From 26 to 29 January 2026, EastEnders unleashes a chain of explosive storylines that threaten to tear Albert Square apart. Old faces resurface carrying dangerous secrets. Courtroom revelations twist the fate of families already on edge. Escape plans collapse. Pride turns into vengeance. And one broken promise may destroy a father’s chance at redemption.

These are not just weekly twists—they are emotional earthquakes that will send shockwaves through Walford long after the final credits roll.

Mark Fowler Jr. Returns – But Why Now?

The week opens with a gut-punch moment no one saw coming: Mark Fowler Jr. walks back into Walford.

His arrival is electric. The Square seems to pause as history steps through the door. Vicki doesn’t know whether to throw her arms around him or demand the truth. Phil Mitchell is visibly rattled. Sam watches him with thinly veiled suspicion. Everyone knows that when a Fowler returns unannounced, it’s never for simple reasons.

Mark insists he’s come back for his sister. With Joel’s trial looming, he claims he wants to support Vicki through the storm. On the surface, it sounds noble—family first, loyalty above all else.

But something isn’t right.

Mark dodges certain questions. His eyes flick away at the wrong moments. And in a private conversation, the truth finally cracks through the mask. He admits to Phil that he needs help—real help. The kind you only ask for when you’re running from something you can’t outrun.

Phil, distracted by his own power games, barely listens. And that’s when Mark panics.

Desperate to keep Phil close, Mark drops a bombshell in the worst possible place—dragging an innocent person into Mitchell business without permission. It’s a reckless gamble that could protect him… or expose everything.

Old loyalties are tested. New enemies are created. And suddenly, Mark’s return isn’t about family—it’s about survival.

Max Branning Stops an Escape—and Starts a War

Jasmine is in full escape mode. She isn’t planning a fresh start—she’s running from consequences. Lying. Manipulating. Telling everyone what they want to hear while secretly planning her exit from Walford.

But Max Branning sees through her.

He realizes she intends to disappear without facing the damage she’s left behind—and for Max, that’s unforgivable. When he confronts her, his calm turns cold. He makes it clear that if she runs, he will expose secrets she never thought he knew.

He crosses a line. And now Jasmine’s future is no longer hers to control.

The situation explodes when Oscar lets slip one careless comment. Word spreads. Kat learns the truth—and when someone suggests she’s pushed Jasmine too far, Kat’s fury ignites.

Max admits to his son that he interfered, expecting gratitude. Instead, he gets rage.

By week’s end, Kat demands the full truth. And when Kat sets her sights on someone, there’s no escape.

Elaine’s Heartbreak Turns to Fury

Elaine Peacock begins the week expecting hope—maybe even a second chance.

Instead, she gets devastation.

When George reveals he’s expecting a child—with Nicola, not her—Elaine’s world tilts. Embarrassment crashes into heartbreak, then erupts into rage. And when Ian Beale happens to be nearby, he becomes the unfortunate target.

Words are fired that cannot be taken back.

Elaine’s pride—once her shield—now becomes her greatest weakness. And she doesn’t get time to process the pain before the fallout explodes across the Square.

Elaine vs. Ian: A War for Power

Elaine wakes up to find herself splashed across the local paper in a humiliating story. She knows exactly who fed it to the press.

Ian Beale.

What started as a personal blow turns into open warfare. Elaine strikes back. Ian counters. Kathy is dragged into the crossfire, desperately trying to calm two people who refuse to back down.

Elaine attempts a rare apology—but it’s rejected.

Then Ian reveals his next move: he’s running for a council seat. And if he wins, he plans to come after Elaine’s business.

That’s the final straw.

Elaine declares she’ll run against him.

This is no longer gossip—it’s power, reputation, and survival. Two titans of Walford collide, and the Square becomes their battlefield.

Ravi’s Broken Promise Could Destroy Everything

Ravi’s storyline unfolds quietly—but the emotional damage is devastating.

He’s drowning in guilt over Nugget. Trying to fix things with money, distractions, and grand gestures. For a moment, it works. Nugget agrees to return to sixth form. Ravi finally breathes again.

Then Avani asks something simple.

She wants her dad with her in court.

Ravi promises he’ll be there.

But old habits resurface. Jack leans on him. One bad decision turns into a delay… and suddenly, Ravi isn’t where he should be.

That single broken promise could shatter everything he’s fought to rebuild.

Walford Will Never Be the Same

This week doesn’t just deliver twists—it redefines loyalties, shatters families, and ignites feuds that will echo for months.

From Mark’s dangerous secrets, to Max’s ruthless interference, to Elaine and Ian’s war, and Ravi’s heartbreaking failure—Walford is standing on a fault line.

And once it cracks, nothing will ever be the same again.