User:AnemoneProjectors/List of EastEnders episodes (2018)

EastEnders is a British soap opera, examining the domestic and professional lives of working class people who live in the fictitious London Borough of Walford in the East End of London. The show airs on BBC One and entered its 33rd broadcasted year on 1 January 2018 with episode number 5628/5629, with John Yorke continuing his temporary role as executive consultant, acting as executive producer. In the typical week, EastEnders airs four half-hour episodes in a time slot of 8:00pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 7:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Storylines in 2018 included a heist involving Aidan Maguire (Patrick Bergin), during which Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) is shot, the death of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald), a stabbing storyline involving Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) and Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), a whodunit storyline in which Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) is shot following a revenge campaign against the Carter family, and a storyline involving Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) that explores the issue of sexual consent.

New regular cast members introduced in 2018 included Madhav Sharma as Arshad Ahmed, Indira Joshi as Mariam Ahmed, Tony Clay as Halfway, Charlie Winter as Hunter Owen, Katie Jarvis as Hayley Slater, Champ as Stuart Highway, Aaron Thomas Ward as Jagger Rawley, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Adam Bateman, and Sean Mahon as Ray Kelly. Guest cast included Denise McCormack as Ciara Maguire, Roger Griffiths as Mitch Baker, Selva Rasalingam as Umar Kazemi, Ash Rizi as Darius Kazemi, Faye Daveney as Zara Highway, Ashley McGuire as Bev Slater, Sophia Capasso as Evie Steele and Julia Hills as Morag Morgan. Departing regular cast in 2018 included Harry Reid (Ben Mitchell), Fitzgerald (Abi Branning), Ted Reilly (Johnny Carter), Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning), Eddie Eyre (Josh Hemmings), Maggie Steed (Joyce Murray), Jenna Russell (Michelle Fowler), Richard Blackwood (Vincent Hubbard), Jafargholi (Shakil Kazemi), Lee Ryan (Woody Woodward), Lisa Hammond (Donna Yates) and Bonnie Langford (Carmel Kazemi). Returning cast included Maisie Smith (Tiffany Butcher), Tamzin Outhwaite (Mel Owen), Tanya Franks (Rainie Cross), Laila Morse (Mo Harris), Gillian Wright (Jean Walters), Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon), Shane Richie as Alfie Moon, Lytton (Ruby Allen) and Leonard Fenton (Harold Legg). Guest stints for former cast members included George Sargeant as TJ Spraggan, Jo Joyner as Tanya Cross and Tony O'Callaghan as Ollie Walters. Hannah Spearritt made further guest appearances as Kandice Taylor after her first guest stint in 2017.

Cast and characters
The first cast change in 2018 to be announced was on 10 September 2017, when a show spokesperson confirmed that the characters of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) were being written out of the serial; Abi is killed off and her last appearance is in the episode shwon on 19 January, while Lauren leaves with her son, Louie Beale, following Abi's funeral on 16 February. Lauren's boyfriend Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre) also departed in the same episode. The departure of Harry Reid in his role as Ben Mitchell after three years was announced on 2 October 2017, and he made his final appearance on 12 January. The departure of Ted Reilly from his role as Johnny Carter was reported on 19 December 2017 and Reilly confirmed that it was his decision to leave; Johnny left the show on 29 January. On 16 March, it was confirmed that Lee Ryan would depart his role of Woody Woodward when he returns from his break; Woody departed on 15 June. Two days later, Michelle Fowler's (Jenna Russell) departure was announced. A show spokesperson stated that the decision was mutual between Russell and producers, although Russell said that the decision to leave was her own; Michelle made her final appearance on 17 April. On 19 March, it was announced that Richard Blackwood would depart his role of Vincent Hubbard after accepting an exit storyline that producers pitched to him, and Vincent left on 20 April. The departure of Lisa Hammond from her role of Vincent's foster sister, Donna Yates, was announced on 10 April 2018, though her exit had not yet been filmed; Hammond stated it was her own choice to leave; her exit was broadcast on 20 July. On 27 April, it was confirmed that Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) would be leaving the show; he was killed off on 25 May in a stabbing storyline also involving Keegan Baker (Zack Morris). On 12 July, the exit of Shakil's mother, Carmel Kazemi (Bonnie Langford), was announced. Langford's departure airs on 5 November.

