EastEnders director teases huge New Year’s episodes set on a train – as Michelle Collins lets slip filming secret

EASTENDERS director has teased some major drama in upcoming New Year’s episodes, hinting at an intense storyline set on a train.

The New Year in Albert Square is shaping up to be an exciting one, with dramatic storylines expected to unfold.

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Major plot twists and surprises could center around key characters, continuing the soap’s tradition of delivering high-intensity drama to kick off the year.

Fans are speculating that unresolved tensions, secrets, and emotional showdowns will bring explosive events to the Square.

Be ready for shocking moments and gripping storylines that will likely leave fans talking well into 2024.

Director Christopher McGill has leaked some photos on X of a camera and set that looks like a train station.

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He has teased major drama in upcoming New Year’s episodes, hinting at an intense storyline set on a train.

While details of Christmas and New Year storylines are still under wraps, photos of a funeral were released which saw the return of Nancy and Lee Carter (Maddy Hill and Danny Hatchard).

But who is in the coffin remains a mystery.

Elsewhere, George Knight (Colin Salmon) and Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) look set to tie the knot.

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But will Cindy Beale's (Michelle Collins) affair with her stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) interfere with their wedding plans?

Michelle posted a behind-the-scenes video on social media while the cast film the New Year's episode.

She was seen upstairs in the Queen Vic pub with her onscreen son Peter Beale (Thomas Law.)

She revealed an EastEnders set secret as the stairs appeared to be fake.

The balcony is adorned with Christmas decorations as the pair pretend to walk down the pretend stairs.

As they look cheerful with beaming smiles, the New Year's episode is expected to be anything but.

Most complained about soap storylines

Over the years, all three of the main soaps have featured plots that have had even die-hard fans reaching for their phones and laptops so they can get in touch with Ofcom and complain. Here are just some of the most scandalous...

EastEnders baby theft: 13,400 Ofcom complaints - Back in 2011, EastEnders was flooded with complaints when Ronnie Branning (RIP) swapped her baby for the dead son of Kat Moon. The storyline drew the most number of objections in the soap’s long history and saw it roundly criticised by campaigners - with 13,400 flying in over the course of the storyline. Some viewers called it “distressing” and “horrific” but Ofcom ruled the scenes were not "unduly disturbing”.

Emmerdale dog-napping: 550 Ofcom complaints - Back in 2016, Ross Barton and Charity Dingle came up with a plan to steal a dog and hold it ransom - but viewers didn’t like it one bit. The nation’s pet owners rose up, insisting the storyline would encourage copycats (not to mention copydogs). Complaints over two episodes totalled a staggering 550 and soap writers quickly learnt you don’t mess with animal-lovers.

Coronation Street double murder: 546 Ofcom complaints - Marginally less people complained about a gruesome double murder than objected to a dog-napping plot when Pat Phelan was at the centre of a spate of killings. First he forced Andy Carver to shoot dead Vinny Ashford - and then Pat killed Andy. All the bloodshed back in 2017 proved to be too much for some viewers, who lodged complaints in vast numbers about the “violent scenes”.

The festive episodes also set up the soap's the 40th anniversary live episode.

In a first for the soap, EastEnders is giving viewers the chance to choose the outcome of one storyline, with the outcome playing out during the live episode.

Viewers can also expect the return of more iconic characters, following the returns of David Wicks (Micheal French) and Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman).

Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) is set to return in the coming weeks.

She was arrested when drugs from Jean's cannabis farm were found in the house.

She ended up in prison and applied to sell the house and divorce Martin Fowler (James Bye) before giving birth to their child off-screen.

However, Martin failed to believe Ruby was pregnant with his child after she previously lied and faked her pregnancy.

How will Martin react when he meets his child?

Meanwhile, Zack Hudson actor James Farrar lets slip shocking New Year scenes, teasing unbelievable episodes ahead.

He told the : "I I know who is involved. It is unbelievable... as in unbelievable! We've got Christmas, New Year and the 40th.

"It's a big, big month for our show and I am so proud of us, and proud of Chris [Clenshaw] for everything he’s done. He’s left us in a very good state."

He also revealed that Zack will feature in a massive new storyline in 2025, that no one knows about yet.

He teased: "There is something really exciting coming up next year that nobody really knows about yet.

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"It keeps me going into work every day going…. I'm buzzing for it to start. It is just starting around now."

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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