List of EastEnders television spin-offs
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This is a list of EastEnders television spin-offs that have aired over the years. Spin-off episodes looked at the history of some of the characters by flashbacks, they were a lead up for a character's eventual return to the show or followed characters who had departed from the show in an abroad setting. Like Off-set episodes, these spin-offs are set outside the usual location of Albert Square. Documentaries have also aired over the years particularly for the 10th, 15th and most recent 20th anniversaries of the show looking back at the history of the show's inception, its characters and storylines.
[edit] Spin-off episodes
[edit] Civvy Street
This episode first aired on 22 December 1988 and was set during the second World War in the period between 1939 to 1945. The episode was written and directed by the creators of EastEnders, Tony Holland and Julia Smith. It looked back at the early life of the residents of Albert Square and featured a young Lou Beale, Ethel Skinner and Reg Cox, who was a minor character found dead in the first ever episode of EastEnders in 1985. Holland was most upset to discover that Dot Cotton had been too young during the war to be featured as a useful character and also complained that the major events of the war occurred in the wrong order for effective drama.[1] Lou and Albert Beale were celebrating their marriage in Walford, and planning their happy life together when war was declared. Albert was conscripted into the army, leaving Lou and her three children, Kenny, Harry and Ronnie, behind. Lou's family rallied around including her mother, sister Flo and she also had a gang of friends including young Ethel, dodgy Reg and pub landlords Ray and Lil to keep her company. Lou worried that Albert would not return from war intact, and the episode saw her propositioned by another man in his absence, but she managed to stay faithful and she and Albert were reunited. Ethel's parents were killed by an enemy bomb while she was sheltering with Lou in Walford East tube station. Ethel was also torn between the amorous advances of a GI and her admirer William Skinner.
[edit] The Return of Nick Cotton
This episode first aired on 1 October 2000 and was a lead-up to the return of Nick Cotton as a regular character later that year. It was written by Matthew Graham and directed by Chris Bernard. The episode followed Nick as he has just been released from prison. Fast forward to 10 weeks later and he was living in a squat in North London. He then had a dream where his dead father, Charlie, appeared and warned him that something terrible is about to happen to him. He was told by a black gay couple living in the squat with him that seeing your own dead relatives in your dreams was a bad sign but Nick was not worried. He then decided to meet up with his son Ashley and ex-wife Zoe and went to Zoe's brother Eddie asking about where Zoe lives. He also had some mean-looking thugs, one named Colin on his trail who had a score to settle with him. He met up with Ashley who revealed him and Zoe was living with Zoe's new boyfriend. The thugs discovered Nick's whereabouts and showed up at Zoe's house trying to break in. To escape them Ashley and Nick got into a stolen convertible car and drove off. Zoe pleaded with Ashley not to go with Nick knowing he would be a bad influence but Ashley did not listen. Then just before the end of the episode Nick and Ashley were discussing where to go from here and Nick predictably said "Let's go visit Ma." So they decided to travel around for a bit before they returned to Walford.
[edit] Ricky and Bianca
This two-part episode aired on May 13 and May 20, 2002 and was a lead-up to Ricky Butcher's return later that year as a regular character. It was written by Simon Ashdown. The episode saw Ricky reunite with his ex-wife Bianca Jackson and son Liam in Manchester. Bianca had been in Manchester doing an arts degree for the past two and half years and was struggling to look after Liam.
Ricky discovered she had been working in a nightclub and had stolen money from the manager Vince. Ricky ended up getting caught in the middle of all of this along with his new girlfriend Cassie After he got Bianca out of trouble, they had a one-night stand. Then Ricky told Cassie he didn't really love her and was still in love with Bianca. Cassie managed to manipulate Bianca in thinking her and Ricky would never be happy together. She then made the difficult decision of leaving Liam with Ricky as she felt he would care for him better than she would and then left in a taxi.
[edit] Dot's Story
This episode first aired on 2 January 2003 and followed Dot Branning to Wales to visit the family she stayed with during World War II. Through a series of flashbacks, we see Dot being evacuated, and her experiences of evacuation.
[edit] Perfectly Frank
This episode aired on 13 September 2003 and followed Frank Butcher as he set up a seedy nightclub and a car valeting service in Somerset after returning from Spain where he was last seen in 2002. When Frank is sent a car to valet by the local gangster named Reg Priest, his assistant finds a dead body in the boot. Frank and his club staff try to find a way to avoid the police asking questions and fall foul of Reg so they throw the body into the water over the side of the pier. The episode was written by Tony Jordan.
[edit] Pat and Mo
This episode first aired on 1 April 2004 and revealed what caused the feud between Pat Evans and Mo Harris that still lasts to this day. Pat and Mo meet at the grave of Pat's brother and Mo's husband, Jimmy, and reminisce about old times through a series of flashbacks. Mo's brother, Stan Porter also appeared in the episode.
