The truth about Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) is on the brink of exposure in EastEnders next week – and Sonia Fowler’s (Natalie Cassidy) life could be at risk.
Since being found not guilty for a murder she didn’t commit, Sonia has been desperate to work out the truth behind her sister Bianca’s confession.
Little does she realise, her ‘doting’ fiancé Reiss is the real killer, and he’s been holding poor B’ hostage for months.
She only agreed to record a tell-all video confessing to the murder of his wife Debbie in a desperate bid to escape captivity, though he later backtracked on his deal and shut the door on her for a final time.
As the Albert Square locals were quick to blame Bianca, Sonia took a more sympathetic approach and wondered whether she had faked responsibility just so that she could be free.
After getting her hands on the incriminating footage from the CPS, and learning that both her uncle Jack (Scott Maslen) and cousin Lauren (Jacquline Jossa) have their own concerns, she struggles to accept that her sister would see her heavily pregnant and behind bars in the first place.
Reiss is furious to find her watching the clip, and in a shocking move, sits down beside her.
When Di Xiang breaks the news that Bianca is now being hunted down and will be charged with murder, it’s a race against the clock for Sonia.
In upcoming scenes, she continues to be unable to break herself away from the screen, convinced that there is something more to the story.
Reiss makes an attempt to bring her away from the transfixion, and she later has a run in with Mo Harris (Laila Morse). Following the altercation she rushes into the laundrette and takes a turn for the worse.
Concerned about the safety of her baby, she heads to the hospital… but Reiss is nowhere to be seen.
He’s gone to the lockup where he left Bianca, and makes a shocking discovery.
News of Sonia’s health reaches him and he darts off, but once she’s settled back at home he disappears again.
EastEnders 40th anniversary – Everything we know so far
Here’s what EastEnders fans can expect as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary on 19 February 2025:
A live episode
Having previously gone live for the 25th and 30th anniversaries in 2010 and 2015, the soap will be beaming live to the nation once again during the 40th week.
This instalment will air one day after the big 4-0, on Thursday February 20.
The episode will also mark a huge EastEnders first as bosses are giving the audience the power to vote on the outcome of one storyline, with the actors having to react to the result live on air – speaking of which…
Denise Fox decides… sort of.
With Denise Fox (Diane Parish) having found herself in a love triangle with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), fans will decide whether she reunites with her estranged husband Jack or picks her secret lover.
We also know that another ‘history making’ decision will be left to audiences to decide, with details yet to be announced.
Grant Mitchell returns
Ross Kemp will be reprising his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell to play a significant part in the 40th celebrations.
‘Grant has never been far from the action and let’s just say, this time is no different as he certainly comes back with a bang,’ Ross teased.
Cindy Beale’s attacker revealed
Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead when she was whacked over the head with a shovel by a mystery assailant on Christmas Day after the truth about her affair with former stepson Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) exploded.
With the finger of suspicion currently pointing at numerous characters, Cindy’s attacker will be unmasked at last during the anniversary week.
Special programming
Ahead of the big week, BBC Four will broadcast EastEnders Sings at the BBC, a look back at archive performances from cast members from Top of the Pops.
Ross Kemp will take a trip down Walford memory lane with a special hour-long documentary called EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square, taking fans behind the scenes as he delves into the show’s history and relieves some of the most memorable moments.
BBC Three will also offer viewers a look at the explosive anniversary storylines with a 45-minute interview special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – hosted by Joe Swash as he chats to some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the anniversary drama.
The Queen Vic explodes
As Billy and Honey Mitchell (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) prepare to walk down the aisle, their favourite boozer The Queen Victoria will burn to the ground.
Aerial pictures from filming show the pub blown to smithereens, with a car crashed into the side. There’s also a marquee in the middle of the Square Gardens – is this from the wedding?
What has happened at the storage facility?
Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) is concerned for Sonia’s wellbeing and decides to check in, and the conversation soon turns back to the confession tape.
She decides that it’s time to move on with her life and goes to delete it, but not before making a chilling discovery.
The colour drains from her face as she comes to terms with what she’s found. Reiss returns home full of excuses about his whereabouts, but she isn’t convinced.
Sonia confronts him, with a jaw-dropping showdown soon ensuing. When she goes to leave, he blocks her exit.
Is this the end of Sonia?
With Natalie Cassidy set to exit the role after 32 years – and soap bosses keeping tight-lipped over her final story – could this really be it?
