I’m a soap expert – here’s what we NEED in EastEnders in 2024

2023 had a bitter end as things came to a head in soapland with one murder, a car crash and a heart-breaking departure.

EastEnders fans are hoping bosses will give them what they really want to see as a new TV year begins.

EastEnders

Rivals team up

Drama is also set to shake up Albert Square in upcoming months with many characters having to face their own turmoil.

In recent scenes of the BBC One soap, George Knight (Colin Salmon) was the latest character to be met with a huge bombshell about his parents, Gloria and Eddie.

The former boxing champion is engaged to Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) but with his ex-wife Rose aka Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) back in Walford, tensions have been building up between him and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

However, with his parents possibly due to reopen old wounds, one could expect George to spiral out of control.

As a result, one soap watcher took to Reddit, hopeful that Ian could sympathise with George in the midst of the family crisis.

“I can see George having some sort of breakdown and the only person that can help is Ian”, they penned.

This could then result in George remaining committed to Elaine and leaving Cindy jealous.

Cindy, who has been trying not to let her old bad habits take over, could then revert to being the iconic villainess fans have known her to be.

In another twist, she could even try to get rid of both Elaine and her own current partner Ian to finally form a family with George and their two daughters, Anna (Molly Rainford) and Gina (Francesca Henry).

But there could be another surprise ahead for the Knights.

George Knight’s son rocks up Walford

Upon his first arrival in Walford, George was introduced as a devoted father to his two daughters before it was revealed he also had a son.

The Vic landlord dropped the bombshell on Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), revealing to him that he was no longer in touch with his son.

The mystery character was then revealed to be George Knight Jr., when George told Elaine he would be going to Spain after receiving an offer for his bar in Marbella.

Anna and Gina later on admitted that George Jr. actually lived in Dubai and George was really trying to track Rose aka Cindy down.

No details about who George Jr.’s mother could be have been revealed, which has only added on to anticipation from viewers.

Many are hopeful that 2024 will bring George closer to his long-lost son and that the latter’s mother will be introduced on our screens.

But will it really happen?

Freddie Slater finds closure

Fan favourite Freddie Slater took a break from life in Albert Square after attacking Theo Hawthorne.

As viewers will recall, Freddie was then struggling to cope with the knowledge his father Graham Foster had raped his mother Little Mo, which led to his birth.

Seeing Theo trying to take advantage of Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) made Freddie spiral out of control and severely injure his former teacher.

Much like his on-screen alter ego, Freddie Slater star Bobby Brazier took a break from filming the soap as he entered the Strictly Come Dancing competition, partnering up with Dianne Buswell.

But after Ellie Leach’s victory, one can expect Freddie to return to the Walford Slaters and viewers are hoping he can find closure with Graham in 2024… most notably by killing him off.

How will it really play out?

Martin Fowler moves on

Some viewers were happy to see Martin Fowler (James Bye) reconnect with Stacey Slater in the hopes of getting their relationship back on track in 2023.

But with the bap van owner causing a stir in Denise Fox’s marriage after sleeping with Jack Branning, Martin may get the hint and find himself someone new.

Many are expecting Ruby Allen to return to Albert Square, though there has been no mention about actress Louisa Lytton reprising her role anytime soon.

Could Ruby or another lady allow Martin to finally move on from his chaotic relationship with Stacey?

Another paternity twist

When asked about who else they were hoping to see, many EastEnders fans have admitted that Grant Mitchell is part of the returnees they hope to see in 2024.

Ross Kemp’s character was last seen in 2016, though he has appeared in flashbacks, and with the death of Grant and Phil’s aunt Sal Martin, the actor could be asked to return to the Square.

Soap watchers are however hoping for yet another bombshell about Albie Watts’ paternity.

“Return of Grant. I can hope. Cries when we find out Albie is actually his lol”, one of them commented on Reddit.

Grant Mitchell has had history with Albie’s mother Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), who recently discovered that Phil Mitchell was actually the father of her son.

Albie didn’t undergo a paternity test as Sharon seemed to only have Phil or her late fiancé Keanu Taylor as options for her baby daddy.