On 24 October 2017, it was announced that Tamzin Outhwaite would reprise her role as Mel Owen in 2018, having originally departed the serial in 2002, on which Yorke said there would be "old ghosts, some great memories, and a whole new series of adventures too." On 23 November 2017, it was announced that Maisie Smith had returned to her role as Tiffany Butcher, who said she wanted to show "how much Tiffany has changed". On 20 December 2017, it was confirmed that Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), Jean Walters (Gillian Wright) and Mo Harris (Laila Morse), all members of the Slater family and relatives of Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner), would all be returning to the series in 2018. There were also guest returns for characters TJ Spraggan (George Sargeant), as part of Tiffany's storyline, and sisters Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner) and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), for Abi's departure on 19 January 2018, and it was confirmed that Franks would return permanently in spring 2018, on which the actress said she is "excited to explore the next chapter in Rainie's journey." On 21 March 2018, it was reported that Shane Richie would reprise his role as Alfie Moon, Kat's husband, but show representatives declined to comment on the news. Alfie made an unannounced return on 24 May for two episodes, but Richie teased that he may return. It was announced on 10 June that Tony O'Callaghan would reprise his role as Jean's husband, Ollie Walters, for a guest stint later that month, and he appeared in the two episodes broadcast on 29 June. After appearing in two episodes in December 2017, Hannah Spearritt was confirmed to reprise her guest role as Kandice Taylor, the sister of Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley), for several episodes in 2018. The return of actress Louisa Lytton in her role of Ruby Allen after 12 years was announced on 18 July 2018. A week later, the return of original character Harold Legg (Leonard Fenton) was announced, 11 years after his last appearance, for an "emotional" storyline with Dot Branning (June Brown).

The castings of Madhav Sharma as Arshad Ahmed and Indira Joshi in the role of Mariam Ahmed, the uncle and aunt of established character Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra), were announced on 15 November 2017. On 21 December 2017, it was announced that Charlie Winter had been cast as Hunter Owen, the "charming and charismatic" son of Mel. Actor Tony Clay made his first appearance as Callum "Halfway" Highway on 1 January. Clay was contracted for two months, but was later invited to return. Halfway departed on 16 February, and returned on 30 April. On 2 January, it was announced that Denise McCormack had been cast as Ciara Maguire, the "no-nonsense" former wife of Aidan Maguire (Patrick Bergin). McCormack confirmed that she would only appear for a guest stint. Along with the announcement of returns for Kat, Mo and Jean, Yorke confirmed a new Slater family member would be also arriving. The character of Hayley Slater (Katie Jarvis), Stacey's cousin, was introduced on 9 February as a "mystery" person spying on Stacey's husband, Martin Fowler (James Bye), though the character's surname was not revealed and it was only speculated at the time that she could be the new Slater; her relationship to Stacey was confirmed on 27 February 2018. On 26 February 2018, it was announced that actor Roger Griffiths had been cast as Mitch Baker, Keegan's father, for a guest stint. Mitch appears from 12 to 16 March, although it was confirmed that he would return. He appeared again on 26 and 27 March. On 28 March 2018, it was announced that Ricky Champ had joined the cast, playing Stuart Highway, Halfway's older brother. Following Shakil's death, it was confirmed that his and Kush Kazemi's (Davood Ghadami) father, Umar Kazemi (Selva Rasalingam), and brother, Darius Kazemi (Ash Rizi), would be introduced for a guest stint. On 1 July, the Metro exclusively announced that Ray, Mel's former husband and Ciara's brother, would join the cast as part of the show's "blockbuster autumn". Sean Mahon was later confirmed to be playing the character, who was revealed to be called Ray Kelly. Aaron Thomas Ward appears as gang member Jagger Rawley between August and November 2018. He is involved in a storyline with Tiffany. On 7 August, Stephen Rahman-Hughes's casting as Adam Bateman, the foster son of Mariam and Arshad and a love interest for Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton), was announced. Stuart's daughter, Zara Highway (Faye Daveney), appeared in a short storyline across September. In September 2018, it was announced that Ashley McGuire has been cast in the role of Hayley's mother, Bev Slater. She appears across multiple guest stints during the year. Hayley's daughter, Cherry Slater, was introduced in October, while Sophia Capasso was cast as Evie Steele, Tiffany's friend who first appears on 13 November. On the same day, it was announced that Julia Hills would appear in a guest stint as "larger-than-life" choir leader Morag Morgan, who begins a choir with the residents of Albert Square.

