ACTRESS Kim Medcalf is reprising the role of Sam Mitchell this week as she returns to the Square.
But the black sheep of the Mitchell clan will be ruffling a lot of feathers on EastEnders. Here’s what you can expect.
1. Phil makes a decision
But before his sister can come back to Walford, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) has a big decision to make this week.
The tough man was thrown into prison after he refused to become a police informant in exchange for his freedom.
Since then, residents looking up to him have started to spiral out of control, from troublesome Tommy Moon to violent Ben Mitchell.
Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) is therefore relieved when Phil’s solicitor Ritchie Scott (Sian Webber) confirms he’ll be meeting with Keeble to make a deal.
Will the baddie, who was once so adamant on protecting his family, really become an informant?
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2. Ben is exposed as vigilante
Phil getting back his freedom could mean help is on the way for his son Ben (Max Bowden).
His temper recently got the best of him and Sharon found him viciously attacking a man named Steve who hurled homophobic abuse at him hours before.
However, his violent streak could be uncovered as a guilt-ridden Ben visits Steve in hospital and is caught on camera.
Unfortunately for him, the footage is found by detective and businessman Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).
The latter wants to get to the bottom of the attack as he goes and interviews Steve’s mother with police officer Callum Highway (Tony Clay) – who also happens to be Ben’s husband.
She proceeds to let them know about a friend who came to visit him in hospital.
Checking the CCTV, Jack discovers that Ben appears in the footage, and goes to confront him – telling him he needs answers immediately.
But will Ben’s secret come to light?
Could he become Walford’s new serial killer, weeks after Gray’s downfall?
3. Sam returns to the Square
Six years after she was last seen in Albert Square, Sam comes back to her roots this week and tensions are already brimming as not many residents will be happy to see her.
Coming up, Sam immediately gets on the wrong side of Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and Sharon.
Both are even more frustrated when the latter remains tight-lipped about why she’s back and enjoys winding them both up.
Elsewhere, Jack is nervous to see Sam back and, although she assures him she’ll only stay for a brief visit, he tells his wife Denise Fox (Diane Parish) their son Ricky deserves to know who she is.
Ricky was left by Sam in Walford following her last visit in 2016.
However, Ben will also come to resent his aunt as her true motives will be uncovered – and it could have everything to do with the family business.
4. Dotty hides a shocking secret
While the Mitchells are on the verge of a family feud, Dotty Cotton (portrayed by Milly Zero) is running away from the truth and her relationship with her boyfriend Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) could be on the rocks.
This week, Vinny reinforces his love for his on-and-off girlfriend but she is left spooked.
Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) immediately picks up on her mood and encourages her to be upfront with Vinny – she clearly doesn’t feel the same way.
Later on, at the Panesars’ home, Vinny realises that Dotty is acting off with him and asks her to explain what is going on between them.
But will the club manager come clean and admit she doesn’t love him?
5. Stacey takes action for Jean
Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) has had enough of her mother Jean’s (Gillian Wright) erratic behaviour.
Coming up, the cleaner goes all out planning her engagement party for that same night at Ruby’s.
Pre-teen Lily (Lillia Turner) picks up on Jean’s mood and asks her mother Stacey if she’s okay but the latter plays it cool and says everything is fine.
Lily remains unconvinced and her suspicions are confirmed after she pays Jean a visit.
But she’s not the only one who becomes aware Jean is spiralling as Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) is soon shocked by her behaviour.
Shirley goes wedding dress shopping with Jean but the day doesn’t go well.
Following these events, Shirley tells Stacey something needs to be done for her.
They decide to enlist Lily’s help to have access to Harvey’s flat so they can finally speak with Jean.
However, the intervention takes a nasty turn as the pair beg her to accept their help and Jean orders them to leave.
Stacey is desperate and takes matters into her own hands with one drastic action.
Will it be enough?
6. Harvey drops a bombshell
Jean’s boyfriend Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) has some turmoil of his own this week when far-right gangster Neil approaches him during his engagement party.
Neil gives him the burner phone for his son Aaron who remains in prison following his vicious acts.
Harvey is then worried ahead of his visit to Aaron tomorrow and gets the phone ready while his daughter Dana notices his mood and urges him to talk to Jean.
Harvey is then taken by Mitch to see Aaron but struggles to go through with Neil’s plans.
Later on, Harvey drops a huge bombshell on Dana and their future in Walford could be compromised.
7. Chelsea struggles with Gray’s ghosts
Speaking of a potential exit, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) is still finding life at No.1 hard, a month after her husband Gray Atkins was arrested for murder.
Indeed, Chelsea has been staying with Denise instead of in her own home, which deeply irritates Jack.
During a conversation with Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), the young mother admits she is too haunted by the many ghosts in Gray’s house.
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Could she leave Walford behind altogether?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
