View source for EastEnders

{{Short description|British television soap opera (since 1985)}}
{{Redirect|East Enders|residents of the East End area|East End of London}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2021}}

{{Very long|date=January 2026|words=16,976}}{{Infobox television
| image                = EastEnders.svg
| image_alt            = Transparent logo with words "EastEnders" in white with black shadowing.
| genre                = [[Soap opera]]
| writer               = [[List of EastEnders crew members#Writers|Various]]
| director             = [[List of EastEnders crew members#Directors|Various]]
| creator              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Julia Smith (producer)|Julia Smith]]
* [[Tony Holland]]
}}
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
* [[List of EastEnders characters|Present cast]]
* [[List of former EastEnders characters|Former cast]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Simon May]]
* [[Leslie Osborne (composer)|Leslie Osborne]]
}}
| opentheme            = [[EastEnders theme tune|''EastEnders'' theme tune]]
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_series           = <!-- Please do not add a series number, as EastEnders is a continuous production broadcast all year round -->
| num_episodes         = 7,302 <!-- As of 26 March 2026 -->{{Update after|2026|04|02}}
| executive_producer   = [[List of EastEnders crew members#Executive producers|Various]] (currently [[Ben Wadey]])
| producer             = [[List of EastEnders crew members#Series producers|Various]] (currently Sharon Batten, series producer)
| location             = [[BBC Elstree Centre]]
| camera               = [[Video camera|Video]], [[multiple-camera setup]]
| runtime              = 30–60 minutes
| company              = [[BBC Studios Continuing Drama Productions]]
| network              = {{plainlist|
* [[BBC One]] (1985–present)
* [[BBC iPlayer]] (2021–present)
}}
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1985|02|19|df=yes}}
| last_aired           = present
| related              = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Het Oude Noorden]]'' (1993)
* ''[[EastEnders Revealed]]'' (1998–2012, 2025)
* ''[[EastEnders: E20]]'' (2010–2011)
* ''[[Kat & Alfie: Redwater]]'' (2017)
* [[List of EastEnders television spin-offs|Various spin-offs]]
}}
}}

'''''EastEnders''''' is a British television [[soap opera]] created by [[Julia Smith (producer)|Julia Smith]] and [[Tony Holland]] which has been broadcast on [[BBC One]] since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of [[Walford]] in the [[East End of London]], the programme follows the stories of local residents and their families as they go about their daily lives. Within eight months of the show's original launch, it had reached the number one spot in [[BARB]]'s television ratings, and has consistently remained among the top-rated series in Britain. Four ''EastEnders'' episodes are listed in the all-time top 10 [[List of most watched television broadcasts in the United Kingdom#Most watched programmes|most-watched programmes]] in the UK, including the number one spot, when more than 30 million watched the 1986 Christmas Day episode.<ref>{{cite news |title='Happy Christmas, Ange!' The nation's most-watched TV episode |url=https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/happy-christmas-ange-the-nations-most-watched-tv-episode/ |access-date=31 August 2022 |work=Science and Media Museum}}</ref> ''EastEnders'' has been [[EastEnders in popular culture|important]] in the history of British television drama, tackling many subjects that are considered to be controversial or [[taboo]] in [[British culture]], and portraying a social life previously unseen on UK mainstream television.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Demory |first1=Pamela |last2=Pullen |first2=Christopher |title=Queer Love in Film and Television: Critical Essays |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |page=35}}</ref>

Since co-creator Holland was from a large family in the East End, a theme heavily featured in ''EastEnders'' is strong families, and each character is supposed to have their own place in the fictional community. The [[Watts family|Watts]], [[Beale family|Beales and Fowlers]], [[Mitchell family|Mitchells]], [[Branning family|Brannings]] and the [[Slater family (EastEnders)|Slaters]] are some of the families that have been central to the soap's notable and dramatic storylines. ''EastEnders'' has been filmed at the [[BBC Elstree Centre]] since its inception, with a set that is outdoors and open to weather. In 2014, the BBC announced plans to rebuild the set entirely. Filming commenced on the new set in January 2022,<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders starts filming on troubled new £87 million set|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59950299|access-date=23 November 2022 |work=BBC}}</ref> and it was first used on-screen in March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders' new-look Albert Square to hit screens next week|url=https://www.whattowatch.com/news/eastenders-new-look-albert-square-to-hit-screens-next-week|access-date=23 November 2022 |work=whattowatch}}</ref> Demolition on the old set commenced in November 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders set demolished as fans slam 'wasted opportunity'|url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/18/eastenders-set-demolished-as-fans-slam-wasted-opportunity-17784558/|access-date=23 November 2022 |work=Metro}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has received both praise and criticism for many of its storylines, which have dealt with difficult themes including violence, rape, murder and abuse. It has been criticised for various storylines, including the [[#Baby swap|2010 baby swap storyline]], which attracted more than 6,000 complaints, as well as complaints of showing too much violence and allegations of national and racial stereotypes. However, ''EastEnders'' has also been commended for representing real-life issues and spreading awareness on social topics. The cast and crew of the show have received and been nominated for [[List of awards and nominations received by EastEnders|various awards]].

== History ==
=== Conception and preparations for broadcast ===
In March 1983, under two years before ''EastEnders''{{'}} first episode was broadcast, the show was a vague idea in the mind of a handful of BBC executives, who decided that what [[BBC One]] needed was a popular twice-weekly drama series that would attract the kind of mass audiences that ITV were getting with ''[[Coronation Street]]''.<ref name="20years p10">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=10}}</ref> The first people to whom David Reid, then head of series and serials, turned were [[Julia Smith (producer)|Julia Smith]] and [[Tony Holland]], a well established producer/script editor team who had first worked together on ''[[Z-Cars]]''.<ref name="20years p10" /> The outline that Reid presented was vague: two episodes a week, 52 weeks a year.<ref name="20years p11">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=11}}</ref> After the concept was put to them on 14 March 1983, Smith and Holland then went about putting their ideas down on paper; they decided it would be set in the East End of London.<ref name="20years p10" /> It was decided after a report indicated that a show focusing on a working-class London neighbourhood would have the most widespread appeal.<ref name="Made" /> [[Granada Television]] gave Smith unrestricted access to the ''Coronation Street'' production for a month so that she could get a sense of how a continuing drama was produced.<ref>{{cite web|format=podcast |url=http://ax.itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/daily-bacon/id292077536 |title=Daily Bacon: Coronation Street |publisher=BBC Radio 5Live |author=Richard Bacon, host |date=17 November 2010 |access-date=6 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303052823/http://ax.itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/daily-bacon/id292077536 |archive-date=3 March 2012 }}</ref> The show initially had the working title ''East 8'' and was, at first, to be set in a real street in [[Hackney, London]].<ref name="Made" />

Several cities were considered for the show's setting, including [[Manchester]] and [[Birmingham]], before ultimately choosing London.<ref name="Made">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjvre95gzo |title=How EastEnders was made, from 'doof doofs' to Angie and Den |first1=Samuel |last1=Spencer |first2=Shola |last2=Lee |date=16 February 2025 |access-date=16 February 2025 |website=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216171800/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyjvre95gzo |archive-date=16 February 2025 }}</ref> There was anxiety at first that the viewing public would not accept a new soap set in the south of England, though research commissioned by lead figures in the BBC revealed that southerners would accept a northern soap, northerners would accept a southern soap and those from the [[Midlands]], as Julia Smith herself pointed out, did not mind where it was set as long as it was somewhere else.<ref name="20years p11" /> This was the beginning of a close and continuing association between ''EastEnders'' and audience research, which, though commonplace today, was something of a revolution in practice.<ref name="20years p11" />

The show's creators were both Londoners, but when they researched Victorian squares, they found massive changes in areas they thought they knew well; however, delving further into the East End of London, they found exactly what they had been searching for: a real East End spirit, an inward-looking quality, a distrust of strangers and authority figures, a sense of territory and community that the creators summed up as "Hurt one of us and you hurt us all".<ref name="20years p11" />

When developing ''EastEnders'', both Smith and Holland looked at influential models like ''Coronation Street'', but they found that it offered a rather outdated and nostalgic view of working-class life. Only after ''EastEnders'' began, and featured the characters of [[Tony Carpenter]] and [[Kelvin Carpenter]], did ''Coronation Street'' start to feature black characters, for example.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20030828144110/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2001%2F02%2F03%2Fbfpa03.xml Hole at the heart of the BBC]", ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved 25 February 2007</ref> They came to the conclusion that ''Coronation Street'' had grown old with its audience, and that ''EastEnders'' would have to attract a younger, more socially extensive audience, ensuring that it had the longevity to retain it for many years thereafter.<ref name="20years">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=<!-- Page numbers needed -->}}</ref> They also looked at ''[[Brookside (TV series)|Brookside]]'', but found there was a lack of central meeting points for the characters, making it difficult for the writers to intertwine different storylines, so ''EastEnders'' was set in [[Albert Square]].<ref name="Public secrets page 15">{{Harvnb|Buckingham|1987|p=15}}</ref>

A previous UK soap set in an East End market was [[Associated Television|ATV]]'s ''[[Market in Honey Lane]]''; however, between 1967 and 1969, this show, which graduated from one showing a week to two in three separate series (the latter series being shown in different time slots across the ITV network) was very different in style and approach from ''EastEnders''. The [[British Film Institute]] described ''Market in Honey Lane'' thus: "It was not an earth-shaking programme, and certainly not pioneering in any revolutionary ideas in technique and production, but simply proposed itself to the casual viewer as a mildly pleasant affair."<ref>{{cite web|title=Market on Honey Lane / Honey Lane (1967–69)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1400806/index.html|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>

The target launch date was originally January 1985.<ref name="Insidestory p24">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=24}}</ref> Smith and Holland had 11 months in which to write, cast and shoot the whole thing; however, in February 1984, they did not even have a title or a place to film. Both Smith and Holland were unhappy about the January 1985 launch date, favouring November or even September 1984 when seasonal audiences would be higher, but the BBC stayed firm, and Smith and Holland had to concede that, with the massive task of getting the Elstree studios operational, January was the most realistic date; however, this was later to be changed to February.<ref name="Insidestory p24" />

The project had a number of working titles: ''Square Dance'', ''Round the Square'', ''Round the Houses'', ''London Pride'' and ''East 8''.<ref name="eehistory">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0005.shtml|title= What is the history of ''EastEnders''?|work=BBC Online|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219122918/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0005.shtml|archive-date=19 February 2006}}</ref> It was the latter that stuck (E8 is the postcode for Hackney) in the early months of creative process; however, the show was renamed after many casting agents mistakenly thought the show was to be called ''Estate'', and the fictional postcode E20 was created, instead of using E8.<ref name="20years p15">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=15}}</ref> Julia Smith came up with the name ''Eastenders'' after she and Holland had spent months telephoning theatrical agents and asking "Do you have any real East Enders on your books?" Smith thought "''Eastenders''" "looked ugly written down" and was "hard to say", so decided to capitalise the second "e".<ref name="20years p15" />

==== Initial character creation and casting ====

After they decided on the filming location of [[BBC Elstree Centre]] in south [[Hertfordshire]], Smith and Holland set about creating the 23 characters needed, in just 14 days.<ref name="Insidestory p164">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=164}}</ref> They took a holiday in Playa de los Pocillos, [[Lanzarote]], and started to devise the characters.<ref name="Insidestory p48">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=48}}</ref><ref name="Made" /> Holland created the [[Beale family|Beale and Fowler family]], drawing on his own background. His mother, Ethel Holland, was one of four sisters raised in Walthamstow. Her eldest sister, Lou, had married a man named Albert Beale and had two children, named Peter and Pauline.<ref name="Insidestory p49">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=49}}</ref> These family members were the basis for [[Lou Beale]], [[Pete Beale]] and [[Pauline Fowler]]. Holland also created Pauline's unemployed husband [[Arthur Fowler]], their children [[Mark Fowler|Mark]] and [[Michelle Fowler|Michelle]], Pete's wife [[Kathy Beale|Kathy]] and their son [[Ian Beale|Ian]].<ref name="Insidestory p51-56" /> Smith used her personal memories of East End residents she met when researching Victorian squares.<ref name="Insidestory p15">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=15}}</ref> [[Ethel Skinner]] was based on an old woman she met in a pub, with ill-fitting false teeth, and a "face to rival a neon sign", holding a [[Yorkshire Terrier]] in one hand and a pint of [[Guinness]] in the other.<ref name="Insidestory p52">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=52}}</ref>

Other characters created included Jewish doctor [[Harold Legg]], the Anglo-Cypriot Osman family ([[Ali Osman|Ali]], [[Sue Osman|Sue]] and baby [[Hassan Osman|Hassan]]), black father and son [[Tony Carpenter|Tony]] and [[Kelvin Carpenter]], single mother [[Mary Smith (EastEnders)|Mary Smith]] and Bangladeshi couple [[Saeed Jeffery|Saeed]] and [[Naima Jeffery]]. Jack, Pearl and Tracey Watts were created to bring "flash, trash, and melodrama" to the Square (they were later renamed [[Den Watts|Den]], [[Angie Watts|Angie]] and [[Sharon Watts|Sharon]]). The characters of [[Andy O'Brien (EastEnders)|Andy O'Brien]] and [[Debbie Wilkins]] were created to show a modern couple with outwardly mobile pretensions, and [[Lofty Holloway]] to show an outsider, someone who did not fit in with other residents. It was decided that he would be a former soldier, as Holland's personal experiences of ex-soldiers were that they had trouble fitting into society after being in the army. When they compared the characters they had created, Smith and Holland realised they had created a cross-section of East End residents. The Beale and Fowler family represented the old families of the East End, who had always been there. The Osmans, Jefferys and Carpenters represented the more modern diverse ethnic community of the East End. Debbie, Andy and Mary represented more modern-day individuals.<ref name="20years" />

Once they had decided on their 23 characters, they returned to London for a meeting with the BBC. Everyone agreed that ''EastEnders'' would be tough, violent on occasion, funny and sharp—set in [[Margaret Thatcher]]'s Britain—and it would start with a bang (namely the death of [[Reg Cox]]). They decided that none of their existing characters were wicked enough to have killed Reg, so a 24th character, [[Nick Cotton]], was added to the line-up. He was a racist thug, who often tried to lead other young characters astray.<ref name="20years p20">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=20}}</ref> When all the characters had been created, Smith and Holland set about casting the actors, which also involved the input of lead director [[Matthew Robinson (producer)|Matthew Robinson]], who supervised auditions with the other directors at the outset, Vivienne Cozens and Peter Edwards.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.whattowatch.com/eastenders-main/eastenders-news/eastenders-adam-woodyatt-as-long-as-im-still-enjoying-it-ill-stay-for-another-30-73442 | title= EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt: 'As long as I'm still enjoying it I'll stay for another 30 years' | work=[[What's on TV]] | first=Alison | last=Gardner | date= 10 February 2015 | access-date=6 July 2020}}</ref>

==== Final preparations ====

Through the next few months, the set was growing rapidly at Elstree, and a composer and designer had been commissioned to create the title sequence. [[Simon May]] wrote the [[EastEnders theme tune|theme music]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0008.shtml|title=Who wrote the thee tune?|work=BBC Online|access-date=29 October 2006|archive-date=30 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830045714/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0008.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Alan Jeapes created the visuals.<ref name="Insidestory p97">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=97}}</ref> The visual images were taken from an aircraft flying over the East End of London at 1000 feet. Approximately 800 photographs were taken and pieced together to create one big image.<ref name="Opening credits" /> The credits were later updated when the [[Millennium Dome]] was built.<ref name="Opening credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0001.shtml|title=How did you get the view of London used on the opening credits?|website=EastEnders|publisher=BBC Online|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831031758/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/qa/qa_content/qa_0001.shtml|archive-date=31 August 2006}}</ref>

The launch was delayed until February 1985<ref name="Insidestory p154">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=154}}</ref> due to a delay in the chat show ''[[Wogan]]'', that was to be a part of the major revamp in BBC1's schedules. Smith was uneasy about the late start as ''EastEnders'' no longer had the winter months to build up a loyal following before the summer ratings lull. The press were invited to Elstree to meet the cast and see the lot, and stories immediately started circulating about the show, about a rivalry with [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] (which was launching its own market-based soap, ''[[Albion Market]]'') and about the private lives of the cast.<ref name="20years page 17">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=17}}</ref> Anticipation and rumour grew in equal measure until the first transmission at 7{{nbsp}}p.m. on 19 February 1985.<ref name="20years page 17" /> Neither Holland nor Smith could watch; they both instead returned to the place where it all began, Albertine's Wine Bar on Wood Lane.<ref name="20years page 17" /> The next day, viewing figures were confirmed at 17{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="20years page 17" /> The reviews were largely favourable,<ref name="20years page 17" /> although, after three weeks on air, BBC1's early evening share had returned to the pre-''EastEnders'' figure of seven million, though ''EastEnders'' then climbed to highs of up to 23{{nbsp}}million later on in the year.<ref name="Rating 1986">{{harvnb|Slide|1996|p=35}}</ref> Following the launch, both group discussions and telephone surveys were conducted to test audience reaction to early episodes.

=== 1980s broadcast history ===
The show's first episode attracted some 17{{nbsp}}million viewers, and it continued to attract high viewing figures from then on.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/feb/08/eastenders-bbc-25-years | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Dan | last=Sabbagh | title=Is EastEnders the lifeblood of the BBC? | date=8 February 2010}}</ref> By Christmas 1985, the tabloids could not get enough of the soap. "Exclusives" about ''EastEnders'' storylines and the actors on the show became a staple of tabloid buyers' daily reading.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/feb/15/30-years-eastenders-plots-characters-moments|title=EastEnders: 30 years of booze, fights and faaaamily|work=[[The Guardian]]|first1=Hannah|first2=Stuart|first3=Michael|last1=Verdier|last2=Jeffries|last3=Hogan|date=15 February 2015}}</ref>

In 1987, the show featured the first same-sex kiss on a British soap, when [[Colin Russell (EastEnders)|Colin Russell]] ([[Michael Cashman]]) kissed boyfriend [[Barry Clark (EastEnders)|Barry Clark]] ([[Gary Hailes]]) on the forehead. This was followed, in January 1989, <!--less than a year after [[Section 28|legislation came into effect in the UK, prohibiting the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities]] --> by the [[List of LGBT characters in soap operas#EastEnders|first on-the-mouth gay kiss in a British soap]] when Colin kissed a new character, [[Guido Smith]] (Nicholas Donovan), in an episode that was watched by 17 million people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Memorable LGBTQ moments in EastEnders history|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhybydm|access-date=18 February 2022|website=BBC Bitesize|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Writer [[Colin Brake]] suggested that 1989 was a year of big change for ''EastEnders'', both behind the cameras and in front of them. Original production designer Keith Harris left the show, and Holland and Smith both decided that the time had come to move on too, their final contribution coinciding with the exit of one of ''EastEnders''' most successful characters, Den Watts (Leslie Grantham).<ref name="first10years" /> Producer [[Mike Gibbon]] was given the task of running the show, and he enlisted the most experienced writers to take over the storylining of the programme, including Charlie Humphreys, Jane Hollowood and [[Tony McHale]].<ref name="First10Years p70" />

According to Brake, the departure of two of the soap's most popular characters, Den and Angie Watts ([[Anita Dobson]]), left a void in the programme, which needed to be filled.<ref name="first10years" /> In addition, several other long-running characters left the show that year, including Sue and Ali Osman ([[Sandy Ratcliff]] and [[Nejdet Salih]]) and their family; [[Donna Ludlow]] ([[Matilda Ziegler]]); [[Carmel Jackson]] ([[Judith Jacob]]) and Colin Russell (Michael Cashman). Brake indicated that the production team decided that 1989 was to be a year of change in Walford, commenting, "it was almost as if Walford itself was making a fresh start".<ref name="First10Years p75-76">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|pp=75–76}}</ref>

By the end of 1989, ''EastEnders'' had acquired a new executive producer, [[Michael Ferguson (director)|Michael Ferguson]], who had previously been a successful producer on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s ''[[The Bill]]''. Brake suggested that Ferguson was responsible for bringing in a new sense of vitality and creating a programme that was more in touch with the real world than it had been over the previous year.<ref name="First10Years p70" />

=== Changes in the 1990s ===
A new era began in 1990, with the introduction of [[Phil Mitchell]] ([[Steve McFadden]]) and [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] ([[Ross Kemp]])—the Mitchell brothers—successful characters who would go on to dominate the soap thereafter.<ref name="First10Years p91">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=91}}</ref> As the new production team cleared the way for new characters and a new direction, all of the characters introduced under Gibbon were axed from the show at the start of the year.<ref name="First10Years p90">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=90}}</ref> Ferguson introduced other characters and was responsible for storylines including HIV, Alzheimer's disease and murder. After a successful revamp of the soap, Ferguson decided to leave ''EastEnders'' in July 1991.<ref name="First10Years p100">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=100}}</ref> Ferguson was succeeded by both [[Leonard Lewis]] and [[Helen Greaves]], who initially shared the role as executive producer.<ref name="First10Years p104">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=104}}</ref> Lewis and Greaves formulated a new regime for ''EastEnders'', giving the writers of the serial more authority in storyline progression, with the script department providing "guidance rather than prescriptive episode storylines".<ref name="first10years" /> By the end of 1992, Greaves had left, and Lewis became executive and series producer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/LDSC832L |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709155217/http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/LDSC832L |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |title=EASTENDERS: 11 February 1993 |publisher=catalogue.bbc.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> He left ''EastEnders'' in 1994 after the BBC controllers demanded an extra episode a week, taking its weekly airtime from 60 to 90 minutes.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jan/11/broadcasting.obituaries |title= Leonard Lewis|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | author = Alan Plater | date = 11 January 2006| access-date=1 October 2007 | location=London}}</ref> Lewis felt that producing an hour of "reasonable quality drama" a week was the maximum that any broadcasting system could generate without loss of integrity.<ref name="guardian" /> Having set up the transition to the new schedule, the first trio of episodes—dubbed [[#Setting|The Vic]] siege—marked Lewis's departure from the programme.<ref name="First10Years p129">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=129}}</ref> [[Barbara Emile]] then became the executive producer of ''EastEnders'',<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120708085230/http://catalogue.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/LDSE135S EASTENDERS]", BBC. Retrieved 11 November 2007.</ref><ref>"[http://www.wgazette.com/sum00-yorkepaul.html John Yorke – The New EE Boss] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212842/http://wgazette.com/sum00-yorkepaul.html |date=3 March 2016 }}", Walford Gazette. Retrieved 11 November 2007.</ref> remaining with ''EastEnders'' until early 1995. She was succeeded by [[Corinne Hollingworth]].

Hollingworth's contributions to the soap were awarded in 1997 when ''EastEnders'' won the [[British Academy Television Award|BAFTA]] for Best Drama Series. Hollingworth shared the award with the next executive producer, [[Jane Harris (producer)|Jane Harris]].<ref name="baf">"[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0391158/awards IMDb awards]", IMDb. Retrieved 6 May 2007.</ref> Harris was responsible for the critically panned [[EastEnders episodes in Ireland|Ireland episodes]] and [[Cindy Beale]]'s ([[Michelle Collins]]) attempted assassination of [[Ian Beale]] ([[Adam Woodyatt]]), which brought in an audience of 23 million in 1996, roughly four million more than ''Coronation Street''.<ref name="family">"[http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article264624.ece It's got murder, a stalker, incest (kind of), and bulimia. What more]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", [[The Independent]]. Retrieved 6 May 2007.</ref><ref>"[https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-61058550 WHAT A LOAD OF PORK PIES; Ireland's full of drunkards, dimwits and donkeys according to EastEnders]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''The Mirror''. Retrieved 18 July 2007.</ref> In 1998 [[Matthew Robinson (producer)|Matthew Robinson]] was appointed as the executive producer of ''EastEnders''. During his reign, ''EastEnders'' won the [[British Academy Television Award|BAFTA]] for "[[British Academy Television Award for Best Soap and Continuing Drama|Best Soap]]" in consecutive years 1999 and 2000 and many other awards. Robinson also earned tabloid soubriquet "Axeman of Albert Square" after sacking a large number of characters in one hit, and several more thereafter. In their place, Robinson introduced new long-running characters including [[Melanie Healy]] ([[Tamzin Outhwaite]]), [[Jamie Mitchell]] ([[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]]), [[Lisa Fowler|Lisa Shaw]] ([[Lucy Benjamin]]), [[Steve Owen (EastEnders)|Steve Owen]] ([[Martin Kemp]]) and [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]] ([[Perry Fenwick]]).

=== 2000s ===
[[John Yorke (television producer)|John Yorke]] became the executive producer of ''EastEnders'' in 2000. Yorke was given the task of introducing the soap's fourth weekly episode. He axed the majority of the Di Marco family, except [[Beppe di Marco]] ([[Michael Greco (actor)|Michael Greco]]), and helped introduce popular characters such as the [[Slater family (EastEnders)|Slater family]]. As what [[Mal Young]] described as "two of ''EastEnders''' most successful years", Yorke was responsible for highly rated storylines such as "[[Who Shot Phil?]]", [[Ethel Skinner]]'s ([[Gretchen Franklin]]) death, [[Jim Branning]] ([[John Bardon]]) and [[Dot Cotton]]'s ([[June Brown]]) marriage, [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor Morgan]]'s ([[Alex Ferns]]) domestic abuse of his wife [[Little Mo Morgan]] ([[Kacey Ainsworth]]), and [[Kat Slater]]'s ([[Jessie Wallace]]) revelation to her daughter [[Zoe Slater]] ([[Michelle Ryan]]) that she was her mother.

