A beloved EastEnders stalwart has thrown the future of a core Walford family into chaos by issuing a dramatic 'her or me' ultimatum, threatening to walk away from Albert Square for good.
Jean Slater's Descent into Darkness
The new year has brought fresh turmoil for the Slater clan. With Zoe wrongly imprisoned and Kat away in Corfu hunting for a real killer, matriarch Jean has been spiralling. Her fragile mental state, exacerbated by daughter Stacey's absence, has taken a terrifying and obsessive turn. Jean has become convinced that the family's newest member, teenager Jasmine, is possessed by the Devil and is turning everyone against her.
In episodes that aired on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th of January 2026, Jean's fears reached a crescendo. After playing detective in the assault case of Anthony Trueman, she fixated on Jasmine, especially after the teen revealed she is Zoe's secret daughter and had been aiding Chrissie Watts. Isolating herself to watch videos about demonic possession, Jean's psychosis deepened.
The Explosive Ultimatum That Could Tear a Family Apart
The crisis point arrived in Tuesday's dramatic instalment. A determined Jean confronted Alfie Moon, delivering a chilling and definitive demand. As the iconic 'doof doof' cliffhanger music played, she declared, "Either she leaves or I do." This ultimatum leaves Alfie and the family with an impossible choice, potentially tearing them apart.
Jean, played by acclaimed actress Gillian Wright, first arrived in Walford at the end of 2004 when Stacey became her carer following a bipolar disorder diagnosis and a stay in a mental health ward. Her journey with the condition has been a long-running and carefully portrayed element of the show.
Realistic Portrayal of Bipolar Disorder Earns Praise
This is not the first time Jean's bipolar episodes have led to life-threatening danger. In a harrowing 2022 storyline, during a manic episode, she believed she was to marry Daniel Cook and walked into the sea at Southend, only to be saved by Stacey and subsequently sectioned. Many fans are now hoping for a similar intervention to get Jean the help she desperately needs.
Viewers have praised the programme and Gillian Wright's powerful performance for its realistic depiction of living with bipolar disorder. One fan commented online, "The stuff with Jean is very realistic though... A family member of mine was going through a psychotic episode... they thought my husband was out to get them."
Another added, "Gillian Wright is a sensational actress when it comes to Jean's episodes. Like I’m actually scared for her... one thing this show has always done well is bipolar, it always hits hard." Others have expressed hope that Alfie will prioritise getting Jean professional support over expelling Jasmine from the Square.
This intense mental health storyline continues to be a central, gripping plot for EastEnders, showcasing the soap's commitment to tackling serious issues while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
