There’s a huge EastEnders plot on the way for fan favourite Zack Hudson, actor James Farrar has exclusively told The Mirror.

The actor confirmed his Walford alter ego will take centre stage next year as part of a big storyline, which “no one knows about”. Filming is already underway it seems or will kick off soon, with James telling us he’s “buzzing” about it.

James said it’s “starting around now” meaning filming for the “exciting” plot is underway or will be soon, and perhaps we might get some scenes very soon that hint at the storyline. Speaking to The Mirror at the Inside Soap Awards, James could barely contain his excitement as he remained coy over the details of the mystery plot.

He told us: “There is something really exciting coming up next year that nobody really knows about yet. It keeps me going into work every day going…. I’m buzzing for it to start. It is just starting around now.”

It follows a dramatic year for the character who split from his fiancée and baby mama Whitney Dean a few months ago. Whitney left Walford after more than 15 years, moving away with her and Zack’s newborn baby.

There’s a huge EastEnders plot on the way for fan favourite Zack Hudson ( 
Image:
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
On the scenes and the impact the plot has had on Zack, when asked if viewers would see Zack finding himself and starting again, he revealed: “There’s trauma there and I think finding himself probably isn’t the way to put it.

“He’s a good bloke, he just makes bad decisions. It’s been heartbreaking trying to tackle stuff without Whitney. All he wants is time with his child.” Zack joined the soap as Sharon Watts’ secret brother in 2021, with him struggling after a troubled upbringing.

Last year viewers saw the character left reeling as he was diagnosed with HIV. The character went public with the news and faced some difficult reactions, while viewers praised the character and actor James for the storyline.

James also praised EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw in his chat with The Mirror, with Chris set to bow out early next year. He said: “Even though we didn’t win the award at the NTAs recently, the unity on the set is just the same as before. I feel that’s down to Chris. Chris’ reign has meant that we have created something and he’s facilitated really good energy.

“He’s South East London born and raised and I think we probably see our currency as people rather than our accomplishments. So it’s coming and bringing what we have, and I think that what Chris did from day one… the likes of Tish (Letitia Dean) and Steve (McFadden) and Di (Diane Parish) and Scott (Maslen) who have been there forever.

“They see him and realise he’s a human being, he understands this show, he’s told me about him and his family watching this since the ground up, as I have. Where we’re from it’s just what you do. He knew the DNA of this show.

“What I think we’re actually doing and what he did was he created an energy on the set that means he’s left that legacy, and Ben [Wadey] who’s coming in, I think he’s gonna smash it too. It’s set, you’ve got that team of people on the floor and off the floor, the energy is incredible.”