EastEnders return
EastEnders serial killer Gray Atkins has made a dramatic return as his grandmother Sheila paid him a visit behind bars. The murderer, portrayed by Toby-Alexander Smith, is currently serving a life sentence for three killings, beginning with his then-wife Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer) in 2020.
In 2022, Gray was finally apprehended and imprisoned following the murders of Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) and Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White), though not before he wed Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) and the pair had a son, Jordan. During Monday's episode of the BBC soap (June 29), Gray was seen for the first time in more than four years as he reunited with his grandmother Sheila (Sheila Ruskin).
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Shelia has been providing financial assistance to Chelsea and Jordan (Jahsaiah Williams) following an accident involving Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), which left the four-year-old requiring constant care.
Sheila informed Gray that she wanted him to attempt to reach Chelsea and guarantee she maintains contact with her great-grandson, and it seems Gray is entirely supportive of the plan, reports OK!
She also handed Gray a photograph of his young son, which he subsequently placed on his cell wall, and he was spotted gazing at it with a solemn look. Some viewers are now speculating that the subtle moment is paving the way for the comeback of Lucas Johnson, famously played by Death in Paradise's incumbent detective Don Gilet, who is likewise imprisoned for murder and drug offenses.
Taking to X, one person wrote: "I think Lucas is gonna make a surprise return in the coming days. With Sheila visiting Gray, they are determined no one will find out Gray has a photo of Jordan in his cell, who better to find it than his cellmate - Lucas! #EastEnders."
A second commented: "Gray Atkins is back for a short stint - some juicy content for Zaraah/Chelsea incoming! It could be great if Lucas popped up too, and the two killers have crossed over in prison! #EastEnders."
A third chimed in: "So good to have Gray Atkins back in tonight's EE for the first time since 2022", before adding: "Recent prison stints with Phil, Sharon Ravi, etc. have been excellent, so I'm excited to see how this week's scenes play out.
"I just hope that Sheila doesn't secure custody of Jordan on Gray's behalf. Who do we think Gray might encounter in prison? Lucas? Kheerat?"
"If Gray and Lucas were to get out of prison at the same time, now that would be a storyline #EastEnders," added another.
Lucas made his first appearance in Walford in 2008, when his daughter, Chelsea, managed to track him down. He had embraced Christianity following a troubled history with addiction and seemed to be a changed man.
Lucas rekindled his romance with former flame Denise Fox (Diane Parish), but his sinister nature was revealed after he abandoned his ex-wife Trina (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) to die. He subsequently framed Denise for the killings and staged her suicide, leaving her loved ones devastated.
In a sinister turn of events, Lucas was keeping her captive in a deserted basement next door; he was later imprisoned for his crimes. In 2020, Lucas made his way back to Walford following his release from prison, but difficulties arose when Chelsea became embroiled in a drugs operation run by Caleb Malone (Ben Freeman).
In an attempt to safeguard his daughter, Lucas requested that Detective Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) have Caleb locked up before Lucas himself was arrested and returned to prison, bringing his return to an end in March 2021.
In 2024, Lucas emerged from prison when a progressively unstable Denise turned to him for guidance. Will audiences witness Lucas encounter fellow inmate Gray regarding his grandson, Jordan?