EastEnders' Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) is set for a surprise romance with newcomer Jodie Hawkins (Anna Constable) in an upcoming Halloween storyline. After a difficult 2025, Kojo is looking for a fresh start and turns to his best friend Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) and Harry's girlfriend Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) for help finding love, leading to his first date.
Kojo's Traumatic Past
Kojo had a rough time in 2025 after discovering and flushing a stash of drugs belonging to Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), who was setting up his own narcotic enterprise on the Square. When Harry covered for him, they both became ensnared in the operation, and things worsened when police raided their base. Ravi then used Kojo's flat as the headquarters, cuckooing him – a practice where criminals take over a vulnerable person's home for illegal activities.
Kojo's flat was soon flooded with drugs and dealers, and he was used as a drug runner. Ravi installed Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu) as his second in command, and Harry ended up chained to a bed and fed drugs to force an addiction. Kojo escaped and brought reinforcements in his brother George Knight (Colin Salmon), who helped rescue Harry alongside Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian). In a final confrontation, Harry stabbed Okie, who died, and Teddy took the blame.
Clash with Jodie
Next week, Kojo makes a connection that isn't romantic at first when he clashes with Jodie. The next day, Harry talks Kojo into helping decorate Harry's Barn for the Halloween bash, unaware that Jodie has also been rallied to the cause. Despite his initial dislike of Jodie, the two find themselves growing closer as they continue to decorate the bar.
Catching a whiff of romance in the air, the Hawkins clan band together to try and play cupid between the two. The storyline hints at a possible new couple forming on Albert Square.
