Cindy Beale star Michelle Collins has given fans a glimpse into EastEnders‘ “powerful” Christmas episode.
The festive period is the biggest in the soap calendar year after year, with some of the TV shows’ most dramatic storylines culminating in explosive scenes and
stunts or the kicking off of a brand new plotline for the New Year.
Last year, the BBC soap had fans across the country trying to work out which male EastEnders character would meet their untimely fate and how six women –
known as The Six – would be involved.
As it turned out, Linda Carter was behind Keanu Taylor’s death after he attacked Sharon Watts, a storyline which has continued into 2024.
Now, another Christmas has rolled around and a trailer has given fans a glimpse of the chaos set to ensue in Albert Square, with Cindy in the hot seat as her affair with Junior Knight is set to be exposed.
Michelle Collins has spoken about how “very honoured” she feels to be involved with this year’s Christmas storyline as it has almost become “a tradition to watch EastEnders on Christmas Day”.
“It’s always a classic [episode] and it was a classic last Christmas, so it’s great to be involved in this one. I think the episode this year is a real EastEnders classic, so I’m really excited to be a part of it.”
She also revealed her reaction to soap boss Chris Clenshaw telling her about Cindy’s affair storyline, which has seen her go behind partner Ian Beale’s back and begin a relationship with ex-husband George Knight’s son Junior.
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“It’s kind of strange, because when I first came back people kept on saying, ‘When is Cindy going to be bad again?’, and it’s almost like people’s expectations of Cindy are that Cindy is always going to be up to no good. That she’ll be up to her old antics, and that a leopard never changes its spots,” she said.
“I must admit, it’s every actor’s dream, I think, to play a character like Cindy where even I never know what she is going to be doing from one moment to the next.
“I read the scripts and sometimes I go, ‘Oh gosh, what is she up to now?’ [Laughs] So, it didn’t surprise me when I found out about the affair.”
Despite her best efforts to keep her affair secret, threatening both Kojo Asare and Lauren Branning into silence after they got too close to the truth, all is set to be revealed on Christmas Day in The Vic.
“Why do people always like playing the villains in panto? Because sometimes they’re a bit more fun,” Michelle continued.
“As an actor playing Cindy, I go through a whirlwind of emotions, so you have to enjoy it a bit and have some fun in between. She is always a challenge.”
She added: “She is a complex character to play, she’s very self-destructive and she doesn’t have an off button, but I do think she needs some kind of redemption for the character to be believable. Nobody’s perfect.”
When asked to describe this year’s Christmas Day episode in three words, Michelle responded: “You’ll certainly be on the edge of your seats, but I would say it’s dramatic, powerful and moving. A classic EastEnders.”
