The Ghost of Walford Past: Chrissie Watts and the Twisted Plot for Revenge

In a television season already defined by nostalgic returns and high-stakes drama, EastEnders has delivered its most shocking blow yet. As the festive period unfolds, the residents of Albert Square—and the millions watching at home—were blindsided by a cliffhanger that rewrites the history of one of the show’s most iconic feuds. The revelation that Zoe Slater’s stalker is not a lone figure, but a calculated duo, has sent shockwaves through the fandom. The architects of Zoe’s current torment? Her estranged daughter, Jasmine Fischer, and the legendary villainess, Chrissie Watts.

A Dark Alliance Born of Bitterness

The return of Tracy-Ann Oberman as Chrissie Watts marks a pivotal shift in the “Who is Stalking Zoe?” storyline. Chrissie, last seen briefly in prison last year during an encounter with Sharon Watts, has spent two decades stewing over the events surrounding the murder of “Dirty” Den Watts. For Chrissie, the sense of injustice is palpable. While she served twenty years for the crime, she believes Zoe—who delivered the initial blow—escaped the consequences of her actions.

“Chrissie has always felt it was very unfair,” Oberman shared, reflecting on her character’s motivations. “In her mind, Zoe never really paid for Den’s murder and the part she played in destroying the Watts family.” This long-simmering resentment found a new outlet when Chrissie crossed paths with Jasmine. Bonding over their shared abandonment and grievances against Zoe, the two have formed a twisted maternal bond. Chrissie views Jasmine as “the daughter she never had,” and has taken it upon herself to “empower” the young woman to seek vengeance.

The Secret Return

The return of such a heavyweight character was a closely guarded secret, managed with precision by new showrunner Ben Wade and Oberman herself. Following the emotional, Nigel-centric episode that featured the “ghosts” of Pat Butcher and Barry Evans, the reintroduction of a living, breathing threat like Chrissie provides a sharp, dangerous contrast to the week’s more sentimental moments.

Oberman noted that her discussions with Wade were focused on ensuring Chrissie’s return felt earned and psychologically grounded. “What started off as a game for Chrissie has ended up becoming a little bit of an obsession,” she explained. This obsession is no longer just about the past; it is about forcing Zoe to finally take responsibility for a life built on secrets and escapes.

The Fallout for the Slaters

For Zoe Slater, the revelation is a “crushing blow.” Having spent years trying to outrun the trauma of her youth, she now faces a pincer movement of past sins and family betrayal. The involvement of her own daughter, Jasmine, adds a layer of psychological cruelty that Chrissie Watts specializes in. By manipulating Jasmine’s feelings of abandonment, Chrissie has turned Zoe’s greatest regret into her most dangerous enemy.

As Walford braces for the “explosive” climax promised in the coming days, the power dynamic in Albert Square has shifted. Chrissie Watts is back, and she isn’t just looking for an apology—she is looking for a reckoning. For the Slater family, the holiday cheer has evaporated, replaced by the chilling reality that some ghosts refuse to stay buried. With two formidable women united by a singular goal, Zoe Slater’s world is about to be dismantled, piece by piece.