EastEnders star addresses ‘high stakes’ 40th anniversary storylines – saying actors are ‘kept in the dark’ about plots

A POPULAR EastEnders star has teased ‘high stakes’ for the show’s upcoming 40th anniversary storylines.

The BBC soap will be marking four decades on screen in February 2025.

BBC

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal addressed what fans can expect from the soap’s upcoming 40th anniversary[/caption]

BBC

Speaking on The One Show, the actress teased what’s to come[/caption]

BBC

Her character Suki has become a fan favourite over the past four years[/caption]

Balvinder Sopal – who has played Suki Panesar since 2020 – admitted cast members, like the viewers, are “in the dark”.

Speaking on The One Show, she shared: “We can promise that it’s going to be exciting and it’s going to be high stakes.

“Lots of drama, emotional drama. We are also just as much in the dark as the public.

“We’re sort of finding out as we’re going along. But yeah, its EastEnders.

“We’re not going to let you down, are we?”

To mark the milestone, there will be a completely live episode of the BBC soap.

A show first will see viewers have the power to control the outcome of a love story.

In this interactive element, fans will take part in a vote during the special – airing in February.

The cast and crew will adapt to the answer selected by Beeb viewers.

EastEnders has previously aired live episodes in 2009 and 2015, respectively.

Discussing the special, executive producer Chris Clenshaw revealed: “The 40^th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises.

“In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week.”

As Chris mentioned, iconic characters have reappeared in the lead-up to February’s celebrations.

This includes David Wicks (Michael French), Chrissy Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) and Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).

In September, it was revealed Louisa Lytton would be reprising her role as Ruby Allen.

The scheming character was last seen in 2021, claiming to be pregnant with estranged husband Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) baby.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

It appears her return will cause chaos for Martin and Ruby’s old best friend Stacey (Lacey Turner).

Speaking about her comeback, Louisa said: “I am thrilled to have been asked back to the Square to revisit Ruby once more, and to shed some light on what the past three years have been like for her during her time away from Walford. 

“I’ve always loved playing Ruby as there is never a dull moment and I cannot wait for everyone to see what Ruby has in store.” 

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to watch on iPlayer.

BBC/Jack Barnes

EastEnders aired its first ever episode in February 1985[/caption]

BBC

Suki has been involved with the high-profile storyline “The Six”[/caption]