[edit] Documentary shows
[edit] EastEnders Family Album
EastEnders Family Album was a special documentary which first aired on 13 February 2000 to coincide with the 15th anniversary of EastEnders. Narrated by Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler), the documentary looked back at some of the most memorable storylines and characters in the show and featured interviews with past and present cast members.
[edit] EastEnders Revealed
EastEnders Revealed is a factual entertainment programme that looks back at the storylines, characters and stars of EastEnders.
[edit] EastEnders: The Whole Truth
EastEnders: The Whole Truth was a series of five documentary episodes, three pre-recorded and two live, broadcast every day from 2 April-6 April 2001, presented by Gaby Roslin. The first three, pre-recorded episodes were broadcast at 12:00pm, whereas the two live episodes were broadcast before the main EastEnders shows on those days. EastEnders: The Whole Truth examined the Who Shot Phil? storyline, including interviews with Adam Woodyatt, Barbara Windsor, Perry Fenwick, Tamsin Outhwaite, Craig Fairbrass, Todd Carty, Natalie Cassidy, Shaun Williamson, Lucy Benjamin, Jack Ryder, Martin Kemp and Hannah Waterman. Episode 5 was broadcast before the assailant, Lisa Fowler, was revealed to the public, and episode 6 gauged the reaction the following evening.
[edit] A-Z of EastEnders
A-Z of EastEnders was broadcast on the twentieth anniversary of EastEnders and presented by Jonathan Ross.
[edit] EastEnders Xtra
EastEnders Xtra was a magazine programme about EastEnders, presented by Angellica Bell.
[edit] EastEnders Unveiled: A Weddings Special
A behind-the-scenes programme was broadcast on 1 December 2006. EastEnders Unveiled: A Weddings Special gave viewers an insight into how the show's weddings are produced, and took a look at some of the famous weddings that have taken place over the years. It was narrated by Kara Tointon, who plays Dawn Swann, and included interviews with Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell), James Alexandrou (Martin Fowler) and Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs). It was aired on BBC Three at 8.30 p.m. on 1 December, straight after the wedding of Ian Beale and Jane Collins aired on BBC One.[2]
[edit] EastEnders Sweethearts: The Story of Martin and Sonia
EastEnders Sweethearts: The Story of Martin and Sonia was aired on BBC Three on 2 February 2007, immediately after the departure of Martin Fowler (played by James Alexandrou) and Sonia Fowler (played by Natalie Cassidy). The programme looked at the dramatic storylines from the pasts of the two characters. It was narrated by Phil Daniels (Kevin Wicks) and featured interviews from past and present cast members including Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler), June Brown (Dot Branning), John Bardon (Jim Branning), Todd Carty (Mark Fowler), Petra Letang (Naomi Julien) and Joe Swash (Mickey Miller).
[edit] EastEnders Scandals: The Wicks Family
EastEnders Scandals: The Wicks Family was broadcast on 8 March 2007, and coincided with Kevin Wicks's return to Walford. It looked back at the history of the Wicks family and included flashbacks to the most memorable characters from the Wicks family such as Simon Wicks and David Wicks. It contained interviews with Matt Di Angelo (Deano Wicks), Kellie Shirley (Carly Wicks), Phil Daniels (Kevin Wicks), Pam St. Clement (Pat Evans), Diane Parish (Denise Fox), Linda Henry (Shirley Carter), Jacqueline Leonard (Lorraine Wicks) Tina Baker and Tony Jordan. It was narrated by Michelle Collins (Cindy Beale)[3]
[edit] EastEnders Feuds: The Beales vs. The Mitchells
EastEnders Feuds: The Beales vs. The Mitchells was a documentary episode examining the feud between Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell. It aired on 18 May 2007 on BBC Three and was narrated by Martin Kemp (Steve Owen). It included contributions from Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Perry Fenwick (Billy Mitchell), Cliff Parisi (Minty Peterson), Hannah Waterman (Laura Beale), Laurie Brett (Jane Collins), Sophie Thompson (Stella Crawford), Thomas Law (Peter Beale), Charlie Jones (Ben Mitchell) and Trish Law (mother of Thomas).[4] It also went behind the scenes of episodes broadcast on 17-21 May.