In 2002, [[Louise Berridge]] succeeded Yorke as the executive producer. During her time at ''EastEnders'', Berridge introduced popular characters such as [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]), [[Dennis Rickman]] ([[Nigel Harman]]),<ref name="Berridge exit">{{cite web|title=Louise Berridge steps down as Executive Producer of EastEnders|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/09_september/21/berridge.shtml|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=1 May 2017|date=21 September 2004}}</ref> [[Chrissie Watts]] ([[Tracy-Ann Oberman]]), [[Jane Beale]] ([[Laurie Brett]]), [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]])<ref name="Louise Berridge Interview">{{cite web|title=Ellie caught up with the former Executive Producer to talk EastEnders and find out what Louise has got up to since leaving the show|url=http://walfordweb.com/blog/entry/3788441/635468/|publisher=walfordweb.com|access-date=28 May 2017|date=3 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519090209/http://walfordweb.com/blog/entry/3788441/635468|archive-date=19 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the critically panned Indian [[Ferreira family]].<ref name="guard">{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/21/broadcasting.bbc|title= EastEnders chief steps down|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date = 21 September 2004| access-date=18 March 2008 | location=London | first=John | last=Plunkett}}</ref>

Berridge was responsible for some ratings success stories, such as Alfie and Kat Slater's (Jessie Wallace) relationship, [[Janine Butcher]] ([[Charlie Brooks]]) getting her comeuppance, Trevor Morgan (Alex Ferns) and [[Jamie Mitchell]]'s ([[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]]) death storylines and the return of one of the greatest soap icons, [[Den Watts]] ([[Leslie Grantham]]), who had been presumed dead for 14 years. His return in late 2003 was watched by more than 16 million viewers, putting ''EastEnders'' back at number one in the rating war with ''Coronation Street''; however, other storylines, such as one about a kidney transplant involving the Ferreiras, were not well received,<ref name="guard" /> and although Den's return proved to be a ratings success, the British press branded the plot unrealistic and felt that it questioned the show's credibility.<ref>"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3151484.stm Sixteen million watch Den's return]", ''BBC''. Retrieved 26 September 2006.</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20071121214215/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031005/ai_n12586279 "Dirty" Dirty Tactics; EastEnders defied belief by raising Den Watts]", ''Sunday Herald''. Retrieved 26 September 2006.</ref> A severe press backlash followed after Den's actor, Leslie Grantham, was outed in an internet sex scandal, which coincided with a swift decline in viewer ratings.<ref name="guard" /> The scandal led to Grantham's departure from the soap, but the occasion was used to mark the 20th anniversary of ''EastEnders'', with an episode showing Den's murder at the Queen Vic pub.

On 21 September 2004, Berridge quit as executive producer of ''EastEnders'' following continued criticism of the show. [[Kathleen Hutchison]] was swiftly appointed in her place, and was tasked with quickly turning the fortunes of the soap. During her time at the soap Hutchison axed multiple characters and reportedly ordered the rewriting of numerous scripts. Newspapers reported on employee dissatisfaction with Hutchison's tenure at ''EastEnders''.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article508117.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918110436/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article508117.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 September 2011 | work=The Times | location=London | title=Stop the Week Shock exchange Last orders at the Vic | date=30 January 2005 | access-date=4 May 2010 | first1=Graham | last1=Hutson | first2=Mal | last2=Siret}}</ref> In January 2005, Hutchison left the soap and John Yorke (who by this time, was the BBC controller of continuing drama series) took total control of the show himself and became acting executive producer for a short period, before appointing [[Kate Harwood]] to the role.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC appoints new Executive Producer for EastEnders|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/02_february/24/harwood.shtml|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=5 May 2017|date=24 February 2005}}</ref> Harwood stayed at ''EastEnders'' for 20 months before being promoted by the BBC. The highly anticipated return of [[Ross Kemp]] as [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] in October 2005 proved to be a sudden major ratings success, with the first two episodes consolidating to ratings of 13.21 to 13.34 million viewers.<ref name="pressofficereturn">"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/05_may/22/kemp.shtml Ross Kemp signs to EastEnders]", ''BBC''. URL last accessed on 24 February 2007.</ref><ref>"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4390380.stm Kemp's EastEnders return extended]", ''BBC''. URL last accessed on 24 February 2007.</ref> On Friday 11 November 2005, ''EastEnders'' was the first British drama to feature a two-minute silence.<ref>"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/eastenders/episodes/episode_content/episode20051111.shtml Alfie accepts Nana's fate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106021016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/eastenders/episodes/episode_content/episode20051111.shtml |date=6 November 2012 }}" Retrieved 24 September 2006</ref> This episode later went on to win [[British Soap Award]] for "Best Single Episode".<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds21077.html British Soap Awards 2005 – The Winners] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060204072926/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds21077.html |date=4 February 2006 }}" Retrieved 24 September 2006</ref> In October 2006, [[Diederick Santer]] took over as executive producer. He introduced several characters to the show, including [[Minority group|ethnic minority]] and [[homosexual]] characters to make the show "feel more 21st century". Santer also reintroduced past and popular characters to the programme.

On 2 March 2007, BBC signed a deal with [[Google]] to put videos on [[YouTube]]. A behind the scenes video of ''EastEnders'', hosted by [[Matt Di Angelo]], who played [[Deano Wicks]] on the show, was put on the site the same day,<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrzGOoQf5Q Behind The Scenes on EastEnders]", ''YouTube''. Retrieved 6 March 2007.</ref> and was followed by another on 6 March 2007.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RULI2afa_Rk&mode=related&search= BBC One – EastEnders – Down Memory Lane with Matt Di Angelo", ''YouTube''. Retrieved 2007-04-23.]</ref> In April 2007, ''EastEnders'' became available to view on [[mobile phone]]s, via [[3G]] technology, for [[3 (company)|3]], [[Vodafone UK|Vodafone]] and [[Orange UK|Orange]] customers.<ref>"[http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/7202/8226/doctor-who-mobile-phone-bbc.phtml Doctor Who episodes coming to your mobile phone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408171903/http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/7202/8226/doctor-who-mobile-phone-bbc.phtml |date=8 April 2007 }}", ''pocket-lint.co.uk''. Retrieved 30 March 2007.</ref> On 21 April 2007, the BBC launched a new advertising campaign using the slogan "There's more to ''EastEnders''".<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a45679/eastenders-new-tv-promo.html "EastEnders" new TV promo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428044118/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a45679/eastenders-new-tv-promo.html |date=28 April 2007 }}", ''Digital Spy''. Retrieved 29 April 2007.</ref> The first television advert showed Dot Branning with a refugee baby, [[Tomas Covalenco|Tomas]], whom she took in under the pretence of being her grandson.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWAGZFQA_7I Eastenders – Dot's baby]", ''YouTube''. Retrieved 23 April 2007.</ref> The second and third featured Stacey Slater and Dawn Swann, respectively.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00_LCq3MsI BBC One – EastEnders – Stacey's Trail]", ''YouTube''. Retrieved 29 April 2007.</ref><ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_XS7pHivvk Eastenders – Rob and Dawn]", ''YouTube''. Retrieved 29 April 2007.</ref> There have also been adverts in magazines and on radio.

In 2009, producers introduced a limit on the number of speaking parts in each episode due to budget cuts, with an average of 16 characters per episode. The decision was criticised by Martin McGrath of Equity, who said: "Trying to produce quality TV on the cheap is doomed to fail." The BBC responded by saying they had been working that way for some time and it had not affected the quality of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a182543/eastenders-limit-episodes-to-16-actors.html|title='EastEnders' limit episodes to 16 actors|first=Catriona|last=wightman|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=18 October 2009|access-date=21 October 2009|archive-date=21 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021031318/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a182543/eastenders-limit-episodes-to-16-actors.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
From 4 February 2010, [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]] was used in the show for the first time, with the addition of computer-generated trains.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2F2010%2F02%2Fget-your-anoraks-on-trains-are.shtml|title=Get your anoraks on... trains are coming!|work=[[BBC Online]]|date=3 February 2010|access-date=4 February 2010}}</ref>

{{anchor|25th anniversary}}''EastEnders'' celebrated its 25th anniversary on 19 February 2010. Santer came up with several plans to mark the occasion, including the show's first [[EastEnders Live|episode to be broadcast live]], the second wedding between [[Ricky Butcher]] ([[Sid Owen]]) and [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]) and the return of Bianca's relatives, mother [[Carol Jackson]] ([[Lindsey Coulson]]), and siblings [[Robbie Jackson]] ([[Dean Gaffney]]), [[Sonia Fowler]] ([[Natalie Cassidy]]) and [[Billie Jackson]] ([[Devon Anderson]]). He told entertainment website [[Digital Spy]], "It's really important that the feel of the week is active and exciting and not too reflective. There'll be those moments for some of our longer-serving characters that briefly reflect on themselves and how they've changed. The characters don't know that it's the 25th anniversary of anything, so it'd be absurd to contrive too many situations in which they're reflective on the past. The main engine of that week is great stories that'll get people talking."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/scoop/a189597/eastenders-exec-teases-2010-storylines.html|title='EastEnders' exec teases 2010 storylines|website=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Kris|last=Green|date=17 December 2009|access-date=17 December 2009|archive-date=18 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118071756/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/scoop/a189597/eastenders-exec-teases-2010-storylines.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The live episode featured the death of [[Bradley Branning]] ([[Charlie Clements]]) at the conclusion of the "[[Who Killed Archie?]]" storyline, which saw Bradley's wife [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]) reveal that she was the murderer. Viewing figures peaked at 16.6&nbsp;million, which was the highest viewed episode in seven years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8526006.stm|title=Live EastEnders watched by 16.6m|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> Other events to mark the anniversary were a spin-off DVD, ''EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford'', and an Internet spin-off, ''[[EastEnders: E20]]''.

[[File:Bryan Kirkwood.jpg|thumb|Bryan Kirkwood, executive producer (2010–2012)|alt=refer to caption]]
Santer officially left ''EastEnders'' in March 2010, and was replaced by [[Bryan Kirkwood]]. Kirkwood's first signing was the reintroduction of characters [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]) and [[Kat Moon]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a202145/jessie-wallace-returns-to-eastenders.html|title=Jessie Wallace returns to 'EastEnders'|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=9 February 2010|access-date=9 February 2010|first=Kris|last=Green|archive-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210022633/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a202145/jessie-wallace-returns-to-eastenders.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and his first new character was [[Vanessa Gold]], played by [[Zöe Lucker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a209768/zoe-lucker-joins-eastenders.html|title=Zoe Lucker joins 'EastEnders'|last=Green|first=Kris|date=20 March 2010|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=20 March 2010|archive-date=23 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323082207/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a209768/zoe-lucker-joins-eastenders.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April and May 2010, Kirkwood axed eight characters from the show,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a214903/six-characters-to-leave-eastenders.html|title=Six characters to leave 'EastEnders'|last=Green|first=Kris|date=17 April 2010|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=16 April 2010|archive-date=18 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418210141/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a214903/six-characters-to-leave-eastenders.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a219224/leon-zsa-zsa-to-leave-eastenders.html|title=Exclusive: Leon, Zsa Zsa to leave 'EastEnders'|last=Green|first=Kris|date=11 May 2010|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=10 May 2010|archive-date=14 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514142428/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a219224/leon-zsa-zsa-to-leave-eastenders.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Barbara Windsor]] left her role of [[Peggy Mitchell]], which left a hole in the show, which Kirkwood decided to fill by bringing back Kat and Alfie, which he said would "herald the new era of ''EastEnders''."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2F2010%2F09%2Fbryan-kirkwood-interview.shtml|title=Bryan Kirkwood interview!|date=8 September 2010|first=Joe|last=Harper|work=[[BBC Online]]|format=video|access-date=9 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a275070/enders-boss-teases-spectacular-fire-ep.html|title='Enders boss teases "spectacular" fire ep|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=9 September 2010|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|access-date=9 September 2010|location=London|archive-date=10 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910110728/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a275070/enders-boss-teases-spectacular-fire-ep.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''EastEnders'' started broadcasting in [[High-definition television|high definition]] on 25 December 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2F2010%2F10%2Feastenders-to-go-hd-on-christm.shtml|title=EastEnders to go HD on Christmas Day!|last=Lou|date=21 October 2010|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=21 October 2010}}</ref> Old sets had to be rebuilt, so [[#Setting|The Queen Victoria]] set was [[Queen Vic Fire Week|burnt down]] in a storyline (and in reality) to facilitate this.

In November 2011, a storyline showed character [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]], played by [[Perry Fenwick]], selected to be a torch bearer for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. In reality, Fenwick carried the torch through the setting of Albert Square, with live footage shown in the [[Episode 4466|episode on 23 July 2012]]. This was the second live broadcast of ''EastEnders''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a628985/corrie-eastenders-emmerdale-which-soap-had-the-best-live-special/|title=Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale: Which soap had the best live special?|access-date=27 January 2021|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=15 February 2015}}</ref> In 2012, Kirkwood chose to leave his role as executive producer and was replaced by [[Lorraine Newman]]. The show lost many of its significant characters during this period. Newman stepped down after 16 months in the job in 2013 after the soap was criticised for its boring storylines and its lowest-ever figures pointing at around 4.8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Owoseje|first1=Toyin|title=EastEnders Boss Lorraine Newman Quits As Soap's Ratings Plummet|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/eastenders-boss-lorraine-newman-quits-bbc-soap-495585|website=[[International Business Times]]|access-date=1 May 2017|date=30 July 2013}}</ref> [[Dominic Treadwell-Collins]] was appointed as the new executive producer on 19 August 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dominictc/status/368410124937101312 |title=Twitter / dominictc: Had an amazing three years|publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a537973/eastenders-new-producer-shares-gossip-and-teasers-full-text/|title=EastEnders' new producer shares gossip and teasers- full text|date=13 December 2013|access-date=2 January 2019|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> and was credited on 9 December.<ref>{{cite web|title=9 December 2013|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03kv3wz|publisher=[[BBC Programmes]]|access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref> He axed multiple characters from the show<ref>{{cite news|title=EastEnders to cut four stars|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10330181/EastEnders-to-cut-four-stars.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10330181/EastEnders-to-cut-four-stars.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=1 May 2017|date=24 September 2013|agency=Press Association}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and introduced the extended Carter family.<ref>{{cite web|title=EastEnders boss: I refuse to tick boxes on race or sexuality|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-02-02/eastenders-boss-i-refuse-to-tick-boxes-on-race-or-sexuality|publisher=[[RadioTimes]]|access-date=1 May 2017|date=2 February 2015}}</ref> He also introduced a long-running storyline, "[[Who Killed Lucy Beale?]]", which peaked during the show's 30th anniversary in 2015 with a [[EastEnders Live Week|week of live episodes]].<ref>{{cite news|title=At last: EastEnders will reveal Who Killed Lucy? in 30th anniversary show in February|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13195850.At_last__EastEnders_will_reveal_Who_Killed_Lucy__in_30th_anniversary_show_in_February/|newspaper=[[Herald Scotland]]|date=5 January 2013}}</ref> Treadwell-Collins announced his departure from ''EastEnders'' on 18 February 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2Fentries%2Fdc5a0a28-acd5-4386-9102-c311b9627eda|title=Dominic Treadwell-Collins set to depart as Executive Producer|date=18 February 2016|website=EastEnders News & Spoilers|access-date=22 August 2016}}</ref>

[[Sean O'Connor (producer)|Sean O'Connor]], former ''EastEnders'' series story producer and then-editor of radio soap opera ''[[The Archers]]'', was announced to be taking over the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/18/eastenders-boss-dominic-treadwell-collins-quits-the-bbc-soap-after-two-and-a-half-years-5702945/|title=EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins quits after two and half years|last=Duncan|first=Amy|date=18 February 2016|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> Treadwell-Collins left on 6 May<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a793299/end-of-an-era-eastenders-boss-dominic-treadwell-collins-shares-emotional-pictures-from-his-last-day/|title=End of an era! EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins shares emotional pictures from his last day|last=Babbage|first=Rachel|date=7 May 2016|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref> and O'Connor's first credited episode was broadcast on 11 July<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07kxbxw|title=11 July 2016, EastEnders – BBC One|website=BBC|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref> although his own creative work was not seen onscreen until late September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a799696/eastenders-find-out-when-new-producer-sean-oconnors-first-credited-episode-will-air/|title=EastEnders date revealed for new boss's first episode|date=30 June 2016|newspaper=Digital Spy|access-date=25 November 2016}}</ref> Additionally, Oliver Kent was brought in as the head of continuing drama series for BBC Scripted Studios, meaning that Kent would oversee ''EastEnders'' along with O'Connor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/01/casualty-boss-oliver-kent-is-now-in-charge-of-eastenders-too-6295255/|title=Casualty boss Oliver Kent is now in charge of EastEnders|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=1 December 2016|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=10 December 2016}}</ref> O'Connor's approach to the show was to have a firmer focus on realism, which he said was being "true to ''EastEnders''{{'}} DNA and [finding] a way of capturing what it would be like if Julia Smith and [[Tony Holland]] were making the show now." He said that "''EastEnders'' has always had a distinctly different tone from the other soaps but over time we've diluted our unique selling point. I think we need to be ourselves and go back to the origins of the show and what made it successful in the first place. It should be entertaining but it should also be informative—that's part of our unique BBC compact with the audience. It shouldn't just be a distraction from your own life, it should be an exploration of the life shared by the audience and the characters."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/16/eastenders-boss-sean-oconnor-gives-first-in-depth-interview-on-his-changes-to-the-soap-and-its-future-6638324/|title=Spoilers EastEnders boss first interview on show changes and future|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=16 May 2017|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=17 May 2017}}</ref> O'Connor planned to stay with ''EastEnders'' until the end of 2017, but announced his departure on 23 June 2017 with immediate effect,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a831548/eastenders-confirms-producer-sean-oconnor-is-leaving/|title=EastEnders confirms producer Sean O'Connor is leaving the soap effective immediately|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=23 June 2017|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> saying he wanted to concentrate on a career in film. [[John Yorke (producer)|John Yorke]] returned as a temporary executive consultant. Kent said, "John Yorke is a Walford legend and I am thrilled that he will be joining us for a short period to oversee the show and to help us build on Sean's legacy while we recruit a long-term successor."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40390623|title=EastEnders executive producer leaves programme after one year&nbsp;– BBC News|date=24 June 2017|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> Yorke initially returned for three months but his contract was later extended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a857839/eastenders-boss-john-yorke-extends-contract-year|title= EastEnders boss John Yorke extends contract with the soap again|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=23 May 2018|access-date=26 October 2018|first=Bea|last=Mitchell}}</ref>

In July 2018, a special episode was aired as part of a [[knife crime]] storyline. This episode, which showed the funeral of [[Shakil Kazemi]] ([[Shaheen Jafargholi]]) interspersed with real people talking about their true-life experiences of knife crime.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a861114/eastenders-viewers-moved-soap-breaks-format-raise-awareness-knife-crime|title=Eastenders viewers moved as soap breaks format to raise awareness of knife crime|access-date=26 October 2018|date= 6 July 2018|first=Chris|last=Edwards|work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> On 8 August 2018, it was announced that [[Kate Oates]], who has previously been a producer on the ITV soap operas ''[[Emmerdale]]'' and ''Coronation Street'', would become senior executive producer of ''EastEnders'', as well as ''[[Holby City]]'' and ''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''. Oates began her role in October, and continued to work with Yorke until the end of the year to "ensure a smooth handover".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a863452/eastenders-casualty-holby-city-new-producer-kate-oates/|title=EastEnders confirms new boss as Kate Oates takes over from John Yorke in top job|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=8 August 2018|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=12 August 2018}}</ref> It was also announced that Oates was looking for an executive producer to work under her.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies|first=Megan|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a870672/eastenders-searching-new-executive-producer-kate-oates/|title=EastEnders is searching for a new executive producer to work with Kate Oates|date=15 November 2018|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref> [[Jon Sen]] was announced on 10 December 2018 to be taking on the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2018-12-10/jon-sen-named-as-new-eastenders-boss/|title=Jon Sen named as new EastEnders boss|last=Brown|first=David|date=10 December 2018|work=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref>

In late 2016, popularity and viewership of ''EastEnders'' began to decline, with viewers criticising the storylines during the O'Connor reign, such as the killing of the Mitchell sisters and a storyline centred on the local bin collection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/elliewoodward/eastenders-has-an-ongoing-storyline-about-bins-and-its-fucki|title="EastEnders" Has A Storyline About Bins And It's Driving Everyone Fucking Insane|last=Woodward|first=Ellie|date=2 November 2016|website=[[BuzzFeed]]|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref> Since Yorke's and Oates's reigns, however, opinions towards the storylines have become more favourable, with storylines such as [[Ruby Allen]]'s ([[Louisa Lytton]]) sexual consent, which featured [[Episode 5820|a special episode]] which "broke new ground"<ref name="Dainty episode">{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a871649/eastenders-review-ruby-allen-rape-consent-episode/|title=Why EastEnders has broken new ground with Ruby Allen's consent episode|last1=Dainty|first1=Sophie|date=29 November 2018|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=29 December 2018|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]}}</ref> and knife crime, both of which have created "vital" discussions. The soap won the award for Best Continuing Drama at the [[2019 British Academy Television Awards]]; its first high-profile award since 2016; however, in June 2019, ''EastEnders'' suffered its lowest ever ratings of 2.4&nbsp;million due to its airing at 7&nbsp;pm because of the BBC's coverage of the [[2019 FIFA Women's World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/eastenders-coronation-street-and-x-factor-decline-is-driving-down-tv-viewing-figures/|title=EastEnders, Coronation Street and The X Factor decline is driving down TV viewing figures|last=Sherwin|first=Adam|date=18 July 2018|website=[[i (British newspaper)|i]]|language=en-GB|access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> As of 2019, the soap is one of the most watched series on [[BBC iPlayer]] and averages around 5 million viewers per episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/four-screen-dashboard/|title=Four-screen dashboard – BARB|publisher=[[Broadcasters Audience Research Board]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2017/10/19/news/eastenders-is-ratings-success-on-bbc-iplayer-1167215/|title=EastEnders is ratings success on BBC iPlayer|date=19 October 2017|website=[[The Irish News]]|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref> The soap enjoyed a record-breaking year on the streaming platform in 2019, with viewers requesting to stream or download the show 234 million times, up 10% on 2018.<ref name="player" /> The Christmas Day episode in 2019 became ''EastEnders'' biggest ever episode on BBC iPlayer, with 2.14&nbsp;million viewer requests.<ref name="player">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/eastenders-iplayer|title=EastEnders has best year ever on BBC iPlayer|access-date= 6 April 2020|work=[[BBC]]|date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
In February 2020, ''EastEnders'' celebrated its 35th anniversary with a stunt on the [[River Thames]] leading to the death of [[Dennis Rickman Jr]] ([[Bleu Landau]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a31043456/eastenders-boss-dennis-death-actor-reaction/|title=EastEnders bosses reveal how actor reacted to shock death storyline|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/21/bleu-landau-leaving-eastenders-dennis-dies-12278782/|title=Why is Bleu Landau leaving EastEnders as Dennis dies?|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=22 February 2020}}</ref>

It was announced on 18 March 2020 that production had been suspended on ''EastEnders'' and other BBC Studios continuing dramas in light of new government guidelines following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and that broadcast of the show would be reduced to two 30-minute episodes per week, broadcast on Mondays and Tuesdays.<ref name="Mercer">{{cite news |last1=Mercer |first1=David |title=Coronavirus: Filming of EastEnders suspended until further notice |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-filming-of-eastenders-suspended-until-further-notice-11959542 |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=[[Sky News]] |date=18 March 2020}}</ref> A spokesperson confirmed that the decision was made to use up pre-shot episodes more slowly so that ''EastEnders'' could remain on-screen for longer.<ref name="Mercer" /> Two months later, [[Charlotte Moore (TV executive)|Charlotte Moore]], the director of content at the BBC, announced plans for a return to production. She confirmed that ''EastEnders'' would return to filming during June 2020 and that there would be a transmission break between episodes filmed before and after production paused.<ref name="Moore">{{cite news |title=EastEnders and Top Gear to resume filming in June, BBC says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52660480 |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=14 May 2020}}</ref> When production recommenced, [[social distancing measures]] were utilised and the show's cast were required to do their own hair and make-up, which is normally done by a make-up artist.<ref name="Moore" />

It was announced on 3 June 2020 that ''EastEnders'' would go on a transmission break following the broadcast of episode 6124 on 16 June.<ref name="Hughes">{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Johnathon |title=EastEnders confirms plans for behind-the-scenes show when soap goes off air |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/soaps/eastenders/2020-06-03/eastenders-secrets-from-the-square-stacey-dooley/ |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=3 June 2020}}</ref> A [[behind-the-scenes]] show, ''EastEnders: Secrets From The Square'', would air in the show's place during the transmission break, hosted by television personality [[Stacey Dooley]]. The first episode of the week featured exclusive interviews with the show's cast, while the second episode was a repeat of "iconic" episodes of the show.<ref name="Secrets">{{Cite press release|title=BBC One celebrates EastEnders with Secrets From The Square as well as a selection of iconic episodes from the past|date=3 June 2020|publisher=[[BBC Media Centre]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/eastenders-specials|access-date=12 June 2020}}</ref> Beginning on 22 June 2020, Dooley interviewed two cast members together in the show's restaurant set while observing social distancing measures.<ref name="Secrets" /> Kate Phillips, the controller of [[BBC Entertainment]], explained that ''EastEnders: Secrets From The Square'' would be the "perfect opportunity to celebrate the show" in the absence of the show.<ref name="Secrets" /> [[Jon Sen]], the show's [[executive producer]], expressed his excitement at the new series, dubbing it "a unique opportunity to see from the cast themselves just what it is like to be part of ''EastEnders''".<ref name="Secrets" />