It was also reported in April 2018 that Brown had signed a contract to continue playing Dot Branning for another year, on which she said, "I'm delighted that EastEnders have allowed me to keep playing Dot whilst also accommodating me to take on other work opportunities." Additionally, the role of Ricky Mitchell was recast from Henri Charles to Frankie Day, whose first episode was broadcast on 13 August 2018.

The following is a full list of the EastEnders 2018 cast, followed by their respective episode count out of 206 total episodes.

Regular cast

 * Kellie Bright as Linda Carter (138 episodes)
 * Lacey Turner as Stacey Fowler (127 episodes)
 * Danny Dyer as Mick Carter (121 episodes)
 * Danny Walters as Keanu Taylor (113 episodes)
 * Linda Henry as Shirley Carter (110 episodes)
 * James Bye as Martin Fowler (109 episodes)
 * Lorraine Stanley as Karen Taylor (109 episodes)
 * Laila Morse as Mo Harris (107 episodes)
 * Perry Fenwick as Billy Mitchell (105 episodes)
 * Clair Norris as Bernadette Taylor (105 episodes)
 * Jessie Wallace as Kat Moon (105 episodes)
 * Shona McGarty as Whitney Carter (102 episodes)
 * Letitia Dean as Sharon Mitchell (101 episodes)
 * Tamzin Outhwaite as Mel Owen (100 episodes)
 * Gillian Wright as Jean Walters (100 episodes)
 * Katie Jarvis as Hayley Slater (97 episodes)
 * Zack Morris as Keegan Baker (97 episodes)
 * Luisa Bradshaw-White as Tina Carter (91 episodes)
 * Scott Maslen as Jack Branning (91 episodes)
 * Maisie Smith as Tiffany Butcher (91 episodes)
 * Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale (88 episodes)
 * Tony Clay as Halfway (85 episodes)
 * Tameka Empson as Kim Fox-Hubbard (85 episodes)
 * Diane Parish as Denise Fox (82 episodes)
 * Dean Gaffney as Robbie Jackson (81 episodes)
 * Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell (78 episodes)
 * Emma Barton as Honey Mitchell (77 episodes)
 * Jamie Borthwick as Jay Brown (75 episodes)
 * Ricky Champ as Stuart Highway (74 episodes)
 * Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Beale (73 episodes)
 * Nitin Ganatra as Masood Ahmed (72 episodes)
 * Tilly Keeper as Louise Mitchell (72 episodes)
 * Charlie Winter as Hunter Owen (72 episodes)
 * Jake Wood as Max Branning (70 episodes)
 * Davood Ghadami as Kush Kazemi (69 episodes)
 * Natalie Cassidy as Sonia Fowler (68 episodes)
 * Bonnie Langford as Carmel Kazemi (68 episodes)
 * Christopher Timothy as Ted Murray (67 episodes)
 * Jasmine Armfield as Bex Fowler (65 episodes)
 * Rudolph Walker as Patrick Trueman (59 episodes)
 * Tanya Franks as Rainie Cross (58 episodes)
 * Madhav Sharma as Arshad Ahmed (47 episodes)
 * Lisa Hammond as Donna Yates (45 episodes)
 * Indira Joshi as Mariam Ahmed (39 episodes)
 * Richard Blackwood as Vincent Hubbard (28 episodes)
 * Louisa Lytton as Ruby Allen (26 episodes)
 * Sean Mahon as Ray Kelly (26 episodes)
 * June Brown as Dot Branning (24 episodes)
 * Shane Richie as Alfie Moon (21 episodes)
 * Patrick Bergin as Aidan Maguire (17 episodes)
 * Lee Ryan as Woody Woodward (16 episodes)
 * Maggie Steed as Joyce Murray (15 episodes)
 * Shaheen Jafargholi as Shakil Kazemi (12 episodes)
 * Jenna Russell as Michelle Fowler (11 episodes)
 * Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning (10 episodes)
 * Lorna Fitzgerald as Abi Branning (8 episodes)
 * Harry Reid as Ben Mitchell (7 episodes)
 * Eddie Eyre as Josh Hemmings (5 episodes)
 * Ted Reilly as Johnny Carter (5 episodes)

