Honestly, we didn't know how much we depended on soap operas until half of them disappeared from our screens. The dramatic goings on on seemingly average British streets has always, somehow, felt like a warm, familiar hug at the end of our days, so when coronavirus meant that EastEnders and Hollyoaks disappeared from our screens - with Coronation Street and Emmerdale decreasing their own outputs - we felt a little lost. Now, though, we're going back to normal. ITV's offerings are returning to their old schedules, while EastEnders and Hollyoaks return with a vengeance this evening. But when it comes to Walfords comings and goings, our memory needs a rejig. Here's what you need to know to get ready for EastEnders' return.
So, any EastEnders fans know that The Queen Vic - the local pub and heart of Albert Square - has changed hands many times over the years. But the Mitchell family always seem to feel that it belongs to them, and they have made every effort to regain it every time someone else lays hands on the iconic, bar-topping bust. Now, though, Sharon's name is on the door, after the June cliffhanger saw one of the soap's most iconic faces team up with old friend Ian Beale to swipe it from under Phil Mitchell's feet.
Sharon and Ian, however, are unlikely to remain friends for long. Don't forget that Ian is at least partly responsible for the death of Sharon's son, Dennis, after that boat-trip-gone-wrong incident. That secret is sure to come out soon.
Sonya Jackson wants to track down her birth father. Whitney, meanwhile, will have to suffer the consequences of stabbing - in self defence - Leo. Leo was secretly the son of the man who groomed Whitney when she was a teen, and he was out for revenge. Jean Slater is off her medication, and Ruby and Martin seem destined to have an affair.
Most importantly, though, tragedy lies ahead, and you should stop reading here if you want to avoid a key spoiler in the show's future.
Regular viewers will know that character Chantelle has tolerated an unhappy and abusive marriage for a while now, with husband Gray exhibiting violence and cruelty. In a tragic reflection of real life, which has seen domestic abuse cases skyrocket, Chantelle is set to be killed off when Gray murders her when he discovers that she is planning to leave him and file for divorce. Team EastEnders say they have worked with Women's Aid and Refuge on the storyline.
EastEnders is on BBC One tonight at 8.05pm
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be reached on 0808 2000 247. Visit Refuge at www.refuge.org.ukor Women's Aid at www.womensaid.org.uk.
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