Plans for the show's return to transmission were announced on 12 June 2020. It was confirmed that after the transmission break, the show would temporarily broadcast four 20-minute episodes per week, until it could return to its normal output. Sen explained that the challenges in production and filming of the show has led to the show's reduced output, but also stated that the crew had been "trialling techniques, filming methods and new ways of working" to prepare the show for its return.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=EastEnders to return to four-nights-a-week schedule – with shorter episodes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a32847905/eastenders-four-nights-shorter-episodes/ |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=12 June 2020}}</ref> Filming recommenced on 29 June,<ref name="Resumes">{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Johnathon |title=EastEnders resumes filming with a big change in Albert Square |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/soaps/eastenders/2020-06-29/eastenders-resumes-filming-albert-square-mural/ |access-date=29 June 2020 |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=29 June 2020}}</ref> with episodes airing from 7 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a33594051/eastenders-return-date-confirmed-autumn-spoilers/|title=EastEnders confirms return date and reveals huge new autumn spoilers|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=13 August 2020}}</ref>

On 9 April 2021, following the [[Death and funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|death]] of [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], the episode of ''EastEnders'' that was due to be aired that night was postponed along with the final of ''[[MasterChef (British TV series)|Masterchef]]''.<ref name="Postpone">{{Cite news |last=Toufexi |first=Ioanna |date=9 April 2021 |title=Eastenders, Masterchef and Emmerdale all cancelled tonight after death of Prince Philip |work=[[Cambridge News]] |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/eastenders-masterchef-emmerdale-cancelled-tonight-20352972 |access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref> In May 2021, it was announced that from 14 June 2021, boxsets of episodes would be uploaded to [[BBC iPlayer]] each Monday for three weeks. Executive producer Sen explained that the bi-annual scheduling conflicts that the [[UEFA European Championship]] and the [[FIFA World Cup]] cause to the soap, premiering four episodes on the streaming service would be beneficial for fans of the show who want to watch at their own chosen pace. Sen also confirmed that the episodes will still air on BBC One throughout the week.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Anderton |first1=Joe |title=EastEnders to release episodes early on iPlayer for the first time ever |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36578485/eastenders-release-episodes-early-bbc-iplayer/|access-date=30 May 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=31 May 2021}}</ref> The release of these boxsets was extended for a further five weeks, due to similar impacts caused by the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Seddon |first1=Dan |title=EastEnders to continue releasing episodes early as box set experiment is extended |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36913662/eastenders-episodes-box-set-bbc-iplayer-extension/|access-date=12 October 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=2 July 2021}}</ref>

On 12 October 2021, it was announced that ''EastEnders'' would partake in a special week-long crossover event involving multiple British soaps to promote the topic of [[climate change]] ahead of the [[2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Soaps unite to help highlight climate change |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/soaps-unite-to-help-highlight-climate-change |website=[[BBC Media Centre]] |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012224658/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/soaps-unite-to-help-highlight-climate-change |archive-date=12 October 2021 |date=12 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Casualty, Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Holby City to highlight climate change |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-10-12/why-eastenders-and-coronation-street-fans-will-see-characters-from-other-soaps |access-date=12 October 2021 |publisher=[[ITV News]] |date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012225151/https://www.itv.com/news/2021-10-12/why-eastenders-and-coronation-street-fans-will-see-characters-from-other-soaps |archive-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> During the week, beginning from 1 November, a social media clip featuring [[Maria Connor]] ([[Samia Longchambon]]) from ''Coronation Street'' was featured on the programme while [[Cindy Cunningham]] ([[Stephanie Waring]]) from ''[[Hollyoaks]]'' was also referenced.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=EastEnders references Coronation Street storyline as Bailey goes viral |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a38131820/eastenders-coronation-street-reference-november-2/ |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102234413/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a38131820/eastenders-coronation-street-reference-november-2/ |archive-date=2 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=EastEnders references Hollyoaks as Cindy Cunningham goes viral |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a38163351/eastenders-spoilers-hollyoaks-crossover-cindy-cunningham/ |access-date=5 November 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105235305/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a38163351/eastenders-spoilers-hollyoaks-crossover-cindy-cunningham/ |archive-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> Similar clips featuring the show's own characters, [[Bailey Baker]] (Kara-Leah Fernandes) and [[Peter Beale]] (Dayle Hudson), were featured on ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' and ''Emmerdale'' during the week.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Matilda |title=Emmerdale gives EastEnders a shout-out as soap crossover continues |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a38150519/emmerdale-eastenders-soap-crossover/ |access-date=3 November 2021 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]] |date=3 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103222734/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a38150519/emmerdale-eastenders-soap-crossover/ |archive-date=3 November 2021}}</ref>

In November 2021, it was announced that Sen would step down from his role as executive producer, and would be succeeded by former story producer [[Chris Clenshaw]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/eastenders-exec-jon-sen-to-step-down-replaced-by-chris-clenshaw-1234872809/|title="EastEnders" Exec Jon Sen to Step Down, Replaced by Chris Clenshaw|date = 12 November 2021}}</ref> Sen's final credited episode as executive producer was broadcast on 10 March 2022 and coincided in a week of episodes that saw the arrest of serial killer [[Gray Atkins]] ([[Toby-Alexander Smith]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=EastEnders airs big change for new episodes |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a39442074/eastenders-spoilers-jon-sen-final-episodes-producer/ |access-date=3 June 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]])}}</ref> From the week commencing on 7 March 2022, the show has been broadcast every weekday from Monday to Thursday in a 7:30 pm slot, making it the first time in the show's history that the programme began airing permanently on Wednesdays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-schedule-changes-newsupdate/|title = EastEnders schedule changes to begin next month}}</ref> On 2 June 2022, ''EastEnders'' aired an episode celebrating the [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II]]. [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] and [[Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall]] guest starred in the episode; it also marked the first executive producer credit for Clenshaw.<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders celebrates the Jubilee with a special royal theme tune in the end credits |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/eastenders-jubilee-theme-tune |access-date=3 June 2022 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Clenshaw's first major decision as executive producer was the axing of five series regulars: [[Peter Beale]] ([[Dayle Hudson]]), [[Stuart Highway (EastEnders)|Stuart Highway]] ([[Ricky Champ]]), [[Jada Lennox]] (Kelsey Calladine-Smith), [[Dana Monroe]] (Barbara Smith) and [[Lola Pearce]] ([[Danielle Harold]]). Viewers criticised the decision, feeling that some of the characters had potential to add to the soap.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lindsay |first1=Duncan |title='Why!?' EastEnders fans stunned by five sudden exits – and some have hit hard |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/10/eastenders-fans-are-stunned-as-stuart-lola-and-dana-leave-16807844/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |publisher=([[DMG Media]]) |date=10 June 2022}}</ref> Clenshaw has since overseen the returns of [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]) and [[Yolande Trueman]] ([[Angela Wynter]]), the recast of [[Amy Mitchell]] ([[Ellie Dadd]]), as well as the reintroduction of [[Cindy Beale]] ([[Michelle Collins]]), who returned from the dead after 25 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfie Moon is on his way home to EastEnders |url=https://bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/alfie-moon-is-on-his-way-home-eastenders |website=[[BBC Media Centre]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=8 July 2022 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912202152/https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/alfie-moon-is-on-his-way-home-eastenders |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders 2023 summer preview: 5 spoilers from Chris Clenshaw |url=https://radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-2023-summer-preview-chris-clenshaw-spoilers/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724202718/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-2023-summer-preview-chris-clenshaw-spoilers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw reveals summer storylines – and a flashforward clue |url=https://digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a44312617/eastenders-spoilers-summer-storylines-flashforward-clue/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725051033/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a44312617/eastenders-spoilers-summer-storylines-flashforward-clue/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw explains huge return twist |url=https://digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a44279986/eastenders-spoilers-chris-clenshaw-cindy-beale-return/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821221824/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a44279986/eastenders-spoilers-chris-clenshaw-cindy-beale-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw reveals impact of Cindy return on Knights |url=https://radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-cindy-return-impact-newsupdate/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724202717/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-cindy-return-impact-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Public opinion on Clenshaw then changed and he has been credited for improving ratings and garnering critical acclaim for the soap, with ''EastEnders'' winning the award for [[Best British Soap]] at the [[2023 British Soap Awards]] and the award for Serial Drama at the [[28th National Television Awards]] under his leadership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why EastEnders is finally back to being the best soap on TV |url=https://radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-is-finally-back-comment/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=10 February 2023 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902183412/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-is-finally-back-comment/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders wins Best Serial Drama at NTAs 2023 |url=https://digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a45013116/eastenders-best-serial-drama-ntas-2023/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=5 September 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906122635/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a45013116/eastenders-best-serial-drama-ntas-2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BBC EastEnders fans want show boss 'knighted' as two more characters return after Cindy and Ian Beale comeback |url=https://walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-want-show-27182751.amp |website=[[WalesOnline]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=23 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630002719/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-want-show-27182751.amp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Danielle Harold praises EastEnders boss for Lola's emotional exit |url=https://radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-danielle-harold-lola-chris-clenshaw-exit-newsupdate/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=27 May 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906025108/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-danielle-harold-lola-chris-clenshaw-exit-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw explains the "Knight in Shining Armour" |url=https://radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-spoilers-chris-clenshaw-knight-shining-armour-newsupdate/ |website=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=12 September 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622140902/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-spoilers-chris-clenshaw-knight-shining-armour-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 26 September 2024, it was announced Clenshaw would step down as series executive producer in February 2025, following the soap's 40th anniversary;<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Daly |first1=Helen |title=''EastEnders'' boss Chris Clenshaw to step down next year |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-step-down-ben-wadey-newsupdate/ |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |access-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926144320/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-step-down-ben-wadey-newsupdate/ |archive-date=26 September 2024 |location=United Kingdom |issn=0033-8060 |date=26 September 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ben Wadey]] was announced as his successor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zammitt |first1=Erin |title=''EastEnders''{{'}} executive producer Chris Clenshaw to step down |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a62385462/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-steps-down-ben-wadey/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]] |access-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926144800/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a62385462/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-steps-down-ben-wadey/ |archive-date=26 September 2024 |location=United Kingdom |date=26 September 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Clenshaw's final credited episode aired 13 June, followed by Wadey's debut on 16 June 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Knight |first1=Lewis |title=''EastEnders'' confirms Chris Clenshaw's final episode air date ahead of new era |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-final-episode-ben-wadey-newsupdate/ |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |access-date=5 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250605152445/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-chris-clenshaw-final-episode-ben-wadey-newsupdate/ |archive-date=5 June 2025 |location=United Kingdom |date=5 June 2025 |issn=0033-8060 |url-status=live}}</ref> Wadey's initial decisions at the head of the show have included the reintroduction of [[Zoe Slater]] ([[Michelle Ryan]]) and [[Oscar Branning]] ([[Pierre Moullier]]),<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders confirms return of Max Branning's long-absent son Oscar in mysterious storyline |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-oscar-branning-pierre-moullier-return-newsupdate/ |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> as well as axing [[Felix Baker]] ([[Matthew James Morrison]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a64186727/eastenders-exit-felix-baker/|title=EastEnders confirms exit for ground-breaking character Felix Baker after three years|last=Soni|first=Divya|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=14 March 2025|access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref> [[Bernadette Taylor]] ([[Clair Norris]]),<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2025 |title=Major EastEnders exit confirmed as star set to leave after 8 years |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/05/22/major-eastenders-exit-confirmed-star-set-leave-8-years-23222112/ |access-date=22 May 2025|website=Metro |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Freddie Slater (EastEnders)|Freddie Slater]] ([[Bobby Brazier]])<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=EastEnders exit confirmed for Freddie Slater after three years |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a64999790/eastenders-spoilers-freddie-slater-exit/ |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=English |date=7 June 2025}}</ref> and [[Anna Knight]] ([[Molly Rainford]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders exit announced for Anna Knight as Molly Rainford leaves after two years |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-exit-announced-anna-knight-35458378 |access-date=26 June 2025 |work=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref>

== Setting ==
{{Redirect|the Queen Victoria}}
[[File:The Queen Vic.jpg|right|thumb|The Queen Victoria Public House (as it looked from November 1992 to September 2010) is the main focal point of Albert Square (''pictured'').|alt=refer to caption]]
The central focus of ''EastEnders'' is the fictional [[Victorian era|Victorian]] square [[Albert Square]] in the fictional [[London Borough of Walford]]. In the show's narrative, Albert Square is a 19th-century street, named after [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]] (1819–1861), the husband of [[Queen Victoria]] (1819–1901, reigned 1837–1901). Thus, central to Albert Square is the Queen Victoria [[pub]] (also known as the Queen Vic or the Vic).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_queen_vic.shtml |title=What's the history of the Queen Vic? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220221434/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_queen_vic.shtml |archive-date=20 December 2006|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The show's producers based the square's design on Fassett Square in [[Dalston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hackney.gov.uk/xp-factsandfigures-placesfaces.htm|title=Interesting Places and Famous Faces|publisher=Hackney Borough Council|access-date=13 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201727/http://www.hackney.gov.uk/xp-factsandfigures-placesfaces.htm#.WMSKuNKLSpo|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> There is also a market close to Fassett Square at [[Ridley Road]]. The postcode for the area, [[London E8|E8]], was one of the working titles for the series.<ref name="20years p15" /> The name ''Walford'' is both a street in Dalston where Tony Holland lived and a [[Blend word|blend]] of [[Walthamstow]] and Stratford—the areas of Greater London where the creators were born.<ref name="20years p15" /><ref name="Street Names">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_street_names.shtml |title= How was the name Walford chosen?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405114814/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_street_names.shtml |archive-date=5 April 2007 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Other parts of the square and set interiors are based on other locations. The railway bridge is based upon one near [[BBC Television Centre]] which carries the Hammersmith & City line over Wood Lane W12, and the Queen Vic on the former College Park Hotel pub in Willesden at the end of Scrubs Lane at the junction with Harrow Road NW10 just a couple of miles from BBC Television Centre.<ref name="The Set Of EastEnders">{{cite web |last=Venables |first=Ben |title=The Story Behind The Set Of EastEnders|url=http://londonist.com/2015/01/exclusive-the-story-behind-the-sets-of-eastenders|publisher=Londonist|access-date=22 December 2016|date=13 January 2015}}</ref> The current residents of the Queen Victoria Public House are landlady [[Kat Moon]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]) and husband [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]) as landlord.

Walford East is a fictional [[London Underground]] station for Walford, and a tube map that was first seen on air in 1996 showed Walford East between [[Bow Road tube station|Bow Road]] and [[West Ham tube station|West Ham]], in the actual location of [[Bromley-by-Bow tube station|Bromley-by-Bow]] on the [[District line|District]] and [[Hammersmith & City]] lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://underground-history.co.uk/walford.php |title=Underground EastEnders|publisher=Underground History|access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref>

Walford has the [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|postal district]] of E20. It was named as if Walford were part of the actual [[E postcode area]] which covers much of east London,<ref>Royal Mail, ''Address Management Guide'', (2004)</ref> the ''E'' standing for ''Eastern''.<ref name=inner>HMSO, ''The Inner London Letter Post'', (1980)</ref> E20 was entirely fictional when it was created, as London East postal districts stopped at E18 at the time. The show's creators opted for E20 instead of E19 as it was thought to sound better.<ref name="Street Names" />

In March 2011, [[Royal Mail]] allocated the E20 postal district to the [[Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park|2012 Olympic Park]].<ref name="bbcpostcode">{{cite news|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12789694|title=Olympic Park to share EastEnders' Walford E20 postcode|access-date=19 March 2011|date=19 March 2011}}</ref> In September 2011, the postcode for Albert Square was revealed in an episode as E20 6PQ.

== Characters ==
{{Further|List of EastEnders characters|List of former EastEnders characters}}{{Excessive examples|date=December 2025|section}}
''EastEnders'' is built around the idea of relationships and strong families, with each character having a place in the community. This theme encompasses the whole square, making the entire community a family of sorts, prey to upsets and conflict, but pulling together in times of trouble. Co-creator [[Tony Holland]] was from a large East End family, and such families have typified ''EastEnders''.<ref name="Insidestory p49" /> The first central family was the combination of the [[Fowler family]], consisting of [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]), her husband [[Arthur Fowler|Arthur]] ([[Bill Treacher]]), and teenage children [[Mark Fowler|Mark]] ([[David Scarboro]]/[[Todd Carty]]) and [[Michelle Fowler|Michelle]] ([[Susan Tully]]). Pauline's family, the [[Beale family|Beales]], consisted of Pauline's twin brother [[Pete Beale]] ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]), his wife [[Kathy Beale|Kathy]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]) and their teenage son [[Ian Beale|Ian]] ([[Adam Woodyatt]]). Pauline and Pete's domineering mother [[Lou Beale]] ([[Anna Wing]]) lived with Pauline and her family. Holland drew on the names of his own family for the characters.<ref name="Insidestory p51-56">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|pp=51–56}}</ref>

The [[Watts family|Watts]] and [[Mitchell family|Mitchell]] families have been central to many notable ''EastEnders'' storylines, the show having been dominated by the Watts in the 1980s, with the 1990s focusing on the Mitchells and Butchers. The early 2000s saw a shift in attention towards the newly introduced female [[Slater family (EastEnders)|Slater clan]], before a renewal of emphasis upon the restored Watts family beginning in 2003. In 2006, ''EastEnders'' became largely dominated by the Mitchell, Masood and [[Branning family|Branning]] families. However, the early 2010s also saw a renewed focus on the Moon and Slater family; further, from 2013 onwards, the Carters were a prominent family.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corner |first1=Natalie L |title=Who are the EastEnders' Carter family? All you need to know about Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright in real life |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/carter-family-eastenders-danny-dyer-22581169 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[OK!]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=26 August 2020 |quote=The Carters on EastEnders are one of the central families that storylines are based around}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Fowler family|Fowlers]] were revived and merged with the Slaters, with [[Martin Fowler (EastEnders)|Martin Fowler]] ([[James Bye]]) marrying [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Lewis |title=EastEnders viewers beg for Martin and Stacey to reconcile as she returns to screens |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-viewers-beg-martin-stacey-25003606 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=16 September 2021}}</ref> The late 2010s saw the newly introduced Taylor family become central to the show's main storylines,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=EastEnders: 7 reasons the Taylor family went from hated to loved |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a27430780/eastenders-taylors-hated-to-loved/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=10 May 2019}}</ref> and in 2019, the first Sikh family, the Panesars, were introduced.<ref name="Panesar matriarch">{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Angie |title=EastEnders' Panesar family look unrecognisable in an epic behind-the-scenes snap |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/eastenders-panesar-family-look-unrecognisable-21253678 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=7 August 2021}}</ref> The early 2020s was dominated by the Mitchells, Brannings, Panesars, Slaters, as well as the newly introduced Knight family. Key people involved in the production of ''EastEnders'' have stressed how important the idea of strong families is to the programme.<ref name="Insidestory p49" />

''EastEnders'' has an emphasis on strong family [[matriarch]]s, with examples including [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]) and [[Peggy Mitchell]] ([[Barbara Windsor]]), helping to attract a female audience. [[John Yorke (producer)|John Yorke]], the former BBC's head of drama production, put this down to Tony Holland's "gay sensibility, which showed a love for strong women".<ref name="Lifeblood" /> The matriarchal role is one that has been seen in various reincarnations since the programme's inception, often depicted as the centre of the family unit.<ref name="20years p55">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=55}}</ref> The original matriarch was [[Lou Beale]] ([[Anna Wing]]), though later examples include [[Mo Harris]] ([[Laila Morse]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/eastenders/|title=EastEnders|last=Dougan|first=John|date=19 August 2002|website=PopMatters|access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/entertainment/eastenders-matriarch-for-xmas-exit-525722.html|title='EastEnders' matriarch for Xmas exit|date=25 October 2011|publisher=BreakingNews.ie|access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> [[Zainab Masood]] ([[Nina Wadia]]),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1239566/EastEnders-spoilers-Zainab-Masood-Nina-Wadia-return-anniversary-boat-death-BBC-video/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Beloved resident returns as former star drops huge hint?|work=[[Daily Express]]|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213021647/https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1239566/EastEnders-spoilers-Zainab-Masood-Nina-Wadia-return-anniversary-boat-death-BBC-video|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Cora Cross]] ([[Ann Mitchell]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/ww/spotlight/4108/exclusive-qa-bryan-kirkwood |title=Exclusive: Q&A with Bryan Kirkwood |date=20 June 2011 |publisher=Walford Web |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930053732/http://www.walfordweb.co.uk/ww/spotlight/4108/exclusive-qa-bryan-kirkwood |archive-date=30 September 2012 }}</ref> [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-iconic-character-kathy-beale-returns-looking-different/|title=EastEnders fans notice something different about Kathy Beale|first=Helen|last=Fear|date=8 February 2019|website=Entertainment Daily UK|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> [[Jean Slater]] ([[Gillian Wright]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1094046/EastEnders-spoilers-Jean-Slater-exit-homeless-cancer-plot-Gillian-Wright-Stacey-Fowler-BBC|title=EastEnders spoilers: 'Not the answer!' Jean Slater homeless in TRAGIC cancer plot twist?|first=Charlie|last=Milward|date=28 February 2019|website=Express.co.uk|access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> and [[Suki Panesar]] ([[Balvinder Sopal]]).<ref name="Panesar matriarch" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-12-22/eastenders-casts-balvinder-sopal-as-suki-panesar/|title=EastEnders casts Balvinder Sopal as Suki Panesar|work=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=13 February 2020}}</ref> These characters are often seen as being loud and interfering but most importantly, responsible for the well-being of the family.<ref name="redpepper" />

The show often includes strong, brassy, long-suffering women who exhibit [[diva]]-like behaviour and stoically battle through an array of tragedy and misfortune.<ref name="redpepper">{{cite web|url=http://www.redpepper.org.uk/cularch/xeastend.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229113716/http://www.redpepper.org.uk/cularch/xeastend.html |archive-date=29 December 2006 |title=Square deal|publisher=Redpepper|access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> Such characters include [[Angie Watts]] ([[Anita Dobson]]), [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]), [[Sharon Watts]] ([[Letitia Dean]]), [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]), [[Peggy Mitchell]] ([[Barbara Windsor]]), [[Kat Slater]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]), [[Denise Fox]] ([[Diane Parish]]), [[Tanya Branning]] ([[Jo Joyner]]) and [[Linda Carter]] ([[Kellie Bright]]). Conversely there are female characters who handle tragedy less well, depicted as eternal victims and endless sufferers; examples include [[Ronnie Mitchell]] ([[Samantha Womack]]), [[Little Mo Mitchell]] ([[Kacey Ainsworth]]), [[Whitney Dean]] ([[Shona McGarty]]), [[Laura Beale]] ([[Hannah Waterman]]), [[Sue Osman]] ([[Sandy Ratcliff]]), [[Lisa Fowler]] ([[Lucy Benjamin]]), [[Mel Owen]] ([[Tamzin Outhwaite]]) and [[Rainie Cross]] ([[Tanya Franks]]). The "[[tart with a heart]]" is another recurring character. Often, their [[promiscuity]] masks a hidden [[vulnerability]] and a desire to be loved. Such characters have included [[Pat Butcher]] ([[Pam St Clement]]), [[Tiffany Mitchell (EastEnders)|Tiffany Mitchell]] ([[Martine McCutcheon]]), [[Kat Slater]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]), [[Dawn Swann]] ([[Kara Tointon]]) and [[Priya Nandra-Hart]] ([[Sophie Khan Levy]]).<ref name="Dowling">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4695877.stm|title=Will Kat's exit harm EastEnders?|last=Dowling|first=Stephen|date=19 July 2005|publisher=BBC|access-date=31 January 2011}}</ref>

