All writing comes from the heart. Tonight's
#EastEnders
is extra personal. When I was a teen, there were no LGBT people on TV to help me coming out. Now I get to write the TV I never got to watch. Whether you're Bernie, Tina, Callum or Ben, if you're on that journey, Happy Pride.
25 years ago I fell in love with an amazing man. Yesterday I married him and I still can't stop smiling. We even set the sea on fire! Love wins, every time.
Enders tonight, by me. Think I could write
@BalvinderSopal
and
@heatherpeace
forever. We have such a stunningly strong cast, they're all such an honour to write for.
Sixty minute warning peeps - Enders tonight at 7.30. Phil and Sharon. Mick and Linda. Ben and Callum. Three couples, one long dark night. Where will they all be by dawn? Fantastic performances all round. Bring tissues. Last ep by me until we start filming again.
Enders tonight by me and it's farewell to the fantastic
@_Zack_Morris
. I wrote Keegan's first words and it's an honour to write his last (for now!) Humour, joy, heartbreak, you've set the screen on fire from the go. Wishing you an amazing career - can't wait to see where you fly.
I wrote Tina's first words on Enders, and it broke my heart a bit to write her last too. Strong, feisty, outspoken to the end -
@BLuisaW
you've been phenomenal. Cant wait to see what you do next.
Sixty minute klaxon - Enders tonight by me, and it's the day of Dennis's funeral. Cracking performances all round, but especially from the queen of Walford, Letitia Dean. (Also contains fascinating historical footage of a time when people went to pubs...)
Enders peeps, you're in for such a treat this Christmas. Watching last night on a cinema screen with a team I adore and a room full of press was pretty special. Stories are epic, performances are immense, direction is beautiful - can't wait for everyone to watch! Merry
#Tishmas
So proud of everyone involved in last night's
#EastEnders
. Brave, bold end to an astounding year. And tonight we start a new year by going back to the last one - we loved Christmas so much we're celebrating it twice. Cos it's always worth saving a few presents for later...
It's a Sin. We've been watching it old skool, one a week. My heart is broken. For the boys lost on screen, for all the boys lost in life. For the power of the words. Russell T Davies you beautiful genius. Love who you love peeps. Be brave, be proud. Feel no shame. La.
Boat leaves at 8.30 for the last part of our
#EastEnders35
week. Here's me and the fab
@KyriZindilis
(who stitched the scripts all together) and the captain of our ship
@jonarthonsen
, all wrapped up warm on the January Thames. Been a treat to write this one - hope you all enjoy!
Stunning piece of art as we start filming again today. Just one of the ways in which Walford will show what's been going on in the world since we stopped filming. Our cameras might not have been turning, but London stands still for no-one.
Today we’re revealing a new, permanent and timely addition to the
#EastEnders
set. This mural of a black woman, painted by visual artist
@Dreph
, onto the side of the Beales’ house, will be a striking backdrop to Walford life. Please visit our Instagram or FB page for more info.
I've loved writing Ben Mitchell for 16 yrs, from Gaga-loving kid to married dad; tonight I get to bring one more chapter to a close (rest of ep by fab
@davmoo50
) Is it the end for Ballum? Isabella and Jamie shine, but it's all about
@tony_clay76
and the brilliant
@MaxBowden
My final Enders of the year - and the end credits celebrate everyone who's worked on the show this year. I'm in awe of this team, of their creativity and dedication, inventing new filming techniques to bring our stories to the screen whilst keeping everyone safe. Amazing people.
Enders tonight and tomorrow, by me. It was a joy to write our first Civil Partnership and our first Pride - it's lovely to write our first gay wedding too. That's if it goes ahead, of course. Oh and Ben said no hats. And if you want to give a present - spread a little love...
Stories like Ballum's act as important representation in depicting LGBT+ lives. So we thought we'd do a wedding whip around for a charity that helps young LGBT+ people to tell their own stories. Please share/donate what you fancy for a great cause!
Ballum peeps, I hear your pain today and I have just spent half an hour being lectured by my 85 year old mum on ruining her Christmas (even though it was all
@thepoves
) and I am broken.
So I just cut my husband's hair and he's in the shower and he hasn't looked yet and it looks like a small animal's been killed on the kitchen floor and I might have to move out.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for...
#EastEnders
will be back on your screens on Monday 7th September.
It's time to set your alarm ⏰ and wait for the drama to begin!
