It's the storyline that has kept EastEnders viewers on the edge of their seats since the beginning of the year, and the show's executive producer has now promised that it will keep them guessing until "the very end".
The BBC soap has been teasing its Christmas murder-mystery since February, with a flash forward showing Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner), and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) as they are faced with a dead body. The only clue about the identity of the body is a pair of gold cufflinks.
EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said of the engrossing storyline: "Christmas Day in Walford is always momentous and this year EastEnders viewers are in for a treat that will keep them guessing 'whodunnit’ and ‘who-is-it’ right up until the very end.
"The events of Christmas Day lead to The Six – Stacey, Suki, Linda, Sharon, Denise and Kathy – being bound together and it’s safe to say that none of their lives will ever be the same again."
The six actresses involved in the storyline have their say below.
Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts)
It’s safe to say Sharon has had an eventful year. Where do we find Sharon at this point in the storyline and how is she feeling?
That’s putting it mildly! It’s been a really tough year for Sharon but at this point she’s trying to put everything behind her and is looking forward to marrying Keanu. Sharon believes that once that ring is on her finger, she can move forward and put the events of the past year behind her. But she is also carrying a huge amount of guilt because she adores the close bond that Keanu and Albie have, and she knows that if this secret were to ever come out, she could lose everything.
Are there any particular men in question that might find themselves on the wrong side of Sharon by Christmas Day?
Oh yes! Keanu obviously isn’t the man Sharon thinks he is and although she is wracked with guilt over Albie’s paternity she has no idea he is keeping this massive secret. Family is everything to Sharon, and the idea that Keanu would purposely play with her emotions in such a cruel way would absolutely break her. And then there’s Phil. Say what you like about their dysfunctional relationship, but through all of their ups and down over the years, they have always had each other’s backs so it is tearing her apart that she is betraying him over Albie and we all know how Phil can react when he’s burnt by those closest to him.
How did you feel when you finally found out?
Shocked! I was not expecting it, and I don’t think any of us were! I’m excited to see how it will play out as I think the viewers are going to love it. Although, it was easier not knowing as now I’m scared to open my mouth in case I say something I shouldn’t!
Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale)
Where do we find Kathy at this point in the storyline and how is she feeling?
She’s heartbroken. After Gavin, Kathy didn’t think she’d have another chance at love again and then along came Rocky, who through want of trying, taught her to love again. She thought their marriage was for keeps but he’s pushed her too far this time, so she’s finally called it quits. Kathy would love nothing more than to be happily married to Rocky, but he’s incapable of being honest with her and she can’t live with the constant lies.
Are there any particular men in question that might find themselves on the wrong side of Kathy by Christmas Day?
I think it’s safe to say that Rocky is firmly in Kathy’s bad books. He set fire to her café, put two of her grandsons in hospital, and then he had the brass nerve to convince her to sell the café to Nish so that he could get away scot-free with his crimes. Kathy has forgiven him time and time again, but this time it’s one time too many.
What has the reaction to the storyline been like over the past year?
The audience have been so invested in the storyline which is lovely. We often chat about the different theories we’ve seen - some of them have been more convincing that others! But I think it’s just so great that the viewers have been able to get involved in Christmas all year, because at the end of the day, everything we do is for those watching at home.
Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater)
Where do we find Stacey at this point in the storyline and how is she feeling?
She’s had a tough year but the thing I love about Stacey is that she always picks herself up and starts again. I think the worst part for Stacey is that she felt really helpless when Theo arrived on the Square. Here was this man that had clearly been tormenting her for the best part of six months, and yet he managed to wriggle his way out of it. He was so deluded about their relationship and I think at the time, Stacey thought there was no way out. Now he’s pleaded guilty, this whole weight has been lifted and Stacey is looking forward to getting her life back on track but now Eve has disappeared and she’s about to find herself in trouble of her own, so it’s not going to be smooth-sailing for long.
Are there any particular men in question that might find themselves on the wrong side of Stacey by Christmas Day?
She’s obviously got a connection to Nish through Eve, and she suspects that he might have had a part to play in her disappearance. Ravi is also linked to that storyline so god knows how Stacey would react if she found out about their showdown in the woods. Stacey and Eve are like sisters and she will do whatever it takes to protect her and vice versa. There is also some more drama on the horizon for Stacey, but that’s all I’m saying for now.
How does it feel to be part of the Christmas Day storyline?
