EastEnders airs icon’s unsettling return to Walford amid heartache in early BBC iPlayer release

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Be aware: this article contains spoilers for the EastEnders episode airing Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. You can also watch it now on BBC iPlayer.

Thursday’s episode of EastEnders ended with a shocking twist: the return of Sam Mitchell, played by Kim Medcalf.

BBC One’s soap opera previously announced that Medcalf would be returning for a brief appearance during the holidays. They have since shared that the character will be diagnosed with breast cancer in future episodes.

A key part of Sam’s return will be reconnecting with an old friend, Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan.

Viewers have been worried watching Zoe deal with frightening messages and scary incidents lately, but the person responsible is still unknown.

After yet another dramatic scene at the Queen Vic and causing trouble for the Slater family, as well as frustrating viewers, Zoe was asked to leave by her devastated mother, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace).

Zoe, recently made homeless, turned to her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Anthony Trueman (Nicholas Bailey), for help. Viewers now know that Anthony’s return to Walford isn’t a coincidence – he’s actually back to escape a restraining order filed by his wife, Sophie.

Once Anthony’s crimes of theft and blackmail were revealed, Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) told a stunned Zoe about Anthony’s hidden secret.

After that, Zoe continued to share her feelings with her new friend, Lauren Beale (played by Jacqueline Jossa), who had asked Zoe to help with childcare.

Walking through Albert Square one night, Sam Mitchell spotted Zoe and Lauren near the brightly lit Christmas tree. The camera focused on the scene as a woman in high heels passed through the gardens.

Is Sam secretly Zoe’s tormentor?

Zoe and Sam will confront each other next week, and Zoe immediately accuses Sam of seeking revenge. However, viewers will have to watch to find out if she’s done anything wrong.

After his betrayal of Patrick Trueman was revealed, Howie desperately tried to make amends and stay connected to the Trueman-Fox family, but they rejected him. Kim Fox ended their engagement and told Howie he was no longer welcome, though his son Denzel is still allowed to live with her.

Is there any going back for Kim and Howie?

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2025-12-04 10:34