BBC EastEnders Lauren Branning star drops major hint as she teases 40th anniversary
EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders actress Jacquline Jossa, who plays Lauren Branning in the BBC One soap, has said it's "go big or go home" when it comes to the 40th anniversary
EastEnders’ 40th anniversary is “going to be like no other”, according to cast member Jacqueline Jossa. It has already been confirmed that the BBC One soap will go live for a full episode to mark the milestone next year but this time with a huge twist.
Viewers will have the power to decide the outcome of one storyline. In a major first for the soap, the anniversary week will have an added twist to include an interactive element where the viewers will be able to choose their desired outcome of a love story.
Whilst those in question currently remain under wraps, their fate will remain firmly in the viewers’ hands and the outcome will play out during the live episode as the cast and crew will be set to adapt the scene to portray whichever result is voted for by the public.
Opening up about what fans can expect, Jacquline, who plays Lauren Branning, revealed at the National TV Awards: “I think there’s many things that EastEnders do well and a live is definitely one of them and I think it will be silly not to. It was kind of in the air and everyone was guessing whether we would do it or not but it feels like for the 40th we have to go big or go home so its going to be like no other.”
EastEnders first went live back in 2010 for its 25th anniversary, where it was revealed that Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) killed Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb). The show last went live for its 30th anniversary back in 2015 with a set of five episodes that all included live elements as the Who Killed Lucy Beale whodunit was revealed.
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, said: “The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders, and we have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises.
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“In fact, as our regular audience will know, we have already seen the return of familiar faces and have many more nods to our history to come which will all build up to our momentous anniversary week.
“This time, as well as going live, we are adding an extra twist and for the very first time in the history of the show and as a gift to the viewers, we are giving the audience the power to have their say in choosing the outcome of one of our storylines.
“Whilst we’re still keeping the finite details of the 40th close to our chest, I can promise that it will be an unmissable week full of shocking twists that will change Albert Square, and the lives of those who live in it, forever.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am