DRAMA, DEATH AND DECEIT 9 shocking EastEnders storylines revealed for 2017 from Max Branning’s return to the truth about Phil Mitchell
BBC bosses are ramping up the drama in the New Year with EastEnders set to be more action packed than ever before
EASTENDERS fans are in for a treat in the New Year as The Sun Online can reveal the soap is set to screen some of its most explosive storylines.
There are going to more risks, more shocks and a lot of familiar faces returning to Albert Square.
As the New Year begins there are epic storylines to tie up, with some big name characters hoping for unforgettable departures, and new webs to start weaving.
It sounds like Sean’s got his work cut out but it turns out he’s got a lot up his sleeve…
The Mitchell-Apocalypse
It’s going to be crazy 2017 for the family, with Phil remaining as the main focus of the family’s storylines. Will his new liver give him woe, or will he be able to come back fighting?
If overcoming his liver cirrhosis wasn’t enough though, Phil’s nemesis Max Branning is out of jail and back in Walford.
When Max finds out exactly what Phil did to keep him behind bars for so long, we think there’s going to be a riot.
Expect hard nut Phil to be calling in some favours, with his sidekick moll Sharon standing firmly by his side.
Warning: there are going to be a lot of calls to Marcus Ritchie in 2017.
As well as Phil’s impending storylines, producers are preparing to say farewell to Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell who are leaving the soap.
They’ve worked hard to keep their exit under wraps but it’s expected the sisters will meet a grizzly end.
Seriously, this time they aren’t just going off on another trip to Ibiza.
Sean said of Roxy and Ronnie: “After the extraordinary baroque departure of the Mitchell sisters, there is loads to look forward to.
“The audience can expect a few shocks, some laughs, some tears.”
“2017 is going to be EastEnders at its best with new characters round the corner and some big challenges for the ones we already know and love.
Watch this space….!”
Whitney Dean’s heartache
If there’s one thing that’s certain in EastEnders, 2017 is going to be a horrible year for Whitney Dean.
With her husband Lee Carter, played by Danny-Boy Hatchard, set to leave the soap in the coming months, she’ll be flying solo for most of the year.
Will she be left a widow? Or will she be a heartbroken newlywed whose husband’s done a runner after struggling to cope with life outside of the armed forces?
Although Lee’s storyline hasn’t been confirmed, his downwards spiral has started with nasty Osman ‘Oz’ Bolat looking likely to be involved in some way or another.
On a brighter note, bosses have already teased a baby storyline for Whitney so there could be a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.
Being a single mum won’t be easy for Whitney but with everyone on Albert Square ready to lend a hand, and Lee’s mum and dad still running the Queen Vic, she’s sure to be well looked after.
Denise Fox and her many lovers…
Vixen Denise has her eyes on a new man: the seriously hot Kush Kazemi.
Everyone saw that passionate snog at Christmas and with Denise’s track record, we’re sure it won’t be long until she’s managed to seduce him completely.
Of course there’s still the issue of Phil Mitchell’s unborn child which is growing inside of her.
It’s unlikely that’ll stop man-eating Denise from getting her wicked way with Kush however.
But will he be happy to play happy families once mini-Phil Mitchell is born? It’s looking doubtful…
Max Branning: Revenge is a dish best served cold
He languished behind bars for 12 months after being wrongfully convicted of Lucy Beale’s murder, so Max Branning’s had a long time to plan exactly how he’s going to get even.
After turning up in Walford, from his new home in Shadwell, armed with a left-over turkey for his ex-lover Stacey Branning’s fiancé Martin and enough cash in his wallet to get a round in at the Vic, some residents think Max has changed.
But behind his s warm smile and all-is-forgiven-handshakes with Ian and Jane Beale, there’s anger behind his eyes…and a lot of it.
Max has already started making a play for Michelle Fowler, played by new actress Jenna Russell, and it’s likely she’ll get burnt as a pawn in Max’s twisted game.
The only people safe on the Square are his kids Lauren and Abi. But it’s highly unlikely their 2017 happy family reunion will go to plan.
Farewell Dot Cotton
With her ailing eyesight and her job at the launderette long gone, Dot’s in for a morose year.
If the sadness of her Christmas storylines was anything to go by, it’s unlikely the next 12 months is going to be a bed of roses.
Actress June Brown is said to have signed a deal with the soap up to 2018 so expect the 89-year-old to spend the next few months tying up loose ends and saying fond farewells.
The soap icon she is, Dot’s departure from the show will be heart-breaking, no matter how Sean decides to play it.
Whether her black cat Ethel will be involved in her departure, however, is yet to be seen.
The riddle of Kim Fox
Vincent Hubbard has returned to Walford bloodied, bruised and without his wife Kim Fox.
The larger than life character is no-where to be seen when their holiday comes to and end and it seems something dreadful is afoot.
Earlier this year, actress Tameka Empson revealed her character was in for an explosive storyline that will dominate 2017.
She said: “You’re going to see a more serious side to Kim.
“We’ve seen the laughter, the laughter will never go but I think as life goes on we’re hit by grievances and things like that.”
One thing is for sure: Kim won’t be missing the birth of mini-Phil Mitchell once her sister Denise goes into labour.
Tameka adds: “She’s got a bit of balls. She’s got a bit of deep down strength when it comes to supporting her sister.”
The return of Grant Mitchell
He’s always been a fan favourite but could hard-man Grant Mitchell really be returning to the Square?
His brother Phil is going to need help when it comes to taking down Max, who’s hell bent on getting even with the mechanic.
And when Grant finds out how close the red-headed businessman is getting to his ex Michelle Fowler, it surely won’t be long until he comes running.
If not for long, we’re sure to see a cameo when Roxy and Ronnie are written out.
If the tragic sisters do die, there’s nothing the Mitchell’s do better than a “proper family” funeral.
Actor Ross Kemp has made no secret of his desire to return to the soap full time either, saying he’d be open to exploring new storylines on the Square.
It’s the Kat and Alfie show
They’re 500 miles away from Albert Square in a tiny Irish fishing village to find Kat Moon’s adopted son, but its likely the loudmouth and her husband Alfie will pop up on EastEnders in early 2017.
Although the highly anticipated spin off show Redwater is set to air in the New Year, fans hope Sean will showcase a taster of what’s to come for the popular couple in the coming months.
The twin brother of Zoe, Luke was whisked away and adopted without teenage mum Kat even realising but now she knows about him, she’s hell-bent on getting him back into her life.
Jay Brown and Ben Mitchell: the brotherhood continues
Jay Brown and Ben Mitchell have made an incredibly popular pairing but it’s going to get a lot darker for them both come the New Year.
They’ve been through a lot together in the past three months and although they’re closer than ever, Sean’s incredible plans for the pair are said to be so explosive they’ll both be pushed to their limits.