The BBC has finally unveiled the highly-anticipated Christmas trailer for EastEnders, and it promises a festive period in Walford more akin to a horror film than a season of goodwill. The dramatic clip, released on December 15, 2025, sets the stage for a terrifying confrontation that will expose the person behind a sinister stalking campaign.
A Festive Mood Shattered
Set to ominous music reminiscent of a classic thriller, the teaser opens with a rare moment of hope for Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). She is seen sharing a quiet moment with her mother, Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), heartened by the prospect of her first family Christmas in over two decades. Kat's ominous warning to "strap yourself in" quickly proves prophetic.
The scene briefly cuts to other residents, including George Knight (Colin Salmon) and Max Branning (Jake Wood), enjoying festive cheer at a large gathering. However, the atmosphere turns tense as Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) eyes his brother with suspicion and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) is approached by a mysterious figure.
The Queen Vic Confrontation
The drama escalates rapidly as Kat publicly accuses someone of being responsible for stalking Zoe in front of a packed Queen Vic. With regulars like Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker), and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) looking on, Kat is convinced she has unmasked the culprit.
Following an apparent power cut, which leaves the pub in darkness with patrons using torches, a terrified Kat begs Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) to clear the pub. As the Slater and Moon families regroup, the true source of the terror is revealed.
Shocking Identity of the Stalker
The trailer confirms that the stalker is Jasmine Fisher, played by Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness. Audiences now know Jasmine is the long-lost daughter Zoe was forced to leave behind in a hospital nearly ten years ago, a child who was presumed dead. This revelation sets the stage for the stalker plot to reach its climax over Christmas.
Beyond Zoe's storyline, BBC bosses promise a dramatic festive period for all of Walford, where residents will "learn the consequences of their actions as they are visited by ghosts of their past, villains of the present, and visions of the future."
Jake Wood, who plays returning character Max Branning, hinted at the chaos to come, stating: "Max is busy, very busy! He's got a lot of history with a lot of the residents... there's a mountain of secrets waiting to be exposed, and a whole lot of drama."
Meanwhile, another poignant storyline will see Nigel Bates's dementia symptoms intensify. After a distressing episode where he hallucinates his late wife Pat (Pam St Clement) and friend Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson), a previously reluctant Phil Mitchell begins to accept that Nigel needs specialist care beyond what he and Julie can provide.
With multiple storylines converging, EastEnders is set to deliver a Christmas in Albert Square that fans will not forget.
