EastEnders viewers can expect a mix of heartbreak, joy and surprises later this year, with autumn 2022 spoilers now confirmed.
There's a flashback episodes, past and recent secrets coming to light, new arrivals and big returns towards the end of this year.
The time has come to say goodbye to the much-loved Dot Cotton, or Dot Branning, too following actress June Brown's death earlier this year - with Dot's death soon to be announced to residents.
Soap boss Chris Clenshaw spilled to The Mirror and other press about what was ahead, going into detail about some of the biggest moments on the way.
Hinting that all of Walford's families had stuff going on, Chris also detailed specific storylines. Here's what is ahead in Walford...
The Mitchells' flashback episode
The past and present will collide for the Mitchells, as the show head back to 1979 to see what life was like for the family away from Walford.
It's thought there could be new discoveries, as we learn of events that shaped the famous soap family.
There's returns of sorts too, as familiar characters including Peggy Mitchell, as well as Archie, Ronnie and Roxy, will feature as their younger selves, while they have all since passed away on the soap.
Chris teased of the big special episode: "We're kind of on this journey with Phil. And we basically wanted to discover why he is the man that he is, and we talked about a flashback scene where we could potentially explore that.
"And then as we spoke further and further, it just felt like a great opportunity because you know, the show is about family and you've got the Mitchells that are these iconic characters, and it kind of grew from a scene into an episode.
"Iconic characters such as Peggy Mitchell, who's arguably the greatest matriarch in soap I'd like to think so. I was very fortunate to be here when we storylined Peggy's death.
"It was such a responsibility at the time to kind of give her what she deserved, what the character deserved and what the audience deserved I suppose. So then, as we were talking about his flashback, it just felt like such an opportunity where you get to see Peggy and Phil, and Grant and Archie, and Glenda and Roxy and Sam before we ever knew them, and understand why they became the characters that we know and love.
"And to understand and discover more about characters we've never had on the show, which is Eric who has always been so vividly drawn, and we know so much about him although we've never had a chance to really get up in his skin.
"So it just felt like too much of an opportunity, however a massive responsibility, because they are characters that are so loved and well drawn.
"We had a story there and I think that was crucial, that it fit in the serial narrative although it's within itself a standalone piece as well, so you can come to that episode and you won't necessarily have to know what's been going on the last six months in his story.
"I think it works very well. It's pretty clear from the top and then we go in and enjoy the ride, and there's a lot of treats which I am really exited about."
Kat and Phil wedding drama
The soap boss also teased there was drama ahead for Kat Moon and Phil Mitchell, as they prepare to tie the knot later this year.
Chris teased: "And as it is Walford, it's a wedding and things don't always go without a hitch... or they do go without a hitch."
The cast were recently spotted filming scenes for the big day.
Sam Mitchell's past revealed
Chris also hinted there was a lot more to come for Sam Mitchell, and that viewers would soon meet someone from her past who will explain her recent behaviour.
He said: "Sam has been on screen for quite some time now, and she's caused a lot of trouble and has kind of got an agenda.
"She's a slightly different Sam, she's ruthless... we do explore that and find out a little more about why that is, when we meet someone from her past in Spain this autumn as well."
Ricky Butcher returns, amid Mick and Janine twist
Chris confirmed the return of Ricky Butcher, and dropped hints it would be tied in with something going on with his sister Janine.
He also teased Janine and Mick Carter had huge scenes coming up, involving his ex Linda.
Chris said: "Ricky is back later this year. Ricky is home, and you know we've got Janine here. Janine is in a relationship with Mick, and we're building to something very climatic between them.
"Janine really has got her everything finally in Mick at The Vic. And what she and we all know is how strong the bond is between Mick and Linda. The love they have runs very, very deep. We know Janine and what she's capable of. So the paranoia sets in.
"I won't give away exactly how Ricky comes back yet as it plays into the Janine story."
Actor Sid Owen said of reprising his role: "I’m delighted to back at EastEnders. I can’t wait to see what Ricky Butcher has been up to these past few years and how he’s going to react to seeing some familiar faces including old flames. I’m excited to see the drama unfold."
