EASTENDERS boss Kate Oates has teased a huge comeback for the BBC soap as it scooped the TV BAFTA tonight.
The BBC soap – that celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this month – beat out rivals Casualty and Coronation Street to win the prestigious award.
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Speaking backstage to The Sun and other media, Kate teased that there’s a major return on the cards that will leave fans delighted.
She said: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed, because there’s potentially one on the cards.
“I think that we can tease that they’re all those heartland characters have some really big stuff coming up.
“Actually, we’ve got some uncharted territory, which, considering we’re following on the heels of Mr. Clanshaw, is quite an accolade, because he has broken quite a lot of fresh ground.
“So I think the challenge for Ben [Wadey], who is our new exec, has been to carry on kind of after Chris’ success, really, but he is very much ready to do that, and we’re excited as a team.
“We’re going to miss Chris terribly, but we’re also really excited for what’s to come so there are some really, really big stories coming up, and if it’s a return that you’re after, then, yeah, you might be interested in what’s to what’s on the horizon.”
Paying tribute to EastEnders’ double success this month, she added: “It’s a big month for us, actually, because EastEnders won the craft BAFTA special award a couple of weeks ago, which is a recognition of what’s soaps does for the industry.
And what EastEnders in particular does for the industry. So yeah, for this to be today as well, it’s just what a month we’ve had an incredible time.
“I mean, it’s been incredible. Chris has been leading the show for the last last few years, and through him and the team, we’ve broken kind of boundaries with the genre.
“Told stories in different ways, but it’s always been really character. It’s been really true to DNA at the show. So So yeah, thank you, Chris for everything that you’ve done for us. And yeah, we’re thrilled.”
And former boss Chris Clenshaw added: “It feels surreal. I can’t lie, it feels phenomenal. I’m really incredibly proud of the entire team.
Bafta TV 2025 Winners List
Here’s everyone who has taken home an award at tonight’s ceremony
Drama Series: Blue Lights
Leading Actor: Lennie James, Mr Loverman
Leading Actress: Marisa Abela, Industry
Entertainment: Would I Lie To You?
Entertainment Performance: Joe Lycett – Late Night Lycett
Factual Series: To Catch a Copper
Factual Entertainment: Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour
International: Shogun
Supporting Actor: Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman
Supporting Actress: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Limited Drama: Mr Bates Vs The Post Office
Male Performance in a Comedy: Danny Dyer, Mr Bigstuff
Female Performance in a Comedy: Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey
Fellowship: Kirsty Wark
News Coverage: BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special
Reality: The Jury: Murder Trial
Scripted Comedy: Alma’s Not Normal
Short Form: Quiet Life
Single Documentary: Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods
Special Award: ITV – Mr Bates Vs The Post Office
Soap: EastEnders
Live Event Coverage: Glastonbury 2024
Specialist Factual: Atomic People
Sports Coverage: Paris 2024 Olympics, BBC One
Children’s Non-Scripted: Disability and Me (FYI Investigates)
Children’s Scripted: Cbeebies As You Like It At Shakespeare’s Globe
Current Affairs: State of Rage
Daytime: Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure
P&O Cruises Memorable Moment: Strictly Come Dancing – Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell dance to You’ll Never Walk Alone
“It’s a huge, huge team back at Elstree. You know, I think we all know how much it takes to put into a soap so kind of congratulations to Coronation Street and Casualty too.
“But I think to take these awards back to Elstree and share this with the wider team, feels amazing.”
