected to quit her role as Rocky Cotton in the upcoming weeks. Could she return as a part of that plot?
We would love to see PC Kate Morton (Jill Halfpenny) walking back down Bridge Street if we could choose any character from the EastEnders canon and plonk them back in Albert Square. Maybe she’s received a sizable raise during her absence, and she’ll return to try to solve the crime.
Can’t wait to see how whoever Chris Clenshaw has lined up will mesh with the ensemble of 2023.