EastEnders Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary With Explosive Special Episodes

2025-02-20

EastEnders is celebrating 40 years on the air! The long-running series is marking this monumental anniversary with a week’s worth of explosive episodes, including a special hour-long episode and a live episode with a one-of-a-kind twist. ONE viewers can watch these anniversary episodes on March 18, 19 and 20, 2025 at 7PM ET / 4PM PT during ONETV’s month-long, Canada-wide free preview.

Premiering on February 19, 1985, the iconic British soap has been gripping viewers and not letting go for four decades filled with more drama than you can possibly imagine. In celebration of this achievement, EastEnders is upping the stakes with a week to remember in Albert Square. A whole week of episodes will take place over one unforgettable day, which is set to change Walford and the lives of those who live in it forever.

“The 40th anniversary is a milestone event for EastEnders,” said Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw. “We have been planning this week for a long time to ensure that it’s a week full of drama and surprises. 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.”

Airing in the UK on the series’ actual anniversary date, February 19, the most shocking element of the special hour-long episode features the beloved Vic torn apart by an explosion unlike anything ever seen before on the series. Promos show the pub engulfed in flames and an unknown character lying on the floor. The aftermath of the tragic disaster will play out the following night on the special live episode.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as for the very first time in the history of the series, the series gave its viewers an exciting interactive opportunity. UK fans were given the chance to choose the outcome of one storyline that will play out in the live episode, Denise’s romantic future. Will she choose to be with Ravi or Jack? It’s up to the fans to decide what’s best for her!

Long-time viewers will remember EastEnders first went live back in 2010 for its 25th anniversary, and again in 2015 for its 30th. Both episodes had major reveals, including that Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) killed Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) and who killed Lucy Beale.

Actor Ross Kemp will also return to his role as the legendary Grant Mitchell which is set to play a significant part in the anniversary. As a character with one of the most memorable storylines in the soap’s history, Grant’s return is sure to have dramatic implications for all of Walford.

You can enjoy EastEnders Monday to Thursdays at 7pm ET and Sundays from 1:30 to 4pm ET. The special 40th anniversary episodes will air March 18, 19 and 20, 2025 at 7PM ET / 4PM PT on ONE TV.