Following Cindy Beale’s shock return from the dead on EastEnders last year, life in Walford has settled into a surprising rhythm. Michelle Collins’ iconic character, who was long presumed deceased, had actually been living in witness protection in Spain under the alias Rose Knight. During her time away, she started a family with George Knight, raising their daughters Anna and Gina before eventually abandoning them when her protection status was revoked. In a twist fit for the soaps, the Knight family unknowingly relocated to Albert Square, only to be stunned when ‘Rose’ reappeared as Cindy. While Cindy has managed to forge a tentative peace with Anna, Gina, and her son Peter Beale, there remains a glaring omission in this family reunion: her daughter, Cindy Junior.
Cindy Junior, born while her mother was imprisoned for the attempted murder of Ian Beale, has not been seen on screen since 2015 and has barely warranted a mention since her mother’s resurrection. The identity of her father often confuses casual viewers; she is the daughter of Nick Holland, played by Dominic Taylor. Nick was a fleeting presence on the Square between 1997 and 1998, having met Cindy while she was on the run in Italy. Crucially, Nick severed all ties with the family after discovering Cindy’s role in the plot to kill Ian, leaving Cindy Junior to be raised by her grandmother Bev and aunt Gina.
Current storylines suggest Cindy Junior may be entirely unaware that her mother is alive. Last September, Peter Beale alluded to his half-sister going through a difficult breakup with her boyfriend, Liam, prompting her to cut ties and go travelling. Although she was last seen departing for Germany to live with Liam and his father, Ricky Butcher, her current whereabouts are unknown. Despite the rich dramatic potential, the BBC has confirmed there are currently no plans for the character—previously portrayed by Mimi Keene among others—to return to Walford.
February’s Essential Viewing
Away from the soaps, the February television schedule is finally heating up after a slow post-Christmas start. Three new series stand out as absolute essentials for the month.
First is the highly anticipated adaptation of Lord of the Flies, landing on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It is genuinely surprising that William Golding’s 1954 literary classic has never been adapted for television until now. The series promises to remain faithful to the harrowing tale of schoolboys stranded on a tropical island, documenting their descent from order to savagery as power struggles emerge between Ralph, Piggy, and the dangerous Jack. The adaptation is helmed by the multi-award-winning Jack Thorne, known for the Netflix hit Adolescence. By exploring themes of lost innocence and masculinity through the perspectives of the four central characters, this promises to be a landmark production.
For those preferring a blend of mystery and comedy, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast is the next major recommendation. Written by Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, the pedigree of the show alone suggests brilliance. The narrative follows three childhood best friends—Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara—who are reunited by the death of a friend, only to discover there is more to the tragedy than meets the eye. The cast is stellar, led by Roísín Gallagher, whose performance in The Dry has already marked her as a talent to watch. With a supporting lineup including Michelle Fairley and Ardal O’Hanlon, this series is set to be a massive hit.
Finally, Ryan Murphy returns to the anthology format on Disney+ with Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. Moving away from the grisly nature of his Monster series, this drama explores the intense, high-profile marriage of American royalty JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Based on Elizabeth Beller’s biography, the nine-part series examines how their private romance was consumed by an obsessive media culture, offering a heartbreaking look at a relationship lived entirely in the public eye.
Broadcast Updates from the Continent
Meanwhile, looking across to the European media landscape, significant changes are afoot at RTL for their flagship programme stern TV. Regular viewers will notice a fresh dynamic in the Sunday edition returning on 15 February following the NFL season break. The network has unveiled a revamped studio design and confirmed that Stefan Uhl will be joining the presenting team.
Uhl is set to host the Sunday programme in rotation with the established presenter Mareile Höppner. Steffen Hallaschka will continue to helm the main Wednesday edition, ensuring continuity for the brand. Christian Schlecker, Editor-in-Chief of Primetime RTL News, noted that the decision allows Hallaschka to focus on the core Wednesday slot while bolstering the Sunday team with an experienced hand. Uhl is no stranger to the format, having served as the show’s editorial manager since August 2025 and working as an on-camera reporter for over a decade. He described the appointment as a significant personal milestone, calling the programme his “professional home” for over twenty years.