A gender balance in the show is maintained via the inclusion of various "macho" male personalities such as [[Phil Mitchell]] ([[Steve McFadden]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Laura |title=EastEnders: Phil Mitchell's 14 most explosive feuds – ranked! |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a854131/eastenders-phil-mitchell-most-explosive-feuds/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=6 April 2018}}</ref> [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] ([[Ross Kemp]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=Grant Mitchell's 9 greatest EastEnders moments, from Sharongate to kung-fu fighting |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a794267/grant-mitchells-9-greatest-eastenders-moments-from-sharongate-to-kung-fu-fighting/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=16 May 2016}}</ref> [[Dan Sullivan (EastEnders)|Dan Sullivan]] ([[Craig Fairbrass]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Sally |title=How I muscled into the Square |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview%3A+How+I+muscled+into+the+Square%3B+Craig+Fairbrass+talks+about...-a072206367 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref> and [[George Knight (EastEnders)|George Knight]] ([[Colin Salmon]]), "bad boys" such as [[Den Watts]] ([[Leslie Grantham]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lawson |first1=Mark |title=Dirty Den: how the EastEnders bad boy became the biggest soap star of them all |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/15/dirty-den-leslie-grantham-eastenders-biggest-soap-star-of-them-all |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=15 June 2018}}</ref> [[Sean Slater]] ([[Robert Kazinsky]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Kris |title='Enders bad boy hits new heights |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a95782/in-pictures-enders-bad-boy-hits-new-heights/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=12 May 2008}}</ref> [[Michael Moon (EastEnders)|Michael Moon]] ([[Steve John Shepherd]]),<ref>{{cite news |title=EastEnders' Steve John Shepherd: Michael Moon is a psychopath |url=https://metro.co.uk/2012/03/28/eastenders-steve-john-shepherd-michael-moon-is-a-psychopath-367863/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |publisher=([[DMG Media]]) |date=28 March 2012}}</ref> [[Derek Branning]] ([[Jamie Foreman]]),<ref name="Derek">{{cite news |last1=Shelley |first1=Jim |title=EastEnders new bad boy Derek – the long-lost villainous brother |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/eastenders-new-bad-boy-derek-95262 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=15 March 2012}}</ref> [[Vincent Hubbard]] ([[Richard Blackwood]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agius |first1=Nicola |title=EastEnders bad boy Richard Blackwood reveals surprising secret of Dot Cotton actress June Brown |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-bad-boy-richard-blackwood-8061855 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=27 May 2016}}</ref> and [[Ravi Gulati (EastEnders)|Ravi Gulati]] ([[Aaron Thiara]]) and "heartthrobs" such as [[Simon Wicks]] ([[Nick Berry]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brinsford |first1=James |title=EastEnders legend looks unrecognisable after quitting BBC soap 31 years ago |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/eastenders-legend-looks-unrecognisable-after-25529614 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=23 November 2021}}</ref> [[Joe Wicks (EastEnders)|Joe Wicks]] ([[Paul Nicholls (actor)|Paul Nicholls]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Grace |title=Ex EastEnders heartthrob Paul Nicholls joins exciting new BBC drama |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/news/ex-eastenders-heartthrob-paul-nicholls-joins-exciting-new-bbc-drama |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[What to Watch]] |publisher=([[Future plc]]) |date=13 June 2022}}</ref> [[Jamie Mitchell]] ([[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tutton |first1=Charlotte |title=EastEnders' Jamie Mitchell actor Jack Ryder says fame at 17 was "tough to cope with" |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-jamie-mitchell-actor-jack-24478434 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=7 July 2021}}</ref> [[Dennis Rickman]] ([[Nigel Harman]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hollingsworth |first1=David |title=EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman reveals the behind the scenes drama over whether Dennis could punch Phil Mitchell! |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/news/eastenders-nigel-harman-meetings-over-wheter-dennis-punch-phil-mitchell-642130 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[What to Watch]] |publisher=([[Future plc]]) |date=12 November 2020}}</ref> [[Joey Branning]] ([[David Witts]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Angie |title=ITV Manhunt: Ex-EastEnders heartthrob who played Joey Branning is starring alongside Martin Clunes in The Night Stalker |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/itv-manhunt-ex-eastenders-heartthrob-21632947 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=21 September 2021}}</ref> [[Kush Kazemi]] ([[Davood Ghadami]])<ref>{{cite news |title=Davood Ghadami joins "EastEnders" as new heartthrob |url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/davood-ghadami-joins-eastenders-as-new-heartthrob/3515/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]] |date=18 August 2014 |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721110701/https://attitude.co.uk/article/davood-ghadami-joins-eastenders-as-new-heartthrob/3515/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Zack Hudson]] ([[James Farrar (actor)|James Farrar]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Highfield |first1=Anna |title= BBC EastEnders fans beg for new 'handsome heartbreaker' Zack Hudson to 'get a decent storyline' |url= https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/bbc-eastenders-fans-beg-new-23620913 |date=7 April 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=[[Reach plc]] |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref> Another recurring male character type is the smartly dressed businessman, often involved in gang culture and crime and seen as a local authority figure. Examples include [[Steve Owen (EastEnders)|Steve Owen]] ([[Martin Kemp]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Owen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/TSgFnHjLvh2htgxNBwl2h4/steve-owen |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> [[Jack Dalton (EastEnders)|Jack Dalton]] ([[Hywel Bennett]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Ayaan |title=BBC EastEnders' fans switch off from gangster storyline after villain Jonah Tyler returns to Albert square |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-switch-gangster-24510598 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[MyLondon]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=16 July 2022}}</ref> [[Andy Hunter (EastEnders)|Andy Hunter]] ([[Michael Higgs]]),<ref name="Gangsters" /> [[Johnny Allen (EastEnders)|Johnny Allen]] ([[Billy Murray (actor)|Billy Murray]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Johnny Allen |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3vyTDN3gpGrP33rtvBrj3g0/johnny-allen |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=21 July 2022 |quote=Hardman Johnny Allen was your typical East End gangster – proper.}}</ref> [[Derek Branning]] ([[Jamie Foreman]]),<ref name="Derek" /> and [[Nish Panesar]] ([[Navin Chowdhry]]). Following criticism aimed at the show's over-emphasis on "[[gangster]]s" in 2005, such characters have been significantly reduced.<ref name="Gangsters">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/mar/19/anewbeginningforeastenders|title=A new beginning for EastEnders|first=Kate|last=Bevan|work=The Guardian |date=19 March 2007|access-date=5 July 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Another recurring male character seen in ''EastEnders'' is the "loser" or "soft touch", males often comically under the thumb of their female counterparts, which have included [[Arthur Fowler]] ([[Bill Treacher]]),<ref name="redpepper" /> [[Ricky Butcher]] ([[Sid Owen]]),<ref>{{cite news|url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/800533.stm|title=What Ricky done next|work=[[BBC News]] |date = 23 May 2000|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> [[Garry Hobbs]] ([[Ricky Groves]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Garry Hobbs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/dn01BWcLbkcKnJm391l7xp/garry-hobbs |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> [[Lofty Holloway]] ([[Tom Watt (actor)|Tom Watt]]),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Johnathan |title=Who was Lofty Holloway? Everything you need to know about EastEnders returnee |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/who-was-lofty-holloway-everything-you-need-to-know-about-eastenders-returnee/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=20 February 2019}}</ref> [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]] ([[Perry Fenwick]])<ref name="20years p63-65">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|pp=63–65}}</ref> and [[Howie Danes]] ([[Delroy Atkinson]]).

Other recurring character types that have appeared throughout the serial are "cheeky-chappies" [[Pete Beale]] ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]), [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]), [[Garry Hobbs]] ([[Ricky Groves]]) and [[Kush Kazemi]] ([[Davood Ghadami]]), "lost girls" such as [[Mary Smith (EastEnders)|Mary Smith]] ([[Linda Davidson]]), [[Donna Ludlow]] ([[Matilda Ziegler]]), [[Mandy Salter]] ([[Nicola Stapleton]]), [[Janine Butcher]] ([[Charlie Brooks]]), [[Zoe Slater]] ([[Michelle Ryan]]), [[Whitney Dean]] ([[Shona McGarty]]), and [[Hayley Slater]] ([[Katie Jarvis]]), [[juvenile delinquency|delinquents]] such as [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]), [[Jay Brown]] ([[Jamie Borthwick]]), [[Lola Pearce]] ([[Danielle Harold]]), [[Bobby Beale (EastEnders)|Bobby Beale]] (Eliot Carrington/[[Clay Milner Russell]]) and [[Keegan Baker]] ([[Zack Morris (actor)|Zack Morris]]), "villains" such as [[Nick Cotton]] ([[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]), [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor Morgan]] ([[Alex Ferns]]), [[May Wright]] ([[Amanda Drew]]), [[Yusef Khan]] ([[Ace Bhatti]]), [[Archie Mitchell]] ([[Larry Lamb]]), [[Dean Wicks]] ([[Matt Di Angelo]]), [[Stuart Highway (EastEnders)|Stuart Highway]] ([[Ricky Champ]]) and [[Gray Atkins]] ([[Toby-Alexander Smith]]), "bitches" such as [[Cindy Beale]] ([[Michelle Collins]]), [[Janine Butcher]] ([[Charlie Brooks]]), [[Chrissie Watts]] ([[Tracy-Ann Oberman]]), [[Lucy Beale]] ([[Melissa Suffield]]/[[Hetti Bywater]]), [[Abi Branning]] ([[Lorna Fitzgerald]]), [[Babe Smith]] ([[Annette Badland]]), [[Suki Panesar]] ([[Balvinder Sopal]]) and [[Nicola Mitchell]] ([[Laura Doddington]]), "brawlers" or "fighters" such as [[Mary Smith (EastEnders)|Mary Smith]] ([[Linda Davidson]]), [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]), [[Kat Slater]] ([[Jessie Wallace]]), [[Shirley Carter]] ([[Linda Henry]]),  [[Chelsea Fox]] ([[Zaraah Abrahams|Zaarah Abrahams]]) and [[Priya Nandra-Hart]] ([[Sophie Khan Levy]]), and cockney "[[wide boy]]s" or "[[Opportunism|wheeler dealers]]"<ref name="20years" /> such as [[Frank Butcher]] ([[Mike Reid (actor)|Mike Reid]]), [[Alfie Moon]] ([[Shane Richie]]), [[Kevin Wicks]] ([[Phil Daniels]]), [[Darren Miller]] ([[Charlie G. Hawkins]]), [[Fatboy (EastEnders)|Fatboy]] ([[Ricky Norwood]]), [[Jay Brown]] ([[Jamie Borthwick]]), [[Kheerat Panesar]] ([[Jaz Deol]]) and [[Tom "Rocky" Cotton]] ([[Brian Conley]]).

Over the years, ''EastEnders'' has typically featured a number of elderly residents, who are used to show vulnerability, [[nostalgia]], stalwart-like attributes and are sometimes used for comedic purposes. The original elderly residents included [[Lou Beale]] ([[Anna Wing]]), [[Ethel Skinner]] ([[Gretchen Franklin]]) and [[Dot Cotton]] ([[June Brown]]). Over the years, they have been joined by the likes of [[Mo Butcher]] ([[Edna Doré]]), [[Jules Tavernier (EastEnders)|Jules Tavernier]] ([[Tommy Eytle]]), [[Marge Green]] ([[Pat Coombs]]), [[Nellie Ellis]] ([[Elizabeth Kelly]]), [[Jim Branning]] ([[John Bardon]]), [[Charlie Slater]] ([[Derek Martin]]), [[Mo Harris]] ([[Laila Morse]]), [[Patrick Trueman]] ([[Rudolph Walker]]), [[Cora Cross]] ([[Ann Mitchell]]), [[Les Coker]] ([[Roger Sloman]]), [[Rose Cotton (EastEnders)|Rose Cotton]] ([[Polly Perkins]]), [[Pam Coker]] ([[Lin Blakley]]), [[Stan Carter]] ([[Timothy West]]), [[Babe Smith]] ([[Annette Badland]]), [[Claudette Hubbard]] ([[Ellen Thomas (actress)|Ellen Thomas]]), [[Sylvie Carter]] ([[Linda Marlowe]]), [[Ted Murray]] ([[Christopher Timothy]]), [[Joyce Murray]] ([[Maggie Steed]]), [[Arshad Ahmed]] ([[Madhav Sharma]]), [[Mariam Ahmed]] ([[Indira Joshi (actor)|Indira Joshi]]) and [[Vi Highway]] ([[Gwen Taylor]]). The programme has more recently included a higher number of teenagers and successful young adults in a bid to capture the younger television audience.<ref name="young">{{cite web|url=http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hlr9501.html |title=Why are soap operas so popular? |first=Helena |last=Robson |publisher=aber.co.uk |date=15 November 1996 |access-date=5 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316142905/http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/hlr9501.html |archive-date=16 March 2010 }}</ref><ref name="young2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060708/ai_n16529613|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016200917/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060708/ai_n16529613|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2007|title=Young viewers switch from BBC to the internet|work=The Independent |publisher=Independent Print Media|access-date=18 March 2007}}</ref> This has spurred criticism, most notably from the actress [[Anna Wing]], who portrayed [[Lou Beale]] in the show. She commented, "I don't want to be disloyal, but I think you need a few mature people in a soap because they give it backbone and body... if all the main people are young it gets a bit thin and inexperienced. It gets too lightweight."<ref name="talk">{{cite web|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-122800423|title=I stopped watching Albert Square.. Now I like Emmerdale|first=Rick|last=Fulton|website=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|date=5 October 2004|access-date=5 July 2010|location=Glasgow}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been known to feature a "comedy double-act", originally demonstrated with the characters of Dot and Ethel, whose friendship was one of the serial's most enduring.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast/4678803.stm |title=Remembering EastEnders' Ethel|work=BBC News |date=13 July 2005|access-date=5 July 2010}}</ref> Other examples include [[Paul Priestly]] ([[Mark Thrippleton]]) and [[Trevor Short]] ([[Phil McDermott]]).<ref name="First10Years p76">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=76}}</ref> In 1989 especially, characters were brought in who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted.<ref name="First10Years p70">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=70}}</ref> Such characters included [[Julie Cooper (EastEnders)|Julie Cooper]] ([[Louise Plowright]])—a brassy maneater; [[Marge Green]]—a batty older lady played by veteran comedy actress [[Pat Coombs]]; [[Trevor Short]] ([[Phil McDermott]])—the "village idiot"; his friend, northern heartbreaker [[Paul Priestly]] ([[Mark Thrippleton]]); wheeler-dealer [[Vince Johnson]] (Hepburn Graham); and [[Laurie Bates]] ([[Gary Powell (actor)|Gary Powell]]), who became [[Pete Beale]]'s ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]) sparring partner.<ref name="First10Years p90" /> The majority of ''EastEnders''{{'}} characters are working-class.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-coronation-street-fills-me-with-pride-472590.html |title=Johann Hari: Why "Coronation Street" fills me with pride |work=The Independent |first=Johann |last=Hari |date=3 April 2006 |access-date=5 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026104404/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-why-coronation-street-fills-me-with-pride-472590.html |archive-date=26 October 2012 }}</ref> Middle-class characters do occasionally become regulars, but have been less successful and rarely become long-term characters. In the main, middle-class characters exist as villains, such as [[James Willmott-Brown]] ([[William Boyde]]), [[May Wright]] ([[Amanda Drew]]), [[Stella Crawford]] ([[Sophie Thompson]]), [[Yusef Khan]] ([[Ace Bhatti]]) and [[Gray Atkins]] ([[Toby-Alexander Smith]]), or are used to promote positive liberal influences, such as [[Colin Russell (EastEnders)|Colin Russell]] ([[Michael Cashman]]), [[Rachel Kominski]] ([[Jacquetta May]])<ref name="redpepper" /> and [[Derek Harkinson]] ([[Ian Lavender]]).

''EastEnders'' has always featured a culturally diverse cast which has included [[black people|black]], Asian, [[Turkish people|Turkish]], Polish and Latvian characters. "The expansion of minority representation signals a move away from the traditional soap opera format, providing more opportunities for audience identification with the characters and hence a wider appeal".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museum.tv/eotv/eastenders.htm |title=EastEnders |website=museum.tv |first1=Danielle |last1=Aron |first2=Sonia |last2=Livingston |access-date=5 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330071515/http://www.museum.tv/eotv/eastenders.htm |archive-date=30 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412075647/http://www.cre.gov.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew06m.RefLocID-0hg00900c008.Lang-EN.htm |url=http://www.cre.gov.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0hgnew06m.RefLocID-0hg00900c008.Lang-EN.htm |archive-date=12 April 2006|title= Coronation Street and EastEnders battle it out for coveted CRE Race in the Media Award|publisher=cre.gov.uk|access-date=27 March 2007}}</ref> Despite this, the programme has been criticised by the [[Commission for Racial Equality]], which argued in 2002 that ''EastEnders'' was not giving a realistic representation of the East End's "ethnic make-up". It suggested that the average proportion of visible minority faces on ''EastEnders'' was substantially lower than the actual ethnic minority population in East London boroughs, and it, therefore, reflected the East End in the 1960s, not the East End of the 2000s. The programme has since attempted to address these issues. A [[sari]] shop was opened and various characters of different ethnicities were introduced throughout 2006 and 2007, including the Fox family, the Ahmeds, and various background artists.<ref>"[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/oct/08/mondaymediasection12 The art of storytelling]", ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 27 March 2007.</ref> This was part of producer [[Diederick Santer]]'s plan to "diversify", to make ''EastEnders'' "feel more 21st century". ''EastEnders'' has had varying success with ethnic minority characters. Possibly the least successful were the Indian [[Ferreira family]], who were not well received by critics or viewers and were dismissed as unrealistic by the Asian community in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Joanna |date=10 August 2004 |title='Unrealistic' Ferreira family dismissed by Asian Viewers |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/3560 |newspaper=The Stage |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029232333/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/3560 |archive-date=29 October 2004 |access-date=27 March 2007}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been praised for its portrayal of characters with disabilities, including [[Adam Best (EastEnders)|Adam Best]] ([[David Proud]]) ([[spina bifida]]), [[Noah Chambers]] (Micah Thomas) and [[Frankie Lewis]] ([[Rose Ayling-Ellis]]) (deaf), [[Jean Slater]] ([[Gillian Wright]]) and her daughter [[Stacey Slater|Stacey]] ([[Lacey Turner]]) ([[bipolar disorder]]), [[Janet Mitchell (EastEnders)|Janet Mitchell]] (Grace) ([[Down syndrome]]), [[Jim Branning]] ([[John Bardon]]) ([[stroke]])<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/091201-radar.shtml|title=Radar announce EastEnders as winners!|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2009|access-date=1 February 2010}}</ref> and [[Dinah Wilson]] (Anjela Lauren Smith) ([[multiple sclerosis]]). The show also features a large number of gay, lesbian and bisexual characters (see [[list of soap operas with LGBT characters]]), including [[Colin Russell (EastEnders)|Colin Russell]] ([[Michael Cashman]]), [[Barry Clark (EastEnders)|Barry Clark]] ([[Gary Hailes]]),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eastenders-30-years-ago-first-gay-character_uk_57a47478e4b03393f7f5bb4e |title=30 Years Today, First Gay Character Appeared In "EastEnders". Things Have Changed. |last=Frost |first=Caroline |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=5 August 2016}}</ref> [[Simon Raymond]] ([[Andrew Lynford]]), [[Tony Hills]] ([[Mark Homer]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/226581.stm|title=Coming out on screen|date=2 December 1998|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Sonia Fowler]] ([[Natalie Cassidy]]), [[Naomi Julien]] ([[Petra Letang]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2006/03/28/211-complaints-to-bbc-over-gay-eastenders-storyline-but-do-the-public-care/|title=211 complaints to BBC over gay EastEnders storyline, but do the public care?|last=Knowles|first=Katherine|date=28 March 2006|work=[[PinkNews]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Tina Carter]] ([[Luisa Bradshaw-White]]), [[Tosh Mackintosh]] ([[Rebecca Scroggs]]),<ref name="LGBT domestic abuse">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a606442/eastenders-lgbt-domestic-abuse-plot-praised-following-tina-tosh-clash/|title=EastEnders LGBT domestic abuse plot praised following Tina, Tosh clash|last=Love|first=Ryan|date=28 October 2014|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Christian Clarke]] ([[John Partridge (actor)|John Partridge]]), [[Syed Masood]] ([[Marc Elliott]]), [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben Mitchell]] ([[Harry Reid (actor)|Harry Reid]]/[[Max Bowden]]), [[Paul Coker (EastEnders)|Paul Coker]] ([[Jonny Labey]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/582121/EastEnders-gay-kiss-Ben-Mitchell-Paul-Coker-Harry-Reid-Twitter-homophobia|title=EastEnders gay kiss: Ben Mitchell actor Harry Reid upset by homophobia|last=Debnath|first=Neela|date=4 June 2015|work=[[Daily Express]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> [[Iqra Ahmed]] ([[Priya Davdra]]), [[Ash Panesar]] ([[Gurlaine Kaur Garcha]]), [[Bernadette Taylor]] ([[Clair Norris]]), [[Callum Highway]] ([[Tony Clay]]) and [[Eve Unwin]] ([[Heather Peace]]). [[Kyle Slater]] ([[Riley Carter Millington]]), a transgender character, was introduced in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-34479713|title=EastEnders casts transgender actor in transgender role on UK television|date=9 October 2015|work=[[Newsbeat]]|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has a high cast turnover and characters are regularly changed to facilitate storylines or refresh the format.<ref>"[http://www.polity.co.uk/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/9780745626543%5C001.pdf The Soap Business]", polity.co.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212075543/http://www.polity.co.uk/content/BPL_Images/Content_store/Sample_chapter/9780745626543%5C001.pdf |date=12 February 2013 }}</ref> The show has also become known for the return of characters after they have left the show. [[Sharon Watts]] ([[Letitia Dean]]) returned in August 2012 for her third stint on the show. [[Den Watts]] ([[Leslie Grantham]]) returned, 14 years after he was believed to have died, in September 2003, a feat repeated by [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]) in 2015,<ref>"[http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/news/a11021/dirty-den-to-return-to-walford/ Dirty Den "to return" to Walford]" ''Digital Spy''. Retrieved 24 September 2006.</ref> and [[Cindy Beale]] ([[Michelle Collins]]) in 2023. Speaking extras, including [[Tracey the barmaid]] ([[Jane Slaughter (actress)|Jane Slaughter]]) (who has been in the show since the first episode in 1985), have made appearances throughout the show's duration without being the focus of any major storylines. The character of [[Nick Cotton]] ([[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]) gained a reputation for making constant exits and returns since the programme's first year until the character died in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nick Cotton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/4QL0TC98LFpYJvnYQ7JH31B/nick-cotton |work=[[BBC Online]] |access-date=16 December 2018}}</ref>

{{As of|January 2024}}, [[Gillian Taylforth]], [[Letitia Dean]] and [[Adam Woodyatt]] are the only members of the original cast remaining in the show, in their roles of [[Kathy Beale]], [[Sharon Watts]] and [[Ian Beale]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36909906/eastenders-adam-woodyatt-ian-beale-return-possibility/|title=EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt says that Ian Beale may not return|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=2 July 2021}}</ref> [[Tracey (EastEnders)|Tracey]] is the longest-serving female character in the show, having appeared since 1985, albeit as a minor character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1HyT04Jf4TH6ZdTQ5N2vW36/dot-branning|title=EastEnders&nbsp;– Dot Branning&nbsp;– BBC One|website=BBC}}</ref>

== Storylines ==
<!-- Note that this section is for types of storylines featured in EastEnders in general, not for details on individual storylines -->''EastEnders'' programme makers took the decision that the show was to be about "everyday life" in the inner city "today" and regarded it as a "slice of life".<ref name="Geraghty page 32">{{Harvnb|Geraghty|1991|p=32}}</ref> Creator/producer [[Julia Smith (producer)|Julia Smith]] declared that "We don't make life, we reflect it".<ref name="Geraghty page 32" /> She also said, "We decided to go for a realistic, fairly outspoken type of drama which could encompass stories about homosexuality, rape, unemployment, [[racial prejudice]], etc., in a believable context. Above all, we wanted [[Realism (arts)|realism]]".<ref name="Geraghty page 16">{{Harvnb|Geraghty|1991|p=16}}</ref> In 2011, the head of BBC drama, [[John Yorke (producer)|John Yorke]], said that the real East End had changed significantly since ''EastEnders'' started, and the show no longer truly reflected real life, but that it had an "emotional truthfulness" and was partly "true to the original vision" and partly "adapt[ing] to a changing world", adding that "If it was a show where every house cost a fortune and everyone drove a Lexus, it wouldn't be ''EastEnders''. You have to show shades of that change, but certain things are immutable, I would argue, like The Vic and the market."<ref name="Not realistic">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a318721/eastenders-walford-not-realistic-says-bbc-boss/|title='EastEnders' Walford not realistic, says BBC boss|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=10 May 2011|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref>

In the 1980s, ''EastEnders'' featured "gritty" storylines involving drugs and crime, representing the issues faced by working-class Britain under [[Thatcherism]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Barker|1997|p=79}}</ref> Storylines included the cot death of 14-month-old [[Hassan Osman]], [[Nick Cotton]]'s ([[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]) [[homophobia]], racism and murder of [[Reg Cox]] (Johnnie Clayton),<ref name="issues">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_issues.shtml |title= Which issues have been highlighted by ''EastEnders''? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223225130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/yourquestions/yourq_content/yourq_issues.shtml |archive-date=23 February 2007|publisher=BBC}}</ref> [[Arthur Fowler]]'s ([[Bill Treacher]]) unemployment reflecting the recession of the 1980s, the rape of [[Kathy Beale]] ([[Gillian Taylforth]]) in 1988 by [[James Willmott-Brown]] ([[William Boyde]])<ref name="issues" /> and [[Michelle Fowler]]'s ([[Susan Tully]]) teenage pregnancy. The show also dealt with prostitution, mixed-race relationships, shoplifting, sexism, divorce, domestic violence and mugging. In 1989, the programme came under criticism in the British media for being too depressing, and according to writer [[Colin Brake]], the programme makers were determined to change this.<ref name="First10Years p70" /> In 1989, there was a deliberate attempt to increase the lighter, more comic aspects of life in Albert Square. This led to the introduction of some characters who were deliberately conceived as comic or light-hearted.<ref name="First10Years p70" /> Brake suggested that humour was an important element in ''EastEnders''{{'}} storylines during 1989, with a greater amount of slapstick and light comedy than before. He classed 1989's changes as a brave experiment, and suggested that while some found this period of ''EastEnders'' entertaining, many other viewers felt that the comedy stretched the programme's credibility.<ref name="First10Years p70" /> Although the programme still covered many issues in 1989, such as domestic violence, drugs, rape and racism, Brake reflected that the new emphasis on a more balanced mix between "light and heavy storylines" gave the illusion that the show had lost a "certain edge".<ref name="First10Years p70" />

As the show progressed into the 1990s, ''EastEnders'' still featured hard-hitting issues such as [[Mark Fowler]] ([[Todd Carty]]) revealing he was [[HIV]] positive<ref name="issues" /> in 1991, the death of his wife [[Gill Fowler|Gill]] (Susanna Dawson) from an AIDS-related illness in 1992, murder, [[adoption]], [[abortion]], [[Peggy Mitchell]]'s ([[Barbara Windsor]]) battle with [[breast cancer]],<ref name="issues" /> and [[Phil Mitchell]]'s ([[Steve McFadden]]) alcoholism and violence towards wife Kathy. [[Mental health issues]] were confronted in 1996 when 16-year-old [[Joe Wicks (EastEnders)|Joe Wicks]] developed [[schizophrenia]] following the off-screen death of his sister in a car crash. The long-running storyline of Mark Fowler's HIV was so successful in raising awareness that in 1999, a survey by the National Aids Trust found teenagers got most of their information about HIV from the soap, though one campaigner noted that in some ways the storyline was not reflective of what was happening at the time as the condition was more common among the [[gay community]]. Still, heterosexual Mark struggled with various issues connected to his HIV status, including public fears of contamination, a marriage breakdown connected to his inability to have children and the side effects of combination therapies.<ref name="ko">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2580435.stm|title=EastEnders' Mark to be killed off|publisher=BBC|date=16 December 2002|access-date=16 June 2011}}</ref>