For more information, head to
@bbceastenders
on Facebook and Instagram.
To everyone who got in touch about last night's ep, thank you from my heart. Such an important story to tell, such an honour to get to write about mental health in this way - and such a phenomenal team to be part of, from the storyliners and script editors to the cast and crew.
Sixty minute klaxon; Ballum wedding Pt 2. The grooms have both finally made it. Now they just need to get to the end of the day. Well, the end of the service first... I love that this will be some people's first gay wedding. Though they don't always have quite so much drama...
Happy Birthday
#EastEnders
. Still pinch myself I'm part of this fabulous family, part of the fabric of British TV, part of something that means so much to so many. Here's to the next 35 years! Big love ❤❤❤
#EastEnders35
#EastEnders
has been in our homes for 35 years today! Family is at the heart of Walford, and this video celebrates that. Happy Birthday
#EastEnders
. 🎉
#EastEnders35
So, so proud to be part of this team. Not one, not two, but three NTAs! Smashed it. Some bosses are just gold - here's to the genius of
@chris_clenshaw
, leading the team, bringing home the silverware.
Might be the only Pride you'll get to go on this year so get down to Walford! Four different LGBT characters at different points in their journeys. “Being with your people. The family you choose.” Visibility counts. BBC1, 7.30. Enjoy.
"Ben's asked me to shoot someone..." Eastenders tonight, by me, script edited by the divine
@KyriZindilis
. So good to be back on screen again. It's all going daaaaahn!
When
#EastEnders
returns to
@BBCOne
later in the year we’ll be back to four episodes per week, at the slightly shorter duration of 20 minutes.
For more info. head to
@BBCEastEnders
on Facebook or Instagram.
"Love.. it's the most wonderful feeling in the world. It's like everything else makes sense. Whatever you do, you know that you can do it because you've got that person in your life, loving you.. you love them and they love you." 💕
#Ballum
#EastEnders
@petelawson68
I am loving the excitement for this. And so terrified I'm going to let slip something I shouldn't. Honestly, for all the things you all think you know there are SO MANY things you don't even know that you don't know *runs off to sew lips together for next fortnight*
Thank you all for the lovely words on tonight's
@bbceastenders
. I want to give a special shout out to the art department and the post-production team - you have no idea what it took to make those railway scenes. I'm not going to spoil the magic - but there are wizards at work!
Enders tonight by me, and Gray's actions continue to rip the Taylor-Bakers apart. Heartbreakingly beautiful performances from
@_Zack_Morris
,
@loustar76
and Roger Griffiths. Gorgeously directed by
@davidkester00
.
Double Eastenders from me tonight. Cindy edges slowly nearer to her return, and even though it's brilliant to put words in her mouth, these two are all about Eve and
@heatherpeace
is just phenomenal. A real powerhouse of a performance. An absolute treat of an actor to write for.
Enders tonight & tomorrow by me, and it's an honour to be trusted with this storyline. They're not an easy watch but they're what Eastenders does best - shine a light on things we don't talk about. Thanks to all those who bravely shared their stories. I hope we've done you proud.
Survivors UK worked closely with the Eastenders production team on this week’s harrowing story about male rape. Our chat helpline is here for you if you are male or non binary and have been affected by sexual violence.
We're back! So excited for you all to see what we've got in store for you - so proud of how amazingly creative the whole team have been working to get the show back on screen. Big stories, bold stories, ground-breaking stories that need to be told. Bring. It. On.
*Story news* - This month, back on The Square, we’ll see how Chantelle’s harrowing abuse has worsened throughout lockdown. After attempting to escape, devastatingly Chantelle doesn’t make it and is killed by her husband, Gray. For the full story visit our
#EastEnders
FB page.
Enders tonight, by me, and it's Lola's funeral. This was an honour to write. Beautifully filmed by
@johnwg58
with tender, heartfelt and heartbreaking performances all round. Bring tissues. Wear something colourful. Life's precious.
Thank you for such lovely comments on last night's Enders. It always moves me when a story like Suki's resonates with so many. One of the things I love about soap is when we get to play stories slowly, in real time. Most of our journeys are made of a million tiny moments.
Enders tonight by me, and I absolutely love writing for
@heatherpeace
and
@BalvinderSopal
. Eve and Suki are such brilliant characters, and the two of them bring so many layers to their relationship. Nailing it every time.
