All EastEnders spoilers for next week as Walford says a final goodbye to a beloved legend
Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) has been nothing but trouble since he re-emerged in Albert Square, and he continues to cause chaos for those around him next week in EastEnders.
As time quickly runs out for him to repay his debt to the shadowy boss of his former gang, he continues to manipulate Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), earning the ire of her dad, Max Branning (Jake Wood), while on the day of Nigel Bates’ (Paul Bradley) funeral, the Mitchell siblings, Phil, Grant and Sam (Steve McFadden, Ross Kemp and Kim Medcalf) are forced to launch a rescue mission. Can they save Mark from a truly grisly fate?
With the time to say a final goodbye to her beloved finally arriving Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) struggles to find the words to properly celebrate Nigel. When she finally decides to open the letter he left her, what will she discover?
Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) continu
es to struggle with balancing his feelings for girlfriend Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and his undeniable connection with her twin brother, Josh Goodwin (Joshua Vaughan). How long can he resist temptation?
Elsewhere, Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) continues to question her dad, George (Colin Salmon) over the presence of Eddie Knight (Christopher Fairbank) and Denise Fox (Diane Parish) continues to suffer exhaustion.
So those are the preliminary bouts. Who’s ready for the main event?
Monday, May 18
Lauren is left reeling when she learns from Max that some vintage cars sold at their lot have been found burnt out, but when Sam provides Mark with a fake alibi, she accuses her dad. He’s wounded, and reveals he was about to hand over half of the car lot to Lauren, but she declines, wanting to earn her portion. As Mark continues to seduce Lauren into selling his stolen cars, Peter tells her that Jimmy’s nursery has a place open and when learns they can’t afford it, she agrees to go into business with Mark.
As Josh, Jasmine and Oscar bond over a childhood game, Oscar struggles with his attraction to both of the twins. He’s forced to comfort Josh when Jasmine learns he played their game with Sandra and storms away, and they share an incredibly electric moment.
Elsewhere, Gina continues to press her dad over Eddie’s presence, but he refuses to engage.
Tuesday, May 19
Despite Grant’s revelation that he’s sold his bar in Portugal to pay his debt, Mark refuses to accept his help. As he comforts Lauren and promises to take the fall should their scam go belly up, Max is suspicious of Mark and learns of his history when Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) investigates. Mark receives a warning from the gang and heads to the car lot, coaxing Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) into letting him access the safe. He drops his keys after he has second thoughts, and as he finally considers accepting his dad’s help, he’s kidnapped by a group of masked men.