Gray Atkins, the murderous solicitor who terrorized Albert Square, is making a shock return to EastEnders after more than four years. The villain, played by Toby-Alexander Smith, last appeared in 2022 when he was sentenced to life in prison for three brutal murders. Now, he is orchestrating a sinister plot from behind bars, using his grandmother Sheila Atkins to stay connected to his son Jordan.
Who Is Gray Atkins and Who Plays Him?
Gray first arrived in Walford in 2019 with his wife Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer). They seemed the perfect couple, but behind closed doors, Gray subjected Chantelle to severe mental, emotional, and physical abuse, along with coercive control and gaslighting. Actor Toby-Alexander Smith, known for roles in Doctors and Krypton, portrays the iconic soap villain. He is married to Emmerdale star Amy Walsh (Tracy Shankley), and they have two daughters, Bonnie and Nell. Smith has spoken openly about his struggle with male post-natal depression.
Who Did Gray Kill?
During his three-year stint, Gray racked up a body count of three beloved residents. His first victim was Chantelle. After she suffered a miscarriage from being pushed down the stairs, Gray gaslit her into believing it was her fault. During the Covid-19 lockdown, his abuse worsened. When Chantelle secretly consulted a divorce lawyer, Gray discovered her plans and shoved her onto an open dishwasher, causing fatal injuries. He staged her death as an accident.
Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White) suspected the truth and confronted Gray, using her own experience with abuse to recognize the signs. To silence her, Gray strangled Tina and hid her body under the floorboards of the Argee Bhajee, tricking her family into thinking she had fled.
Gray's third victim was Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami). Driven by jealousy over Kush's engagement to Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), Gray followed the couple to the London Underground. A struggle on the platform ended with Gray pushing Kush into the path of an oncoming train, killing him instantly.
How Was Gray Caught?
Gray's downfall came a year later, orchestrated by Whitney and his second wife, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams). Chelsea discovered Gray's murderous past and, terrified, gathered evidence with Whitney and Kheerat Panesar. She recorded Gray confessing his crimes during a phone call to the police. Gray was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
Why Is Gray Back?
Gray remains in prison, but he poses a threat through his grandmother, Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin). After Chelsea's son Jordan suffered life-changing injuries in a hit-and-run, Chelsea reluctantly accepted Sheila's help. Gray is now manipulating Sheila to stay involved in Jordan's life, using her to get updates. However, Chelsea's mother, Denise Fox (Diane Parish), warns Sheila to stay away. Despite her leukemia diagnosis, Denise is determined to protect her family. Gray has never taken no for an answer, raising fears that he may escape prison and claim a fourth victim.
