Buckle up, Walford fans, because next week is set to be an absolute rollercoaster! From shocking confessions to tense family reunions and dangerous drug dealings, Albert Square is buzzing with drama you won't want to miss.
TL;DR: Your Quick EastEnders Catch-Up- Zoe Slater's mysterious "stalking" saga takes a wild turn as she makes a shocking confession, but a new threat might still be lurking.
- Eve Panesar-Unwin's adoption dreams with Suki hit a snag with the arrival of her estranged, homophobic mother, Norma.
- Phil Mitchell returns home to furious news about Nigel Bates' arrest, leading him to seek a legal powerhouse for help.
- Kojo Asare steps up to rescue Harry Mitchell from a dangerous hostage situation, while Teddy is forced to reveal secrets.
Zoe Slater's Stalker Saga Takes a Shocking Twist – Or Does It?
Following an unsettling Halloween, Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) is more convinced than ever that someone is out to get her. While Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) tries her best to be supportive, Alfie (Shane Richie) isn't so sure, wondering if it's all in Zoe's head. Things ramp up when Zoe's kitten goes missing and family photos are defaced, much to the amusement of Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).
Desperate to prove her innocence and find her long-lost son, Kat decides to sell her half of the limo business to Harvey, planning to use the cash to fund an investigation. But here's the kicker: while Kat and Zoe are meeting with the private investigator, Alfie does some digging and realizes Zoe herself was behind the defaced photos!
With nowhere left to turn, Zoe confesses to tampering with the photos, admitting she "helped things along a little on the stalking front" to keep Kat and Alfie's sympathy. However, just when you think you've got it figured out, Zoe receives a mysterious text message from someone claiming to have her missing cat. So, is there a real stalker after all, or is this another one of Zoe's twisted games?
"Zoe has not stopped lying since she stepped onto Albert Square, so it's not hard for her family to believe that someone is gunning for her. However, when Alfie catches Zoe out, she's forced to admit that she may have helped things along a little on the stalking front to ensure she kept his and Kat's sympathies on side." — A Walford Insider, Digital SpyKat, understandably worried about Zoe's pathological lying, tries to stage an intervention with Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey), but it predictably goes south at The Vic's quiz night. Adding another layer of intrigue, some fans are even speculating that Alfie Moon could be the father of Zoe's twins, given some "peculiar looks" and Alfie's history with the Slater women!
A Familiar, Unwelcome Face: Eve Panesar-Unwin Confronts Her Past
It's a tense time for Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace) as she and wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal) push forward with their adoption plans. Their world is rocked by the arrival of Eve's estranged mother, Norma, who, as viewers will recall, has a history of homophobia. This reunion was never going to be easy, especially with such a sensitive topic on the table.
Eve nervously asks Norma for a reference, and despite initial reservations, her mother agrees. Eve and Suki try their best to impress Norma, but it quickly becomes clear that Norma has serious doubts about Eve becoming a mother. A heated clash ensues, leaving Eve questioning her entire decision. With her emotions running high, Suki finds an unlikely shoulder to cry on in young Lily Slater (Lillia Turner).
Phil Mitchell's Explosive Return: Nigel Bates in Deep Trouble
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) jets back into Albert Square, but his homecoming is anything but peaceful. He's absolutely infuriated to learn that housemate Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) has landed himself in hot water, facing a prison stretch after confessing to mowing down Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) and Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness).
Initially, Phil points the finger squarely at Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn), blaming her for the situation. However, after a chat with Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Phil realizes he was too quick to judge. Knowing there's only one person who can save Nigel, Phil reaches out to none other than master lawyer Ritchie Scott (Sian Webber)! Later in the week, Phil and Julie accompany a worried Nigel to his medical assessment related to the charges against him.
Dangerous Deliveries and Desperate Escapes: Kojo Fights for Harry's Freedom
The drugs drama continues to escalate next week. After Gina is discharged from the hospital, she notices her dad George (Colin Salmon) is deeply concerned about Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho), especially after Phil reveals he didn't approve Kojo's time off work. What George doesn't realize is that dealer Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu) has drawn Kojo further into the narcotics operation, roping him into distribution.
Alone with his best mate Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway), who's being held hostage, Kojo finds the perfect moment to act. He plans to help a fragile Harry break out. Harry, struggling to walk, urges Kojo to go on ahead before Okie returns. Meanwhile, Harry's dad Teddy Mitchell (Roland Manookian) reaches breaking point and is forced to confess everything to George and Junior (Micah Balfour). George considers calling the police, but Kojo's welfare sways him to hold off for now.
Later, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) attempts to make amends with George, but he's adamant their relationship is over. As if that wasn't enough anguish for Nicola, she then makes an unexpected and mysterious discovery. What could it be?
What's Anthony Trueman Hiding? Walford's New Doctor Has Secrets
Over at the Trueman household, Dr. Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey) is acting shifty, and his family can definitely sense something's up. Nothing stays secret in Walford for long, though!
Patrick (Rudolph Walker) is thrilled when Anthony announces his intention to stick around, having accepted a permanent position at the Panesar House surgery. But perhaps Patrick's initial reservations about his son's behavior were justified, as Anthony is later seen making a suspicious phone call. Who is he reaching out to, and what exactly is he keeping under wraps?
Phew! That's a lot to take in, isn't it? Walford is definitely not slowing down anytime soon. Make sure you tune in to catch all these explosive moments and find out how these dramatic storylines unfold!
EastEnders Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen do new Eastenders episodes air? You can catch new episodes of EastEnders from Monday to Thursday at 7:30 PM on BBC One.
Where can I watch EastEnders episodes early? For those who can't wait, most EastEnders episodes drop early on BBC iPlayer at 6:00 AM on their respective broadcast days.
Who is Zoe Slater looking for? Zoe Slater is currently looking for her long-lost son, whose paternity has been the subject of much mystery and lies, initially claiming the late Dennis Rickman was the father.
What is Nigel Bates accused of? Nigel Bates has handed himself into authorities after mowing down Gina Knight and Jasmine Fisher, leading to his current legal troubles and arrest.
Sources- Radio Times - "5 EastEnders spoilers next week: Zoe Slater targeted as Eve Panesar-Unwin's estranged mother arrives"
- Digital Spy - "EastEnders' Zoe Slater makes shock confession about mysterious 'stalker' next week"
- Digital Spy - "EastEnders has exposed Zoe Slater's sordid secret about her son"
- EastEnders Insider - "All the 'clues' as EastEnders fans become convinced Alfie is the father of Zoe's twins"
- EastEnders Spoilers (eastenders.co.uk - implied) - "EastEnders Spoilers Next Week (3-6 November 2025)"
- EastEnders Insider - "Zoe receives a chilling message in early EastEnders release"
- Bassyonniago - "Vicki Fowler Stunned by Zoe Slater’s Revelation in EastEnders BBC Release"