Recurring cast

 * Bleu Landau as Dennis Rickman (40 episodes)
 * Aine Garvey as Lily Fowler (35 episodes)
 * Aaron Thomas Ward as Jagger Rawley (22 episodes)
 * Abbie Burke as Amy Mitchell (21 episodes)
 * Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Adam Bateman (19 episodes)
 * Alfie Jacobs as Chatham Taylor (18 episodes)
 * Tom Jacobs as Riley Taylor (18 episodes)
 * Freddie Phillips as Will Mitchell (18 episodes)
 * Grace as Janet Mitchell (15 episodes)
 * Kasey McKellar as Stix Redman (15 episodes)
 * Sophie Capasso as Evie Steele (12 episodes)
 * Ashley McGuire as Bev Slater (12 episodes)
 * Ann Mitchell as Cora Cross (12 episodes)
 * Frankie Day as Ricky Mitchell (11 episodes)
 * Shay Crotty as Tommy Moon (8 episodes)
 * Robyn Page as Maddie Wright (8 episodes)
 * Jane Slaughter as Tracey (8 episodes)
 * Roger Griffiths as Mitch Baker (7 episodes)
 * Sian Webber as Ritchie Scott (7 episodes)
 * Leonard Fenton as Dr Legg (6 episodes)
 * Pernille Broch as Ingrid Solberg (5 episodes)
 * Ben Champniss as Shrimpy (5 episodes)
 * Hannah Spearritt as Kandice Taylor (5 episodes)
 * Alexandra Gilbreath as Nicola Kelly (3 episodes)
 * Henri Charles as Ricky Mitchell (2 episodes)
 * Ulric Browne as Winston (1 episode)

The following are young children or family pets and their appearances are not credited, therefore in most cases, their number of appearances is unknown.
 * Uncredited recurring cast


 * Unknown as Cherry Slater (24 episodes)
 * Elliot and Cody Briffett as Bert and Ernie Moon (7 episodes)
 * Unknown as Mica Fox-Hubbard (3 episodes)
 * Arayah as Pearl Fox-Hubbard
 * Hunter Bell as Arthur Fowler
 * Harry Farr as Ollie Carter
 * Hot Lips as Lady Di (dog)
 * Oscar Winehouse as Louie Beale
 * Unknown as Abi Branning (baby)
 * Unknown as Bronson (dog)
 * Unknown as Dave (cat)
 * Unknown as Hope Fowler
 * Unknown as Harley

