EastEnders is lining up a dramatic and possibly tragic winter for viewers in the build-up to Christmas and New Year.
Spoilers for Christmas and the Christmas Day episode have yet to be confirmed, while cast members have hinted at huge scenes ahead.
We know the festive period will lead to the exit of Mick Carter and Janine Butcher, while there's a sad death on the way and a big return.
Lola Pearce's brain tumour storyline continues too, while the cast have teased "dark" scenes ahead - but it won't all be doom and gloom.
Here's what we know about winter in Walford, and what could be ahead for characters...
Mick Carter 'death plunge' exit
Mick actor Danny Dyer recently spoke of his exit hopes, with him in talks in the summer with bosses to have his character die.
Now, new pictures of the cast filming on location have teased he could be killed off.
Nothing is known about what happens, amid his romance with Janine Butcher - and his clear feelings for estranged wife Linda Carter.
The three characters are all involved in big scenes it seems, while Mick was snapped appearing to jump off of a cliff for the upcoming episodes - with Janine and rival Linda thought to crash into the sea.
No details have been confirmed, but fans are fearing this Christmas will see Mick lose his life as he leaves for good.
Ricky Butcher's return and Janine's departure
Janine's exit has been tipped for early 2023, as a result of whatever happens with Mick.
While nothing has been confirmed, it has been revealed her brother Ricky Butcher is heading back to Albert Square.
The iconic character is making a brief return to the soap as part of a storyline involving Janine.
It's thought this could also tie in with her own departure.
Dot dies and icons return
EastEnders viewers were devastated this year when soap Icon June Brown passed away, aged 95.
Her character Dot Cotton, or Dot Branning, left the soap for good in 2020, and now the character will be killed off off-screen.
It was revealed recently that the soap were planning a fitting send-off for Dot and actress June, with six characters to make a big comeback - some decades after they were last on the show.
Upcoming scenes this winter will reveal Dot's death, and Walford will gather to say a final farewell to the legend.
Characters returning include Lauren Branning, Colin Russell, Barry Clark, George ‘Lofty’ Holloway, Mary ‘the punk’ Smith and Disa O’Brien.
Lola heartbreak
Lola Pearce recently learned the devastating news that she has a brain tumour, with doctors soon confirming her condition was terminal.
Her young daughter Lexi is yet to learn that her mother's illness will kill her, while the soap has not given any details on when Lola will die.
Viewers are fearing it will be before 2023, and that Lola could tragically pass away in Christmas Day.
Christmas Day episode teasers
Nothing has been confirmed, but some of the cast have told The Mirror what viewers can expect.
Lorraine Stanley and Clair Norris hinted at "dark" scenes, while Matthew Morrison said it wouldn't all be doom and gloom.
Lorraine said: "I haven't read it yet. I think Janine, Mick and Linda... it all revolves around that and I think it is going to be brilliant.
"We can't say too much but there are really exciting things happening before Christmas."
On what viewers might expect, Lorraine went on: "At Christmas especially there's dark drama going on, and then you have got the comedy going on too. You can't just have [the dark]."
Matthew, meanwhile, said: "From what I have seen and from what I have been doing, there’s community at the heart of it, which I think is really nice and important."
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
