In EastEnders, next week marks a dramatic turning point for Zack Hudson as he makes a bold and dangerous decision that could permanently reshape his future and that of his newly discovered son, Barney. After weeks of emotional revelations, sinister threats, and growing unease, Zack decides he’s done playing by the Mitchells’ rules — and he’s ready to take action.

Zack’s life was upended recently when he discovered that he fathered a child, Barney, 15 years ago with Nicola Mitchell. But the situation quickly escalated from shocking to terrifying. When he first tried to reach out, Nicola, in an effort to keep him away, falsely painted her husband Teddy as a dangerous man — claiming he was responsible for a past murder. The real twist? Nicola was the killer all along.

Despite her chilling confession and implied threats — including the fact that she knows where Zack’s ex, Whitney Dean, and their daughter Dolly are living — Zack remains undeterred. Nicola may have intended to scare him off, but her threat backfired. Now, Zack is more convinced than ever that Barney is in danger and that Nicola is unfit to raise him. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect his son, even if that means going head-to-head with one of Walford’s most menacing women.

Meanwhile, Whitney has already taken steps to protect her own family. After fleeing to Wakefield last year following Zack’s betrayal with Lauren Branning, Whitney has now relocated again to a place where Nicola will never find them. She’s not just protecting herself and her biological daughter Dolly, but also her adopted daughter Britney. Whitney’s new location represents a rare sense of security — something Zack is now desperate to offer Barney as well.

As Zack ponders his next move, his half-sister Vicki Fowler urges him to think carefully. She suggests that he should consider paying Whitney and the girls a visit — not to rekindle romance, but to prove to Nicola that he’s stepping back from the paternity issue. According to Vicki, it’s a subtle way to avoid more confrontation and possibly earn back some peace.

But Zack’s resolve hardens after an unexpected encounter with Barney. The teen, clearly struggling in the Mitchell household, opens up about feeling alone and disconnected from everything going on around him. His words strike a chord with Zack, reigniting his paternal instinct and deepening his determination to act.

Zack returns home and delivers a shocking announcement to Vicki: he’s not just visiting Whitney — he’s going to stay with her. And he’s bringing Barney with him.

Vicki is left stunned, warning him that challenging the Mitchells, especially someone as dangerous and manipulative as Nicola, could unleash a world of trouble. The Mitchell clan has a long-standing reputation for holding grudges, and Nicola in particular has already proven she’s willing to threaten — and possibly harm — anyone who stands in her way.

But Zack is beyond the point of retreat. Fueled by both paternal guilt and a desire for justice, he’s been secretly gathering evidence to prove that Barney isn’t safe in his current environment. He’s building a case not only against Nicola but also against Teddy, who — despite being cleared of murder — still seems wrapped up in the toxicity of Nicola’s world.

Zack knows this won’t be easy. Taking Barney away from the Mitchells won’t just provoke Nicola’s wrath — it may ignite a full-blown war. But to Zack, the risk is worth it. He’s already lost Whitney and nearly lost his child. He refuses to lose Barney too, especially now that the truth about his parentage is out.

Still, the question remains: how will Nicola react when she discovers Zack’s plan? If history is anything to go by, it won’t be quietly. Nicola has already shown she’s capable of lying, manipulating, and even killing to get her way. Zack’s decision could endanger not just himself, but Whitney and the girls as well. By dragging Barney into his plan, he’s placing a target squarely on all their backs.

This storyline promises to bring intense emotional stakes, shocking twists, and potentially devastating consequences. Is Zack making a heroic stand for his son’s future — or blindly marching his family into a trap?

Either way, next week’s EastEnders episodes will leave viewers on the edge of their seats, watching as Zack Hudson challenges one of the soap’s most dangerous matriarchs in a desperate bid to save a boy he’s only just begun to know. One thing is certain: the fallout from this move will be explosive, and life in Walford may never be the same again.