Guest cast

 * Ian Burfield as DI Peter Arthurs (12 episodes)
 * Melanie Harris as Sophie (9 episodes)
 * Denise McCormack as Ciara Maguire (9 episodes)
 * Faye Daveney as Zara Highway (8 episodes)
 * Julia Hills as Morag Morgan (8 episodes)
 * Nik Drake as DCI Alsworth (7 episodes)
 * Ossian Luke as Ross Swinden (7 episodes)
 * Amelie Smith as Daisy (6 episodes)
 * Nick Waring as Dr Harding (6 episodes)
 * Joseph Alessi as Fraser Philips (5 episodes)
 * Ricci Harnett as Dylan Box (5 episodes)
 * Selva Rasalingam as Umar Kazemi (5 episodes)
 * Jesse Rutherford as Cal (5 episodes)
 * Colin Tierney as Calvin Hoskins (5 episodes)
 * James Bowers as Bob Matthews (4 episodes)
 * Josh Fraser as Bruno (4 episodes)
 * Malcolm Freeman as Fred Lewis (4 episodes)
 * Mitchell Hunt as Matt Clarkson (4 episodes)
 * Tara Lee as Jessica Jones (4 episodes)
 * Emeson Nwolie as prison officer (4 episodes)
 * Georgina Redhead as Savannah Sweeting (4 episodes)
 * Ash Rizi as Darius Kazemi (4 episodes)
 * Sadie Shimmin as Hilary Taylor (4 episodes)
 * Orli Shuka as Robert (4 episodes)
 * Cathy Walker as Viktoria (4 episodes)
 * Geraldine Alexander as Andrea Rooney (3 episodes)
 * Tarrick Benham as Apostolos Papadopolous (3 episodes)
 * Colin Bennett as man (3 episodes)
 * Ashley Cook as Ashley (3 episodes)
 * Billy Cook as Jez (3 episodes)
 * Tim Dantay as DI Stephan Franklin (3 episodes)
 * Holly Donovan as Georgi (3 episodes)
 * Alexandra D'Sa as PC Khan (3 episodes)
 * Simon Eile as prison officer (3 episodes)
 * Emma Fielding as Judith Thompson (3 episodes)
 * Lauren Fitzpatrick as Chloe (3 episodes)
 * Martha Howe-Douglas as Annie Pritchard (3 episodes)
 * Jonas Khan as Bijan (3 episodes)
 * Melanie Kilburn as The Reverend Irene Mills (3 episodes)
 * Polly Maberly as DI Ellie Kent (3 episodes)
 * Ifan Meredith as Dan (3 episodes)
 * Shannon Murray as Sarah-Jane Spilsbury (3 episodes)
 * Todd Von Joel as Glenn Neyland (3 episodes)
 * Andres Williams as Jeff Reynolds (3 episodes)
 * Rosalind Adler as Mary (2 episodes)
 * Andrew Alexander as Henry (2 episodes)
 * River Archer as Jake Wright (2 episodes)
 * Alex Blake as Zayan Scott (2 episodes)
 * Craig Blake as Jamahl Enright (2 episodes)
 * Alex Britt as Wesley (2 episodes)
 * Katie Buchholz as Jodie Kelly (2 episodes)
 * Renée Castle as DI Janice Marlowe (2 episodes)
 * Ashley Chin as Sam (2 episodes)
 * Helen Daniels as Talia (2 episodes)
 * Eileen Davies as Joan Murfield (2 episodes)
 * Matt Emery as DC Thomas Summers (2 episodes)
 * Jon Ewart as Blake (2 episodes)
 * Ciarán Griffiths as Milo (2 episodes)
 * Peter Hamilton Dyer as Harry Wilson (2 episodes)
 * Polly Highton as Mrs Robyn Lund (2 episodes)
 * Luke Hope as Lou (2 episodes)
 * Natasha Jayetileke as Amal Hussain (2 episodes)
 * Jo Joyner as Tanya Cross (2 episodes)
 * Andrew Lawden as Chris (2 episodes)
 * Helen Masters as Ellie James (2 episodes)
 * Joanna Miller as DS Adney (2 episodes)
 * Tony O'Callaghan as Ollie Walters (2 episodes)
 * Mark Oosterveen as Carl (2 episodes)
 * Ian Pirie as PC Trevor Moore (2 episodes)
 * Eric Richard as Maurice (2 episodes)
 * George Sargeant as TJ Spraggan (2 episodes)
 * Sandra Teles as DC Maxine Phillips (2 episodes)
 * Kate Victors as Dr Sherwood (2 episodes)
 * Julianne White as Alison Smith (2 episodes)
 * Phil Zimmerman as Trent Meadows (2 episodes)
 * Ian Alexander as Barker (1 episode)
 * Jacob Avery as Cody (1 episode)
 * Nigel Betts as Craig (1 episode)
 * Lin Blakley as Pam Coker (1 episode)
 * Annie Cooper as Tessa (1 episode)
 * Patrick Cremin as Muski (1 episode)
 * Laura Curnick as Young Viv (1 episode)
 * Elicia Daly as Marla (1 episode)
 * Richie Daysh as Young Charlie (1 episode)
 * Phil Deguara as Tommy (1 episode)
 * Taru Devani as Rana Hussain (1 episode)
 * Rina Diamond as Brianna (1 episode)
 * Amelia Donkor as PC Teresa Ndiaye (1 episode)
 * Kevin Eldon as Victor (1 episode)
 * James El-Sharawy as Raf (1 episode)
 * Jack Gogarty as PC Paul Campbell (1 episode)
 * Kieran Gough as Joseph Summers (1 episode)
 * Jonathan Hansler as Pete Clifford (1 episode)
 * Lucas Hare as Chris Pickard (1 episode)
 * Dale Hayes as Young Harry (1 episode)
 * Jon House as DC David White (1 episode)
 * George Jennings as Mr Woods (1 episode)
 * Dystin Johnson as Nurse Lennon (1 episode)
 * Isabelle Jones as Young Lynne (1 episode)
 * Miranda Keeling as Dr Notley (1 episode)
 * Mark Kempner as Tony (1 episode)
 * Lily Knight as Rhona (1 episode)
 * Rachel Laboucarie as customs officer (1 episode)
 * Jake Lampert as Bucko (1 episode)
 * Jennifer Matter as Gina (1 episode)
 * Alexander Newland as PC Jed Adams (1 episode)
 * Jennifer Nicholas as Shelley (1 episode)
 * Goldy Notay as Noor (1 episode)
 * Jack O'Connor as drug dealer (1 episode)
 * Niall O'Mara as Marky (1 episode)
 * Malachi Pullar-Latchman as Lewis (1 episode)
 * Will Rastall as Dave (1 episode)
 * Jacqueline Roberts as Tilly (1 episode)
 * Jennifer Saayeng as PC Amelia Gayle (1 episode)
 * Anton Saunders as Eddie Hawkins (1 episode)
 * Nicole Sawyerr as girl (1 episode)
 * Steve Steen as Magic Marv (1 episode)
 * Katherine Williams as woman in E20 (1 episode)
 * Jamie Zubairi as Dr Daniel Zainuddin (1 episode)
 * Unknown as Habib Hussain (1 episode)
 * Unknown as Jenny (1 episode)
 * Unknown as Young Belinda (1 episode)

