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“EastEnders is preparing to welcome back one of its darkest ever villains as serial killer Gray Atkins is set to make a bombshell return to Albert Square. Walford has already been plunged into chaos in recent weeks following the death of Nigel Bates, while Bea Pollard continues to cause trouble across the Square.

But upcoming episodes may deliver the soap's biggest twist yet, as the BBC soap may revisit one of its most disturbing storylines.

Gray Atkins - played by Toby-Alexander Smith - is expected to return in a surprise cameo almost four years after his character was finally exposed and thrown behind bars for multiple murders and the horrific abuse of his wife, Chantelle Atkins.

Soap bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the comeback, but insiders say Gray will appear from prison for a short stint, and that his return will have major consequences for Walford residents.

A source says: "Gray’s return is set to be explosive. He’s got unfinished business in Walford and fans won’t see it coming." Grey first arrived in EastEnders in 2019 as a successful solicitor and the husband of Chantelle Atkins.

Initially introduced as a charming and dependable man, the character's mask quickly fell with a thud when he became central to one of the soap's most harrowing domestic abuse storylines. Behind closed doors, Gray subjected Chantelle to prolonged physical, emotional and even sexual abuse by controlling her every move and isolating her from family members.

In 2020, Chantelle tragically died after attempting to free herself from Gray's grasp during a violent confrontation. But she wasn't his only victim. As he spiralled even further, Gray went on to murder Tina Carter after she threatened to expose his abuse, and concealed her body under the Argee Bhajee restaurant for months.

Gray's killing spree escalated again in 2021 when Kush Kazemi became another victim in the midst of his obsession with Whitney Dean. In one of EastEnders' most shocking scenes, Gray pushed Kush in front of an incoming train at Walford tube station to stop him from fleeing Albert Square with Whitney.

Gray's crimes were finally all exposed in 2022 following growing suspicions, and after a dramatic showdown, he was finally cuffed and carted off by the police, never to be seen again. Since his exit, the character has rarely been mentioned on screen. Gray left behind his children, Mia, Mackenzie and Jordan, with the latter remaining with his mother, Chelsea Fox. Mia and Mackenzie, on the other hand, have moved to Spain alongside their grandparents, Karen Taylor and Mitch Baker.

Since leaving EastEnders, Toby-Alexander Smith has continued building his acting career, appearing in projects including An American in Austen, Love Across Time, Murder Between Friends and four episodes of Seeking Persephone.

Off-screen, he also shares a high-profile relationship with Amy Walsh, best known for playing Tracy Robinson in rival ITV soap Emmerdale. The couple welcomed their first daughter in 2021 before tying the knot in a private ceremony two years later, during which Toby's former co-star Shona McGarty performed. Earlier this year, the pair also welcomed their second daughter.

In 2025, the couple launched their own performing arts school for children aged 7 to 16, designed to help train aspiring young actors. But despite moving on professionally, it seems Gray may not have said his last word just yet.

EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.”

“EastEnders revisits Joel Marshall's dark storyline this year as the teenage villain returns to the show, we can exclusively confirm.

Max Murray, who plays Joel, has already returned to filming and will be back on screen in the coming weeks.

Joel took centre stage in one of the best-received storylines of last year, as the BBC soap explored the issue of radicalised misogyny.

The plot came to an end in January this year as he stood trial on charges of grievous bodily harm, voyeurism and producing and distributing indecent images of a child.

An EastEnders spokesperson has now exclusively told us: "We can confirm that Max Murray will be returning to EastEnders."

Joel's comeuppance played out after he'd brutally attacked his dad's partner Vicki Fowler and recorded a sexual video of Avani Nandra-Hart without her consent.

While an unrepentant Joel was smug for the early stages of his trial, he started to consider the error of his ways after some home truths from his dad Ross.

Ultimately, Joel changed his plea to guilty on all three charges. Afterwards, there were early signs that Joel could turn a corner when he broke down in tears in front of Ross and apologised for everything.

More recently, EastEnders aired scenes confirming that Joel had finally been sentenced and would serve six months in a young offenders' institute.

Tensions unfolded between Ross and Vicki, when questions were raised over where Joel would live following his short sentence.

Although Ross pointed out that he had responsibilities to his troubled son, he later promised to put Vicki first and vowed to make arrangements for Joel to live somewhere else upon his release.

But with news of Joel's return, does this mean that things won't go as Ross planned? Firm story details are being kept under wraps for now, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Max made his first appearance as Joel in March 2025. During his time on the show, he also appeared in BBC Three spin-off documentary EastEnders: The Manosphere, which further explored the issues raised in Joel's storyline.

Speaking to us last year, Max revealed that he'd had "a pretty positive response from the audience" despite his character not being "the most likeable".

He added: "The character isn't meant to be liked. It's very challenging, but equally I've got the best support I can possibly have with the whole team."

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.”