The company is a long-running soap that has seen murders, fires, and more than its fair share of crises since its inception in 1985.
But next year’s 40th anniversary episode of EastEnders looks set to be the most dramatic yet.
Pictures from the £87 million set revealed a view of Albert Square as viewers had never seen it before, with the Queen Vic’s windows blown out and surrounding streets littered with rubble.
The sensational storyline is designed to draw viewers back to the BBC’s flagship show after a steady decline, with Peggy Mitchell, played by the late Dame Barbara Windsor, and Angie Watts, played by Anita Dobson, as the landlady. The story depicts an explosion occurring in a fictional pub where the company was serving.
There was even some blood on the pavement, raising concerns that some of the show’s most beloved characters may be in danger.
According to industry sources, producers are “doing everything they can” to prepare for the commemorative special, which will air in February.
“And they hinted that fans can expect to see the return of famous actors from the show’s past, adding, “Curious viewers will definitely recognize some familiar faces.” .
Soap bosses are said to be bringing back Ross Kemp, who played the hard-nosed Grant Mitchell, and Paul Bradley, who played the lovable Nigel Bates.
Pictures from the £87 million set show the windows of the Queen Vic blown out to reveal Albert Square as viewers have never seen it before
The sensational storyline is designed to draw viewers back to the BBC’s flagship show after a steady decline, and sees an explosion tear apart a fictional pub
In the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion that blew out all the windows
In the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion that blew out all the windows
Pub aerial short. The landlady characters include Peggy Mitchell, played by the late Barbara Windsor, and Angie Watts, played by Anita Dobson.
There was even some blood on the sidewalk, raising concerns that some of the show’s most beloved characters may be in danger.
A black car is seen covered in rubble in the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic.
A red fire engine is seen in the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic
A red fire engine is seen in the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic
A black car is seen covered in rubble in the aftermath of the explosion at the Queen Vic.
In the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion that blew out all the windows
In the aftermath of the Queen Vic explosion that blew out all the windows
Black 4×4 car seen covered in rubble after explosion at Queen Vic pub in EastEnders
Ambulance seen on EastEnders set in aftermath of explosion at The Vic
Black 4×4 car seen covered in rubble after explosion at Queen Vic pub in EastEnders
Aerial footage of the pub after the explosion. Scheduled to air in a special episode next February
Black car seen covered in rubble in aftermath of explosion at The Vic
It is hoped that this show will go down in history along with other memorable episodes.
Ratings winners over the years include the reveal that Lucy Beale was killed by her brother Bobby to celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary, and ‘Dirty’ Den offering his wife Angie divorce papers instead of a turkey. (watched by a record 30 million people), and Kat Slater’s bombshell in 2001 when she revealed herself to her “sister” Zoe. , her mother.
Like many such soaps, EastEnders has suffered from declining viewership. The first episode in 1985 was watched by 13 million people, and now it averages 4 million viewers per episode and airs four nights a week. Usually, an additional 2 million songs are watched during the festival period due to the traditional dramatic storyline.
This year’s Christmas episode will be more explosive than ever. Michelle Collins’ long-time character Cindy Beale was thought dead in 1998, but returned last year after it was revealed she was in witness protection, only to be caught cheating on her with ex-husband Ian Beale. It happened.
Cindy tried to have a hitman kill a potato chip shop owner in 1996, but later reunited with him, but began an affair with her former son-in-law, Junior Knight.
The BBC invested millions of dollars to build a new set in Elstree, Hertfordshire, after the old site was deemed “unfit for purpose” in 2016.
Construction was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, and it ultimately restarted in January 2022, four years late and £27 million over budget.
The company then agreed to sell the EastEnders set, along with other studios in Elstree, to insurance giant AXA, with an expected saving of £500m a year. The plan is to rent Albert Square back from its new owners on a long-term lease.