List of episodes
In the typical week, EastEnders airs four half-hour episodes in a time slot of 8:00pm on Mondays and Fridays, and 7:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, though some episodes are moved or combined into hour-long episodes, usually in the case of live events being broadcast at the time EastEnders is normally shown. Each episode was repeated the same evening on W, with a weekly omnibus edition on Sundays, until April when W stopped showing EastEnders. Each episode was produced by John Yorke, who continued his temporary role as executive consultant from 2017.

All official ratings cover a period of 28 days from the original broadcast, and are taken from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB). Up to 24 August 2018, the rating is for views on television sets and PCs and laptop computers, and from 27 August 2018, the ratings also include those watching on tablet computers and smartphones. Airdates, credits, running times and episode summaries are taken from episodes, the official EastEnders website and BBC programmes schedules. Episode numbers are taken from Radio Times.


 * January (18 episodes)
 * February (15 episodes)
 * March (18 episodes)
 * April (17 episodes)
 * May (18 episodes)
 * June (15 episodes)
 * July (18 episodes)
 * August (18 episodes)
 * September (16 episodes)
 * October (18 episodes)
 * November (17 episodes)
 * December (18 episodes)
 * Supplemental episodes (2 episode)

January
The first January 2018 storyline was confirmed on 9 December 2017 when it was announced that the New Year's Day episode would revolve around a heist arranged by Aidan Maguire (Patrick Bergin) and involving Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) and Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters). On 30 December 2017, it was confirmed that Aidan's heist would go wrong and one character would be shot. January also saw the introduction of two new regular characters, Arshad Ahmed (Madhav Sharma), uncle of Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra), and Arshad's wife, Mariam Ahmed (Indira Joshi), who arrived in the first episode of the year. January also included returns for characters Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith) and Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite), guest returns for TJ Spraggan (George Sargeant), Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner) and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), and departures for Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) and Johnny Carter (Ted Reilly).

February
February sees the continuation of the heist storyline, with the stolen money revealed to have been taken by Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean). The storyline also leads to the introduction of Hunter Owen (Charlie Winter), the son of Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) and Steve Owen (Martin Kemp), who was killed off in March 2002. Two other new characters, Hayley Slater (Katie Jarvis) and Georgi (Holly Donovan) were introduced in February; Hayley was described as a "mystery" person spying on Martin Fowler (James Bye) and his wife, Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner) who is later revealed to be Stacey's cousin, and Georgi is a friend of Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny), the daughter of Tina Carter (Luisa Bradshaw-White). This month also features the funeral of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald), a guest appearance of her mother, Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), and the departures of Abi's sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), Lauren's son, Louie Beale (Oscar Winehouse), and boyfriend Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre).

March
The heist storyline concluded during this month as Patrick Bergin made his final appearance as Aidan Maguire after it is revealed that he killed Luke Browning (Adam Astill). Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths), the father of Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), was introduced in March for a guest stint. He appears in four episodes before departing, although it was confirmed that the character would return. Griffiths appeared again for two episodes later in the month. Three members of the Slater family were reintroduced in March 2018: Mo Harris (Laila Morse), Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace). All three characters return for a storyline which sees Mo claim that Kat has died. Following the news, the residents of Albert Square arrange a fundraising event to remember Kat, during which she returns. On the reunion of the Slater family, Wallace said, "There's the hustle and bustle of the Slaters, supporting each other, arguing with each other, laughing, it’s just great." The departure of Joyce Murray (Maggie Steed) was announced on 22 March 2018, and Joyce is killed off, departing at the end of March.