@saritazan1968
Because he doesn't want Ben to give up. Because he always looks for the hope. Because he's imperfect and been through trauma himself and sometimes misjudges things. Because he's human.
@scofieldsballum
Ben's struggling. And grieving. And hurt that Sharon banned him. And feeling vulnerable. And hating being dependent. In the end - just like Sharon and the pepperoni - that comes out at the wrong person in the wrong way. You lash out at those who you know won't turn against you.
Farewell to the iconic Max Branning and the legend that is
@mrjakedwood
. Always a joy to write for, pulling emotions out of every word. All the very best for everything that comes next.
We always think so long and hard about any character's death - it's always a balance between what you potentially lose and what you gain. Five years after Lucy's death we're still playing the repercussions. The ripples caused by Dennis's death will be just as huge. 1/
Well how fab to have written soapland's best Feel-Good moment - and for celebrating our LGBT community too! All that and funniest person, best actress, best partnership - and most importantly, Best Soap! Go
@bbceastenders
and our whole fabulous team. Thank you
@InsideSoapMag
.
Your ultimate FEEL-GOOD MOMENT in this year's
#InsideSoapAwards
was the heartwarming Walford Pride episode of
#EastEnders
. Here's
@MaxBowden
, who plays Ben, to tell you how much this episode meant to him…
Got your life-jackets on? Boat leaves in half an hour. So excited for you all to watch this week's episodes. The whole team threw their all into it. Happy Anniversary peeps!
#EastEnders35
#eastenders
60 minute klaxon! Enders tonight, scripted by me, made with love by a huge team of wizards. Featuring Phil Mitchell X Mica Paris. If only they'd recorded something together, would've been a dancefloor banger.
Thank you to everyone for your comments on last night's episode, truly humbling. I adore this show, it's been such a privilege to be part of such a big week. If you're interested in seeing how our incredible team put the whole week together, here's a bit of behind the scenes.
Take a look at what went on behind the scenes during the filming of this weeks epic
#EastEnders35
episodes! Was it worth all the hard work? We certainly think so. Happy birthday again,
#EastEnders
❤
Well how fab to have scripted Soap's Best Feel-Good Moment for the second year running! Everyone loves a happy gay wedding, beautifully directed by
@coilinoscolai
and gorgeously acted by the fabulous
@MaxBowden
and
@tony_clay76
. Confetti all round!
Who says the soaps are all doom and gloom? You all loved the brilliant
#Ballum
wedding in
#EastEnders
, as Ben and Callum finally tied the knot. In fact, it was your number one FEEL-GOOD MOMENT at the
#InsideSoapAwards
. See who else picked up a trophy here:
Twenty minute klaxon. Callum's cooking for Ben for the first time. Bless. But Martin's got his sights on Ben and Leo's got his sights on Callum. Is the pasta going to boil dry? Enders tonight by me, edited by the lovely
@KyriZindilis
.
3. I hear the fans who are upset, just as I hear the ones who aren't. But honestly, no-one thinks harder about the future of this show - not just because it's my job (!) but because like so many, I'm a fan too. It's always about looking forward.
15 min klaxon Enders peeps. Will Ian get Max's money before Max finds it's missing? Will Chantelle get the kids and escape? Will Martin come round and remember who attacked him? And will Ben stay out of jail long enough to get to his almost-brother-in-law's stag? Doof doof...
Enders tonight, by me. Will Dean's fall down the stairs mean the end of him gaslighting Linda? Will catching her husband kissing Priya mean Suki finally sees the light? All that and Sam's back. Enjoy. Though
@BalvinderSopal
may make you cry...
@OliiviiaMoore
@BallumOfficial
@BenMitchellVI
OK, this is not the time for teasing. This is the time for grasping every bit of joy life brings. I'm not promising lots of scenes - it's really a Sharon/Phil ep - but I think the scenes you do get might just bring a little smile in these strange times.
She's back! If you liked last night's Eastenders then you're going to LOVE tonight's. Where's Cindy been for 25 years? If you thought you'd guessed everything - trust me, you haven't...
We are thrilled to announce that the famed actress Gwen Taylor will be arriving on The Square later this spring to play the role of Violet Highway. To find out more, please visit
@bbceastenders
on Instagram and Facebook.
