EastEnders has taken a dark and twist-filled turn, and fans believe they’re on the brink of uncovering Nicola Mitchell’s most explosive secret yet—one that could not only destroy her family but also rewrite the Mitchell legacy in Albert Square.

Nicola, portrayed by Carlyss Peer, has spent recent episodes entangled in a desperate bid to hide the murder of Shireen, the ex-girlfriend of her son Harry Mitchell. But viewers now suspect there’s far more to the mystery than just a body buried in Paradise Park. In fact, some believe the truth about Harry’s paternity could be the real ticking time bomb waiting to blow the Mitchell clan apart.

The storyline began unravelling months ago when it was revealed that Shireen had vanished four years ago under suspicious circumstances—right before the Mitchells abruptly fled Dartford. Nicola seemed especially anxious about returning to their former community, and it quickly became clear she was hiding something deadly. Her worst fears were realised when her partner, Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian), began development work in Paradise Park—right where Shireen’s body was secretly buried.

Nicola turned to her criminal contact Benji for help covering up the murder. But in a sinister twist, Benji confessed that he’d buried one of Nicola’s bracelets with the body—evidence that would directly implicate her if the remains were discovered. This development pushed the panic into overdrive, especially as Teddy negotiated with Benji, offering £60,000 to keep the secret hidden.

But Teddy, in a surprising and risky move, called the police instead of paying up. He watched from his car as Benji was arrested mid-dig by the police, all while Benji screamed Nicola’s name, effectively throwing her under the bus as he was dragged away. Teddy’s betrayal stunned viewers, but it wasn’t the only twist in Tuesday’s dramatic episode.

As the police raid unfolded, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a key moment that could signal an even bigger secret. Harry Mitchell—Nicola’s son—was shown walking into a bar moments after Benji attempted to reach Nicola. The timing was suspicious. Could Harry and Benji know each other? Are they secretly working together? Or—most shockingly—could Benji be Harry’s real father?

Fans were quick to share their theories online. One viewer speculated: “Who thinks Nicola has another secret? Barney from Zack as his son and Harry from Benji. It wouldn’t be a far stretch of imagination storyline.” Another agreed, pointing to the uncanny timing between Benji’s actions and Harry’s sudden appearance. Some even believe Benji’s rage at Nicola goes beyond being framed for murder—it could be the result of a long-held betrayal involving Harry’s parentage.

This theory gains traction considering Nicola has already lied about paternity once. In a separate but connected revelation, Zack Hudson discovered that he, not Teddy, is the biological father of Barney, Nicola’s younger son. Zack realised the truth after having his blood type analysed, which revealed he had unknowingly fathered Barney following a brief fling with Nicola 16 years ago.

Nicola initially denied it, but eventually admitted the truth—that she always knew Zack was Barney’s dad but allowed Teddy to believe otherwise. The fallout from this revelation was immediate and intense. Zack, shaken to the core, spiralled emotionally, turning to alcohol and even breaking into Nicola’s home to watch Barney sleep. The lie not only upended his world but revealed the depths of Nicola’s manipulation.

What’s more, this revelation connects directly to the murder of Shireen. It’s now believed Nicola had Shireen killed because she discovered the truth about Barney’s paternity—and possibly Harry’s as well. If Shireen knew too much, Nicola may have seen her as a threat who needed to be permanently silenced.

Now, the idea that Harry may also be Benji’s son would paint Nicola in an even darker light. Did she have a secret affair with Benji? Did she lie to both men for decades? And if Benji is Harry’s father, does Harry already know—and could he be involved in covering up Shireen’s death?

The implications are staggering. Not only would this revelation fracture the already-fragile Mitchell family dynamic, but it would also confirm Nicola as one of the most manipulative figures in EastEnders history—capable of orchestrating a murder and rewriting the lives of her children to suit her needs.

As the mystery continues to unfold, fans are on high alert for the next clue. Nicola’s grip on her secrets is slipping, and with Benji in police custody and Teddy now complicit in exposing the body, it’s only a matter of time before the truth unravels completely.

One thing’s for sure: if the theory about Harry’s paternity proves true, the Mitchells are headed for an emotional implosion unlike anything Albert Square has seen in years. With both paternity lies and a murder cover-up in play, Nicola’s carefully constructed world is crumbling fast—and when the dust settles, the Mitchell name may never recover.