EastEnders fans are convinced they’ve “worked out” who is killed in the Christmas 2023 episode, after spotting a “clue” in Monday night’s flash forward scene.
In the clip, viewers saw six of Walford’s much loved matriarchs, Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) standing over a dead body.
The women all appear shocked as they look down on the body of the man, whose face is not shown.
Christmas came early this year. What. Just. Happened? 😱
Catch up here now 👉 https://t.co/SA3Z2YWfgd #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/BSP69rBJwf— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) February 20, 2023
The BBC promised: “The episode will act as a catalyst for major storylines involving each of the characters that will play out over the year.”
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw explained: “There was clearly an appetite for a whodunnit, but I was reluctant to play a whodunnit in the traditional form, largely due to the spectacularly brilliant Who Killed Lucy? storyline (2014-15) that was not just hugely successful but also incredibly gripping throughout.”
“I therefore tasked the writing and story team that if we were to do another whodunnit it would have to be different, have to feel different, and have to have a very different mechanic at its core.”
Six suspects. So many questions.
Don’t miss #EastEnders.
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 pm on @BBCOne & @BBCiPlayer. pic.twitter.com/pL6flRvgIU
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) February 20, 2023
He continued: “A couple of our writers and story team took that brief on board and came back with the idea of flashing forward and, in doing so, we’re promising a whodunnit is coming in the future.”
“We developed the idea and thought it would be even more exciting if we didn’t reveal who the victim is – becoming so much more than a whodunnit… it’s a ‘who-is-it’ as well.”
Speaking about the 6 women involved, Chris said: “Linda’s world has been thrown upside down by seeing a photo of Shirley with Dean, but she’s forced to focus on who her new business partner will be or face losing her home.”
“Both Sharon and Nish are hoping to get the keys to the castle, but her knight in shining armour may not be who you think.”
He continued: “Suki’s struggling in her marriage with Nish and is desperately trying to convince herself that she doesn’t have feelings for Eve. As the year progresses, Suki will uncover truths, have her relationships tested, but ultimately her biggest secret could push her to the extreme.”
“Kathy’s planning to tie the knot with Rocky, but we know with Rocky he has a past, so just what will catch up with him?”
“Not only has Stacey been dealing with the rising cost of living, but also struggling to keep her pregnant daughter out of harm’s way. This year, Stacey finds herself doing something she’s never done before in an effort to protect her family and unborn grandchild.”
“Denise’s marriage to Jack is crumbling and local-villain Ravi has had his eye on her for weeks now – but how long can she resist temptation? Expect explosive action when Jack discovers what’s been going on.”
Chris went on to say: “Just as quickly as Sharon and Keanu reunited, she discovered that he and Sam have history too, leaving Sharon newly single. However, as we know, Sharon’s wearing a wedding dress at Christmas, so watch out for many twists, turns, and plenty of heartbreak along the way.”
“I’m not going to give anything away that the episode hasn’t already given, but what I will say is there were clues in there. Did you look closely? I urge everyone to re-watch the scene and look at every detail. There’s also a few treats in the scene if you look hard enough.”
“What I’d also say is that a lot can happen in Walford between February and December – circumstances can change, relationships can change, loyalties can change – so what you may suspect now could be somewhat different as we make our way through 2023 and head towards Christmas.”
“All I can say is that in a flash everything changes for these six women and they’ll experience something that will link them forever.”
Fans took to Twitter after watching the flash forward scenes, and many are convinced the dead man is Nish.
One wrote: “Linda has cut lip Kathy’s dress is torn Denise has broken bottle Stacey’s hands r covered in blood Sharon has blood on her Only 1 I see uninjured is suki Deffo think nish started on her&they defended her.”
Others pointed out a still of Suki staring at the body, while Kathy stares at her.
Check out more fan theories below:
Linda has cut lip
Kathy's dress is torn
Denise has broken bottle
Stacey's hands r covered in blood
Sharon has blood on her
Only 1 I see uninjured is suki
Deffo think nish started on her&they defended her @bbceastenders #EastEnders #sukeve @BalvinderSopal @DaranLittle pic.twitter.com/RGCKdYuc9q— jodie (@UtdSukeve) February 20, 2023
It’s definitely Nish that’s dead right? #EastEnders
— CJR (@buttonalltheway) February 20, 2023
this makes me think it's nish #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/HqAsHg0ZGX
— Nadine | نادين (@XDino95) February 20, 2023
I like the theory that the ladies kill Nish to protect Suki, but what about if it's to protect Eve? When Nish finds out about #Sukeve, he will want to kill Eve, so maybe they stop him. Stacey had blood on her hands & she'd want to protect Eve; that's for sure. #EastEnders
— Sarah Dee (@SukeveStan) February 21, 2023
kathy literally said if dean does come back you will have a wall of friends to protect you is that not hinting #EastEnders
— amber🫶🏻 (@danaslinda) February 20, 2023
Anyone think it's Dean who was dead in the flash forward moment?! #EastEnders
— Olivia!🐱 Let Suki be happy (@ILoveSukiFromEE) February 20, 2023
It's Shirley ain't it? Shirley's come back and killed fucking Dean.
Oh. My. God. #EastEnders https://t.co/2cilp5IisF
— BridgeStreetTroll (@BridgeStTroll) February 20, 2023
This right here made me instantly think nish #sukeve #EastEnders @beakerJT @ILoveSukiFromEE @lqvingsuki pic.twitter.com/tUJvwOdWDJ
— jodie (@UtdSukeve) February 20, 2023
OMG who is dead Nish or Phil 😲😲😲😲😲#EastEnders
— Ryan Glendenning (@RyanTheSoapking) February 20, 2023
