The upcoming week in EastEnders promises unrelenting chaos, dangerous truths, and a horrific crash that could cost lives. Zack Hudson’s desperate plan to escape Albert Square with young Barney spirals into tragedy, as long-hidden secrets explode in a series of fast-paced and emotionally charged events.

It all begins when Zack seeks a way out—literally. Fearing for Barney’s safety and driven by his desire to get away from the grip of Nicola Mitchell, he turns to Ravi Gulati for a loan. Ravi, however, doesn’t mince words. He warns Zack that Nicola isn’t just dangerous—she’s deeply involved in shady dealings, even recently asking him to help dispose of a body. The implication is clear: mess with Nicola, and you may not survive it.

Still undeterred, Zack confides in Linda Carter. She urges him to go to the police, believing it’s the only way to truly protect Barney and end Nicola’s reign of fear. Zack takes her advice, and his report leads to Nicola’s arrest. But that’s not the end of it—it’s only the beginning of an unraveling nightmare.

Seeing Harry Mitchell’s reaction to Nicola’s arrest, Zack makes a bold move: he tells Harry the truth—that he, not Teddy Mitchell, is Barney’s biological father. Zack hopes that by exposing the truth, Harry will understand his urgency in protecting Barney. But when Nicola is released shortly after, the firestorm grows. Harry, overwhelmed, tells Teddy everything—that Barney isn’t his son.

This revelation sends shockwaves through the Mitchell family. Under pressure, Nicola is forced to come clean. Teddy and Nicola have a heartbreaking confrontation that’s full of betrayal and pain. But things take an even darker turn when Harry, attempting to prevent Zack from leaving with Barney, takes extreme action. In a rash and dangerous move, Harry kidnaps Zack—bundling him into the boot of a car and fleeing the Square.

Teddy, horrified by his son’s actions, intercepts Billy and Honey on their way to the cinema with Nigel Bates and demands they give him a ride to follow Harry. He’s desperate to stop Harry before something truly irreversible happens.

But the situation turns deadly. Just when it seems Teddy might get to Harry in time, tragedy strikes—a car veers off the road and plunges into a nearby lake. It’s a harrowing moment. Chaos erupts as those involved fight to escape the sinking vehicle. Vicky Fowler, shaken by the chain of events, takes the lead in organizing a rescue effort.

As the terrifying lake scene unfolds, back in Albert Square, news of the incident reaches the residents. Vicky, realizing she can no longer keep secrets, marches to Number One to drop a major bombshell. Her confession stuns Barney—but has she told him the full truth about his parentage? Has Barney just discovered that Zack is his real father?

As Linda Carter, Phil Mitchell, and others rally around Vicky and Barney in the aftermath, the focus shifts to the survivors of the crash. Who is trapped in the submerged vehicle? Will they make it out alive, or has the escape plan turned fatally wrong?

Meanwhile, in a separate storyline, Nigel Bates is left reeling when he believes everyone has forgotten his birthday. Though he insisted on no celebration, Phil eventually decides to make amends with a belated gesture. But those plans are quickly derailed by Teddy’s emergency, dragging Nigel into the dramatic events.

The week ends with high emotional stakes, a deadly accident, and devastating revelations that could permanently reshape the lives of everyone involved. With the truth about Barney’s paternity out and Zack fighting for survival, the Mitchell family faces its most dangerous reckoning yet.