There’s nowhere that EastEnders icon Lacey Turner belongs more than at the heart of the Albert Square action, and that is precisely where her beloved character Stacey Slater will be in the coming week, which the actress has promised will deliver a classic feel for fans of the soap.
Lacey has often been one of TV’s standout stars, from memorable storylines such as her manic bipolar episodes, and her loss of Bradley right through to the aching 40th anniversary scene where she screamed mournfully over the death of Martin Fowler.
So it seems fitting that she will be given some more meaty drama to contend with before she says goodbye – and that comes in the form of her ex and her endless source of personal conflict and ick, Max Branning (Jake Wood).
Yep, Stacey’s face is a picture when she comes face to face with the snake-like womaniser who seduced her behind his son’s back all those years ago.
They have had a turbulent relationship since and Lacey admits that there are mixed feelings when they are reunited.
‘Seeing Max again gives Stacey the shock of her life. She never expected to see him back in Walford, and she knows full well that whenever he’s around, there’s trouble!’ she told us, in what could be the month’s greatest understatement.
‘Max has always had this hold over Stacey that she has no control over. I don’t know what it is about those two, but they’re always drawn together.’
However, viewers know that the plot is thicker than that – as Max recently entered into a romantic relationship with Zoe (Michelle Ryan), something the rest of the clan, including Stacey, are yet to discover.
So when Stacey clocks them kissing, what kind of headspace is she in?
‘When Stacey sees Max and Zoe kiss, it’s such a shock,’ the popular actress, also known for Our Girl, sighed.
‘She had no idea they knew each other, let alone that they were a couple, so I think she’s in such disbelief. She feels betrayed by Zoe, but she’s reminded that this is typical Max behaviour as it’s what he always does!’
It’s the catalyst for some dramatic showdowns that erupt within the Slater and Branning broods in the build up to a pivotal winter for the clan ahead of Christmas.
And, while we can’t say exactly what triggers Stacey’s departure, it is confirmed that she plans to move to Brazil before she sees this Max and Zoe moment.
The kiss throws her and may change her plans – but there isn’t going to be any kind of rosy reunion in the pipeline, despite it being something Max may potentially want. Sorry, Mr Branning.
He’s only back for a day when this all goes to the fan and Lacey has relished being able to film this next – and, for now, last chapter of Stacey’s complex story.
‘The week is typical old-school EastEnders, full of Slater drama!’ she enthused, and it’s infectious passion.
She added: ‘I love working with Jake, I always have. It’s amazing that you can just pick up where you left off, and it’s always interesting to watch them both together because there’s always something sizzling underneath for both of them.
‘So, you can play so much in little things such as looks. It’s rare to have a story that has that much history, and that is still being played out today, but that’s the beauty of shows like EastEnders.
‘It’s lovely that we can pick and choose those little moments.’
But it’s also the big moments fans will be looking for – and they come in spades over the next few weeks.
To quote Sir Rudolph Walker MBE – watch this space!