April
Continuing from the previous month, the aftermath of Joyce Murray's (Maggie Steed) death is featured in April with the introduction of her daughter, Judith Thompson (Emma Fielding), who tries to send her father Ted Murray (Christopher Timothy) to a care home. April includes the exits of two regular characters: Michelle Fowler (Jenna Russell) and Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood). Michelle leaves to travel after realising her past relationship with teenager Preston Cooper (Martin Anzor) will continue to haunt her, while Vincent departs after being taken and driven out of Albert Square against his will, leaving viewers unaware if the character was dead or alive. This month also includes the reappearance of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks); it emerges that they have recently married. Franks described the characters' pairing as "a kindred spirit from opposing ends of the scale".

May
It was announced on 22 March 2018 that Keegan Baker (Zack Morris) and Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) would be involved in a storyline in which they are attacked by a gang of youths with knives. Sophie Dainty from Digital Spy reported that viewers would see "the wide-reaching ramifications of knife crime for all those involved as the local community attempts to comprehend the gravity of what has happened on their doorstep", adding that the storyline would be "hard-hitting" and "harrowing". Duncan Lindsay from the Metro said that the Taylor and Kazemi families would be dramatically changed by the attack and reported that the programme would put "heavy focus" on the "shocking and distressing" aftermath of the attack. EastEnders worked alongside the Ben Kinsella Trust, which was founded by former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, who played Kelly Taylor from 2001 to 2004, after her brother was stabbed to death (see Murder of Ben Kinsella). Jafargholi was written out of the soap as part of the storyline, and on-screen, Shakil is stabbed and killed. The actor said he felt a need to portray the storyline accurately but also found there was "a sense of pressure throughout the whole filming process".

Ricky Champ made his first appearance as Stuart Highway, the brother of Halfway and childhood friend of Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), in May. Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) returns in May for two episodes, exploring the secrets of his wife, Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), and her relative, Hayley Slater (Katie Jarvis). During the return, it is revealed that Kat and Alfie's son, Ernie Moon (Cody Briffett), was scalded by hot water as a result of Kat's lack of attention, and that Alfie is the father of Hayley's unborn child. Richie thought the return "raises more questions" and pointed out that it could lead to another return.

It was also reported that a storyline starting towards the end of the month would involve Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris) struggling with her sexuality after kissing her friend Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith) during a dare.

July
July features the funeral of Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi), who was killed off in a knife crime storyline in May. It was reported on 20 June 2018 that the funeral episode would include true-life accounts from people affected by knife crime and would be accompanied by a series of short films available on BBC Three.

October
On 13 September 2018, it was reported that Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) would be involved in a storyline that would be "exploring the issue of sexual consent" after she confides in her friend, Stacey Fowler (Lacey Turner) that she was raped after a party they both attended, but the perpetrator has a different version of events. EastEnders worked with the charity Rape Crisis on the storyline, and executive consultant, John Yorke said, "EastEnders has always been at the forefront of dealing with these topical and sensitive issues. Whilst this story centres round an unseen rape, its real focus will challenge the stereotyping and myths that can surround sexual violence and consent. As a subject, it's difficult and incredibly moving but we hope that by EastEnders tackling this issue we can raise awareness about an incredibly important issue." Lytton said on the storyline, "I know the impact a storyline such as this can have and although it is a huge responsibility, I feel honoured to be part of something that, by working alongside Rape Crisis, we all hope can help end the many misconceptions surrounding sexual violence." Yvonne Traynor, CEO of Rape Crisis South London, said, "It is so vital to the safety of men, women and children to understand sexual violence and not to make assumptions or believe the myths and stereotypes that are often portrayed. EastEnders have taken this responsibility very seriously and ensured that their portrayal of sexual violence has been thoroughly researched and is based on realism which is, sadly, so prevalent in our country today." Further details of the storyline were released on 2 October, when it was reported that Ruby would befriend a new character, Ross, at a party and have sex with him, but wake up in the morning with another character, Matt (Mitchell Hunt), on top of her.

Additionally, a trailer released on 5 October with the tagline "secrets are never safe" teased 11 upcoming storylines, including Jean Slater (Gillian Taylforth) discovering that the father of Hayley Slater's (Katie Jarvis) baby is Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), the husband of Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley) discovering that her son Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) is having an affair with married Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) and Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite) discovering her partner Ray Kelly's (Sean Mahon) double life. It also shows the return of Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton), Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and Rainie Branning (Tanya Franks) having an affair behind the back of his brother and her husband, Max Branning (Jake Wood), Keanu being blackmailed over the affair and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) believing her husband, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) is guilty of shooting Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ).