EastEnders’ Nicola explodes as Ned gets nastier

| Freelance soaps writer Published September 29, 2026 9:00pm They have a complicated dynamic (Picture: BBC) EastEnders may have introduced newcomer Ned Roper (Jamie Bamber) as a seemingly nice guy and a pal of lovable landlord Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), but in true soap fashion, it seems like darkness is lurking beneath the surface. The character takes a nasty turn in the coming days, as his history with sinister sister-in-law Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) is explored. With bailiffs knocking at Nicola’s door, she’s currently at risk of losing her local bar due to her financial struggles. However, fans of the BBC soap will see Ned pressure her into letting him buy a share of Harry’s Barn, and when they start having to work together next week, tensions quickly mount as he goads her. On Monday, Nicola’s furious when it becomes apparent Ned is going to be very hands-on with the running of the bar, and upon returning home, she takes her anger out on Gemma Roper (Patricia Potter) after their sister Jodie Hawkins (Anna Constable) unpacks one of their dad’s medals. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video As fans know, Nicola’s late father was abusive to her and her mum Rose Hawkins (Marian McLoughlin), and Nicola had subsequently distanced herself from her family for decades. That changed when they all rocked up in Walford earlier this month, and in the heat of a fresh argument, Nicola tells Gemma she wishes they’d all never crossed her doorstep. While the siblings eventually patch things up, Ned later stirs the pot and invites all the family to the bar, and in an attempt to rile Nicola, he unveils her dad’s framed medal. To his surprise, Nicola refuses to bite – but you can rest assured she’s not about to take his taunting lying down. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. So when she later senses tension between Ned and her nephew Ryder Roper (Felix Uff), she sets about trying to unpick it. But what will she find out, and how will Nasty Ned react? Ned is the husband of Nicola’s sister (Picture: BBC) A darkness sits beneath the surface (Picture: BBC) Actor Jamie Bamber, who plays Ned, previously told Metro that Ned’s dynamic with Nicola will be one of interest, with something ‘unspoken’ there. ‘It’s clear that Ned and Nicola know each other extremely well, but there’s also something unspoken between them,’ he said. ‘There’s a fascinating push-and-pull dynamic at play. ‘You get the sense that there’s something that binds them together just as strongly as something keeps them apart. There are secrets and a history that neither of them is willing to talk about openly. Over time, viewers will discover exactly what lies behind that complicated relationship.’ EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 5th October at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. Deals of the Day I’ve found the Hoover gadget that could make cleaning your floors so much easier I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Arrow MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026 Arrow MORE: All EastEnders spoilers for next week as a family is at war Arrow MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026 The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.