In a dramatic festive twist, legendary EastEnders villain Chrissie Watts has been unveiled as the sinister force behind Zoe Slater's terrifying stalking ordeal. Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman made a sensational return to Albert Square, with her character orchestrating months of torment in a calculated bid for revenge.
A Calculated Campaign of Fear
For the past three months, Chrissie has secretly teamed up with Jasmine, Zoe's scorned secret daughter, to systematically frighten her target. Their campaign has involved a relentless stream of threatening messages, letters, and anonymous warnings, all designed to unsettle Zoe in the lead-up to Christmas Day. Chrissie's motivation stems from a two-decade-old grudge: she blames Zoe for her role in the murder of Chrissie's husband, Den Watts, a crime for which Chrissie herself served 20 years in prison.
While viewers initially suspected Jasmine's father, Anthony Trueman, of being the stalker, tonight's episode confirmed the true mastermind. The ultimate nature of Chrissie's Christmas Day revenge remains shrouded in mystery, but her history of malice suggests Zoe is in for a deeply unhappy holiday.
Oberman on Chrissie's Shocking Comeback
Tracy-Ann Oberman expressed her delight at reprising the iconic role. "I enjoyed my return storyline with Sharon last year so much that when Ben Wadey asked me to pop back for Christmas Day, how could I say no?" she said. "Chrissie is in my DNA; she is such a great character."
She elaborated on her character's motivations, explaining that Chrissie has never moved on from the trauma of her past. "Chrissie has always felt it’s very unfair she spent 20 years in prison," Oberman stated. "When the opportunity came up to have something over Zoe Slater, who she has always found to be an irritating little girl, she jumped at the opportunity."
What began as a game for Chrissie evolved into an obsession, particularly after discovering Jasmine, who was also hurt by Zoe. Oberman added, "I do think she is genuinely very fond of Jasmine. She’s like the daughter she never had, and I think she wants to empower Jasmine to also get revenge on the woman who abandoned her."
The Legacy of 'Dirty Den' and a Notorious Exit
Chrissie Watts first arrived in Walford in April 2004, quickly establishing herself as a formidable and controversial figure. Her most infamous moment came during the soap's 20th-anniversary episode, watched by a staggering 14.34 million viewers, where she bludgeoned her husband, 'Dirty Den' Watts, to death in self-defence.
Alongside Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), Chrissie buried Den under The Vic's barrel store and managed to evade justice for months. Her downfall came when a drunken Sam Mitchell unearthed the body, leading Phil and Grant Mitchell to uncover the truth. Chrissie was subsequently convicted and sent to prison.
Oberman also reflected on the emotional experience of returning to the set, particularly reuniting with co-stars Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater), Michelle Ryan, and Kim Medcalf. "Being back in The Queen Vic with Michelle and Kim was really emotional," she shared. "We kept hugging each other and discussing how a lifetime had passed."
EastEnders' Christmas Day special, revealing the full extent of Chrissie's vengeful scheme, airs tomorrow at 7:45pm on BBC One and will be available to stream on iPlayer.