[edit] EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella
EastEnders Vixens: The Rise and Fall of Stella is a documentary episode examining the lives of various female characters in EastEnders including Chrissie Watts, Sarah Cairns, Louise Raymond, Shirley Carter, Cindy Beale, May Wright, Janine Evans and Stella Crawford. It was aired on BBC Three on 20 July 2007 and featured contributions from several of the cast including Tracey-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts), Andrew Lynford (Simon Raymond), Kellie Shirley (Carly Wicks), Pam St Clement (Pat Evans), Laurie Brett (Jane Beale) and Sophie Thompson (Stella Crawford), as well as writers James Payne and Sarah Phelps, and TV critic Sharon Marshall. It also went behind the scenes of Stella's last episode.[5]
[edit] EastEnders Affairs: Max and Stacey
EastEnders Affairs: Max and Stacey is a documentary episode looking at the relationship between characters Stacey Slater, her fiancé Bradley Branning and his father Max Branning. The episode aired on BBC Three at 8.30 p.m. on 1 November 2007.[6]
It featured contributions from Jake Wood (Max Branning), Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater), Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning), Jo Joyner (Tanya Branning), Laurie Brett (Jane Beale), Simon Ashdown (series consultant), TV critic Sharon Marshall, writers Sarah Phelps and James Payne, EastEnders food hygiene consultant Steve Williams, Laila Morse (Mo Harris), Tony Caunter (Roy Evans), Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs), Derek Martin (Charlie Slater), Robert Kazinsky (Sean Slater) and Petra Letang (Naomi Julien).
The show went behind the scenes of Bradley and Stacey's wedding, and looked back at their relationship including Stacey's abortion, Stacey's affair with Max and Bradley's relationship with Lydia Asler. It also looked at past affairs in the show, including Den Watts' affairs with Jan Hammond, Zoe Slater, Kate Mitchell and Michelle Fowler, and affairs between Pat Evans and Frank Butcher, Lynne Hobbs and Beppe di Marco, Pat Evans and Patrick Trueman, Sonia Fowler and Naomi Julien, and Jane Beale and Grant Mitchell, plus the "Sharongate" storyline involving Phil and Grant Mitchell, Grant's wife Sharon and Phil's fiancée Kathy.
[edit] EastEnders Christmas Fall Outs
EastEnders Christmas Fall Outs is a documentary episode that aired on 26 December 2007 on BBC Three and was narrated by Ex-EastEnders actor Shane Ritchie (Alfie Moon). It looked back at past Christmas episodes and went behind the scenes of 2007's Christmas episodes. Contributors to the show included Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning), Jake Wood (Max Branning), Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs), Hannah Waterman (Laura Beale), Lucy Benjamin (Lisa Fowler), Jo Joyner (Tanya Branning), Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning), Rob Kazinsky (Sean Slater), Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs), Jamie Jarvis (Troy Harvey), director Tim Mercier, series consultant Simon Ashdown, writers James Payne and Sarah Phelps, Controller for BBC Drama Production John Yorke, TV critic Sharon Marshall, stunt co-ordinator Marc Cass and stunt performer Lucy Allen.[7] Storylines included Den Watts serving Angie with divorce papers in 1986, Dennis Rickman's murder, Irene Raymond's affair with Troy Harvey, the revelation of the father of Laura Beale's baby, Trevor Morgan's abuse of wife Little Mo and Alfie and Kat Moon leaving Walford.
[edit] Charity specials
[edit] Dimensions in Time
Dimensions in Time was a charity special crossover between EastEnders and the science fiction television series Doctor Who that ran in two parts on 26 and 27 November 1993. It was filmed on the EastEnders set, and featured several of the stars of the programme at the time. It was made in aid of the charity Children in Need.
[edit] Pudding Lane
Another Children in Need special, Pudding Lane was broadcast in a series of five minute instalments throughout November 26, 1999 telethon. It relocated the then current EastEnders characters to Pudding Lane in 1666, during the events leading to the Great Fire of London.
[edit] Christmas specials
On Christmas eve 2003 and Christmas eve 2004, two musical themed special episodes titled EastEnders Christmas Party aired which had the cast and crew of EastEnders singing, dancing and performing short comedy sketches. Many former cast members also returned for the special episodes.
[edit] References
- ^ Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. ISBN 0-563-37057-2.
- ^ "Behind-the-scenes special for 'Enders wedding", Digital Spy. URL last accessed 2006-11-10
- ^ "EastEnders special", bbc.co.uk. URL last accessed 2007-02-16
- ^ "New show looks at EastEnders feud", Metro. URL last accessed 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Stella Special", BBC.co.uk, 28 June 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
- ^ "EastEnders Affairs: Max and Stacey", BBC.co.uk, 16 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-22.
- ^ "Walford festive highlights screened", The Press Association, 2007-11-21. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- EastEnders: Civvy Street at the Internet Movie Database
- EastEnders: The Return of Nick Cotton at the Internet Movie Database
- EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca at the Internet Movie Database
- EastEnders: Perfectly Frank at the Internet Movie Database
- EastEnders: Dot's Story at the Internet Movie Database
- Pat and Mo: Ashes to Ashes at the Internet Movie Database
- EastEnders Family Album details
