Something big is brewing in Albert Square, and EastEnders fans are already bracing for it. Following the show’s triumphant win at the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards, where it clinched Best Soap for the first time in six years, the buzz is all about who might be making an unexpected return to the Square. The hints come straight from the top — Kate Oates, BBC’s Head of Continuing Drama, hinted during press interviews that “a return” is very much on the cards. Her tantalising comment: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed,” has triggered a frenzy of speculation online.

With the 40th anniversary of EastEnders well underway, the show has already welcomed back several heavy hitters from the past, using their returns to inject explosive drama into current storylines. From Ian and Peter Beale reuniting with Cindy Beale — long believed dead — to Keanu Taylor and Alfie Moon stirring up fresh conflict, these comebacks have reinvigorated the show and delighted its long-time fanbase.

Now, Kate Oates’ latest comments suggest the surprises aren’t over yet. She further teased: “There are some really big stories coming up, and if it’s a return you’re after, then you might be interested in what’s on the horizon.” That sort of language — vague yet loaded with potential — is classic soap strategy, designed to keep audiences hooked and guessing. And it’s working.

Social media has already exploded with theories. Fans are combing through past exits, fake deaths, and unexplained disappearances for clues. Could it be a Mitchell, like Ronnie or Roxy? Might Stacey Slater’s family tree get another surprise branch? Or will the return be someone more off-the-radar — a fan favourite who left quietly, only to return now and flip a current storyline on its head?

One thing is certain: the next return will not be random. It will tie into one of the “really big stories” Oates mentioned, and it will likely be timed for maximum emotional and narrative impact. The BAFTA win has given the show a confidence boost and a bigger platform. That, combined with a new executive producer at the helm — Ben Wadey — signals that EastEnders is gearing up for another game-changing moment.

It’s worth noting that returns like Cindy Beale’s aren’t just nostalgic gimmicks — they’ve reshaped the soap’s dynamics. Cindy’s comeback, for example, opened up new family tensions, business rivalries, and romantic twists that continue to ripple through the plot. So, whoever returns next will likely arrive with a purpose: to stir old wounds, reveal hidden truths, or ignite new conflicts.

Given the celebratory mood surrounding the show’s milestone anniversary and awards win, it’s clear that EastEnders is not just looking to honour its legacy, but to build on it in daring ways. If the last year was about laying groundwork and reuniting beloved characters, the future looks set to deliver emotional payoffs, shock reveals, and bold character arcs that cement EastEnders as the gold standard of British soap.

The only mystery left now is this: when the doors to Albert Square swing open again… who will be walking through them? And will Walford ever be the same?

Would you like predictions on who the returnee might be based on current story arcs?