In the early 2000s, ''EastEnders'' covered the issue of [[euthanasia]] with [[Ethel Skinner]]'s ([[Gretchen Franklin]]) death in a pact with her friend [[Dot Cotton]] ([[June Brown]]), the unveiling of [[Kat Slater]]'s ([[Jessie Wallace]]) [[Child sexual abuse|sexual abuse]] by her uncle [[Harry Slater (EastEnders)|Harry]] ([[Michael Elphick]]) as a child (which led to the birth of her daughter [[Zoe Slater|Zoe]] ([[Michelle Ryan]]), who had been brought up to believe that Kat was her sister), the [[domestic abuse]] of [[Little Mo Morgan]] ([[Kacey Ainsworth]]) by husband [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor]] ([[Alex Ferns]]) (which involved [[marital rape]] and culminated in Trevor's death after he tried to kill Little Mo in a fire),<ref name="issues" /> [[Sonia Jackson]] ([[Natalie Cassidy]]) giving birth at the age of 15 and then putting her baby up for adoption, and [[Janine Butcher]]'s ([[Charlie Brooks]]) [[prostitution]], [[agoraphobia]] and [[drug addiction]]. The soap also tackled the issue of mental illness and carers of people who have mental conditions, illustrated with mother and daughter [[Jean Slater|Jean]] ([[Gillian Wright]]) and [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]); Jean has [[bipolar disorder]], and teenage daughter Stacey was her carer (this storyline won a Mental Health Media Award in September 2006<ref name="mental">"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/index.shtml Mental Health Media Awards 2006]" BBC. Retrieved 28 February 2008.</ref>). Stacey went on to struggle with the disorder herself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.sky.com/eastenders-spoiler-staceys-struggle |title='Enders Spoiler: Stace's Struggle |publisher=BSkyB |date=14 May 2009 |access-date=4 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517090001/http://tv.sky.com/eastenders-spoiler-staceys-struggle |archive-date= 17 May 2009}}</ref> The issue of [[illiteracy]] was highlighted by the characters of middle-aged [[Keith Miller (EastEnders)|Keith]] ([[David Spinx]]) and his young son [[Darren Miller|Darren]] ([[Charlie G. Hawkins]]).<ref name="issues" /> ''EastEnders'' has also covered the issue of [[Down syndrome]], as [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy]] ([[Perry Fenwick]]) and [[Honey Mitchell]]'s ([[Emma Barton]]) baby, [[Janet Mitchell (EastEnders)|Janet Mitchell]] (Grace), was born with the condition in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/5448067/Disabled-actor-to-star-in-EastEnders.html|title = Disabled actor to star in EastEnders |work = Daily Telegraph|date = 5 June 2009 }}</ref> ''EastEnders'' covered [[child abuse]] with its storyline involving [[Phil Mitchell]]'s ([[Steve McFadden]]) 11-year-old son [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben]] (Charlie Jones) and lawyer girlfriend [[Stella Crawford]] ([[Sophie Thompson]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2007/03/05/eastenders-to-tackle-child-abuse-129115/|title=EastEnders to tackle child abuse|newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=5 March 2007|access-date=6 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/domestic-policy/children/child-abuse/nspcc-research-reveals-childcare-professional%E2%80%99s-concerns-over-rise-in-emotional-abuse-$468374.htm |title=NSPCC research reveals childcare professional's concerns over rise in emotional abuse |publisher=politics.co.uk |date=14 March 2007 |access-date=14 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317001743/http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/domestic-policy/children/child-abuse/nspcc-research-reveals-childcare-professional%E2%80%99s-concerns-over-rise-in-emotional-abuse-%24468374.htm |archive-date=17 March 2007 }}</ref> and [[child grooming]] involving the characters [[Tony King (EastEnders)|Tony King]] ([[Chris Coghill]]) as the perpetrator and [[Whitney Dean]] ([[Shona McGarty]]) as the victim.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/soaps/eastenders/2019-09-15/eastenders-who-was-tony-king-all-you-need-to-know-about-leos-dad-and-whitneys-abuse|title=Who was EastEnders' Tony King? All you need to know about Leo's dad and Whitney's abuser|journal=[[Radio Times]]|first=Johnathon|last=Hughes|access-date=6 April 2020|date=15 September 2019}}</ref>

Aside from this, soap opera staples of youthful romance, jealousy, domestic rivalry, gossip and extramarital affairs are regularly featured, with high-profile storylines occurring several times a year. [[Whodunit]]s also feature regularly, including the "[[Who Shot Phil?]]" story arc in 2001 that attracted more than 19 million viewers and was one of the biggest successes in British soap television; the "[[Who Killed Archie?]]" storyline, which was revealed in a special live episode of the show that drew a peak of 17 million viewers; and the "[[Who Killed Lucy Beale?]]" saga. The most recent whodunit happened at Christmas 2023, where The Six storyline saw Keanu Taylor ([[Danny Walters (actor)|Danny Walters]]) be murdered by [[Linda Carter]] ([[Kellie Bright]]), and covered up by five other residents present that night.

== Production ==
{{See also|List of EastEnders crew members}}

=== Set ===
[[File:EastEnders set.jpg|thumb|The Butcher/Jackson living room in 2008.|alt=refer to caption]]
The exterior set for the fictional Albert Square is located in the permanent [[backlot]] of the [[BBC Elstree Centre]], [[Borehamwood]], [[Hertfordshire]], at {{coord|51|39|32|N|0|16|40|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline}}, and is outdoors and open to the weather.<ref name="Set">{{cite web|title=EastEnders Set|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@51.6586784,-0.2775168,70m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en-GB|publisher=[[Google Maps]]|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> It was initially built in 1984 with a specification that it should last for at least 15 years at a cost of £750,000.<ref>{{Harvnb|Kingsley|1991|p=9}}</ref> The ''EastEnders'' lot was designed by Keith Harris, who was a senior designer within the production team together with supervising art directors Peter Findley and Gina Parr.<ref name="Londonist">{{cite web|last1=Venables|first1=Ben|title=The Story Behind The Set Of EastEnders|date=13 January 2015|url=http://londonist.com/2015/01/exclusive-the-story-behind-the-sets-of-eastenders|publisher=[[londonist]]|access-date=7 May 2017}}</ref> The main buildings on the square consisted originally of hollow shells, constructed from marine plywood facades mounted onto steel frames.<ref name="20years p146">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=146}}</ref> The lower walls, pavements, etc., were constructed of real brick and tarmac. The set had to be made to look as if it had been standing for years. This was done by a number of means, including chipping the pavements, using chemicals to crack the top layer of the paint work, using varnish to create damp patches underneath the railway bridge, and making garden walls in such a way they appeared to sag.<ref name="1987 Annual p43">{{Harvnb|Barraclough|1986|p=43}}</ref> The final touches were added in summer 1984; these included a [[telephone box]], [[telegraph pole]] that was provided by [[British Telecom]], [[lampposts]] that were provided by [[Hertsmere]] Borough Council and a number of vehicles parked on the square.<ref name="1987 Annual p43" /> All the appliances on each set are fully functional, such as gas cookers, the laundry washing machines and [[#Setting|The Queen Victoria]] beer pumps.<ref name="1987 Annual p43" />

The walls were intentionally built crooked to give them an aged appearance.<ref name="20years p146" /> The drains around the set are real so rainwater can naturally flow from the streets.<ref name="Insidestory p43">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=43}}</ref> The square was built in two phases with only three sides being built, plus Bridge Street, to begin with in 1984, in time to be used for the show's first episode.<ref name="Insidestory p95">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|p=95}}</ref> Then in 1986, Harris added an extension to the set, building the fourth side of Albert Square, and in 1987, Turpin Road began to be featured more, which included buildings such as The Dagmar.<ref name="First10Years p19-20">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|pp=19–20}}</ref>

In 1993, George Street was added, and soon after [[Walford East tube station|Walford East Underground station]] was built, to create further locations when ''EastEnders'' went from two to three episodes per week. The set was constructed by the BBC in-house construction department under construction manager Mike Hagan. Most of the buildings on Albert Square have no interior filming space, with a few exceptions, and most do not have rears or gardens. Some interior shots are filmed in the actual buildings.

In February 2008, it was reported that the set would transfer to [[Pinewood Studios]] in [[Buckinghamshire]], where a new set would be built<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3386610.ece |title=Sets too shabby for latest TVs force EastEnders out of town|date=18 February 2008|work=Times Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013170154/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3386610.ece|archive-date=13 October 2008}}</ref> as the set was looking "shabby", with its flaws showing up on [[high-definition television]] broadcasts; however, by April 2010 a follow-up report confirmed that Albert Square would remain at Elstree Studios for at least another four years, taking the set through its 25th anniversary.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Chris|title=High-definition television forces BBC to fix sets|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/high-definition-television-forces-bbc-to-fix-its-sets-1757472.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=1 May 2017|date=22 July 2009}}</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/apr/28/eastenders-elstree-studios EastEnders to stay at Elstree Studios] Guardian</ref> The set was consequently rebuilt for high definition on the same site, using mostly real brick with some areas using a new improved plastic brick. Throughout rebuilding filming would still take place, and so scaffolding was often seen on screen during the process, with some storylines written to accommodate the rebuilding, such as the [[Queen Vic Fire Week|Queen Vic fire]].<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Set Support Eastenders|url=http://www.mediastructures.co.uk/portfolio/tv-set-support-eastenders/|publisher=Media Structures Ltd|access-date=5 May 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230160331/http://www.mediastructures.co.uk/portfolio/tv-set-support-eastenders/|archive-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>

In 2014, then executive producer [[Dominic Treadwell-Collins]] said that he wanted Albert Square to look like a real-life east London neighbourhood so that the soap would "better reflect the more fashionable areas of east London beloved of young professionals" giving a flavour of the "creeping gentrification" of east London. He added: "It should feel more like London. It's been frozen in aspic for too long."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-25922416|title=EastEnders makes a move upmarket|publisher=BBC|date=28 January 2014|access-date=3 February 2014 }}</ref> The BBC announced that it would rebuild the ''EastEnders'' set<ref name="digitalspy.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a546056/eastenders-announces-plans-to-build-new-exterior-set-at-elstree/|title=EastEnders announces plans to build new exterior set at Elstree|website=Digital Spy|date=23 January 2014}}</ref> to secure the long-term future of the show, with completion expected to be in 2018. The set would provide a modern, upgraded exterior filming resource for ''EastEnders'', and copy the appearance of the existing buildings; however, it would be 20 per cent bigger, in order to enable greater editorial ambition and improve working conditions for staff. A temporary set would be created on-site to enable filming to continue while the permanent structure was rebuilt.<ref name="digitalspy.co.uk" />

In May 2016, the rebuild was delayed until 2020, and forecast to cost in excess of £15&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Plunkett|first1=John|title=BBC's new EastEnders set delayed until 2020|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/may/10/bbcs-new-eastenders-set-delayed-until-2020|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=22 December 2016|date=10 May 2016}}</ref> although the main part of the set was scheduled to be able to start filming in May 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hardingham-Gill|first1=Tamara|title=EastEnders' new and improved set won't be ready until 2020|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/16/eastenders-new-and-improved-set-wont-be-ready-until-2020-5886350/|newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=22 December 2016|date=16 May 2016}}</ref> In December 2018, it was revealed that the new set was now planned to cost £59&nbsp;million but a [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] (NAO) report stated that it would actually cost £86.7&nbsp;million and be completed two-and-a-half years later than planned, in 2023; the NAO concluded that the BBC "could not provide value for money on the project".<ref name="EastEnders set over budget" /> The NAO's forecast cost was more than the annual combined budget for [[BBC Radio 1]] and [[BBC Radio 2|Radio 2]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Media news |magazine=[[Private Eye]] |location=London |publisher= Pressdram Ltd|date=22 December 2018 }}</ref> The BBC said the new set would be more suitable for HD filming, and better reflect the modern East End of London.<ref name="EastEnders set over budget">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/dec/13/bbc-new-eastenders-set-over-budget-by-27m-watchdog-finds|title=BBC's new EastEnders set over budget by £27m, watchdog finds|last=Syal|first=Rajeev|date=13 December 2018|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref> In March 2019 there was criticism from a group of MPs about how the BBC handled the redevelopment of the set.<ref>House of Commons [[Public Accounts Committee]], [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmpubacc/1737/1737.pdf Renewing the EastEnders set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413065849/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmpubacc/1737/1737.pdf |date=13 April 2019 }}, published 20 March 2019</ref> In March 2020, during the suspension of filming, the interior sets were used for a new adaptation of ''[[Talking Heads (British TV series)|Talking Heads]]''. This marked the first time that it had been used for anything other than ''EastEnders''.<ref name="New Talking Heads filmed on EastEnders set">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/breaking-eastenders-filming-begin-again-22026296.amp|title= EastEnders filming will begin again next month – but with major changes for cast|last=Saunders|first=Emmeline|date=14 May 2020|work=[[Daily Mirror|The Mirror]]|access-date=9 June 2020}}</ref> In January 2022, the new £86.7m exterior set was officially unveiled by the BBC, replacing the original set built in 1984. The new scenes from the new set first appeared in episodes airing in spring that year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-59950299|title=EastEnders starts filming on troubled new £87m Albert Square sets|date=11 January 2022|accessdate=12 January 2022|newspaper=[[BBC News Online|BBC News]]}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
The majority of ''EastEnders'' episodes are filmed at the [[BBC Elstree Centre]] in [[Borehamwood]], Hertfordshire.<ref name="Educational Resource Part Two" /> In January 1987, ''EastEnders'' had three production teams each comprising a director, production manager, production assistant and assistant floor manager. Other permanent staff included the producer's office, script department and designer, meaning between 30 and 35 people would be working full-time on ''EastEnders'', rising to 60 to 70 on filming days.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tinyurl.galegroup.com/tinyurl/8fBC30|title=Can they pull the plug on Dirty Den?|last=Greaves|first=William|date=6 January 1987|work=[[The Times]]|page=8|access-date=1 January 2019 |via=The Times Digital Archive}}</ref> When the number of episodes was increased to four per week, more studio space was needed, so ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' was moved from its studio at Elstree to [[BBC Television Centre]] in April 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Revamped "Top of the Pops" returns to old home after a decade in exile |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/revamped-top-of-the-pops-returns-to-old-home-after-a-decade-in-exile-9217880.html |work=The Independent |date=16 October 2001 |access-date=28 February 2008 |location=London |first=Louise |last=Jury}}</ref> Episodes are produced in "quartets" of four episodes, each of which starts filming on a Tuesday and takes nine days to record.<ref name="Educational Resource Part Two" /> Each day, between 25 and 30 scenes are recorded.<ref name="Camera Supervisor">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/redirects/general.shtml|title=Camera Supervisor|website=EastEnders|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028084813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/backstage/crew/interviews/interview_content/interview_camera_supervisor.shtml |archive-date=28 October 2006}}</ref> During the filming week, actors can film for as many as eight to 12 episodes. Exterior scenes are filmed on a specially constructed film lot, and interior scenes take place in six studios.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Elstree Centre |url=http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/studio%20history.htm#bbc%20elstree |website=TV Studio History |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717051915/http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/studio%20history.htm#bbc%20elstree |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Educational Resource Part Two">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0010.shtml|title=Educational Resource (Part Two)|website=EastEnders|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206193347/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0010.shtml |archive-date=6 February 2007}}</ref> The episodes are usually filmed about six<ref name="Educational Resource Part Two" /> to eight weeks in advance of broadcast. During the winter period, filming can take place up to 12 weeks in advance, due to less daylight for outdoor filming sessions.<ref name="20years p147">{{Harvnb|Smith|2005|p=147}}</ref> This time difference has been known to cause problems when filming outdoor scenes. On 8 February 2007, heavy snow fell on the set and filming had to be cancelled as the scenes due to be filmed on the day were to be transmitted in April.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/index.shtml|title=Winter Wonderland|website=EastEnders|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210160540/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20070108.shtml |archive-date=10 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/let-it-snow---airports-and-schools-closed-450946|title=Let it snow&nbsp;– airports and schools closed|date=9 February 2007|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=4 January 2013}}</ref> ''EastEnders'' is normally recorded using four cameras.<ref name="Camera Supervisor" /> When a quartet is completed, it is edited by the director, videotape editor and script supervisor.<ref name="Educational Resource Part Two" /> The producer then reviews the edits and decides if anything needs to be re-edited, which the director will do. A week later, sound is added to the episodes and they are technically reviewed, and are ready for transmission if they are deemed of acceptable quality.<ref name="Educational Resource Part Two" />

Although episodes are predominantly recorded weeks before they are broadcast, occasionally, ''EastEnders'' includes current events. In 1987, ''EastEnders'' covered the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|general election]].<ref name="First10Years p54">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=54}}</ref> Using a plan devised by co-creators Smith and Holland, five minutes of material was cut from four of the pre-recorded episodes preceding the election.<ref name="First10Years p54" /> These were replaced by specially recorded election material, including representatives from each major party, and a scene recorded on the day after the election reflecting the result, which was broadcast the following Tuesday.<ref name="First10Years p54" /> The result of the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]] was referenced on 7 May 2010 episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a216777/eastenders-to-reference-election-result/|title=EXCLUSIVE: "EastEnders" to reference election result|last=Green|first=Kris|date=5 May 2010|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref> During the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]], actors filmed short scenes following the tournament's events that were edited into the programme in the following episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5076722.stm|title=World Cup fever hits Walford|last=Robb|first=Stephen|date=14 June 2006|work=BBC News|access-date=4 January 2013}}</ref> Last-minute scenes have also been recorded to reference the 50th anniversary of the end of the [[Second World War]] in 1995, the two-minute silence on Remembrance Day 2005 (2005 also being the year for the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 200th anniversary of the [[Battle of Trafalgar]]), [[Barack Obama]]'s election victory in 2008,<ref name="Last-minute scenes">{{cite news|title=EastEnders film last-minute scene to mark Michael Jackson's death for Friday's episode|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5651820/EastEnders-film-last-minute-scene-to-mark-Michael-Jacksons-death-for-Fridays-episode.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5651820/EastEnders-film-last-minute-scene-to-mark-Michael-Jacksons-death-for-Fridays-episode.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=22 December 2016|date=26 June 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the [[death of Michael Jackson]] in 2009,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a162236/eastenders-films-michael-jackson-reference/|title='EastEnders' films Michael Jackson reference|first=Kris|last=Green|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=26 June 2009|access-date=26 June 2009}}</ref> the [[Spending Review#2010 Comprehensive Spending Review|2010 Comprehensive Spending Review]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a283418/eastenders-to-reference-spending-review/|title=Exclusive: "EastEnders" to reference spending review|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=21 October 2010|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=21 October 2010}}</ref> [[Andy Murray]] winning the [[2013 Wimbledon Championships&nbsp;– Men's Singles|men's singles]] at the [[2013 Wimbledon Championships]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/37597-eastenders-to-reference-andy-murray-wimbledon-victory/|title=EastEnders to reference Andy Murray Wimbledon victory|last=Patterson|first=Callum|date=9 July 2013|work=ATV Today UK|publisher=ATV Network|access-date=9 July 2013|archive-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721221921/http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/37597-eastenders-to-reference-andy-murray-wimbledon-victory/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton]], the birth of [[Prince George of Wales]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23417708|title=EastEnders reflects Royal birth|date=23 July 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=24 July 2013}}</ref> Scotland voting no against independence in 2014, and the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the [[First World War]].

''EastEnders'' is often filmed on location, away from the studios in Borehamwood. Sometimes an entire quartet is filmed on location, which has a practical function and are the result of ''EastEnders'' making a "double bank", when an extra week's worth of episodes are recorded at the same time as the regular schedule, enabling the production of the programme to stop for a two-week break at Christmas. These episodes often air in late June or early July and again in late October or early November.<ref name="first10years">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=<!-- page numbers needed for each of the 21 references to this book, cite each one separately with this template -->}}</ref> The first time this happened was in December 1985 when [[Pauline Fowler|Pauline]] ([[Wendy Richard]]) and [[Arthur Fowler]] ([[Bill Treacher]]) travelled to the [[Southend-on-Sea]] to find their son [[Mark Fowler|Mark]], who had run away from home.<ref name="First10Years p36">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=36}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |title=Episode dated 31 December 1985|series= EastEnders|network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC1]]|airdate=31 December 1985}}</ref> In 1986, ''EastEnders'' filmed overseas for the first time, in [[Venice]], and this was also the first time it was not shot on videotape, as a union rule at the time prevented producers taking a video crew abroad and a film crew had to be used instead.<ref name="First10Years p46">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=46}}</ref> In 2011, it was reported that eight per cent of the series is filmed on location.<ref name="Cost of producing continuing drama" />

If scenes during a normal week are to be filmed on location, this is done during the normal recording week.<ref name="Educational Resource Part Two" /> Off-set locations that have been used for filming include [[Clacton]] (1989), [[Devon]] (September 1990), [[Hertfordshire]] (used for scenes set in [[Gretna Green]] in July 1991), [[Portsmouth]] (November 1991),<ref name="first10years" /> [[Milan]] (1997), [[EastEnders episodes in Ireland|Ireland]] (1997),<ref name="Italy">{{cite news|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-61053150|title=Italy's Square deal; last night's view|last=Purnell|first=Tony|date=11 November 1997|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=4 January 2013|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901170301/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-61053150/italy-s-square-deal-last-night-s-view|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Amsterdam]] (December 1999),<ref name="amsterdam1">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/695141.stm|title=Watchdog attacks EastEnders|date=29 March 2000|work=BBC News|access-date=4 January 2013}}</ref> [[Brighton]] (2001) and [[Portugal]] (2003).<ref name="A Life Abroad">{{cite web|url=http://uktv.co.uk/gold/item/aid/527844|title=EastEnders: A Life Abroad|publisher=[[UKTV]]|access-date=4 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927214009/http://uktv.co.uk/gold/item/aid/527844 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> In 2003, filming took place at Loch Fyne Hotel and Leisure Club in [[Inveraray]], The Arkinglass Estate in [[Cairndow]] and Grims Dyke Hotel, [[Harrow Weald]], north London, for a week of episodes set in Scotland.<ref name="A Life Abroad" /> The episode shown on 9 April 2007 featured scenes filmed at [[St Giles Church, Wormshill|St Giles Church]] and The Blacksmiths Arms public house in [[Wormshill]], the [[Ringlestone Inn]], two miles away and Court Lodge Farm in [[Stansted, Kent|Stansted]], Kent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2007/04/eastenders-easter-special-2007/|title=Eastenders Easter Special (2007)|publisher=Kent Film Office|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421080302/https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2007/04/eastenders-easter-special-2007/|archive-date=21 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Port of Dover]], [[Kent]]. .<ref>{{cite web |author=Kent Film Office |url=https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2018/01/eastenders-2018/ |title=Kent Film Office Eastenders Article |access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052934/https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2018/01/eastenders-2018/ |archive-date=24 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Other locations have included the court house, a disused office block, Evershed House,<ref>{{cite episode|title= EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella|series= EastEnders|episode-link= List of EastEnders television spin-offs#EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella| network= [[BBC]]| station= [[BBC Three]]| airdate= 20 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Eastenders in court |url=http://www.hertsad.co.uk/content/herts/news/story.aspx?brand=HADOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newshadnew&itemid=WEED23%20Aug%202007%2012%3A08%3A39%3A560 |work=The Herts Advertiser |date=23 August 2007 |access-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928144255/http://www.hertsad.co.uk/content/herts/news/story.aspx?brand=HADOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newshadnew&itemid=WEED23%20Aug%202007%2012%3A08%3A39%3A560 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Church of St Peter, St Albans|St Peter's Church]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/4778756.Streaker_storms_Eastenders_film_set_in_St_Albans/?ref=mr|title=Streaker storms EastEnders film set in St Albans|work=St Albans and Harpenden Review|first=Alexandra|last=Barham|date=4 December 2009|access-date=5 December 2009}}</ref> all in [[St Albans]], an abandoned mental facility in [[Worthing]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Have a Butchers at this|url=http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/features/article2876711.ece|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|date=19 August 2007|first=Ben|last=Falk|access-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070824133532/http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/features/article2876711.ece |archive-date = 24 August 2007}}</ref> and a wedding dress shop in [[Muswell Hill]], north London.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a223502/pics-ronnie-shops-for-a-wedding-dress-in-enders/|title=Pics: Ronnie shops for a wedding dress in 'Enders?|last=Green|first=Kris|date=7 June 2010|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=7 June 2010|location=London}}</ref> A week of episodes in 2011 saw filming take place on a beach in [[Thorpe Bay]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/9069494.EastEnders_Dot_Cotton_filming_in_Thorpe_Bay/|title=EastEnders Dot Cotton filming in Thorpe Bay|last=McCarthy|first=Ryan|date=7 June 2011|work=Echo|access-date=7 June 2011|location=Basildon}}</ref> and a pier in Southend-on-Sea—during which a stuntman was injured when a gust of wind threw him off balance and he fell onto rocks—<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-stunt-actor-smashes-head-133522|title=EastEnders stunt actor smashes head while filming Ryan Malloy horror fall|last=Boyle|first=Simon|date=8 June 2011|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=8 June 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a323763/eastenders-stuntman-injured-in-pier-fall/|title='EastEnders' stuntman injured in pier fall|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=8 June 2011|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=8 June 2011|location=London}}</ref> with other scenes filmed on the Essex coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/news/north_essex_news/9288427.essex-eastenders-filmed-in-clacton/|title=Essex: EastEnders filmed in Clacton|date=5 October 2011|work=Braintree and Witham Times|publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd.|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/9286710.eastenders-on-sea/|title=EastEnders on sea|last=Lambert|first=Dave|date=4 October 2011|work=Daily Gazette|publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd.|access-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> In 2012, filming took place in [[Keynsham]], Somerset.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|title='EastEnders' car crash details revealed|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a405239/eastenders-car-crash-details-revealed/|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=11 September 2012|date=11 September 2012}}</ref> In January 2013, on-location filming at [[Grahame Park]] in [[Colindale]], north London, was interrupted by at least seven youths who threw a firework at the set and threatened members of the crew.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a454140/eastenders-shoot-interrupted-by-gang-threatening-to-cut-up-crew/|title='EastEnders' shoot interrupted by gang threatening to "cut up" crew|last=Daniels|first=Colin|date=27 January 2013|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> In October 2013, scenes were filmed on a road near [[London Southend Airport]] in Essex.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theenquirer.co.uk/read.aspx?id=12608 |title=EastEnders meets Southend |date=10 October 2013 |work=The Enquirer |access-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014173611/http://www.theenquirer.co.uk/read.aspx?id=12608 |archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has featured seven live broadcasts. For its 25th anniversary in February 2010, a [[EastEnders Live|live episode]] was broadcast in which [[Stacey Slater]] ([[Lacey Turner]]) was revealed as [[Archie Mitchell]]'s ([[Larry Lamb]]) killer. Turner was told only 30&nbsp;minutes before the live episode and to maintain suspense, she whispers this revelation to former lover and current father-in-law, Max Branning, in the very final moments of the live show. Many other cast members only found out at the same time as the public, when the episode was broadcast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a177337/live-ep-for-eastenders-25th-anniversary/|title=Live ep for "EastEnders" 25th anniversary|work=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Kris|last=Green|date=15 September 2009|access-date=15 September 2009}}</ref> On 23 July 2012, a segment of [[Episode 4466|that evening's episode]] was screened live as [[Billy Mitchell (EastEnders)|Billy Mitchell]] ([[Perry Fenwick]]) carried the [[Olympic flame]] around Walford in preparation for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Nickie |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2F2011%2F11%2Fthe-olympic-flame-comes-to-wal.shtml |title=EastEnders: The Olympic flame comes to Walford! |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 March 2012}}</ref> In February 2015, for the soap's 30th anniversary, [[EastEnders Live Week|five episodes in a week]] featured live inserts throughout them. Episodes airing on Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 (which featured an hour long episode and a second episode) all featured at least one live insert. The show revealed that the killer of [[Lucy Beale]] ([[Hetti Bywater]]) was her younger brother, [[Bobby Beale (EastEnders)|Bobby]] (Eliot Carrington), during the second episode on Thursday, after a [[Who Killed Lucy Beale?|10-month mystery regarding who killed her]]. In a flashback episode which revisited the night of the murder, Bobby was revealed to have killed his sister. The aftermath episode, which aired on Friday 20, was completely live and explained in detail Lucy's death. Carrington was told he was Lucy's killer on Monday 16,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a630200/eastenders-boss-on-bobby-reveal-its-the-start-of-a-bigger-story/|title=EastEnders boss on Bobby reveal: 'It's the start of a bigger story'|website=Digital Spy|date=19 February 2015|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> while [[Laurie Brett]] (who plays Bobby's adoptive mother, [[Jane Beale|Jane]]) was informed in November, due to the character playing a major role in the cover-up of Lucy's murder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a630489/eastenders-star-laurie-brett-on-bobby-ive-known-since-november/|title=EastEnders star Laurie Brett on Bobby: 'I've known since November'|website=Digital Spy|date=20 February 2015|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> Bywater only discovered Bobby was responsible for Lucy's death on the morning of Thursday, 19 February, several hours before they filmed the scenes revealing Bobby as Lucy's killer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a630208/eastenders-star-hetti-bywater-on-bobby-reveal-i-was-so-shocked/|title=EastEnders star Hetti Bywater on Bobby reveal: 'I was so shocked'|website=Digital Spy|date=20 February 2015|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>