#EastEnders
Enders tonight, words by me, acting by way-more talented people, filming-in-strange-times by the most talented people of all. Lucas has got a date. Karen's got a date. Bobby's got a date. Obviously all of these things are going to go really well. Enjoy.
A week ago I got married. We set up a wedding list to furnish a new home - just not for us. If you want to join in and help us set up a new home for LGBTI asylum seekers, link below. Love wins, every time.
Thank you Harry and Pete for raising almost £4,000 for
#homeless
#LGBTI
asylum seekers at your wedding! We are blown away. Your love will
#ChangeLGBTiLives
💜❤️🧡💛💚💙
30 minute klaxon - Enders tonight by me at 8.35. Ruby's just told Martin she wants a baby, Mick's just told Linda he's leaving, and Tina's just told Gray she knows he killed his wife... Picks up exactly where Saturday's ep finished.
Well aren't you lovely, Walford Web peeps? Thank you very much, I'm thrilled and flattered. And some best ep and best scene runners up in there too. You certainly know how to make a guy feel very loved.
@softballum
I think love stories are complicated. Good, epic ones are always massively complicated. You could see on Friday how much they both love each other. Keep the faith.
Thirty minute klaxon - Enders again tonight, scripted by me. Kush has got secrets, Callum's got secrets, Mick's got secrets - somebody and their clothes might end up being thrown out on the street tonight...
#justsaying
@saritazan1968
I think Ben is torn between wanting the love of two men - his dad, drawing him to darkness, and Callum, drawing him to light. Callum and Ben are a complex relationship between two damaged people. Can Ben come back from this? Will love win? Time will tell.
This. One of the things I love most about soap is it's here, then it's gone, because it's always moving. Then every now and then the right words and the right director with the right actors make something that lives with people a long time after. Thanks for the love today peeps.
Janine is coming back! 💥The queen of drama and scandal is returning to Walford, and we couldn’t be more excited! Take a look at our first little chat with
@CharlieBrooks0
...
For the full story click here:
2. Ian, Phil, Sharon, Bobby - there's so much still to play. We never do things for short term shock, always for the long term story. Trust me, no-one's more aware of legacy than we are (hence putting Sharon and Ian at the heart of last night, with Kathy across both.) 2/
Well this is all very exciting. Inside Soap Awards - 35th Anniversary Riverboat Disaster up for Best Showstopper, Pride up for best Feel-Good moment. Thrilled to have penned both. Lots of other fab people up for stuff too. Get voting peeps!
I always think twitter's a bit like the pub. It's fab when you see your mates. It's great chatting with strangers, even when you disagree. Having a laugh, being made to think. But when it gets a bit shouty and people are in your face banging on about the same thing... block.
When you write something and a year later someone sends you an amazing drawing they've done of it! Thank you so much
@missodyessa
, your talent is off the scale!
#EastEnders
#Ballum
#LGBTQ
I love it when Enders viewers respond to a storyline and want to do something to make a difference. Think this is at least the third or fourth time Jenn and Erin have organised a fundraiser over the years - they're brilliant, so do give them some support if you can.
We’re calling on fandom to help us raise money for
@beatED
, in honour of Ben’s important story and to help others like him. Please share and donate if you can!
@bbceastenders
#EastEnders
#Ballum
Thirty minute klaxon! Enders tonight by me, 8.05. Max is hoping to get back with Linda, Ash is hoping to get back with Iqra, Sharon seems to be hoping to get back with Phil... All that, and one of my favourite cliffs in a long time!
Haircut time for the husband today. He asked if I've been watching any YouTube videos since last time. I said no but I've watched every ep of Pooch Perfect. And now I'm in the spare room...
The
@bbceastenders
team are looking for a Storyliner.
Can you create, develop and write story ideas and storylines to strict deadlines? Do you have extensive drama Script Editing, Story Editing, Storylining or Writing experience?
Apply here:
Boat leaves again in 15 minutes peeps. And Phil ain't gonna be happy if you miss it... Words tonight by the brilliant
@JonnyOneill
; pictures by the sublime
@davidkester00
and his ridiculously talented team.
Enders tonight, scripted by me, BBC2 at 7.30 - and secrets spill out all over the place as Ben continues to spiral... Fab performances from a brilliant cast to write for, beautifully directed.
Time. Just exceptional TV. Jimmy McGovern, exquisite as always. One of our finest writers in any form. Stephen Graham and Sean Bean, stunning. Raw, powerful, totally heartfelt drama.