Five theories on Sonia and Reiss’ EastEnders storyline from stalking twist to Rocky connection

EastEnders viewers have been racking their brains over Sonia Fowler and Reiss Colwell’s next move in their IVF storyline.

The couple, respectively portrayed by Natalie Cassidy and Jonny Freeman have decided to embark on another round of IVF after finding out that the nurse was never actually pregnant but the hefty cost of the procedure left the accountant in a desperate position.

After trying to scam Kat Slater and Jay Brown, Reiss ran straight to the hospital, where he told his comatose wife Debbie that he would be taking the rest of her funds, which he had already dipped into for Sonia’s first IVF attempt

With Bianca Jackson looming nearby, Reiss’ big secret was thrown out in the open and Sonia agreed to go along with it, leaving BBC One viewers at home convinced that a huge twist was ahead for the couple.

Theory 1: Debbie wakes up

Debbie, portrayed by Jenny Meier since she was first introduced to the London-based program in 2023, has been in a coma since suffering from a stroke in her bath several years ago, with Reiss left alone to take care of her.

Upon his own debut in Albert Square in late 2022, viewers grew increasingly attached to the quirky and awkward character and were shocked to find out he had actually been married all along.

Despite his relationship with Sonia, Reiss has maintained hope that his wife would, one day, wake up and head back into a normal life – and since they’ve seen him steal from his wife, viewers are just as hopeful.

For several months, soap fans have been speculating that EastEnders have prepared a new jaw-dropping twist which could show Debbie waking up from her long coma and confronting both Reiss and Sonia over the money that was taken from her.

“After the Kathy and Sonia conversation, I just have a feeling that Debbie would wake up soon. Eastenders love foreshadowing. They are probably planning that towards the anniversary”, one of them notably speculated on X earlier this week.

Suspicions were sparked even further by Natalie Cassidy herself as the soap actress appeared on Lorraine Kelly’s eponymous talk show this Thursday (June 13).

During their chat, the presenter said: “I’ve just got a feeling she’s going to wake up and it’s all going to go… but don’t tell me anything”, in reference to Debbie. The Sonia star remained tight-lipped but her five-word response was enough for fans to believe they were on to something: “”I won’t say a word!”, the actress replied.

Theory 2: Debbie is killed off

But while some viewers are ready to see Debbie get her revenge, more pessimistic fans believe that she may be cast aside before her formal introduction to Albert Square residents.

Plenty of characters have been killed off in the soap, both on and off-screen, from the iconic Dot Cotton to the troublemaking Keanu Taylor – could Debbie join their ranks.

As mentioned, Debbie has been in a coma after a horrific stroke for several years, hinting that her condition could be severe. This, in turn, could mean that her odds of ever surviving her comatose state are dwindling as time flies by.

According to the NHS, it is impossible to predict when or whether someone will survive a stroke-induced coma. It is just as impossible to predict how long the coma will last or even if the patient will experience long-term repercussions as the chances of recovery depend on several factors, including the severity and cause of the brain injury. A coma, however, is noted as one of the most severe effects of a stroke.

Theory 3: Reiss’ murderous streak is revealed

For some fans, Debbie was placed at the centre of drama only for Reiss to reveal his dark side after his secret money-thieving was exposed by Bianca Jackson.

To top it all off, Bianca (played by Patsy Palmer) let Square residents know what he and Sonia were up to when drinking her sorrows in a crowded Queen Vic – and the scrutiny may push Reiss over the edge.

Following recent scenes, many viewers took to X, otherwise known as Twitter, theorising that Reiss could witness Debbie waking up… before killing her to avoid any repercussions for his dastardly deeds.

“Reiss has Bianca’s card marked – but, oh boy, there’s murderous shades in his manner sometimes, isn’t there”, one of them penned online as another added: “Why do I feel like Reiss is gonna kill Debbie by suffocation with a pillow after she wakes up & make it look like she died in her coma to stop her finding out his been stealing from her/ ruin his life with Sonia.”

But with soaps shining a light on complex topics such as coercive control and sexual assault, another handful of TV watchers have theorised that EastEnders may unveil Reiss as a potential domestic abuser.

Theory 4: Domestic abuse and stalking twist

As mentioned, the accountant was initially introduced as Dot Cotton’s great-nephew, remaining his socially awkward self throughout his stint so far.

But in recent scenes of the long-running show, Reiss came head to head with Sonia’s sister Bianca Jackson, who had figured out he was trying to steal Debbie’s money, in an explosive showdown, his first on the program.

Reiss stood his ground when Bianca confronted him but in doing so, viewers couldn’t help but wonder if his temper may have been the cause of Debbie’s coma.

“Imagine if Reiss physically lashed out at Debbie out of anger and that’s why she’s in her coma”, another echoed, which prompted another soap fan to echo: “Reiss I think might have a sinister side. He comes across as a weak nerd. But something is definitely off about the character. I wonder if Reiss harmed the wife?”

One theory has suggested that Sonia may find out the hard way that Reiss isn’t who he claims to be as their relationship could come under strain again in the midst of their IVF ordeal.

However, one fan to this theory a step further over on Reddit: “they aren’t even married & he was just her accountant turned obsessive stalker and he attacked her and caused her coma after she turned him down, pretty dark but I like the theory.”

Theory 5: False identity bombshell

Debbie has been a mysterious character from the get-go, with viewers knowing close to nothing about her marriage with Reiss, with the exception of what he was willing to share with Sonia. But what is she wasn’t who he claims her to be?

The theory emerged for the first time on Reddit several months ago as one fan speculated that Reiss could be lying – and there may even be a Rocky Cotton connection added to the mix.

“What if Reiss is really lying about Debbie, and the lady who he/Sonia have been visiting is a relative to the actual Debbie…who I think could be Rocky’s wife. Hear me out”, the viewer penned.

Rocky, played by Brian Conley, was last seen in Walford in late 2023, when he was sent to prison for setting his fiancée Kathy Beale’s fire ablaze in a wild insurance scam.

The cash-strapped former con man was onto the Six following Keanu Taylor’s murder and Kathy made the ultimate sacrifice by throwing him under the bus. Months before his exit, just as he was about to tie the knot with Kathy, Rocky was called out by his ex-wife Jo Cotton, whom he had never actually divorced, and the latter was seen taking a phone call from a mystery accomplice.

“Before Jo left, she had a scene on the phone showing she was working with someone/extorting the money for someone. What if this was Reiss? She could be connected to him somehow, and the reason I say this is the account in today’s episode had 25K in it..the exact amount Jo extorted out of Kathy and Rocky”, the soap fan wrote.

“I don’t know what the motive could be – but I think this scene was way too intentionally placed not to be brought back up again in the future? Maybe he’s now double-crossing her for the IVF?” And some fans even mentioned Cindy Beale as another potential accomplice.