=== Post-production ===
Each episode should run for 27 minutes and 15 seconds; however, if any episode runs over or under then it is the job of post-production to cut or add scenes where appropriate. As noted in the 1994 behind-the-scenes book, ''EastEnders: The First 10 Years'', after filming, tapes were sent to the videotape editor, who then edited the scenes together into an episode. The videotape editor used the director's notes so they knew which scenes the director wanted to appear in a particular episode. The producer might have asked for further changes to be made.<ref name="First10Years p142">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=142}}</ref> The episode was then copied onto [[D3 video]]. The final process was to add the audio which included background noise such as a train or a jukebox music and to check it met the [[BBC]]'s technical standard for broadcasting.<ref name="First10Years p143">{{Harvnb|Brake|1995|p=143}}</ref>

Since 2010, ''EastEnders'' no longer uses tapes in the recording or editing process. After footage is recorded, the material is sent digitally to the post-production team. The editors then assemble all the scenes recorded for the director to view and note any changes that are needed. The sound team also have the capability to access the edited episode, enabling them to dub the sound and create the final version.<ref name="EastEnders Case Study">{{cite web|title=EastEnders|url=https://www.bbcstudioworks.com/?case_study=eastenders|publisher=[[BBC Studios]]|access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref>

=== Budgets and costs ===
According to the book ''How to Study Television'', in 1995 ''EastEnders'' cost the BBC £40,000 per episode on average.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sun, Sea, Sex, Sand and Conservatism in the Australian Television Soap Opera|url=http://eprints.qut.edu.au/62594/2/62594.pdf#page=3|publisher=[[Queensland University of Technology]]|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> A 2012 agreement between the BBC, the [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] and the Personal Managers' Association set out the pay rate for ''EastEnders'' scripts as £137.70 per minute of transmission time (£4,131 for 30 minutes), which is 85 per cent of the rate for scripts for other BBC television series. The writers would be paid 75 per cent of that fee for any repeats of the episode.<ref name="Writers Guild">{{cite web|title=BBC television script agreement|url=https://writersguild.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BBC-TV-Script-Agreement.pdf|publisher=[[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]]|access-date=11 July 2016|date=22 May 2012|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816121756/https://writersguild.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BBC-TV-Script-Agreement.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, it was reported that actors receive a per-episode fee of between £400 and £1,200, and are guaranteed a certain number of episodes per year, perhaps as few as 30 or as many as 100, therefore annual salaries could range from £12,000 to £200,000 depending on the popularity of a character. Some actors' salaries were leaked in 2006, revealing that [[Natalie Cassidy]] ([[Sonia Fowler]]) was paid £150,000, [[Cliff Parisi]] ([[Minty Peterson]]) received £220,000, [[Barbara Windsor]] ([[Peggy Mitchell]]) and [[Steve McFadden]] ([[Phil Mitchell]]) each received £360,000 and [[Wendy Richard]] ([[Pauline Fowler]]) had a salary of £370,000.<ref name="how much do soap stars earn?" /> In 2017, it was revealed that [[Danny Dyer]] ([[Mick Carter]]) and [[Adam Woodyatt]] ([[Ian Beale]]) were the highest-paid actors in ''EastEnders'', earning between £200,000 and £249,999, followed by [[Laurie Brett]] ([[Jane Beale]]), [[Letitia Dean]] ([[Sharon Watts]]), [[Tameka Empson]] ([[Kim Fox]]), [[Linda Henry]] ([[Shirley Carter]]), [[Scott Maslen]] ([[Jack Branning]]), [[Diane Parish]] ([[Denise Fox]]), [[Gillian Taylforth]] ([[Kathy Beale]]) and [[Lacey Turner]] ([[Stacey Slater]]), earning between £150,000 and £199,999.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/19/revealed-full-list-bbcs-96-highest-paid-stars/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/19/revealed-full-list-bbcs-96-highest-paid-stars/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Revealed: The full list of the BBC's 96 highest-paid stars|last1=Singh|first1=Anita|last2=Boyle|first2=Danny|date=19 July 2017|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=19 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

A 2011 report from the [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] (NAO) showed that ''EastEnders'' had an annual budget of £29.9&nbsp;million. Of that, £2.9&nbsp;million was spent on scripts and £6.9&nbsp;million went towards paying actors, extras and chaperones for child actors.<ref name="how much do soap stars earn?">{{cite magazine|title=How much do soap stars earn?|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2011-05-14/how-much-do-soap-stars-earn|magazine=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=4 June 2016|date=14 May 2011}}</ref> According to the NAO, BBC executives approved £500,000 of additional funding for the [[EastEnders Live|25th anniversary live episode]] (19 February 2010).<ref name="National Audit Office">{{cite web|title=The BBC's management of the costs of producing continuing drama|url=https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1011_bbc_drama.pdf#page=18|publisher=[[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]]|access-date=4 June 2016|date=3 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Anthony|title=BBC spent £700,000 on EastEnders episode |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/bbc-spent-700000-on-eastenders-episode-2249790.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=4 June 2016|date=22 March 2011}}</ref> With a total cost of £696,000, the difference was covered from the 2009–2010 series budget for ''EastEnders''.<ref name="National Audit Office" /> When repeats and omnibus editions are shown, the BBC pays additional fees to cast and scriptwriters and incurs additional editing costs, which in the period 2009–2010, amounted to £5.5{{nbsp}}million.<ref name="Cost of producing continuing drama" /> According to a [[Radio Times]] article for 212 episodes it works out at £141,000 per episode or 3.5p per viewer hour.<ref name="how much do soap stars earn?" />

{| class="wikitable"
|+Total annual cost<ref>{{cite web|title=Total annual cost of the continuing dramas|url=https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1011_bbc_drama.pdf#page=26|publisher=[[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]]|access-date=4 June 2016|date=3 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="Cost of producing continuing drama">{{cite web|url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/vfm/continuing_drama.pdf|title=The BBC's management of the costs of producing continuing drama|date=3 March 2011|publisher=[[BBC Trust]]|access-date=13 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825163533/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/vfm/continuing_drama.pdf|archive-date=25 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!Year
! 2002–2003 !! 2003–2004 !! 2004–2005 !! 2005–2006 !! 2006–2007 !! 2007–2008 !! 2008–2009 !! 2009–2010
|-
!Cost (£millions)
| 35.8 || 36.2 || 34.7 || 34.1 || 33.0 || 33.6 || 31.5 || 29.9
|}

=== Sustainability ===
In 2014, two new studios were built and they were equipped with low-energy lighting which has saved approximately 90,000 kwh per year.<ref name="Sustainability">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2Fentries%2Fbb643f66-1847-44f5-a0f8-e64038802e8e|title=Eco-Enders&nbsp;– EastEnders earns top sustainability award|date=9 May 2016|work=EastEnders|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> A carbon literacy course was run with heads of departments of ''EastEnders'' attending. As a result, representatives from each department agreed to meet quarterly to share new sustainability ideas.<ref name="Sustainability" /> The paper usage was reduced by 50 per cent across script distribution and other weekly documents and 20 per cent across all other paper usage.<ref name="Sustainability" /> The production team also began using recycled paper and stationery.<ref name="Sustainability" />

Additionally, changes made to working online also saved transportation cost of distribution 2,500 DVDs per year.<ref name="Sustainability" /> Sets, costumes, paste pots and paint are all recycled by the design department.<ref name="Sustainability" /> Cars used by the studio are low emission vehicles and the production team take more efficient energy efficient generators out on location.<ref name="Sustainability" /> Caterers no longer use polystyrene cups and recycling on location must be provided.<ref name="Sustainability" />

As a result of ''EastEnders''{{'}} sustainability, it was awarded [[albert+]], an award that recognises the production's commitment to becoming a more eco-friendly television production.<ref name="Sustainability" /> The albert+ logo was first shown at the end of the ''EastEnders'' titles for episode 5281 on 9 May 2016.<ref name="Sustainability" /> Four years later, in 2020, the organisation did a follow-up piece about ''EastEnders''{{'}} sustainability. They revealed that all food served on set as a prop is vegetarian, unless the script requires it to be meat. All food waste and any other compostable waste, including the flowers from the market's flower stall or from a wedding or funeral, are also collected for [[anerobic digestion]]. The soap also began using electric vehicles whilst filming and has its own electric car sharing scheme and charging point. Off set, ''EastEnders'' has two hybrid technical vans and extended their hybrid fleet to the props department with a hybrid props van.<ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders (2020) | date=21 December 2020 |url=https://wearealbert.org/climate-content/eastenders-2020/#:~:text=All%20food%20served%20on%20set,now%20collected%20for%20anerobic%20digestion. |publisher=[[albert+]] |access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref>

== Scheduling ==
=== Broadcast ===
Since 1985, ''EastEnders'' has remained at the centre of [[BBC One]]'s primetime schedule. From 2001 to 2022, it was broadcast at 7:30{{nbsp}}pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and 8{{nbsp}}pm on Monday and Friday. ''EastEnders'' was originally broadcast twice weekly at 7:00{{nbsp}}pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 19 February 1985; however, in September 1985 the two episodes were moved to 7:30{{nbsp}}pm as [[Michael Grade]] did not want the soap running in direct competition with ''[[Emmerdale Farm]]'', and this remained the same until 7 April 1994. The BBC had originally planned to take advantage of the "summer break" that ''Emmerdale Farm'' usually took to capitalise on ratings, but [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] added extra episodes and repeats so that ''Emmerdale Farm'' was not taken off the air over the summer. Realising the futility of the situation, Grade decided to move the show to the later 7:30{{nbsp}}pm slot.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Newcomb |first1=Horace |title=Encyclopedia of television |date=2005 |publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn |isbn=978-1-57958-394-1 |page=780 |oclc=155865398 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|newspaper= [[The Times]]|title= EastEnders loses the ratings battle|date= 15 August 1985|page= 3|issue= 62217|url= http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=herlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS52007183&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|via= [[Gale (publisher)|Gale]]|first= David|last= Hewson|access-date= 16 December 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181222121847/http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do|archive-date= 22 December 2018|url-status= dead}}</ref>

The show's output then increased to three times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 April 1994 until 2 August 2001.<ref name="edures">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0011.shtml |title= Educational resource (part one) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403175032/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0011.shtml |archive-date=3 April 2007|publisher=BBC}}</ref>
From 10 August 2001, ''EastEnders'' then added its fourth episode (shown on Fridays).<ref name="edures" /> This caused some controversy, as the first Friday episode clashed with ''Coronation Street'', which was moved to 8{{nbsp}}pm to make way for an hour-long episode of rural soap ''Emmerdale''. In this first head-to-head battle, ''EastEnders'' claimed victory over its rival.<ref>{{Cite news
|url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/aug/13/broadcasting|title = EastEnders wins soap battle|work=[[The Guardian]] |date = 13 August 2001|access-date =16 July 2006| location=London| first=Jason| last=Deans}}</ref>

In early 2003, viewers could watch episodes of ''EastEnders'' on digital channel [[BBC Three]] before they were broadcast on BBC One. This was to coincide with the relaunch of the channel and helped BBC Three break the one million viewers mark for the first time with 1.03&nbsp;million who watched to see [[Mark Fowler]]'s departure.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/feb/14/bbc.overnights|title = BBC3 breaks down the barriers|work=[[The Guardian]] |date = 14 February 2003|access-date =16 July 2006| location=London| first=Jason| last=Deans}}</ref> According to the ''EastEnders'' website, there are, on average, 208 episodes outputted each year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Educational Resource (Part Two)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0010.shtml|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060304032805/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/haveyoursay/howcani/howcani_content/howcani_0010.shtml |archive-date=4 March 2006}}</ref>

On 21 February 2022, it was announced that from 7 March 2022, ''EastEnders'' would begin airing from Monday to Thursday at 7:30{{nbsp}}pm, therefore no longer airing on a Friday. This meant that ''EastEnders'' would clash with ''Emmerdale'', but the producers stated that due to the importance of online streaming figures, they were not concerned about the soaps clashing on the live television guides.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why is EastEnders changing its time slot on BBC? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/eastenders-bbc-change-schedule-b2020202.html |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=22 February 2022}}</ref>

=== Repeats ===
The [[omnibus (broadcast)|omnibus]] edition, a compilation of the week's episodes in a continuous sequence, originally aired on BBC One on Sunday afternoons,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museum.tv/eotv/eastenders.htm|publisher=MuseumTV|title=The Museum of Broadcast Communications&nbsp;– Encyclopedia of Television|access-date=9 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504064930/http://www.museum.tv/eotv/eastenders.htm|archive-date=4 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> until 1 April 2012, when it was changed to a late Friday night or early Saturday morning slot, commencing on 6 April 2012, though the exact time differed.<ref name="BBC blog">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2F2012%2F04%2Feastenders-omnibus-has-moved.shtml|title=BBC&nbsp;– EastEnders: EastEnders Omnibus has moved|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="Omnibus 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007sh7m/episodes/guide|title=EastEnders Omnibus|date=April 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 April 2012}}</ref> It reverted to a weekend daytime slot from January 2013 on BBC Two. In 2014, the omnibus moved back to around midnight on Friday nights, and in April 2015, the omnibus was axed, following detailed audience research and the introduction of 30-day catch up on [[BBC iPlayer]] and the planning of [[BBC One#BBC One +1|BBC One +1]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Omnibus to end in 2015|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Feastenders%2Fentries%2Fcda8168d-effa-3a5e-aefc-9bc38abb1673|publisher=BBC|date= 3 October 2014|access-date=26 November 2014}}</ref> The last omnibus on the BBC was shown on 24 April 2015. While [[W (British TV channel)|W]] was showing same-day repeats of ''EastEnders'', they also returned the weekend omnibus, starting on 20 February 2016.<ref name="Repeats on W" /><ref name="W">{{cite web|last1=Sheldon|first1=Alfie|title=EastEnders repeats to move to rebranded Watch channel|url=http://www.eastendersspy.co.uk/2016/02/16/reminder-eastenders-repeats-are-moving-to-channel-w/|publisher=eastendersspy.co.uk|access-date=12 February 2018|date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213022035/http://www.eastendersspy.co.uk/2016/02/16/reminder-eastenders-repeats-are-moving-to-channel-w/|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

From 20 February to 26 May 1995, as part of the programme's 10th anniversary celebrations, episodes from 1985 were repeated each weekday morning at 10{{nbsp}}am, starting from episode one.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1995-02-20| title=BBC One listings: 20 February 1995| access-date=12 February 2015| archive-date=13 February 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213020322/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1995-02-20| url-status=dead}}</ref> Four specially selected episodes from 1985, 1986 and 1987 were also repeated on BBC1 on Friday evenings at 8{{nbsp}}pm under the banner ''The Unforgettable EastEnders''. These included the wedding of [[Michelle Fowler]] and [[Lofty Holloway]], the revelation of the father of Michelle's baby, a two-hander between [[Dot Cotton]] and [[Ethel Skinner]] and the 1986 Christmas episode featuring [[Den Watts]] presenting [[Angie Watts]] with divorce papers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1995-02-17| title=The Unforgettable EastEnders: 17 February 1995| access-date=12 February 2015| archive-date=13 February 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213021715/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1995-02-17| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/eae91bfeda1b49d584aff81bef3f39a8|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150215013804/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/eae91bfeda1b49d584aff81bef3f39a8|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2015|title=The Unforgettable EastEnders|date=24 February 1995|issue=3709|pages=96|via=BBC Genome}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/38172b224e5b484e81505f707532d3ec|title=The Unforgettable EastEnders|date=3 March 1995|issue=3710|pages=92|via=BBC Genome|access-date=14 May 2019|archive-date=14 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514232744/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/38172b224e5b484e81505f707532d3ec|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/adbfa0b7930a402fad8a98fb736f13f7|title=The Unforgettable EastEnders|date=10 March 1995|issue=3711|pages=94|via=BBC Genome|access-date=14 May 2019|archive-date=15 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515030856/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/adbfa0b7930a402fad8a98fb736f13f7|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' was regularly repeated at 10{{nbsp}}pm on [[BBC Choice]] from the channel's launch in 1998, a practice continued by BBC Three for many years until mid-2012 with the repeat moving to 10:30{{nbsp}}pm. From 25 December 2010 – 29 April 2011 and 31 July 2012 – 13 August 2012 to the show was repeated on [[BBC HD]] in a Simulcast with BBC Three.<ref>{{cite web|title=Episodes by date|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m86d/episodes/player|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EastEnders – 30/07/2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ljvsz |publisher=[[BBC Online]] |access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref> In 2015, the BBC Three repeat moved back to 10{{nbsp}}pm. In February 2016, the repeat moved to W, the rebranded [[W (British TV channel)|Watch]], after BBC Three became an online-only channel.<ref name="Omnibus">{{cite web|title=EastEnders Omnibus Episodes|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007sh7m/episodes/guide|publisher=[[BBC Programmes]]|access-date=1 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="Repeats on W">{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-15/eastenders-repeats-to-move-from-bbc3-to-w-the-new-name-for-uktvs-watch|title=EastEnders repeat&nbsp;– where will it be shown when BBC3 goes off air? New channel W replacing Watch|last=Dowell|first=Ben|date=15 January 2016|work=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=15 January 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116103828/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-15/eastenders-repeats-to-move-from-bbc3-to-w-the-new-name-for-uktvs-watch|url-status=dead}}</ref> W stopped showing ''EastEnders'' in April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a854411/eastenders-repeats-axed-uktv-w-channel-after-two-years/|title=EastEnders repeats axed from UKTV's W Channel after two years|last=Mozafari|first=Laurence|date=10 April 2018|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> Following the reinstatement of BBC Three as a linear channel in 2022, the nightly 'narrative repeat' was not reinstated; instead, the channel retransmits that week's four BBC One episodes at the weekend, airing two episodes on each of Saturday and Sunday evenings, unless live sports or music/events coverage takes precedence. Episodes of ''EastEnders'' were available on-demand through [[BBC iPlayer]] for 30 days after their original screening; however, starting with the episode broadcast on 4 April 2022, episodes were made available indefinitely.<ref name="iPlayer">{{cite web|title=EastEnders iPlayer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006m86d/eastenders|publisher=[[BBC iPlayer]]|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref>

On 1 December 2012, the BBC uploaded the first 54 episodes of ''EastEnders'' to YouTube, and on 23 July 2013 it uploaded a further 14 episodes bringing the total to 68.<ref name="EastEnders Season 1985 Episodes">{{cite web|title=EastEnders Season 1985 Episodes|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=ELFFKbjbgS4RY|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 April 2013|date=1 December 2012}}</ref> These have since been taken down. In April 2018, it was announced that the [[Drama (British TV channel)|Drama]] channel would be showing repeats of the show, starting on 6 August 2018 during weekdays;<ref>{{cite web |title=Classic EastEnders |url=https://drama.uktv.co.uk/shows/classic-eastenders/ |publisher=[[Drama (British TV channel)|Drama]] |access-date=5 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805192734/https://drama.uktv.co.uk/shows/classic-eastenders/ |archive-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> they are also available on-demand on the [[U (streaming service)|U]] catch-up service for 30 days after the broadcast.<ref name="2018 Repeats">{{cite web |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=EastEnders fans, here's when and where you can watch classic episodes from the beginning |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a859769/eastenders-uktv-drama-airing-classic-episodes-from-august/ |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=22 June 2018 |date=18 June 2018}}</ref> In December 2019, Christmas episodes were added to [[BritBox|Britbox UK]].<ref name="Britbox">{{cite web |title=EastEnders Christmas Specials |url=https://www.britbox.co.uk/programme/EastEnders_Christmas_Specials_46207 |publisher=[[Britbox]] |access-date=21 December 2019 }}{{dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== International broadcast ===
[[File:EastEnders World Map.svg|thumb|300px|Countries in which ''EastEnders'' is or has been broadcast|alt=refer to caption]]
''EastEnders'' is broadcast around the world in many [[English language|English-speaking]] countries. New Zealand became the first to broadcast ''EastEnders'' overseas, the first episode being shown on 30 August 1985. This was followed by the Netherlands on 8 December 1986, Australia on 5 January 1987, Norway on 27 April, and Barcelona on 30 June (dubbed into Catalan). On 9 July 1987, it was announced that the show would be aired in the United States on [[PBS]].<ref name="The Inside Story page 210–215">{{Harvnb|Smith|Holland|1987|pp=210–215}}</ref> [[BBC Worldwide]] licensed 200 hours of ''EastEnders'' for broadcast in [[Serbia]] on [[Radio Television of Serbia|RTS]] (dubbed into [[Serbian language|Serbian]]); it began airing the first episode in December 1997.<ref name="Serbia">{{cite journal|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1704983797 |title=International News: WORLD IN BRIEF&nbsp;– SERBIA TO AIR EASTENDERS FROM FIRST EPISODE|access-date=21 February 2017|url-access=limited |journal=[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]|date=12 December 1997|page=15|id={{ProQuest|1704983797}} }}</ref> The series was broadcast in the United States until [[BBC America]] ceased broadcasts of the serial in 2003, amidst fan protests.<ref>[http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc-america-dumps-eastenders/1125975.article BBC America dumps EastEnders], ''[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]'',</ref> In June 2004, the satellite television provider [[Dish Network]] picked up ''EastEnders'', broadcasting episodes starting at the point when [[BBC America]] had ceased broadcasting them, offering the series as a pay-per-view item.<ref name="EastEnders United States">{{cite news|title=EastEnders returns to US screens|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3777231.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=22 December 2016|date=4 June 2004}}</ref> Episodes air two months behind the UK schedule. Episodes from prior years are still shown on various [[PBS]] stations in the US.<ref>"[http://www.weta.org/tv/program/eastenders EastEnders viewing schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316125823/http://www.weta.org/tv/program/eastenders |date=16 March 2017 }}" ''WETA UK EastEnders''. Retrieved 24 May 2013.</ref> Since 7 March 2017, ''EastEnders'' has been available in the United States on demand, 24 hours after it has aired in the United Kingdom via [[BritBox]], a joint venture between the BBC and ITV.<ref name="BritBox">{{cite magazine|last1=Schwindt|first1=Oriana|title=BBC and ITV's BritBox Launches With "Fawlty Towers," 'Prime Suspect,' 'Absolutely Fabulous'|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/britbox-eastenders-streaming-prime-suspect-1202002791/|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=8 March 2017|date=7 March 2017}}</ref>

