EastEnders fans think scenes this week have sealed the return of dead Mick Carter to expose Max Branning and Janine Butcher, in time for Linda Carter's exit from the BBC soap. Viewers claim that recent scenes with Max and Janine confirm Mick's true fate, and he could be back as the New Year gunman.
Fans Speculate on Mick's Return
Despite Mick seemingly being killed off in December 2022 and actor Danny Dyer having no plans to return, fans are guessing the twist is on the cards. After all, viewers did not see Mick die, and his body has never been found.
This week, Janine, his ex, faked a death certificate and claimed to Linda that Mick was confirmed dead, as she prepared to have his body cremated. However, it was not Mick's body in the coffin, and Janine's claims about how Mick really died are all lies.
Janine's Lies and Max's Complicity
Janine claimed Mick had been living in London after the 'faked drowning' and was actually alive all this time, until he suffered a fatal heart attack a few weeks ago. She asked Max to lie that the person in the coffin was Mick to convince Linda that Mick was in fact dead.
This was all to ensure she got Mick's insurance payout, and Max lied for her, knowing Linda would never truly move on with him unless Mick was gone for good. Max told Linda Mick was dead, and allowed Linda to believe Janine's cruel lies.
Possible Gunman Twist
Now fans are wondering if Mick will show up, now that there is still a chance he could be out there. They are wondering if Mick will rock up at New Year, and he might even be the gunman who threatens the lives of Max's children Lauren and Oscar.
Taking to social media, one fan said: "So is it Mick holding Max’s kids at gunpoint in the flash forward?" Another said: "Wait… what if the New Year’s Day gunman is MICK?" A third fan agreed: "Could Mick be the one with the gun who kidnaps Lauren and Oscar after he finds out Max lied to Linda about who was in the coffin harsh but interesting?"
A fourth added: "Oh, Max. This is definitely leading to Mick coming back." Another comment read: "After all of this, surely Mick will eventually turn up alive? For Linda's exit?" A fan echoed this saying: "We're so ready for the return of Mick and a fitting farewell to him and Linda! Watch out Max."
The comments kept on coming too with one reading: "I mean, Mick does have form for crashing New Year's Day weddings." Meanwhile, a final theory read: "I’d be very surprised if Mick doesn’t return at Christmas or New Year now after that ending, I can’t really think of any other way Linda will leave."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
