EastEnders has confirmed the arrival of a brand new family much earlier than expected, with Nicola Mitchell’s (Laura Doddington) clan set to make quite an entrance in the next episode of the BBC One soap.
Fans were aware that the family in question would debut in upcoming scenes, but the fact that their arrival would be this coming week was kept under wraps. Spoilers for the week ahead simply indicated that Nicola would get a shock on the anniversary of her father’s death – a day which she struggles with due to the difficult relationship with her abusive dad.
Shock arrival revealed in new clip
But a brand new clip of Monday’s (August 17) edition of the BBC One soap has revealed just what that shock in question is – the unexpected arrival of her extended family!
In the preview video, the Harry’s Barn favourite is taken aback when a car speeds towards her, crashing into the pillar outside of Elaine’s (Harriet Thorpe) B&B (cough Boutique Hotel cough). One of the Peacocks located outside the establishment falls and crumbles on the floor, which leaves Elaine utterly reeling. And she’s not the only one, with Nicola horrified at the scene before her.
Gemma and Jodie make their entrance
Gemma (Patricia Potter) exits the vehicle and races over to Nicola, apologising for making such a scene upon her arrival. Their sibling Jodie (Anna Constable) makes it clear she needs the loo so Nicola advises her to use The Vic’s facilities, while Gemma confides in Nic that she’s got a bit of a problem that needs sorting.
In other words, she’s in trouble! The question is: just what has Gemma done? And will Nicola be able to help her? We’ll just have to wait and see but it’s safe to say that confirmation of the Hawkins clan’s arrival in tomorrow’s episode has taken viewers by surprise, with fans taking to social media to express their shock.
‘Oh I had no idea they were arriving tomorrow,’ exclaimed X/Twitter user Josh, while Debs added: ‘Waitttt they are already going to be here tomorrow. I thought they’d be a bigger / longer build up to them arriving.’
‘It would seem the Hawkins arrive tomorrow!,’ wrote the Albert Square: After Dark podcast.
Executive producer teases family dynamics
Confirming the Hawkins’ arrival last month, Executive producer Ben Wadey said: ‘The Hawkins family are a fantastic addition to Walford. ‘While the family share a fierce loyalty to one another, decades of complicated history and Nicola’s estrangement from them has left fractures within the family that are far from healed. ‘We’re all very excited for what we have planned for the family, and we can’t wait for the audience to meet them’.
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