The series was screened in Australia by [[ABC TV (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]] from 1987 until 1991.<ref>{{Cite news | title = New Today for Dalley | first = Andrew | last = Conway | page = 2 | newspaper = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | location = Sydney | date = 1 February 1999 | access-date = 10 February 2010 | url = http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news990201_0264_8810 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004244/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news990201_0264_8810 | archive-date = 21 March 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> It is aired in Australia on Satellite & Streaming services on [[BBC UKTV]], from Mondays to Thursdays 7:50{{nbsp}}pm–8:30{{nbsp}}pm with two advertisement breaks of five minutes each. Episodes are shown roughly one week after their UK broadcast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcaustralia.com/channels/uktv/|title=UKTV&nbsp;– Channels&nbsp;– BBC Worldwide Australia|website=BBC Worldwide Australia|access-date=9 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823031617/http://www.bbcaustralia.com/channels/uktv|archive-date=23 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In New Zealand, it was shown by [[TVNZ]] on [[TVNZ 1]] for several years, and then on [[Prime (New Zealand)|Prime]] each weekday afternoon. It is shown on [[BBC UKTV]] from Mondays to Thursdays at 8{{nbsp}}pm. Episodes are roughly two weeks behind the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcnewzealand.com/channels/uktv/|title=UKTV&nbsp;– Channels&nbsp;– BBC Worldwide New Zealand|website=BBC Worldwide New Zealand|access-date=9 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728025801/http://www.bbcnewzealand.com/channels/uktv/|archive-date=28 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' is shown on [[BBC Entertainment]] (formerly [[BBC Prime]]) in Europe and in Africa, where it is approximately six episodes behind the UK.<ref>"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2002/08_august/bbcprime_hillandknowlton.shtml BBC Prime]" BBC. Retrieved 25 September 2006.</ref> It was also shown on BBC Prime in Asia, but when the channel was replaced by BBC Entertainment, it ceased broadcasting the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asia.bbcentertainment.com/faq.html#2 |title=Frequently Asked Questions |website=BBC Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923231334/http://asia.bbcentertainment.com/faq.html |archive-date=23 September 2009 |access-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> In Canada, ''EastEnders'' was shown on [[BBC Canada]] until 2010,<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20061007192357/http://bbccanada.com/faq/ Frequently Asked Questions]" BBC Canada. Retrieved 24 September 2006.</ref> at which point it was picked up by [[VisionTV]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/why-do-brit-soaps-endure/article1370436/|title=Why do Brit soaps endure?|last=Doyle|first=John|date=19 October 2010|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto |publisher=[[CTVglobemedia]]|access-date=19 October 2010}}</ref>

In Ireland, ''EastEnders'' was shown on [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] from September 1998 until March 2001, when it moved over to [[RTÉ One]], after [[RTÉ]] lost to TV3 the rights to air rival soap ''Coronation Street''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2001/01/07/story823869928.asp|title=How TV3 beat RTÉ in soap wars|last=Doherty|first=Christine|date=7 January 2001|website=The Sunday Business Post|access-date=4 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050511220905/http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2001/01/07/story823869928.asp |archive-date=11 May 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/listings/television/|title=TV Guide - Listings For All Irish Television Channels |website=[[RTE.ie]]|language=en|access-date=3 August 2019}}</ref> Additionally, episodes of ''EastEnders'' are available on-demand through [[RTÉ Player|RTÉ Online]] for seven days after their original screening.<ref name="RTÉ Player">{{cite web|title=RTÉ Player EastEnders|url=http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/eastenders-1064/|publisher=[[RTÉ Player]]|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref>

==== Overseas versions ====
In 1991, the BBC sold the programme's format rights to a Dutch production company IDTV. The programme was renamed ''[[Het Oude Noorden]]'' (Translation: Old North). The Dutch version was written from pre-existing ''EastEnders'' scripts.<ref name="Dutch">{{cite journal|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1673744175|title=News: EastEnders goes Dutch|access-date=15 March 2017|url-access=limited |format=pdf|journal=[[Broadcast (magazine)|Broadcast]]|date=15 November 1993|page=6|id={{ProQuest|1673744175}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=van Gelder|first1=Henk|title=Het Oude Noorden' is geen belediging voor intelligentie|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1993/03/13/het-oude-noorden-is-geen-belediging-voor-intelligentie-7176216-a656172|newspaper=[[NRC Handelsblad]]|access-date=15 March 2017|date=13 March 1993|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316232339/https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1993/03/13/het-oude-noorden-is-geen-belediging-voor-intelligentie-7176216-a656172|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Allen|Hill|2004|p=264}}</ref> The schedule remained the same as ''EastEnders'' with twice weekly episodes; however, some notable changes included the programme now being set in [[Rotterdam]] rather than [[London]], characters being given Dutch names ([[Den Watts|Den]] and [[Angie Watts|Angie]] became Ger and Ankie) and [[#Setting|the Queen Victoria]] pub being renamed Cade Faas.<ref name="Dutch" />

According to Barbara Jurgen, who re-wrote the scripts for a Dutch audience, he said: "the power of the show is undeniable. The scripts are full of hard, sharp drama, plus great one-liners which will translate well to Holland."<ref name="Dutch" /> The Dutch version began broadcasting on [[Omroepvereniging VARA|VARA]] 13 March 1993 but was cancelled after 20 episodes.<ref name="Het Oude Noorden Episodes List">{{cite web|title=Het Oude Noorden Episodes|url=http://zoeken.beeldengeluid.nl/internet/index.aspx?contentid=6&chapterid=1164&filterid=974&searchID=3841555&columnorderid=-1&orderby=1&itemsOnPage=10&defsortcol=12&defsortby=2&pvname=personen&pis=expressies;selecties&startrow=1#pageCounter|publisher=[[Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision]]|access-date=27 March 2017}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Spin-offs and merchandise ==
{{Main|EastEnders spin-offs}}

{{See also|List of EastEnders television spin-offs}}

On 26 December 1988, the first ''EastEnders'' "bubble" was shown, titled "[[CivvyStreet]]". Since then, "[[Return of Nick Cotton]]" (2000), "[[Ricky & Bianca]]" (2002), "[[Dot's Story]]" (2003), "[[Perfectly Frank (EastEnders)|Perfectly Frank]]" (2003) and "[[Pat and Mo]]" (2004) have all been broadcast, each episode looking into lives of various characters and revealing part of their backstories or lives since leaving ''EastEnders''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/jan/19/broadcasting.tvandradio|access-date=27 January 2021|date=19 May 2004|first=Gareth|last=McLean|work=[[The Guardian]]|title=Spin off when you're winning}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a13403/pat-and-mo-star-in-eastenders-spin-off/|title=Pat and Mo star in "Eastenders" spin-off|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date= 10 February 2004|access-date=27 January 2021|first=Kris|last=Green}}</ref> In 1993, the two-part story "[[Dimensions in Time]]", a charity cross-over with ''[[Doctor Who]]'', was shown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006q2x0|title=Dr Who: The Classic Series: Dimensions in time|access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>

In 1998, ''[[EastEnders Revealed]]'' was launched on [[BBC Choice]] (now BBC Three). The show takes a look behind the scenes of the ''EastEnders'' and investigates particular places, characters or families within ''EastEnders''. An episode of ''EastEnders Revealed'' that was commissioned for BBC Three attracted 611,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3759714.stm|title=Record ratings for Little Britain|work=BBC|date=20 October 2004|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> As part of the BBC's digital push, ''[[EastEnders Xtra]]'' was introduced in 2005. The show was presented by [[Angellica Bell]] and was available to digital viewers at 8:30&nbsp;pm on Monday nights. It was also shown after the Sunday omnibus. The series went behind the scenes of the show and spoke to some of the cast members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/index.shtml|work=BBC|date=2 March 2005|title=BBC EastEnders News: Want More? Get Xtra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050302011836/http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news/news_content/news_20050218_n2.shtml|access-date=27 January 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=2 March 2005}}</ref> A new breed of behind-the-scenes programmes have been broadcast on BBC Three since 1 December 2006. These are all documentaries related to current storylines in ''EastEnders'', in a similar format to ''EastEnders Revealed'', though not using the ''EastEnders Revealed'' name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcthree/2006-12-01|title=BBC Three&nbsp;– 1 December 2006&nbsp;– BBC Genome|website=genome.ch.bbc.co.uk|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109063822/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcthree/2006-12-01|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2009, a 12-part online spin-off series entitled ''[[EastEnders: E20]]'' was announced. The series was conceived by executive producer Diederick Santer "as a way of nurturing new, young talent, both on- and off-screen, and exploring the stories of the soaps' anonymous bystanders."<ref name=Rushton>{{Cite news|author= Rushton, Katherine|date= 22 October 2009|url= http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/multi-platform/web-drama-comes-of-age-with-eastenders-spin-off/5007149.article|title= Web drama comes of age with EastEnders spin-off|work= Broadcast|access-date=22 October 2009}}</ref> ''E20'' features a group of sixth-form characters and targets the "''[[Hollyoaks]]'' demographic". It was written by a team of young writers and was shown three times a week on the ''EastEnders'' website from 8 January 2010.<ref name=Rushton /> A second 10-part series started in September 2010, with twice-weekly episodes available online and an omnibus on BBC Three.<ref name="pressoffice2">{{cite press release |title=Walford returns to web with second series of EastEnders: E20 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/04_april/08/eastenders.shtml |publisher=BBC |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=9 April 2010}}</ref> A third series of 15 episodes started in September 2011.<ref name="Series 3 PR">{{cite press release|title=EastEnders joins forces with Michael Wood and Wallace & Gromit to inspire a life full of learning for BBC audiences|publisher=[[BBC]] Press Office|date=27 September 2010|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/09_september/27/learning.shtml|access-date=27 September 2010}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' and rival soap opera ''Coronation Street'' took part in a [[crossover episode]] for [[Children in Need]] on 19 November 2010 called [[East Street (Children in Need)|''East Street'']].<ref name="Love">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a286665/enders-corrie-cin-crossover-confirmed/|title=Soaps&nbsp;&nbsp;– 'Enders, Corrie "CIN" crossover confirmed&nbsp;– Digital Spy|last=Love|first=Ryan|date=8 November 2010|website=Digital Spy|access-date=13 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a288267/in-pictures-enders-corrie-crossover/|title=In Pictures: 'Enders, Corrie crossover|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=17 November 2010|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=17 November 2010|location=London}}</ref> On 4 April 2015, ''EastEnders'' confirmed plans for a BBC One series featuring Kat and Alfie Moon.<ref name="Redwater">{{cite news|last1=Noah|first1=Sherna|title=First look at Eastenders Irish spin-off Redwater... but have producers learned from previous "Oirish" mistakes?|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/first-look-at-eastenders-irish-spinoff-redwater-but-have-producers-learned-from-previous-oirish-mistakes-34928952.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=22 December 2016|date=1 August 2016}}</ref> The six-part drama, ''[[Kat & Alfie: Redwater]]'', was created by executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins and his team.<ref name="Redwater" /> In the spin-off, the Moons visit Ireland where they "search for answers to some very big questions".<ref name="Redwater" />

Until its closure, [[BBC Store]] released 553 ''EastEnders'' episodes from various years, including the special episode "CivvyStreet", available to buy as digital downloads.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC Store EastEnders|url=https://store.bbc.com/eastenders|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308232830/https://store.bbc.com/eastenders|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 March 2016|publisher=[[BBC Store]]|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EastEnders: CivvyStreet|url=https://store.bbc.com/eastenders-civvystreet|publisher=[[BBC Store]]|access-date=16 December 2016}}{{dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Popularity and viewership ==
An example of ''EastEnders''{{'}} popularity is that after episodes, [[electricity sector in the United Kingdom|electricity use in the United Kingdom]] rises significantly as viewers who have waited for the show to end begin boiling water for [[Tea in the United Kingdom|tea]], a phenomenon known as [[TV pickup]]. Over five minutes, power demand rises by three GW, the equivalent of 1.5 to 1.75&nbsp;million [[kettle]]s. [[National Grid (Great Britain)|National Grid]] personnel watch the show to know when [[closing credits]] begin so they can [[Control of the National Grid (Great Britain)|prepare for the surge]], [[HVDC Cross-Channel|asking for additional power]] from [[Electricity sector in France|France]] if necessary.<ref name="britainfromabove">{{cite episode | title=Tea-time Britain | series=Britain from Above | credits=Marr, Andrew (host) | network=BBC | airdate=10 August 2008 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/britainfromabove/stories/people/teatimebritain.shtml}}</ref>

=== Ratings ===
''EastEnders'' is the BBC's most consistent programme in terms of ratings,<ref name="Lifeblood">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/feb/08/eastenders-bbc-25-years|title=Is EastEnders the lifeblood of the BBC?|last=Sabbagh|first=Dan|date=8 February 2010|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref> and as of 2024, episodes typically receive between 3 and 4 million viewers.<ref name="BARB">{{Cite web|url=https://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/four-screen-dashboard/|title=Four-screen dashboard|access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref> ''EastEnders'' two biggest ratings rivals are the [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] soaps ''Coronation Street'' (produced by [[Granada Television]] in Manchester) and ''Emmerdale'' (produced by [[Yorkshire Television]] in Leeds).<ref name="BARB" />

The launch show in 1985 attracted 17.35&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="Week ending 24 February 1985">{{cite news|last1=Fiddick|first1=Peter|title=Research|issue=2899|publisher=[[The Listener (magazine)|The Listener]]|date=7 March 1985|page=38}}</ref><ref name="Viewing figure 1985">{{cite news|last1=Hassell|first1=Katherine|title=EastEnders 30th anniversary: The most memorable moments of the hit BBC soap|url=http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/557729/EastEnders-30th-Anniversary|newspaper=[[Daily Express]]|access-date=22 December 2016|date=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Monroe|1994|p=6}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Kingsley|1991|p=8}}</ref> 25 July 1985 was the first time the show's viewership rose to first position in the weekly top 10 shows for [[BBC One]].<ref name="Week ending 28 July 1985">{{cite journal|last1=Fiddick|first1=Peter|url=http://find.galegroup.com/lsnr/infomark.do?prodId=LSNR&userGroupName=livjm&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=&docId=GM2500175352&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0|title=Research|access-date=20 January 2017|url-access=limited |format=pdf|issue=2921|journal=[[The Listener (magazine)|The Listener]]|date=8 August 1985|page=42|via=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale]]}}</ref> The highest-rated episode of ''EastEnders'' is the Christmas Day 1986 episode, which attracted a combined 30.15&nbsp;million viewers who tuned into either the original transmission or the omnibus to see Den Watts hand over divorce papers to his wife Angie. This remains the highest rated episode of a soap in British television history.<ref name="BARB" />

In 2001, ''EastEnders'' clashed with ''Coronation Street'' for the first time. ''EastEnders'' won the battle with 8.4&nbsp;million viewers (41% share) whilst ''Coronation Street'' lagged behind with 7.3&nbsp;million viewers (34% share).<ref>"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1483729.stm Soaps battle in TV showdown]", BBC News. Retrieved 1 April 2007.</ref> On 21 September 2004, [[Louise Berridge]], the then executive producer, quit following criticism of the show.<ref>{{Cite news
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/22/broadcasting.bbc|title = Axe falls on EastEnders boss|work=[[The Guardian]]
|date = 22 September 2004|access-date =16 July 2006| location=London| first=Matt| last=Wells}}</ref> The following day the show received its lowest ever ratings at that time (6.2&nbsp;million) when ITV scheduled an hour-long episode of ''Emmerdale'' against it. ''Emmerdale'' was watched by 8.1&nbsp;million viewers. The poor ratings motivated the press into reporting viewers were bored with implausible and ill-thought-out storylines.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3679776.stm
|title = EastEnders loses out to Emmerdale|work=BBC News|date = 22 July 2004|access-date =16 July 2006}}</ref> Under new producers, ''EastEnders'' and ''Emmerdale'' continued to clash at times, and ''Emmerdale'' tended to come out on top, giving ''EastEnders'' lower than average ratings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/news/a19605/emmerdale-thrashes-enders-in-ratings-head-to-head/ |title='Emmerdale' thrashes "Enders" in ratings head-to-head |website=Digital Spy |date=2 March 2005 |access-date=29 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/media/news/a19949/eastenders-hits-all-time-ratings-low/|title='EastEnders' hits all-time ratings low |website=Digital Spy |date=18 March 2005 |access-date=29 June 2013}}</ref> In 2006, ''EastEnders'' regularly attracted between 8 and 12 million viewers in official ratings.<ref name="19mil">"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5180518.stm EastEnders ratings hit record low]", BBC News. Retrieved 1 April 2007.</ref> ''EastEnders'' received its second lowest ratings on 17 May 2007, when 4.0&nbsp;million viewers tuned in. This was also the lowest ever audience share, with just 19.6 per cent. This was attributed to a conflicting one-hour special episode of ''Emmerdale'' on ITV1; however, ratings for the 10{{nbsp}}pm ''EastEnders'' repeat on BBC Three reached an all-time high of 1.4&nbsp;million. Despite this, there have been times when ''EastEnders'' had higher ratings than ''Emmerdale'', despite the two going head-to-head.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2007/05/18/eastenders-slumps-to-record-low-368211/|title=EastEnders slumps to record low|work=Metro|location=UK|date=19 May 2007|access-date=19 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/soap-ratings/news/a214742/eastenders-drops-to-59m/|title=EastEnders drops to 5.9&nbsp;m|website=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Kris|last=Green|date=16 April 2010|access-date=16 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jan/30/tvratings.television|title=TV ratings&nbsp;– January 29: EastEnders edges past Emmerdale|last=Tryhorn|first=Chris|date=30 January 2008|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref>

The ratings increased in 2010, thanks to the "[[Who Killed Archie?]]" storyline and second wedding of [[Ricky Butcher]] ([[Sid Owen]]) and [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]), and the show's first [[EastEnders Live|live episode]] on 19 February 2010.<ref name="Lifeblood" /> The live-episode averaged 15.6&nbsp;million viewers, peaking at 16.6&nbsp;million in the final five minutes of broadcast.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8526006.stm|title=Live EastEnders watched by 16.6&nbsp;m |work=BBC News|date=20 February 2010|access-date=20 February 2010}}</ref> In January 2010, the average audience was higher than that of ''Coronation Street'' for the first time in three years.<ref name="Lifeblood" /> During the 30th anniversary week, in which there were live elements and the climax of the [[Who Killed Lucy Beale?]] storyline, 10.84&nbsp;million viewers tuned in for the 30th anniversary episode itself in an hour long special on 19 February 2015 (peaking with 11.9&nbsp;million). Later on in the same evening, a special flashback episode averaged 10.3&nbsp;million viewers, and peaked with 11.2&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a630233/eastenders-who-killed-lucy-shocks-bring-in-108m-on-thursday/|title=EastEnders: 'Who Killed Lucy?' shocks bring in 10.8m on Thursday|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=20 February 2015|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> The following day, the anniversary week was rounded off with another fully live episode (the second after 2010) with 9.97&nbsp;million viewers watching the aftermath of the reveal, the Beale family finding out the truth of Lucy's killer and deciding to keep it a secret.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a630511/eastenders-live-brings-in-10-million-in-friday-ratings/|title=EastEnders Live brings in 10 million in Friday ratings|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=21 February 2015|access-date=1 March 2015}}</ref> In 2013, the average audience share for an episode was around 30 per cent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a502337/coronation-street-79m-watch-paul-and-lloyds-showdown.html|title='Coronation Street': 7.9m watch Paul and Lloyd's showdown|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=9 August 2015|date=30 July 2013|archive-date=3 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803185341/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a502337/coronation-street-79m-watch-paul-and-lloyds-showdown.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the soap, ''EastEnders'' suffered a ratings drop after 2020. Despite once being the highest-rated soap, it dropped to third in the rankings in 2021, behind ''Coronation Street'' and ''Emmerdale'', with 4.09 million viewers. The BBC's head of drama, [[Piers Wenger]], explained that since the episode duration had been shortened and the airtime frequently suffered changes, it had led to the audience not knowing when to watch it. Digital Spy opined that the ratings drop was accredited to "lacklustre storylines" and thought that storylines on rival soaps were better.<ref>{{cite news |last1=West |first1=Amy |last2=Opie |first2=David |title=EastEnders' ratings struggles and shorter episodes addressed by BBC drama boss |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a37944470/eastenders-ratings-decline-episodes-length-bbc/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=13 October 2021}}</ref> Later that year, ''EastEnders'' suffered its lowest rating ever, with 1.7 million viewers watching live. The ''[[Daily Mirror]]''{{'}}s Jamie Roberts felt that viewers had "turned their back" on the soap due to its lack of interesting stories and iconic characters.<ref name="Turned">{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Jamie |title=EastEnders slumps to lowest ever viewing figures as only 1.7 million tune in |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-slumps-lowest-ever-viewing-24750660 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=13 August 2021}}</ref> Ratings expert Stephen Price also noted that the drop is partly due to the rise of [[streaming services]].<ref name="Turned" />

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Average, highest and lowest ratings for ''EastEnders'' by year
! scope="col" width="100px" | Year
! scope="col" width="80px" | Number of episodes
! scope="col" | Average viewers<br />(millions)<ref group="lower-greek">Official ratings are over a seven-day period up to 2014 and from 2022 onwards, and over a 28-day period from 2015 to 2021. Up to the end of 2001, but excluding 1996 and 1997, the rating was also combined with that of the omnibus (though for 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1998, some ratings are not combined, as noted).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/viewing-data/weekly-top-30/|title=Weekly top 30 programmes|publisher=[[BARB]]|access-date=9 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="BARB" />
! scope="col" | Highest rating<br />(millions)
! scope="col" | Lowest rating<br />(millions)
|-
| scope="row" | 1985
| 91
| 14.37
| 23.55
| 7.75
|-
| scope="row" | 1986
| 105
| 20.66
| 30.15
| 13.90
|-
| scope="row" | 1987
| 107
| 21.14
| 28.00
| 13.65
|-
| scope="row" | 1988
| 104
| 18.94
| 24.95
| 12.60
|-
| scope="row" | 1989
| 104
| 16.99
| 24.08
| 12.83
|-
| scope="row" | 1990
| 104
| 17.17
| 20.80
| 12.33
|-
| scope="row" | 1991
| 105
| 17.12
| 22.44
| 13.06
|-
| scope="row" | 1992
| 106
| 18.28
| 24.32
| 11.85
|-
| scope="row" | 1993<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for 16 episodes are not combined with the omnibus.</ref>
| 105
| 17.90
| 23.21
| 10.47<ref group="lower-greek">This rating is not combined with the omnibus; the lowest rating for an episode with a combined rating was 12.87&nbsp;million.</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | 1994<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for 52 episodes are not combined with the omnibus.</ref>
| 142
| 16.02
| 25.30
| 7.96<ref group="lower-greek">This rating is not combined with the omnibus; the lowest rating for an episode with a combined rating was 12.02&nbsp;million.</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | 1995<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for 138 episodes are not combined with the omnibus.</ref>
| 157
| 14.54
| 22.02<ref group="lower-greek">This rating is combined with the omnibus; the highest rating for an episode without a combined rating was 19.69&nbsp;million.</ref>
| 7.88<ref group="lower-greek">This rating is not combined with the omnibus; the lowest rating for an episode with a combined rating was 13.89&nbsp;million.</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | 1996
| 161
| 14.65
| 17.92
| 7.73
|-
| scope="row" | 1997<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for 10 episodes are unknown.</ref>
| 162
| 14.23
| 18.06
| 7.13
|-
| scope="row" | 1998<ref group="lower-greek">The ratings are not combined with the omnibus before 29 June 1998, but are combined thereafter.</ref>
| 161
| 14.75
| 22.14
| 8.01
|-
| scope="row" | 1999
| 169
| 15.87
| 20.89
| 10.89
|-
| scope="row" | 2000
| 163
| 15.47
| 20.89
| 9.64
|-
| scope="row" | 2001
| 179
| 15.92
| 23.18
| 11.27
|-
| scope="row" | 2002
| 211
| 11.95
| 16.97
| 8.33
|-
| scope="row" | 2003
| 210
| 12.58
| 16.66
| 8.58
|-
| scope="row" | 2004
| 209
| 11.32
| 14.80
| 6.83
|-
| scope="row" | 2005
| 209
| 10.19
| 14.34
| 6.76
|-
| scope="row" | 2006
| 207
| 9.16
| 12.33
| 4.11
|-
| scope="row" | 2007
| 208
| 8.87
| 14.38
| 4.29
|-
| scope="row" | 2008
| 208
| 8.42
| 11.73
| 5.30
|-
| scope="row" | 2009
| 209
| 8.43
| 11.67
| 5.02
|-
| scope="row" | 2010
| 204
| 9.35
| 16.41
| 4.99
|-
| scope="row" | 2011
| 211
| 9.02
| 11.42
| 5.74
|-
| scope="row" | 2012
| 206
| 8.23
| 11.31
| 5.53
|-
| scope="row" | 2013
| 212
| 7.72
| 10.03
| 5.42
|-
| scope="row" | 2014
| 206
| 7.20
| 9.09
| 4.58
|-
| scope="row" | 2015
| 209
| 7.17
| 11.60
| 5.43
|-
| scope="row" | 2016
| 210
| 6.94
| 9.47
| 4.83
|-
| scope="row" | 2017
| 209
| 6.68
| 8.41
| 4.19
|-
| scope="row" | 2018
| 206
| 6.12
| 7.81
| 4.56
|-
| scope="row" | 2019<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for five episodes are unknown.</ref>
| 210
| 5.60
| 7.36
| 4.16
|-
| scope="row" | 2020<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for 25 episodes are unknown.</ref>
| 138
| 5.49
| 7.46
| 4.07
|-
| scope="row" | 2021<ref group="lower-greek">The viewing figures for 95 episodes are unknown.</ref>
| 209
| 4.36
| 5.59
| 2.54
|-
| scope="row" | 2022
| 209
| 3.72
| 5.16
| 2.28
|-
| scope="row" | 2023
| 210
| 3.59
| 5.45
| 2.64
|-
| scope="row" | 2024
| 210
| 3.54
| 5.58
| 1.38
|-
| scope="row" | 2025
| 210
| 3.55
| 5.29
| 2.76
|}

==Reception and impact==
{{More|EastEnders in popular culture|List of awards and nominations received by EastEnders}}
''EastEnders'' has received both praise and criticism for most of its storylines, which have dealt with difficult themes including violence, rape, murder and child abuse. Since its premiere in 1985, ''EastEnders'' has had a large impact on British popular culture and has frequently been referred to in many different media, including songs and television programmes.

