EastEnders to expand classic episodes on iPlayer with hundreds more releases
More than 2,000 episodes will be available by Christmas.
The BBC has confirmed that more classic EastEnders episodes will be coming to BBC iPlayer next week.
The streaming service is already home to old school episodes between 2008 and 2011, with the calendar year of 2012 to be added from Tuesday (March 25).
More classic episodes will be added on the 25th of each month throughout the year, so that over 2,000 episodes from the past 16 years will be available to stream by Christmas.
Producer Chris Clenshaw has previewed the memorable moments coming to iPlayer: “We’re thrilled that BBC iPlayer are expanding their collection of EastEnders episodes so that our viewers can enjoy a look back at some of the show’s most iconic storylines as we honour its rich history and its gripping characters.
“Viewers will be able to rewatch their favourite characters and relive their favourite moments, such as Who Killed Lucy Beale?, Peggy’s heart-breaking death, Stacey’s post-partum psychosis and Kathy’s jaw-dropping return from the dead.”
Dan McGolpin, Director of BBC iPlayer, added: “It’s fantastic to see EastEnders in such great form for 2024 and this is generating strong demand from viewers to enjoy earlier episodes on BBC iPlayer. I’m delighted that we’re able to add all of 2012 by the end of the month and we’ll have more than 2,000 episodes available by Christmas.”
The first drop of 2012 episodes will allow viewers to revisit some memorable moments from a huge year in Albert Square – such as the tragic death of iconic character Pat Butcher, the shocking murder of Heather Trott and Ben Mitchell being sent to prison.
The eventful year also introduced several young characters who’d play a huge role in the soap in the coming years – including Scarlett Butcher, Dennis Rickman Jr and Lexi Pearce.
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
