EastEnders confirms the most controversial member of the Hawkins family who creates chaos

The Hawkins will land in Walford next week with chaos in tow (Picture: Jack Barnes/BBC/PA Wire) EastEnders is about to unleash even more Hawkins family chaos on Albert Square, and one new arrival in particular looks set to cause quite the stir. Nicola Mitchell’s (Laura Doddington) relatives have descended on Walford, but while she can just about cope with her sisters Gemma (Patricia Potter) and Jodie (Anna Constable) turning up unexpectedly, there’s one person she absolutely does not want anywhere near her. Her estranged mum Rose (Marian McLoughlin). And, naturally, this being EastEnders, Nicola’s wishes are completely ignored. ‘Rose is quite duplicitous in the sense that she appears innocent to the outside world, but there is this undercurrent of menace, and she’s very cunning and manipulative,’ said star Marian McLoughlin, who plays Rose. ‘You never know when she is going to strike and twist the knife, and she’s always got her eye on her own agenda. I like to think there is also a sense of fun buried deep in there, but she is someone who has been hardened by her life experiences, and she has sacrificed so much of herself for the sake of her family. ‘ I think there is also a lot of bitterness that potentially her family don’t appreciate that, but it’s great fun to play a character who ruffles feathers of the people around them, so I’m really enjoying playing her.’ The drama begins when sisters Gemma and Jodie make an unforgettable arrival on the Square, bringing Gemma’s son Ryder Roper (Felix Uff) along with them. Nicola is hardly thrilled by the surprise family reunion, but they eventually persuade her to let them stay. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. There is, however, one very important condition attached: Rose must stay well away. Nicola wants nothing to do with her estranged mother (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes) It quickly becomes clear there’s some seriously bad blood between Nicola and her mother, although exactly what has happened between them remains to be seen. Unfortunately for Nicola, her ultimatum doesn’t last long. Gemma’s husband Ned Roper (Jamie Bamber) soon rocks up, and he’s brought Rose with him. The Hawkins family have officially arrived, and they certainly aren’t doing it quietly. A furious Nicola refuses to have the whole clan under her roof and tells Gemma and Ned they’ll need to find somewhere else to stay. Harry steps in to help, offering Ryder and Jodie somewhere to sleep, but he also encourages his mum to face the elephant in the room and finally try to sort things out with Rose. However, that is easier said than done for Nicola. Elsewhere, Ned attempts to make amends with Kat after the family causes a commotion with their arrival. However, there’s a surprise waiting for him when he bumps into an old friend, Alfie Moon (Shane Ritchie). And that connection soon creates another headache for Nicola. When she later heads to The Vic, she’s horrified to discover her family gathered inside and learns that Alfie has offered Gemma and Ned somewhere to stay. Something tells us Nicola isn’t going to be thanking him for his hospitality anytime soon. Their solution is only temporary, though, as Kat makes it crystal clear that Gemma and Ned can stay for one night only. Nicola and her mother Rose are set to come to blows(Picture:BBC/Jack Barnes) Meanwhile, Rose is busy making her presence felt at Peacock Palace, and apparently testing everyone’s patience in the process. Her antics leave Linda and Elaine desperate to see the back of her, suggesting Nicola might not be the only Walford resident struggling with the Hawkins matriarch. Gemma later attempts to calm the situation by reaching out to Nicola, hoping they can find some common ground. But as soon as Rose appears, those old tensions come roaring straight back. With Nicola and Rose seemingly unable to spend any time together without things turning sour, the rest of the Hawkins family decide they need to intervene. Determined to reunite the fractured family, they come up with a risky plan designed to force mother and daughter to confront their problems. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, by the sounds of it. Rather than bringing Nicola and Rose closer together, their interference appears to make an already damaged relationship even worse. But there’s another twist still to come. With Gemma and Ned unable to remain at The Vic, Nicola eventually has a surprising change of heart and agrees to let them stay with her temporarily. 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