I feel really lucky. I’ve had some amazing Christmas storylines – Max and Stacey’s affair reveal is probably one of my favourites, and this one is up there! EastEnders is a tradition on Christmas day isn’t it – so it is always lovely to be part of it.
Balvinder Sopal (Suki Panesar)
It’s safe to say Suki has had an eventful year. Where do we find Suki at this point in the storyline and how is she feeling?
We find her in a real conundrum because Eve has gone missing, and Suki doesn’t know where or why or how. Over the course of the week she kind of starts to piece things together and it feels like things are leading all the way back to Ravi and Nish. She knows that they could potentially have a very good hand in Eve’s disappearance, because they’re villains. Ravi has a history because he killed Ranveer, and also Nish as well, he killed the man that he thought Suki was having an affair with so they’re both dangerous people. There’s a real kind of danger around Eve going missing and the key players within that so Suki is just trying to find her feet with it all.
How has it been working on this one-of-a-kind storyline since February?
I’ve really, really loved it. I’ve loved seeing how it’s all come together because I think when we first did the promo we had no idea whatsoever. There’s been lots of theories, ideas and opinions so you think ‘Ooh it could be this’ and ‘Ooh it could be that’, and ‘Ooh that sounds interesting’. Even us here, we all had our own ideas, and then when the scripts came we were like ‘Oh this is how it pieces together’. For me, it’s the finer detail that is breadcrumbed along the way that is more exciting, but it’s all been wonderful.
What has the reaction to the storyline been like over the past year?
I think people have been really invested and engrossed. I’ve seen all of these theories online, people writing almost thesis’ on the whole thing which is quite extraordinary. I think people have loved it and people are really looking forward to the reveal and are wanting to know, so we just have to make sure we do a good job and execute that. I think it’s going to be brilliant and I think people are going to be on the edge of their seats.
Diane Parish (Denise Fox)
Where do we find Denise at this point in the storyline and how is she feeling?
I think Denise is probably ready to see the back of 2023 because it’s been far from smooth-sailing. She’s struggled with her relationship with Jack and even though they have somewhat got themselves back on track, it’s never really been the same. That whole story for Denise was never about cheating on Jack or wanting to have an affair. It was Denise feeling unheard and unloved by her husband. She wanted Jack to see her as his wife, but their family life got in the way and Ravi paid attention when Jack didn’t. She massively regrets it, and everything that played out afterwards with the blackmail and Chelsea. What I can say is that things aren’t going to get easier for Jack and Denise, but only time will tell if they’re able to weather that storm.
Are there any particular men in question that might find themselves on the wrong side of Denise by Christmas Day?
Well, for obvious reasons Ravi is up there. Not only did he almost wreck her marriage with Jack, he then wormed his way into her daughter’s life and almost ruined hers. You’ve got to remember that Denise has also witnessed Ravi killing a man on CCTV, so she’d soon rather send him to Mars than let him anywhere near her daughter again. We’ve also got a lot of unfinished business between Jack and Denise to play out but it’s going to get a whole lot messier for them both.
How did you feel when you finally found out?
Gobsmacked, but really intrigued. It was great to see how it all came together, and all the little nuances that the writing team have drip-fed along the way all meet at this crescendo point. It’s brilliantly done.
Kellie Bright (Linda Carter)
It’s safe to say Linda has had an eventful year. Where do we find Linda at this point in the storyline and how is she feeling?
She’s at breaking point. It was always going to be a difficult time of year because of what happened last year and now she’s got this added stress which comes in the form of Dean. She knows what he is to her, he is the epitome of a monster, he is a dangerous man and I think as long as he is around she’ll never feel at ease or calm. I think she’s teetering on the edge.
Are there any particular men in question that might find themselves on the wrong side of Linda by Christmas Day?
Well there’s the obvious one – Dean. She’s had a little run in, in the past with Nish when she was going to sell the pub to him and then she pulled out at the last minute so he did the pub over, but that was quite a while ago. I don’t think she’s got any other major crosses to bare at this point.
How does it feel to be part of the Christmas Day storyline?
I feel really privileged. For me, I arrived at Christmas. I started in the show on Boxing Day 2013, so when I first turned up on the Square it was all decked out in its Christmas paraphernalia. There is something about that, and being there when the show is filming Christmas, even in years when I’ve not been too involved in the storyline, but when you’re just around it just feels different, it feels special. It’s the moment in the year where I go 'Ah I’m part of EastEnders.’ I love it, I really, really love it.
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One Monday to Thursday.
