EastEnders star Heather Peace has spoken about the historic storyline involving her character Eve Panesar-Unwin and her wife Suki Panesar-Unwin, including confirming their futures. With their adoption storyline set to take another turn this week, how will the couple react? Eve and Suki have had a dramatic few months, with the latter’s step-granddaughter, Avani Nandra-Hart, becoming pregnant. Suki suggested raising the child herself, but Eve initially disagreed.

This caused estrangement between the couple, though Eve eventually softened her stance and agreed to raise a child with her wife. They have gradually repaired their bond, but the arrival of Eve’s mother Norma will change things dramatically.

Speaking on Gaby Roslin’s The Make a Difference Show on BBC Radio London on Sunday (2 November), Peace explained that Norma’s presence in Walford will be the start of a long-running arc for both Eve and Suki.

“We played the love story in real time, so we took our time with that. And I think this is going to be one of those long arcs of how long it takes [to adopt a child],” said the actor, who began playing Eve in 2021.

“It opens up all sorts of stories within the story, if you like. The doubts, fears, insecurities, the coming together, communication, the obstacles of Eve’s past and Suki maybe not believing in her ability as a mother from her past experience.

“So I think within that long arc there’s a lot to explore. And I’m really excited, because it’s a little bit of soap history again, [in] hopefully portraying a solid woman and woman marriage.”

The actor, who has also appeared in Waterloo Road, added: “This is the next chapter, and a way to bring them together and work together, which is what I’ve been wanting to see for a while.”

The star also spoke about the past estrangement between Eve and Suki, saying: “It was important that we finished on a bright note… Soaps will always create the drama, I think if we were just saying ‘pass the salt’, I think everybody would be really bored.

“There has to be some excitement amongst that. But I would like to see them do this journey together and be solid together, and maybe the drama can come from outside rather than amongst the two of them. That would be my ideal [scenario].”

We’ll have to wait and see…