EastEnders star Harriet Thorpe has joked that she has gone "full Sherlock Holmes" on the soap's upcoming Christmas mystery in which one character will meet their end this festive season.
One of the BBC soap's most prominent storylines has been teased in flash-forward scenes which show Stacey, Sharon, Linda, Denise, Suki and Kathy come together for a lock-in The Vic on Christmas Day 2023 where they are faced with a dead body.
Speaking about the dramatic plot, which has been kept tightly under wrap even among the cast members, Thorpe said: "We’ve all gone the full Sherlock Holmes, as you can imagine!
"Everyone in the cast is playing detective, and it’s great that none of us know. It’s all part of the joy."
The latest teaser for the mystery shows Kathy furiously chopping flowers with a cleaver while Florence + the Machine's What Kind of Man plays in the background.
The caption for the clip reads: "In a flash, everything changes."
In a flash, everything changes…
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) November 13, 2023
Don't miss #EastEnders. Monday - Thursday on @BBCOne & @BBCiPlayer.#Kathy #TheSix pic.twitter.com/IkMEI4RxFE
Thorpe, who plays Elaine Peacock, the landlady of The Vic and mother of Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), also spoke about gearing up for her first Christmas on the soap.
"I cannot wait!", she enthused. "I am so thrilled and honoured to be part of this team that creates something so important socially to so many people.
"It also gives people an escape and some fun at Christmas. I'll be tuning in on Christmas day and find out which of the men is on the floor of The Vic."
The actress said that Christmas is the highlight of Elaine's year and that turning on the Christmas lights for her is like "starring at the London Palladium!"
"She couldn’t be happier to be in charge - it’s her natural place," Thorpe said. "Elaine loves theatre, and this is her version of it.
"I believe that theatre has been Elaine’s escape from reality during some tough times in her life. She has always lived her life on show because that’s the way she knows how to survive."
EastEnders airs on RTÉ One and BBC One Monday to Thursday.