Dot Cotton dies
The soap producer confirmed EastEnders would be bidding farewell to Dot Cotton, after actress June Brown passed away earlier this year.
Chris also spoke to The Mirror and other press about the sendoff, and explained how "difficult" it was for the cast and crew to say goodbye to their "dear friend" both on screen and off screen.
But Chris said they knew there would be a time that they would have to air the storyline, while they knew it would never happen while June was alive - despite her exiting the soap for good in 2020.
Confirming the storyline would be a "fitting tribute" to the character and the legendary actress, Chris told us: "We lost June earlier this year, and June and Dot are two wonderful characters, the most engaging, and Dot's one of the most iconic characters in British TV history. I think what it will be is a fitting tribute is what I will say.
"We're working on it as we speak. I think it will be exactly what June deserves and what Dot deserves, what the audience deserve. You know, we always knew we couldn't say goodbye to Dot while June was with us.
"She also knew that we would have to find a time when we would do that. Since I've been here, I think the hardest day of my time here so far, was having to break the news to the cast and crew and the whole company that June had sadly passed away, and you know, some of the crew and the cast have worked with June for many, many years and she's more than just a colleague, she's a dear friend. So it was very difficult. We miss her dearly."
It's not known if past characters could return for the funeral of the icon, but her family and friends will unite to say a final farewell in emotional scenes later this year.
Chris added: "It's not a story that any of us could think of or wanted to do under these circumstances. We've been working on the story for a while. We will say a final farewell to Dot Branning."
New arrivals and a return
EastEnders has confirmed the arrival of the Panesar patriarch Nish Panesar, to be played by actor Navin Chowdhry.
Tipped to spark trouble for more than one Walford family, he's said to be "charming and charismatic, but we will soon see that underneath he is ice-cold, manipulative, and driven by a need for power and respect".
On joining EastEnders, Navin said: "It’s been great – everyone has been lovely. My role at the moment has been focused around the Panesar family, but everyone has been extremely welcoming.
"I’ve never worked on a show like EastEnders, so it’s been a new experience for me; but I loved the storylines and I’ve got a keen interest in this family because there’s so much happening at all times! Nish is an interesting character – slightly unconventional, and with that brings drama, and mayhem.
"I think there’s a good man under there but turmoil follows these guys [the Panesar’s] around so I’m excited to join in and set off a few more explosions and fireworks."
Chris added: "The spectre of Nish Panesar is finally here, and it’s been a pleasure welcoming Navin to the cast, and take to the role so effortlessly; he brings something to the character that none of us could’ve predicted. His dynamic on and off-screen, and we’re excited to see where his character develops as the story grows.”
Meanwhile, Bobby Brazier will make his debut as Freddie Slater on EastEnders in upcoming episodes - and he's promised an emotional storyline ahead.
The 19-year-old actor is set to make his acting debut next week on the BBC One soap, as he takes on the role of Freddie, the son of Little Mo Slater. Freddie was last seen in Walford back in 2006 when he and Little Mo left for a new life away from the Square.
He will be back in scenes airing next week, and Bobby - who is the son of the late Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier - has teased some emotional scenes ahead for his character Freddie. Getting stuck straight into it, there is a huge storyline coming up, with Bobby describing it as one filled with "grief, anger and a lot of emotion" for his character.
There's also the return of Shane Richie to look forward to, as his character Alfie Moon heads back to Walford later this month.
Shane told us it would be the earlier era type of Alfie, who burst on to screens in the early 2000s, as later years saw the character on the wrong side of the law, and hurting his family.
On what led to his return, Shane admitted he wasn't sure at first but was soon won over.
He said: "We sat down and he said, 'Listen, I've got this idea of bringing Alfie back,' and I said really? Then he sold it to me said we want the old Alfie, because over the years there's been all very different Alfies, and my favourite Alfie is from 2002 to 2005, look it up. That’s the Alfie we have got back."
He went on: "So Chris was so instrumental, for telling me the long-term storyline with Alfie and it's the old Alfie. The guy who looked after Nana Moon, who wore his heart on his sleeve, who tries to make light of everything through his own innocence and naivety and still gets it wrong."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
