Kate Oates let slip her massive plans for EastEnders as she takes on the role of producer following her two-year stint on Coronation Street.
The award-winning executive producer intends to tackle societal “issues”, which will predominately be character led.
Teasing the upcoming plot, Kate revealed: “There is something that I’m thinking about that the audience could say is an issues led storyline.
“I think it will be character led and the long-term arc will be character led, but there’s definitely an issue in there to discuss.”
When she worked on Coronation Street, Kate highlighted a number of hard-hitting issues, including suicide and male rape.
Although Kate hopes to create awareness surrounding important issues in EastEnders, she also wants to maximise some of its current talent, including the Carters.
Responding the claims she intends to axe the much loved family, the writer enthused: “I love the Carters.
“I always want to see them tested, but that doesn’t mean not seeing them in the Vic. I like them in the Vic and I think Danny [Dyer] and Kellie [Bright] are a brilliant soap pairing.”
She added to The Sun: “They’ve got an amazing range because as well as the drama they’re capable of such warmth and I think that’s when the audience loves them at their best, when they’re actually showing that full range.
“So no, I don’t have any kind of plans to shake that up. I’m a big fan of the Carters so no plans to get rid of them.”
Hinting she has been bonding with lead actor Danny, Katie mentioned: “Danny’s teaching me to speak cockney.”
Fans of Kate’s will have to wait until February 2019 to see her work on screen, but she did tease the Christmas special.
The British producer promised that Christmas would be “big” in Albert Square, although she remained tight-lipped about the storyline.
But she seems to have something special in store for the Sharon, Phil Mitchell and Keanu Taylor’s love triangle.
Discussing her ideas for the Mitchell clan, she shared: “We’ve got some good Mitchell stuff on the storyboard, the Phil, Keanu, Sharon stuff is all very exciting.
“We’ve got some good stuff for Tiffany [Butcher] with her having taken herself into a dark world. I’m picking up on stories that have already begun here.”
She also aims to focus on Mel Owen (Tamzin Outwaite) and the Slaters in the New Year and described the plots as “exciting”.
Kate announced she was joining EastEnders earlier this year after quitting Coronation Street, which she had worked on for six years.
The 39-year-old previously produced rival show Emmerdale and received a number of accolades for her work.
EastEnders continues tonight on BBC One at 8pm.
