When is EastEnders back on TV?
EASTENDERS fans were left hanging when the soap’s finale on June 16 ended with some whopping cliffhangers after being forced off air for the first time it its 35-year history due to the coronavirus.
But with filming having resumed and a number of gripping storylines set to continue, what fans really want to know is when will will the BBC One soap be back on our screens and what will happen in the "new" episodes? Here’s the lowdown...
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When will EastEnders be back on TV?
It has been revealed that EastEnders will officially be back on TONIGHT (Monday, September 7).
From then on, the soap will be airing four nights a week at the slightly shorter length of twenty minutes.
The news will be a relief for viewers, who have been left hanging after the finale on Tuesday, June 16, ended on a huge cliffhanger.
Fans were left speechless as Sharon Mitchell and Ian Beale swooped in to buy the Queen Vic, leaving Sharon's ex-husband and prospective buyer Phil Mitchell raging and setting the scene nicely for the soap’s famous doof doof theme tune.
Speaking about the return of EastEnders, Executive Producer Jon Sen said: “From the moment we turned the lights out in The Queen Vic our ambition was to come back with a bang and this autumn certainly does that.
"As soon as Albert Square reawakens the drama returns at a pace and, although working within social distancing guidelines has certainly given us some new challenges, I am incredibly proud of what everyone has achieved. The show is looking fantastic and we can’t wait for 'series two' to begin…"
When did EastEnders resume filming?
EastEnders recommenced filming on June 29, more than three months after lockdown forced a pause in production.
Actress Tanya Franks - who plays Rainie Branning on the soap - took to Twitter to break the news.
Writing on Twitter, Tanya said: "Looking forward to working with this geezer @RickyChamp1 again next week and getting Rainie and Stuart back to some #Stainie action. #EastEnders."
The soap was forced to halt production back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The number of weekly episodes were then slashed in an effort to keep the show on air for as long as possible.
But the final pre-lockdown episode aired on June 16, forcing the soap to go off air for the first time in its 35-year history.
EastEnders' executive producer Jon Sen said at the time: "Resuming production is incredibly exciting and challenging in equal measure.
"Since we postponed filming, we've been working non-stop trialling techniques, filming methods and new ways of working so that we can return to screens four times a week – as EastEnders should be.
"Filming will inevitably be a more complex process now, so creating 20 minute episodes will enable us to ensure that when we return, EastEnders will still be the show the audience know and love."
What will happen when EastEnders returns?
Viewers will be faced with a time-jump to account for the soap's time off air when EastEnders finally returns to our screens, with coronavirus having drastically changed life in Walford.
Speaking about on EastEnders: Secrets From the Square, actor Davood Ghadami confirmed that Kat Slater would be back when the soap returns and that she has been spending lockdown with Kush.
Stacey Fowler will be making a dramatic comeback in September after actress Lacey Turner was pictured arriving back on set at the end of June.
It’s looking like she’ll arriving to the sight of her ex Martin and best friend Ruby in each other's arms after James Bye - who plays Martin - let slip that the lovebirds have spent lockdown together.
Speaking last month on Secrets from the Square, James teased: "We've seen Martin and Ruby starting to get a little bit close, so that just continues, the relationship grows."
He continued: "They lockdown together and, by the sounds of it, they get on. That's all I'm saying. Things happen."
In addition, it was hinted on EastEnders: Secrets From The Square that when the soap returns there will be a potentially explosive twist between couple Ben Mitchell and Callum Highway.
Ben might be forced to reassess who is most important to him: his boyfriend Callum or dad Phil.
Tony Clay said to Stacey Dooley: "Callum is just very, very focused on trying to get into the police now, and he doesn't want that derailed by Ben trying to impress his dad again".
Elsewhere, actor Adam Woodyatt revealed his character Ian Beale will be exposed as Dennis Mitchell’s killer when the soap returns.
Speaking on Stacey Dooley's behind-the-scenes show, Adam said: "He's been locked in The Vic with Sharon and the baby.
"Ian's still got the guilt of what happened to Dennis. Lies will eventually... they've got to come back and bite him."
Meanwhile, Gillian Taylforth - who plays Kathy on the soap - gave fans something else to look forward to when she revealed her character will be finding love when the soap returns.
EASTENDERS NEWS
Fans know that the cafe owner hasn’t had a romance since a brief fling with Masood Ahmed two years ago.
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Speaking on EastEnders: Secrets from the Square, Gillian said: "I think it's about time.
"She's older now and she's been looking after everyone else. It's about time that she was looked after and she had a bit of love in her life."