The BBC soap's new winter trailer confirms a fresh death and a gun as Janine Butcher returns, with Max Branning's New Year comeuppance looming.
What the trailer reveals
EastEnders has released a trailer for its winter storylines, which build up to Max Branning's (Jake Wood) New Year comeuppance and focus on the comebacks of Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) and Sean Slater (Rob Kazinsky). The trailer also shows Eve and Suki Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace and Balvinder Sopal) hitting the rocks, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) having a revelation that will rock the Hawkins family, and detective Craig (Matthew James Bailey) with his days numbered as the net closes in.
The trailer ends with a smirking Janine, dressed in red behind a desk. Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) is at the forefront of the action ahead of her imminent exit, with Lee and Nancy (Dan Hatchard and Maddy Hill) back and bringing chaos. Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) is excited to trigger the end for the couple, and she is seen clasping a bottle of booze, signifying the risk of a relapse.
Craig's kidnap ordeal
Craig has effectively kidnapped teen Amy (Ellie Dadd), and he is set to get nastier and scarier. However, he faces Sean Slater, Jack (Scott Maslen), Max and Phil (Steve McFadden) closing in. With Denise (Diane Parish) hugging Amy, it clearly implies she has escaped.
Max lumbers black-eyed and bruised to his New Year climax, punched by Jack and Ravi (Aaron Thiara) on separate occasions. Kat, Cindy, Oscar, Lauren and Mark seem intent on confronting him across the coming months.
Festive drama and Sukeve fears
There is going to be a festive dinner with a difference at the Hawkins' house as Nicola drops a bombshell, leaving the clan reeling. It comes after Nicola is launched down the steps by Gemma, which explains the crutches Nicola was seen on during the flash-forward. The highlight of Christmas seems to be Mo (Laila Morse) bringing a fully grown donkey into the Queen Vic, to the shock of Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).
Suki and Eve face trouble as tearful Eve declares that Suki doesn't know what love is, and Suki later wails and smashes a glass. Penny and Vinny also face issues as the oblivious and lovelorn Vinny proposes. Later, Harry cries and smashes a bottle.
EastEnders is not going to be quiet as the soap kicks off its winter.
