Albert Square is teetering on the edge of collapse this week as EastEnders delivers one of its darkest turns yet. With the confirmed departure of a controversial character and another resident’s descent into drug addiction, tension in Walford has reached a breaking point — and fans are bracing for tragedy.

Joel Marshall’s Exit Sparks Murder Speculation

EastEnders has confirmed that Max Murray, who portrays troubled teen Joel Marshall, has officially left the show after a turbulent seven-month run. Joel’s exit follows a deeply disturbing storyline centered around misogyny, manipulation, and violence. His chilling arc — which included secretly filming women, stalking Stacey Slater, and launching a brutal attack on his stepmother Vicki Fowler — has cemented him as one of the soap’s most hated characters in recent years.

Following his arrest and subsequent incarceration, viewers have taken to social media to predict that Joel’s final chapter will not end quietly. A prevailing fan theory now suggests Ravi Gulati will take revenge on Joel, seeking justice for his daughter Avani Nandra-Hart, who was among the victims of Joel’s twisted actions. The speculation has gained traction ahead of the show’s highly anticipated Christmas episodes, with fans convinced that Joel’s storyline will end in bloodshed.

“Ravi should kill him after what he did to Avani,” one fan posted online, echoing a growing sentiment across Reddit and X. The theory has only intensified with reports that upcoming scripts feature a violent confrontation involving Ravi and an unnamed Walford resident — fuelling widespread belief that Joel’s death will serve as the ultimate act of retribution.

Meanwhile, Joel’s father Ross has become an emotional casualty of the chaos. Consumed by guilt and grief over his son’s crimes, he has turned to alcohol to cope with the shame. With his reputation in tatters, Ross finds an unlikely ally in Harvey Monroe, who offers him a place to stay and a glimmer of compassion in the midst of public condemnation.

Harry Mitchell’s Collapse Under Oki’s Cruelty

Elsewhere, Harry Mitchell faces his darkest hour after being held captive and psychologically tortured by former associate Oki. Once partners in a growing East London drug ring, Harry’s conscience got the better of him when he began questioning the exploitation of Kojo Asar, a young courier caught in the operation.

Oki’s response was merciless. Holding Harry prisoner, he launched a campaign of humiliation, mocking his loyalty and taunting him with lies about his loved ones. “Your family’s given up on you. Gina has moved on. Nobody cares if you disappear,” Oki sneered, driving Harry deeper into despair.

In one of the week’s most harrowing moments, Harry — exhausted, terrified, and broken — succumbed to temptation. Surrounded by the remnants of Oki’s stash, he took the drugs left behind, seeking escape from the torment that had become his reality. Viewers watched in horror as his resolve crumbled, raising fears that his overdose could prove fatal.

The emotional fallout of Harry’s breakdown now looms large over his father Teddy Mitchell, who remains unaware of his son’s fragile condition. With Harry’s life hanging in the balance, fans are left wondering whether Teddy will realize the truth before tragedy strikes.

Halloween Shock Awaits in The Queen Vic

As the chaos unfolds, attention is turning to the Queen Vic, where Kat Moon is poised to deliver what insiders describe as a “Halloween bombshell.” BBC teasers have promised a revelation that will “shake the very foundations of Walford,” igniting speculation that Kat’s announcement could link multiple ongoing storylines.

Some viewers believe Kat’s revelation could expose a long-buried truth about her son Tommy Moon, whose past friendship with Joel might tie him unexpectedly into the current scandal. Others suspect the twist could involve Zoe Slater, following her rumored reappearance — a move that could echo the legendary “You Ain’t My Mother” scene that remains etched in EastEnders history.

Whatever the truth, the fallout from Kat’s revelation is expected to send shockwaves across the Square, setting the stage for an explosive run of episodes through Halloween and into Christmas.

As Walford stands on the brink, viewers are left with haunting questions: Will Ravi take justice into his own hands? Can Teddy save his son before it’s too late? And what secret could Kat Moon reveal that will change the Square forever?