The square is reeling after the events of Christmas Day, and as the shocks continue through the square, Nicholas Bailey discusses Anthony Trueman’s descent into darkness and his final moments in Walford.
Filming a holiday departure is a rite of passage for any soap legend, and for Nicholas, it provided the perfect high note to end his recent return stint. ‘A Christmas storyline is a huge moment in soap, so to get that and a big Christmas Day exit was a real honour!
Obviously, it was bittersweet because it meant I was leaving, and I’ve felt really at home since I came back to EastEnders. But the storyline itself is tremendous, and it gave me much more to do than I expected. It’s been great to come out of my comfort zone and play some spectacular scenes full of spectacular lines.’
While Anthony was often seen as the level-headed Trueman, his final arc took a turn that left both the audience and the actor stunned. Nicholas reveals that the seeds of Anthony’s downfall were always there, bubbling under the surface.
‘My jaw hit the floor when our producer Ben Wadey told me where this was going and what was going to happen. But I think it was a masterstroke because when I look back, Anthony was always a bit like a pressure cooker, and he let things build and build before the steam escapes. This time he couldn’t keep the lid on it!’
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially for a character with such deep roots in the community. However, Nicholas is focused on the legacy this storyline leaves behind for the residents of Albert Square as we head into a new year.
‘I was sad things were coming to an end, but I wanted to lean into the excitement of this story being a launch pad for some incredible stuff heading into 2026. I love EastEnders and I love seeing the show thrive. So, while I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Anthony, I’m happy it means my friends are going to have some incredible stuff to play following his death.’
EastEnders airs Monday – Thursday on BBC One with catchup via iPlayer, Classic EastEnders airs on Drama with catchup on U.