BBC EastEnders bosses used sneaky trick to keep Christmas murder victim secret
Fans of EastEnders found out that Keanu Taylor was killed in the all-important Christmas episode, but bosses had a cunning way to keep the victim's identity concealed
BBC producers have revealed the sneaky trick they used to keep the victim of EastEnders’ biggest storyline of the year a complete secret.
The Christmas victim was first teased in February and fans of the soap finally learned it was Keanu Taylor who was killed on Christmas Day. He was murdered by Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright, with a carving fork as he strangled soon-to-be wife Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean.
In tense scenes that aired on Christmas Day, a huge fight erupted in the Queen Vic, which ended in Keanu, played by Danny Walters, being stabbed and being left to die. The twist came after ten months of intense speculation from fans, who had six different potential victims.
But as the intense shots were being filmed in the run-up to the big day, BBC bosses were keen to keep things under wraps as much as possible. As a result, producers filmed scenes with Keanu, despite being murdered, as a red herring – to ensure that no suspicion arose.
Walters, acting as Keanu, was spotted filming in an airport, with fans believing that he was going to leave the show himself of his own accord. He also had been seen speaking to fellow EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa, who is set to make a return to the Square in the new year.
The pair were seen chatting to each other whilst filming scenes together in a graveyard, believing that it was another character that would be killed off. However, none of these scenes would eventually be used as Taylor was the one who did not survive Christmas.
Fans watching the show were surprised when they watched the jaw-dropping episode, as many had not expected Keanu to be the one to be killed off. As Taylor died in the final seconds of the programme, many were furious at the producers’ decision to murder Keanu as opposed to other potential victims such as Ravi.
Many took to social media to vent their frustrations with one fan writing: “I can’t believe Keanu died, I’m actually still in shock.” Whilst a second user said: “I’m still in shock – and Dean upstairs, and what will Nish do! How can I sleep after that?”
A third viewer was also stunned: “I’m still in shock! All my theories went out of the window! What a fantastic episode. The Six will always be iconic. Excited to see what happens next but we cannot lose Linda.”
Things remain tense on the Square, after Nish was able to be saved after receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But with one of the men now dead, how will the women be able to cover up the murder?
EastEnders airs every Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.
