The drama in EastEnders is reaching fever pitch as we head into the final days of May. From long-buried

secrets exploding into the open to devastating betrayals and emotional reckonings, next week’s episodes (May 26–29)

promise to leave viewers stunned. Tensions simmer, loyalties are tested, and no one will emerge unscathed. Here are 10 explosive spoilers set to shake Albert Square to its core.

1. Nicola’s Dark Secret Is Exposed

Nicola’s quiet presence in Walford has always seemed too calm to last. Since returning last November and reconnecting with her old flame, Zack Hudson, the tension has been building. Nicola, once Zack’s personal trainer, rekindled old memories—and something far more dangerous.

Though she spent months trying to rebuild her life with ex-husband Teddy and their sons, Harry and Barney, a secret has been lurking beneath the surface. Nicola has concealed the fact that Barney isn’t Teddy’s son—but Zack’s, the result of their brief affair 16 years ago.

Zack discovered the truth in March, after overhearing a hospital conversation about blood types. Yet, paralyzed by fear—of Nicola and, more ominously, the powerful Mitchell family—he kept quiet. That silence is now splintering. As the truth threatens to surface, Nicola’s carefully managed life is poised to collapse. The fallout could shatter multiple families.

2. Zack Turns to Ravi for Help—But Is Warned About Nicola’s Dark Side

Torn between his conscience and the danger surrounding Nicola, Zack hatches a desperate plan: escape Walford with Barney and start over in Scotland. Originally intending to visit Whitney and the kids alone, Zack changes course when he sees how unhappy Barney is in the Square.

But there’s a catch—taking Barney without legal consent might be considered kidnapping. Vicki warns him, but Zack presses on, seeking financial help from none other than Ravi Gulati.

Ravi, once entangled with Nicola himself, offers not only caution but a chilling warning. He reveals that Nicola once asked him to help move a body—an ominous glimpse into the depths she might go to protect her secrets. It’s a gut punch for Zack: Nicola is far more dangerous than he ever imagined.

3. A Shocking Arrest—and a Devastating Betrayal

Ravi’s warning shakes Zack to his core. He confides in Linda, whose maternal instincts take over. She urges Zack to go to the police—not just for his own safety, but to protect Barney from whatever danger might be lurking.

Zack listens. Soon, DC Powers makes a stunning arrest, taking Nicola into custody in connection with the suspicious death of Shireen. The community reels, and Harry is crushed—the mother he’s defended so fiercely is now the prime suspect in a murder investigation.

But even in chaos, there’s opportunity. Zack approaches Harry with the truth: they need to protect Barney together. In an emotionally charged moment, Zack reveals he is Barney’s biological father, and pleads for Harry’s help.

Yet just when it seems Nicola is out of the picture, in a dramatic twist, she’s released. And before the family can process what’s next, Harry drops a bombshell of his own: he tells Teddy the truth about Zack and Barney’s real connection.

How Teddy will respond—whether with rage, betrayal, or understanding—remains to be seen. But the stage is set for an epic showdown.

4. Nigel’s Birthday Blues

In lighter (but no less heartfelt) moments, Nigel finds himself unexpectedly hurt. Despite earlier saying he didn’t want a birthday celebration, he feels overlooked when no one marks the day. Phil Mitchell is left scratching his head, unsure why Nigel’s mood has soured.

With some help from Yolande, Alfie, and Honey, Phil finally confronts Nigel—and learns that beneath the gruff exterior, Nigel simply wanted to feel valued. Phil proposes a belated celebration and invites him to the cinema, proving that even in Walford, small acts of kindness can go a long way.

5. Avani Faces Online Cruelty

The dark side of social media rears its ugly head as Avani finds herself the target of cruel messages. Unbeknownst to her, a private encounter with Joel was secretly filmed—and now, the footage has made its rounds.

As the shame and anxiety mount, Avani is left feeling exposed and vulnerable. Barney steps in to support her, deepening their connection—but this scandal isn’t going away quietly. Can Avani reclaim her dignity, or will this be the start of a downward spiral?

6. A Forbidden Kiss Threatens to Ruin Everything

Romance flares in unexpected places, but not all passions should be pursued. An illicit kiss between two characters threatens to upend friendships and ignite rivalries. Details are under wraps, but insiders promise the moment will have major consequences—and at least one relationship may not survive.

7. A Mysterious Car Crash Sends Shockwaves Through the Square

Next week ends with a bang—literally—as a dramatic car crash leaves lives hanging in the balance. The crash, said to involve a major character, is more than just an accident. It’s tied to mounting tensions, desperate decisions, and reckless emotions.

The wreck will set off a chain of events that impact multiple families—and may change the future of Albert Square forever.

8. Phil Faces a Loyalty Dilemma

Phil Mitchell is once again at the center of a moral conundrum. With his loyalty to family clashing against his sense of justice, he must make a decision that could either protect those he loves or destroy the fragile peace he’s worked hard to maintain.

9. Whitney Returns—But Trouble Follows

Whitney makes a surprise return to Walford with the kids in tow, but her presence stirs up old wounds. Questions swirl about her relationship with Zack, her future plans, and how she fits into this rapidly evolving drama around Barney.

Her return could bring clarity—or chaos.

10. The Mitchells Plot Their Next Move

As always, the Mitchells are never far from the action. With Nicola’s involvement in the Shireen case threatening to tarnish their name, and Zack’s entanglement complicating matters, Phil and Sharon must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect their legacy.

Will they turn on Nicola—or tighten the family circle?

Final Thoughts

Next week’s EastEnders episodes promise to be some of the most explosive, emotional, and game-changing of the year. With a shocking arrest, the exposure of a long-held paternity secret, forbidden love, and a dangerous car crash, viewers are in for a white-knuckle ride.

Stay tuned—because in Albert Square, secrets never stay buried for long.

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