EastEnders’ Micah Balfour: ‘Junior has developed some genuine feelings towards Cindy’

EastEnders’ Micah Balfour: ‘Junior has developed some genuine feelings towards Cindy’

As a seasoned soap opera enthusiast who has witnessed countless dramatic twists and turns, I must admit that Junior’s storyline in EastEnders has certainly piqued my interest. The intricate web of relationships he’s weaving is a masterclass in soap operatic complexity.


As a film critic, let me tell you, Micah Balfour’s portrayal of the captivating Junior on EastEnders has left quite an impression. He’s got this knack for making even the formidable Cindy, played masterfully by Michelle Collins, seem as soft as butter.

His suave dealings have resulted in a dangerous affair with his dad’s ex – a sticky soap situation if there was ever one.

Starting from the 12th of August, events unfold where Junior proposes a job opportunity to Cindy’s son, causing friction between them. Cindy feels uneasy about this development due to concerns that the increased closeness might be risky or uncomfortable for her.

Toward the end of the week, Junior reconciles and invites Cindy over for a glass of wine at his home. However, while Cindy is getting ready for their meeting, Gina unexpectedly shows up at Junior’s place, and she requests to live with him – a proposition that clearly surprises him!

In a state of panic, Junior hastily declines her request, unintentionally causing distress to his sister.

What will Cindy make of it?

How does Junior feel now he and Cindy have embarked on an affair?

Micah Balfour: “He’s really into her! It seems Junior might not realize it yet, but I believe what draws him to Cindy, beyond the physical aspect of their relationship, is that she remains somewhat unattainable. He’s been kept at a distance in their relationship, and I think he finds this dynamic easier to handle.”

Does he like all the sneaking around and danger?

“Junior really thrives on excitement. He appreciates the secretive aspect of their relationship and finds pleasure in the possibility of being discovered while engaging in activities he’s not supposed to do.”

Why does Junior offer Peter a job?

“Peter has become quite suspicious of Cindy due to her frequent ‘headaches’ and disappearing acts. Junior believes that if Peter isn’t at Beale’s Eels, it will be harder for him to monitor Cindy’s whereabouts. Furthermore, Junior assumes that by having Peter work for him, he can keep Peter occupied, preventing him from showing up at the spots where he and Cindy are meeting.”

Is it a risk to employ Cindy’s son under such circumstances?

“Peter’s lack of experience in this industry might pose a risk to his business, as I believe Junior didn’t fully consider the implications before acting. This impulsive decision seems to have been triggered by eavesdropping on Peter and Lauren discussing Cindy. Additionally, it appears that Junior enjoys causing distress for Cindy, which he often does.”

EastEnders’ Micah Balfour: ‘Junior has developed some genuine feelings towards Cindy’

How would Junior react if Cindy, who’s clearly upset, asks him to withdraw the job offer he gave to Peter?

“Junior seems unfazed when she doesn’t comply with her requests; he actually enjoys those instances. For instance, when he gave Peter the job, he was well aware that Cindy wouldn’t approve. Yet, he justifies his actions and argues for its merit to Cindy, essentially telling her to deal with it. Their conversations are intense and full of passion, which Junior finds exhilarating.”

Is Junior shocked when he opens the door expecting to see Cindy but Gina’s there instead?

AL: “This is quite a predicament. Junior wasn’t anticipating Gina at his door, and he’s struggling to handle the situation she’s presented him with. He’s accustomed to being proactive and finding ways out of tricky situations, but dealing with Gina in this manner has made life rather awkward for Junior.”

How does he respond when she asks to move in?

Junior becomes alarmed and instructs her to leave immediately. Initially, this reaction is due to the possibility of Cindy arriving soon, and Junior needs to quickly remove Gina from his home. However, it’s also important to note that having Gina move in was not part of his original plan. The thought of allowing someone into his personal space scares him, particularly someone he genuinely cares for on a deeper level. He fears that if Gina truly understands him, she might reject him, and he feels the need to protect his feelings. Yet, I think he wants to strengthen family ties because otherwise, it’s hard to explain why he remained in Albert Square.

Do you think George and Junior have a long way to go to resolve their issues?

“It seems that the issue lies in their strikingly similar natures. Despite moments where they appear to be healing their rift, just one action or remark from either party is enough for them to both rebuild their defenses. In my opinion, they still have a considerable distance to travel before they can genuinely heal their relationship.”

Does Junior feel bad about sleeping with his sisters’ mum and dad’s ex?

“I’m skeptical about his current feelings, but initially, it seems like he used Cindy as a means to retaliate against his father. However, their relationship has evolved, and I believe he’s developed some real emotions for her. The extent of those feelings is uncertain, but he definitely cares for her in a genuine way. He’s the type of man who believes that what isn’t revealed can’t cause harm.”

EastEnders’ Micah Balfour: ‘Junior has developed some genuine feelings towards Cindy’

Did you expect your character to have so much drama in his first few months in the show?

PB: “I must admit, that was quite unexpected – what an impressive entrance for Junior in the show! It’s been a delight to perform and incredibly enjoyable, so I’ve loved every second of it thus far. The team I’ve collaborated with has been simply fantastic.”

Are you enjoying working with Michelle and Colin on these pivotal relationships?

Assistant: “Absolutely! Michelle is not only a fantastic actress but a truly kind-hearted individual. She’s been incredibly generous during our collaboration, making it a pleasure to work with her. Similarly, Colin is equally generous and possesses an exceptional soul. Working on this relationship has been rewarding for us both.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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2024-08-06 02:36