=== Initial response ===
The show's first broadcast saw a mixed reaction from viewers. A ''[[Sunday People]]'' poll of 600 viewers showed 56% of respondents did not enjoy the episode, as the audience were unsure about the show's "coarse" and "bawdy" dialogue.<ref name="Made" /> ''[[The Guardian]]'' critic Hugh Herbert wrote that it would "probably take a year before anyone knows whether the BBC has got it right".<ref name="Made" /> The show, regardless, became one of the [[BBC]]'s most successful shows of the 1980s, which was credited with the reveal that [[Den Watts]] was the father of [[Michelle Fowler]]'s baby.<ref name="Made" /> Following the first broadcast, the show was also criticised by [[Cockney]] viewers for lacking humour and realism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cq6g3qlv2m6o |title=Cockneys reviewing first EastEnders in 1985: 'Show lacks humour' |date=15 February 2025 |access-date=16 February 2025 |website=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250216172400/https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cq6g3qlv2m6o |archive-date=16 February 2025 }}</ref>

=== Morality and violence ===
[[Mary Whitehouse]], social critic, argued at the time that ''EastEnders'' represented a violation of "family viewing time" and that it undermined the [[watershed (television)|watershed]] policy. She regarded ''EastEnders'' as a fundamental assault on the family and morality itself. She made reference to representation of family life and emphasis on psychological and emotional violence within the show. She was also critical of language such as "bleeding", "bloody hell", "bastard" and "for Christ's sake"; however, Whitehouse also praised the programme, describing [[Michelle Fowler]]'s decision not to have an abortion as a "very positive storyline". She also felt that ''EastEnders'' had been cleaned up as a result of her protests, though she later commented that ''EastEnders'' had returned to its old ways. Her criticisms were widely reported in the tabloid press as ammunition in its existing hostility towards the BBC. The stars of ''Coronation Street'' in particular aligned themselves with Mary Whitehouse, gaining headlines such as "STREETS AHEAD! RIVALS LASH SEEDY EASTENDERS" and "CLEAN UP SOAP! Street Star Bill Lashes "Steamy" EastEnders".<ref>{{Harvnb|Buckingham|1987|p=129}}</ref>

''EastEnders'' has been criticised for being too violent, most notably during a [[domestic violence]] storyline between [[Little Mo Morgan]] ([[Kacey Ainsworth]]) and her husband [[Trevor Morgan (EastEnders)|Trevor Morgan]] ([[Alex Ferns]]). As ''EastEnders'' is shown pre-watershed, there were worries that some scenes in this storyline were too graphic for its audience. Complaints against a scene in which Little Mo's face was pushed in gravy on Christmas Day were upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Council; however, a helpline after this episode attracted more than 2000 calls. [[Erin Pizzey]], who became internationally famous for having started one of the first [[women's refuges]], said that ''EastEnders'' had done more to raise the issue of violence against women in one story than she had done in 25 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=EastEnders: Faith, Morality and Hope in the Community|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/speeches/stories/yorke_stalbans.shtml|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=30 April 2017|date=4 September 2002}}</ref> The character of [[Phil Mitchell]] (played by [[Steve McFadden]] since early 1990) has been criticised on several occasions for glorifying violence and proving a bad role model to children. On one occasion following a scene in an episode broadcast in October 2002, where Phil brutally beat his godson, [[Jamie Mitchell]] ([[Jack Ryder (actor)|Jack Ryder]]), 31 complaints came from viewers.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2712133.stm BBC rapped over EastEnders] BBC News, last accessed on 31 January 2003</ref>

In 2003, cast member [[Shaun Williamson]], who was in the final months of his role of [[Barry Evans (EastEnders)|Barry Evans]], said that the programme had become much grittier over the past 10 to 15 years, and found it "frightening" that parents let their young children watch.<ref>{{cite news|title=EastEnders star slates violence |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3358789.stm |access-date=19 June 2011 |work=BBC News |date=31 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114003111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3358789.stm |archive-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, the BBC was accused of anti-religious bias by a [[House of Lords]] committee, who cited ''EastEnders'' as an example. [[Indarjit Singh]], editor of the Sikh Messenger and patron of the World Congress of Faiths, said: "''EastEnders''{{'}} Dot Cotton is an example. She quotes endlessly from the Bible and it ridicules religion to some extent."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/nov/02/bbc.radio|title=BBC accused of anti-religious bias|last=Day|first=Julia|date=2 November 2005|work=The Guardian |access-date=24 May 2011|location=London}}</ref> In July 2010, complaints were received following the storyline of Christian minister [[Lucas Johnson]] ([[Don Gilet]]) committing a number of murders that he believed was his duty to God, claiming that the storyline was offensive to Christians.<ref name="BBC defends">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a242230/bbc-defends-eastenders-lucas-storyline/|title=BBC defends "EastEnders" Lucas storyline|last=Love|first=Ryan|date=12 July 2010|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=13 July 2010|location=London}}</ref>

In 2008, ''EastEnders'', along with ''Coronation Street'', was criticised by [[Martin McGuinness]], then Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, for "the level of concentration around the pub" and the "antics portrayed in The [...] Queen Vic".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7245701.stm|title=McGuinness slams alcohol in soaps|date=14 February 2008|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, viewers complained on Twitter about scenes implying that [[Keanu Taylor]] ([[Danny Walters (actor)|Danny Walters]]) is the father of his 15-year-old sister [[Bernadette Taylor]]'s ([[Clair Norris]]) unborn baby, with the pair agreeing to keep the pregnancy secret from their mother, [[Karen Taylor (EastEnders)|Karen Taylor]] ([[Lorraine Stanley]]); however, the baby's father is revealed as one of Bernadette's school friends.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/826164/EastEnders-spoilers-Viewers-APPALLED-shocking-INCEST-storyline-Bernadette-Taylors-Keanu|title=EastEnders spoilers: Viewers APPALLED by shocking INCEST storyline 'Step too far'|date=7 July 2017|access-date=3 December 2018|work=Daily Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/826416/EastEnders-incest-story-Keanu-Bernadette-BBC-ratings|title=EastEnders "falls to lowest-ever ratings" as SHOCK incest storyline sickens viewers|date=8 July 2017|access-date=3 December 2018|work=Daily Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/827085/EastEnders-incest-bombshell-Keanu-Taylor-Danny-Walters-Karen-Taylor-Lorraine-Stanley|title=EastEnders spoiler: Truth about incest storyline EXPOSED as Keanu drops THIS bombshell|date=10 July 2017|access-date=3 December 2018|work=Daily Express}}</ref>

=== Allegations of national and racial stereotypes ===
In 1997, [[EastEnders episodes in Ireland|several episodes were shot and set in Ireland]], resulting in criticisms for portraying the Irish in a negatively stereotypical way. Ted Barrington, the Irish ambassador to the UK at the time, described the portrayal of Ireland as an "unrepresentative caricature", stating he was worried by the negative stereotypes and the images of drunkenness, backwardness and isolation. [[Jana Bennett]], the BBC's then director of production, later apologised for the episodes, stating on BBC1's news bulletin: "It is clear that a significant number of viewers have been upset by the recent episodes of ''EastEnders'', and we are very sorry, because the production team and programme makers did not mean to cause any offence." A year later BBC chairman Christopher Bland admitted that as result of the Irish-set EastEnders episodes, the station failed in its pledge to represent all groups accurately and avoid reinforcing prejudice.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/172718.stm BBC sets out pledges], BBC News. Retrieved 21 June 2007.</ref>

In 2008, the show was criticised for stereotyping their Asian and Black characters, by having a black single mother, [[Denise Fox]] ([[Diane Parish]]), and an Asian shopkeeper, [[Zainab Masood]] ([[Nina Wadia]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/news/a112057/report-brands-soaps-quottoo-whitequot/ |title=Report brands soaps "too white" |website=[[Digital Spy]] |first=Alex |last=Fletcher |date=17 July 2008 |access-date=4 November 2009}}</ref> There has been criticism that the programme does not authentically portray the ethnic diversity of the population of East London,<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Assoudani|first1=Yacine|title=Where did EastEnders go wrong?|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/10/where-did-eastenders-go-wrong|access-date=24 June 2016|magazine=New Statesman|date=16 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/04/former-eastenders-producer-tv-industry-diversity-barbara-emile|title=Former EastEnders producer: TV industry must "get real" on diversity|author=Stuart Kemp|website=The Guardian|date=4 March 2015|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> with the programme being "twice as white" as the real East End.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10921204/EastEnders-is-too-white-says-BBC-Trust-chief.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10921204/EastEnders-is-too-white-says-BBC-Trust-chief.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=EastEnders is too white, says BBC Trust chief|date=23 June 2014|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=9 August 2015|last1=Singh|first1=Anita}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Controversial storylines ===
In 1992, writer [[David Yallop]] successfully sued the BBC for £68,000 after it was revealed he had been hired by producer [[Mike Gibbon]] in 1989 to pen several controversial storylines in an effort to "slim down" the cast; however, after Gibbon left the programme, executive producers chose not to use Yallop's storylines, which put the BBC in breach of the contract Yallop had signed with them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/eastenders-writer-wins-pounds-68-000-from-bbc-1557818.html|title='EastEnders' writer wins pounds 68,000 from BBC|date=16 October 2019 |newspaper=The Independent}}</ref> Unused storylines penned by Yallop, which were revealed in the press during the trial, included the death of [[Cindy Beale]]'s ([[Michelle Collins]]) infant son [[Steven Beale|Steven]]; [[Karim family|Sufia Karim]] (Rani Singh) being killed during a shotgun raid at the corner shop; [[Pauline Fowler]] ([[Wendy Richard]]) dying of undiscovered cancer;<ref>Wiggins, Lizzie, p.149</ref> and an [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] explosion at the Walford community centre, killing [[Pete Beale]] ([[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]]) and [[Diane Butcher]] ([[Sophie Lawrence]]), and leaving [[Simon Wicks]] ([[Nick Berry]]) paralysed below the waist.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scriptwriter-lost-job-after-giving-ira-a-role-in-soap-1555686.html The Independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823055021/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/eastenders-writer-wins-pounds-68000-from-bbc-1557818.html |date=23 August 2018 }}</ref> A suicide was also planned, but the character this storyline was assigned to was not revealed.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/soap-opera-s-producers-aimed-axe-at-poor-acting-1556027.html The Independent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823055013/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/soap-operas-producers-aimed-axe-at-poor-acting-1556027.html |date=23 August 2018 }}</ref>

Some storylines have provoked high levels of viewer complaints. In August 2006, a scene involving [[Carly Wicks]] ([[Kellie Shirley]]) and [[Jake Moon]] ([[Joel Beckett]]) having sex on the floor of [[Scarlet (EastEnders)|Scarlet]] nightclub, and another scene involving [[Owen Turner]] ([[Lee Ross (actor)|Lee Ross]]) violently attacking [[Denise Fox]] ([[Diane Parish]]), prompted 129 and 128 complaints, respectively.<ref>"[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4776447.stm BBC defends ''EastEnders'' sex scene]" BBC News. Retrieved 2 November 2006.</ref><!-- REMOVED DUE TO LACK OF RELIABLE SOURCES, SOURCES CAN BE FOUND SO THE TEXT IS LEFT HERE HIDDEN UNTIL THE SOURCES ARE FOUND: Carly and Jake's sex scenes were later removed from the Sunday omnibus edition. The showdown of [[Rob Minter]] ([[Stuart Laing (actor)|Stuart Laing]]), [[Dawn Swann]] ([[Kara Tointon]]) and [[May Wright]]'s ([[Amanda Drew]]) storyline where May stated to Dawn she could give her an elective caesarean (Dawn being handcuffed to the bed) prompted 200 complaints. The 2007 child abuse storyline involving [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben Mitchell]] (Charlie Jones) and [[Stella Crawford]] ([[Sophie Thompson]]) attracted 60 complaints from viewers, who found scenes where Ben was attacked by bullies as Stella looked on "upsetting". -->

In March 2008, scenes showing [[Tanya Branning]] ([[Jo Joyner]]) and boyfriend [[Sean Slater]] ([[Robert Kazinsky]]) burying Tanya's husband [[Max Branning|Max]] ([[Jake Wood]]) alive attracted many complaints. The UK communications regulator [[Ofcom]] later found that the episodes depicting the storyline were in breach of the 2005 Broadcasting Code. They contravened the rules regarding protection of children by appropriate scheduling, appropriate depiction of violence before the 9&nbsp;p.m. watershed and appropriate depiction of potentially offensive content.<ref name="ofcom">{{cite web |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb112/issue112.pdf |title=Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin 112 |date=June 2008 |website=Ofcom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326125642/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb112/issue112.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> In September 2008, ''EastEnders'' began a grooming and paedophilia storyline involving characters [[Tony King (EastEnders)|Tony King]] ([[Chris Coghill]]), [[Whitney Dean]] ([[Shona McGarty]]), [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]), [[Lauren Branning]] ([[Madeline Duggan]]) and [[Peter Beale]] ([[Thomas Law]]). The storyline attracted more than 200 complaints.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/18/bbc.television|title=EastEnders paedophile storyline draws 200 complaints|first=Leigh|last=Holmwood|work=The Guardian |date=18 September 2008|access-date=6 November 2008|location=London}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Baby swap}}In December 2010, [[Ronnie Branning]] ([[Samantha Womack]]) swapped her newborn baby, who [[sudden infant death syndrome|died in cot]], with [[Kat Moon]]'s ([[Jessie Wallace]]) living baby. Around 3,400 complaints were received, with viewers branding the storyline "insensitive", "irresponsible" and "desperate".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12110324|title=EastEnders cot death complaints top 3,400|date=4 January 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=5 January 2011}}</ref> Roz Laws from the ''[[Sunday Mercury]]'' called the plot "shocking and ridiculous" and asked "are we really supposed to believe that Kat won't recognise that the baby looks different?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/tv/ronnies-baby-dies-so-she-swaps-him-250592|title=Ronnie's baby dies so she swaps him for Kat's in shocking and ridiculous EastEnders storyline|last=Laws|first=Roz|date=26 December 2010|work=[[Birmingham Mail]]|access-date=26 December 2010|location=Birmingham}}</ref> The [[Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths]] (FSID) praised the storyline, and its director Joyce Epstein explained, "We are very grateful to ''EastEnders'' for their accurate depiction of the devastating effect that the sudden death of an infant can have on a family. We hope that this story will help raise the public's awareness of cot death, which claims 300 babies' lives each year."<ref name="Confirmed">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a287462/eastenders-confirms-tragic-baby-plot/|title='EastEnders' confirms tragic baby plot|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=12 November 2010|work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=21 November 2010|location=London}}</ref> By 7 January, that storyline had generated the most complaints in show history: the BBC received about 8,500 complaints, and media regulator [[Ofcom]] received 374; however, despite the controversy, ''EastEnders'' pulled in rating highs of 9–10&nbsp;million throughout the duration of the storyline.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title=EastEnders: cot death plot complaints hit record|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jan/07/eastenders-complaints-record-cot-death|access-date=7 January 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 January 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title='EastEnders' baby swap fallout nabs 10.2m|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a315354/eastenders-baby-swap-fallout-nabs-102m/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=John|title=Ronnie's 'Enders baby swap draws 9m|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a295608/ronnies-enders-baby-swap-draws-9m/|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref>

In October 2014, the BBC defended a storyline, after receiving 278 complaints about 6 October 2014 episode where pub landlady [[Linda Carter]] ([[Kellie Bright]]) was raped by [[Dean Wicks]] ([[Matt Di Angelo]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29519061|title=BBC defends EastEnders rape storyline|work=BBC News|date=7 October 2014|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> On 17 November 2014 it was announced that [[Ofcom]] will investigate over the storyline.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30080764|title=EastEnders investigated by Ofcom over rape storyline|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2014}}</ref> On 5 January 2015, the investigation was cleared by Ofcom. A spokesman of Ofcom said: "After carefully investigating complaints about this scene, Ofcom found the BBC took appropriate steps to limit offence to viewers. This included a warning before the episode and implying the assault, rather than depicting it. Ofcom also took into account the programme's role in presenting sometimes challenging or distressing social issues."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a619266/eastenders-dean-linda-rape-episode-cleared-by-ofcom/|title=EastEnders: Dean, Linda rape episode cleared by Ofcom|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=5 January 2015|access-date=5 January 2015}}</ref>

In 2022, ''EastEnders'' aired their first [[male rape]] scene which saw [[Lewis Butler]] (Aidan O'Callaghan) rape [[Ben Mitchell (EastEnders)|Ben Mitchell]] ([[Max Bowden]]). The BBC received complaints from viewers who were unhappy with the content in the episode. Viewers felt that the scenes were too violent and graphic for a pre-watershed time slot. The BBC responded by stating: "''EastEnders'' has been a pre-watershed BBC One staple for over 37 years and has a rich history of dealing with challenging and difficult issues and Ben's story is one of these. We have worked closely with organisations and experts in the field to tell this story which we hope will raise awareness of sexual assaults and the issues surrounding them. We are always mindful of the timeslot in which ''EastEnders'' is shown and we took great care to signpost this storyline prior to transmission, through on-air continuity and publicity as well as providing a BBC Action Line at the end of the episode which offers advice and support to those affected by the issue".<ref name="Male rape">{{cite news |last1=Cook |first1=Rebecca |title=BBC responds to EastEnders viewer complaints with statement on Ben rape scenes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbc-responds-eastenders-viewer-complaints-27109400 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |publisher=([[Reach plc]]) |date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

=== Portrayal of certain professions ===
In 2010, ''EastEnders'' came under criticism from the police for the way that they were portrayed during the "[[Who Killed Archie?]]" storyline. During the storyline, [[DCI Jill Marsden]] ([[Sophie Stanton]]) and [[Wayne Hughes (EastEnders)|DC Wayne Hughes]] (Jamie Treacher) talk to locals about the case and Hughes accepts a bribe. The police claimed that such scenes were "damaging" to their reputation and added that the character [[Deanne Cunningham|DC Deanne Cunningham]] ([[Zoë Henry]]) was "irritatingly inaccurate". In response to the criticism, ''EastEnders'' apologised for offending real life detectives and confirmed that it uses a police consultant for such storylines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7288626/Detectives-claim-EastEnders-has-damaged-their-profession.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7288626/Detectives-claim-EastEnders-has-damaged-their-profession.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Detectives claim EastEnders has 'damaged their profession'|last=Leach|first=Ben|date=22 February 2010|work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=22 February 2010 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In October 2012, a storyline involving [[Lola Pearce]] ([[Danielle Harold]]), forced to hand over her baby [[Lexi Pearce]], was criticised by the charity The Who Cares? Trust, who called the storyline an "unhelpful portrayal" and said it had already received calls from members of the public who were "distressed about the ''EastEnders'' scene where a social worker snatches a baby from its mother's arms".<ref name="Fury">{{cite news|url=http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2012/10/09/fury-over-eastenders-misleading-social-work-storyline/|title=Fury over EastEnders' "misleading" social work storyline|publisher=Community Care|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref> The scenes were also condemned by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), calling the BBC "too lazy and arrogant" to correctly portray the child protection process, and saying that the baby was taken "without sufficient grounds to do so". Bridget Robb, acting chief of the BASW, said the storyline provoked "real anger among a profession well used to a less than accurate public and media perception of their jobs .. ''EastEnders''{{'}} shabby portrayal of an entire profession has made a tough job even tougher."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2012/oct/09/eastenders-social-care|title=Social workers outraged by EastEnders storyline about baby Lexi|last=Greenslade|first=Rob|website=The Guardian|date=9 October 2012|access-date=9 October 2012}}</ref>

==Books==
{{Further|EastEnders books}}
Many books have been written about ''EastEnders''. Notably, from 1985 to 1988, author and television writer Hugh Miller wrote 17 novels, detailing the lives of many of the show's original characters before 1985, when events on screen took place.

Kate Lock also wrote four novels centred on more recent characters; [[Steve Owen (EastEnders)|Steve Owen]] ([[Martin Kemp]]), [[Grant Mitchell (EastEnders)|Grant Mitchell]] ([[Ross Kemp]]), [[Bianca Jackson]] ([[Patsy Palmer]]) and [[Tiffany Mitchell (EastEnders)|Tiffany Mitchell]] ([[Martine McCutcheon]]). Lock also wrote a character guide entitled ''Who's Who in EastEnders'' ({{ISBN|978-0-563-55178-2}}) in 2000, examining main characters from the first 15 years of the show.

Show creators [[Julia Smith (producer)|Julia Smith]] and [[Tony Holland]] also wrote a book about the show in 1987, entitled ''EastEnders: The Inside Story'' ({{ISBN|978-0-563-20601-9}}), telling the story of how the show made it to screen. Two special anniversary books have been written about the show; ''EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration'' ({{ISBN|978-0-563-37057-4}}) by [[Colin Brake]] in 1995 and ''EastEnders: 20 Years in Albert Square'' ({{ISBN|978-0-563-52165-5}}) by Rupert Smith in 2005.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Television|United Kingdom}}
* {{anl|East End of London in popular culture}}
* {{anl|List of soap operas}}
* {{anl|List of British television programmes}}
* {{anl|List of most-watched television broadcasts}}
* {{anl|List of television programmes broadcast by the BBC}}
* {{anl|List of programmes broadcast by Telefís Éireann}}
* {{anl|List of programmes broadcast by Virgin Media Television (Ireland)}}
* {{anl|List of programs broadcast by Showcase}}
* {{anl|List of LGBT characters in soap operas}}
* {{anl|List of television shows set in London}}
* {{anl|List of television programs by episode count}}
* {{anl|Lists of television programs}}

== Footnotes ==
{{Reflist|group=lower-greek}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
<!-- only book sources used to reference the article here -->
* {{cite book |last1=Allen |first1=Robert C |last2=Hill |first2=Annette |title=The television studies reader |year=2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-28323-6 |oclc=846446529 |language=en }}
* {{Cite book|last=Barker|first=Chris|title=Global television|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|year=1997|isbn=978-0-631-20150-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/globaltelevision00chri}}
* {{cite book|last1=Barraclough|first1=John|title=EastEnders Special (1987 Annual)|date=1986|publisher=Grandreams|location=London|isbn=978-0-86227-384-2}}
* {{Cite book|last=Brake|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Brake|title=EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration |year=1995|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-37057-4|title-link=EastEnders spin-offs#Non-fiction books}}
* {{cite book|last1=Buckingham|first1=David|title=Public Secrets: EastEnders and Its Audience|date=1987|publisher=[[British Film Institute|BFI books]]|location=London|isbn=978-0-85170-210-0}}
* {{Cite book|last=Geraghty|first=Christine|title=Women and Soap Opera: A Study of Prime-Time Soaps|publisher=[[Polity Press]]|year=1991|isbn=978-0-7456-0489-3}}
* {{cite book|last1=Kingsley|first1=Hilary|title=EastEnders handbook|date=1991|publisher=BBC Books|location=London|isbn=978-0-563-36292-0}}
* {{cite book|last1=Monroe|first1=Josephine|title=The Eastenders programme guide|date=1994|publisher=Virgin|location=London|isbn=978-0-86369-825-5}}
* {{cite book|last1=Slide|first1=Anthony|title=Some Joe you don't know : an American biographical guide to 100 British television personalities|date=1996|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-29550-8 }}
* {{Cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Julia|author-link=Julia Smith (producer)|last2=Holland|first2=Tony|author2-link=Tony Holland|title=EastEnders&nbsp;– The Inside Story|year=1987|publisher=Book Club Associates|isbn=978-0-563-20601-9|title-link=EastEnders spin-offs#Non-fiction books}}
* {{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Rupert|title=EastEnders: 20 Years in Albert Square|publisher=BBC Books|year=2005|isbn=978-0-563-52165-5}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{BBC programme|b006m86d}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171022040614/https://www.bbcstudios.com/case-studies/eastenders/ ''EastEnders''] at [[BBC Studios]]
* [https://www.bbcstudioworks.com/our-work/eastenders/ ''EastEnders''] at [[BBC Studioworks]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20201229230217/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4f4b9b3f5abe9 ''EastEnders''] at the [[British Film Institute]]{{better source needed|reason=Help request: a live link can be searched for at https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/search/expert - if available, replace the archive URL with the live link. Or if none found, remove this 'better source needed' template. | date=October 2023}}
* {{IMDb title|0088512}}
* {{YouTube|user=eastenders|title=''EastEnders''|suffix='}}

{{EastEnders}}
{{EastEnders characters|state=collapsed}}
{{Soap operas in the United Kingdom}}
{{EastEnders: E20|state=collapsed}}
{{BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series 1998–2009}}
{{Authority control}}

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